Big Business Backs Scab Press

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by scab labour, ready to help to break a strike in Fleet Street.

In addition the group will try to establish a mobile printing press to be used in towns such as Darlington which are hit by local disputes.

Clearly the existence of such presses would be useless without the readiness of capitalists to use hem but the letter reveals that several large firms have given money to the fascist group in the 23SL.

SECRET PRESS

Self Help publishes the British Gacette and boasts that the location of its scab press has been Nept a secret from the left for four years.

The letter, dated August 24, says-accurately-that Pleet Street was on the verge of being shut down over the Financial Times dispute.

"It is to meet such an eventuality as this that, with your help, our organisation came into being, and our newspaper printing works ama's stands by ready to go into production of up to three million mnies a day of a national newsclosing down.

The letter does not explain how the existence of the Press would allow this group to gather news or distribute the papers it prints.

But clearly (judging from the direction from which Socialist Press received the leaked letter) large anti-union firms are prepared to put finance into the organisation.

The letter continues.

"The moment we do start publishing an independent newspaper. the whereabouts of our works are bound to become known to the unions ... immediately we shall almost certainly have to contend with massive picketing and We have made all possible preparations for such an eventuality as we believe that it is absolutely essential that in no circumstances should the unions be allowed to stop production and distribution."

Self Help claims that the short term option they have acquired on a second press in the south of England will allow them to print token editions should someone throw a bomb at their present works.

The letter says:

"This letter is being sent to past contributors of substantial amounts to our funds, of whom you are one."

It is this link with big business which rescues Self Help from the boy scout world to which its members gravitate.

The group organised an attack on the Randolph Hotel picket line in May which led to 34 anti-fascists being arrested by police.

Last week Lady Birdwool leafleted houses in Notting Hill calling for the carnival to be banned, accusing the government and local council of not being able The contribations made by business to such organisations must be exposed and the only way this can be done is with a sustained campaign in the unions to end business secrets and open the hooks of

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At its meeting on Saturday August 20 the Organising Committee of the Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement set the date for two conferences centred on the key political questions facing workers in the coming period. More details on both conferences, and credentials (50p) are available from CDLM, Secretary Kevin Lee, 44, Devonshire We reprint below the two statements issued by the CI Lucas toolmakers vote to continue their pay strike.

Handsworth Wood, Birmingham.

A number of major issues now face workers in the car and component industry. Major wage claims have been lodged in almost every sector.

Some claims, such as at Cowley, are for large increases plus cost of living clauses and without strings. Other claims, such as at Longbridge make major concessions to the employers.

In a number of parts of the industry strikes are in progress which are being stubbornly resisted by the employers.

STRUGG

In British Leyland a major thrust is underway directly from the government to try and end plant bargaining and establish a corporate agreement. In Fords the struggle for 100% lay off pay is still pending as well as a wages struggle. In Chrysler the company is trying to enforce corporate bargaining and most factories have opposed this and submitted major claims. Already in components, wage struggles are erupting.

The leadership problems in the car and component industry are extremely sharp. The shop stewards movement, tor years one of the strongest, has been weakened by participation and collaboration with the employers. Workers are strong but clear leadership is necessary if major wage settlements are to be won and conditions defended.

The purpose of this conference is to discuss in some detail the problems facing car workers and the programme necessary on which to fight.

*Catching up claims to regain what we have lost since 1974.

*For cost of living clauses to protect against inflation.

*Break the 12-month rule.

*Opposition to corporate gaining.

with management.

*100% lay off pay.

*For a nationalised component industry.

The conference will be held at the Digbeth Institute on Sunday September 19 commencing at 11.00am until 4.00pm.

Credentials may be obtained (price 50p) from Kevin Lea, 44, Deed, hirming am 20. Devonshire Handsworth PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report A deluge of wage claims have been tabled by workers anxio us to take immediate steps to regai n the losses inflicted on them by two years of TUC-policed wage Although blacked out in most cases by the media, hundreds of wages strikes are now in progress despite every effort of the TUC leaders to head them off.

But the TUC remains committed to wage controls. Though unable to register formal support for Chancellor Healey's 10% limit ultimatum, the TUC has set its face against any attempt to restore living standards to 1974 levels, and against any section of workers breaching the 12-month rule.

Already both TGWU and AUEW leaderships have breached their own conference policy to strengthen the TUC's stand. The TGWU has circulated officials telling them to uphold the 12-month rule-a policy specifically rejected at the union's conference only last month-while the AUEW is campaigning not for free collective bargaining in line with conference policy, but for "moderate' wage increases and the 12-month rule.

The role of the trade union leaderships in the Grunwick and Desoutters recognition disputes shows that they are opposed to mobilising against the employers. If workers are to win the large claims they need to restore living standards and defend themselves against inflation it will only be through a fight aguinst union The Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement was the only rank and file organisation carrying out a consistent fight for the breaking of Phase 2 of wage controls. In its two conferences since last October it has developed a clear programme on the wages struggle, calling for big increases protected from inflation through a cost of living clause providing automatic rises to compensate for the increases in the cost of living as determined by committees of trade unionists and housewives.

It is clear from the wave of wages strikes already in progress that the working class are prepared to fight. What is lacking is a leadership and a programme for these battles.

This is where the CDLM