Singer sackings for speed-up

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Vauxhall fight 19,000 Vauxhall car workers remain laid off as a result of strike action by skilled workers pursuing a claim for differentials and separate negotiating rights.

Only a week ago manual workers were pressured into accepting a sell-out deal on pay.

While the skilled men feel they have avoided this pitfall, their differentials claim offers no long term solution to the problem of inadequate wages.

But their struggle against Vauxhall's corporate bargaining structure indicates the kind of battle to be expected soon in British Leyland, where the outlines of corporate bargaining have just been forced in.

Following the lead given by management in British Leyland in their offensive to step up the exploitation of workers on production tracks, employers are turning to increasingly blatant attacks on manning levels.

Latest announced is the decision by Singer UK to make so me 1,150 workers redundan t in their Clydebank factory Not disguised The plant singlehanded roduces 20% of the world's omestic and industrial sewing machines.

The redundancies are not disguised as the result of any Over 500 workers at Smiths Industries. in Cricklewood, London are facing lay-offs after a decision last Wednesday (November 2) by 106 piece-workers to reject their union leaders' "advice" to return to normal work.

The production workers at the plant, mainly women, have been staging daily sit-ins in support of their demand for a £5 a week increase in their bonus.

In a deliberately provocative move, Smith's manageslackening of demand, or as the outcome of fin incial difficulties for the giant firm.

Management simply say they wish to "improve productivity".

Possible strike

But AUEW convenor John McFadyen attempted to soften the blow, stating that "we were aware of the shortfall in orders"

He has threatened "industra a strike if the redundan- possibly includcies are imposed.

But workers i should be immediately electing a trade union committee to examine Singers' books to prove the case for nationalising this international monopoly if jobs and conditions are to be defended. workers' time cards sayıng that it the women were not prepared to work normally there would be no work at all.

But this attempi at lockout has not intimidated the workers; on the contrary, it has strengthened their determination to win.

This determination must be tapped and utilised to the full if the wage demand is to be won.

There is apparently considerable support throughout the factory for the women's action, which now should be transformed into all-out strike action by all Smiths