Strikes show need for conference

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self-styled "Marxist-Leninist" Reg Birch- considered a call for blacking, but rejected it, arguing that such a course would leave the union open to legal action.

Clearly for the AUEW leaders, the bosses' laws stand higher than the defence of members' interests.

The local AUEW leadership-the CP-dominated London North District Committee had given verbal support to blacking calls.

OUTSIDE LONDON

Ironically the only places where effective blacking occurred were all outside the London North District: Oxford, Sheffield and Heathrow Airport.

This do-nothing attitude on blacking was outdone only by the treacherous attitude adopted by the District Committee on finance. Not only did District Committee members squash all calls for the raising of a district levy, but they failed even to take up collections in their own workplaces.

And, as reported in the last issue of Socialist Press, the District Committee deliberately voted down a call for a levy knowing that this would help drive the strikers back to work.

WEAKNESSES

It took divisional organiser Bill Mcloughlin though to put the finishing touches on the sell out. At the mass meeting he divided the strikers by harping non-stop on the strike's weaknesses, rather than pointing to any of its strengths. His line of argument was that the docuAND THE FIGHT FOR A SLIDING SCALE OF WAGES INFLATTO Conference Sunday Ostober 23 10.30 -5.00 Digbeth Hall, Birminghamn Credentials 50p from: KEVIN LEE A4, DEVOMSHHRE HANDSWORTH WOOD BHAM 20.

The wave of pay strikes frombone end of the country to the other is testimony to the determir lation of the working class to confront the wage cutting policies of the These fights, breaking out afresh as every week goes by, put at risk the cosy coalition between Labour and Liberals. more sacntices, and government threats to bankrupt firms which meet workers' demands-a policy which was part of the 1974 Liberal election manifesto.

They confront also the policies of class collaboration which drive union leaders to join with employers in undermining claims, selling out strikes and ensuring that the threat to the government is reduced to a minimum.

COALITION

If willingness to fight were the sole criterion then government would not have survived Phase 2, coalition or not, let alone survived to try to force through another year of wage cuts.

The question of leadership confronts pay strikes and tnose workers fighting the decimation of the health service, the growing queues of the unemployed and the bitter struggles for union recognition.

In the wages struggle, the crucial policy that must be advanced by workers is for a sliding scale : or levels.

This policy not only has the ability to maintain the living standards of the working class despite the crisis, but also raises the struggle to a new level.

Wage rises must be computed not by the TUC in collaboration with the government, but by elected committees of workers and housewives, determining what rise is needed to protect their standard of living.

The demand sweeps aside the diversionary hotch potch of productivity agreements, incentive schemes and bonus payments which are being used to dress up wage cuts and speed ups which the employers are trying to force through.

The Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement has made this demand central to its policy since its first conference in October last year.

It has shown the link between the deliberate betrayals of the union officials in every sort of struggle and their central task of defending capitalism.

The CDLM held the on!! ' conterfrom capitalism and all its supporters.

That is why the conference the CDLM in Birmingham Sunday October 23 comes at critical time. We call on =. supporters of Socialist Press to give this conference full backing.

All labour movement orgaris* ations are invited to send delegates The conference is also open I individuals. The conference will =* taking up not only the question ei wages but also the struggles =: Grunwick and Desoutters. the sacking of Hounslow Hospital ==: other vital unionisation battles.

FLOOR SPEAKERS

Conference organisers havE decided that this third CDL. conference will concentrate more than ever before on contributiors from the floor, while speakers from a number of marc= struggles including Hounslow. Desoutters, Leyland, the tunneller: the Fire Brigades Union. NLPE and others.

More information arc credentials (50p) can be obtaire: from the conference secrete

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Łeading SWP members Novack and Wolforth -accept Mandel's notions Mandel USFI-the so-called Leninist Trotskyist Faction -followed the political line of the US Socialist Workers Party (which itself is