Stalinist Boss

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from Grunwick TGWU drivers Women workers at Forward Trading Co., Coventry, who went on strike and kept up a picket every day for a week to ensure the factory remained closed, won agreement from the managing director, Surinder Singh on their demands for trade union recognition, reinstatement of redundant workers, accurate records of working hours and improved holidays.

The managing director resigned from the Communist Party of Great Britain after the secretary of the Coventry branch, Tony McNally said:

"We have no hesitation in declaring that the actions he is pursuing are inconsistent with membership of the Communist Party. We do not debar people from becoming members of this party because they have got a business (!]. But we would demand that they carry out the basics of trade union recognition."

The fact that the women could show pay slips for 42 hours piecework of between f8 and £18, and that the hourly rate was 45p, went unchallenged by the Communist Party until the women's strike action closed the factory down.

Surinder Singh said of his workers:

"They should be really grateful for those who created the jobs for LUCAS DICTATE LUCAS NOT NECOTIATE them."

18 of the women joined the IGWU last November. Surinder Singh refused to recognise the union or negotiate with it. On July 15 he made .6 workers redundant and the rest of the workers struck in support.

Although the strike resulted in a victory for the workers, Surinder Singh has announced plans to move to smaller premises and, he said, redundancies were inevitable.

A similar strike at Leofric Shirt Company, also in Coventry, began on 10 August when 20 women struck after 9 workers had been made redundant.

The women say that management have victimised active union members in the factory since they joined the TGWU 2 months ago. They are paid 50p an hour for a 40 hour week.

These disputes are only the tip of the iceberg as far as clothing manufacture in the area goes.

It is relatively easy for the sewing and pressing machines to be moved to new premises and for owners to set up with new non-union labour.

TGWU members must argue for union recruitment campaign to seek out these sweatshops and to lead a fight for organisation, trade union rates and improved conditions.

PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report FAMNAGEMENTI Lucas picket at Wolverhampton