Socialist Press no. 79

FOLLOW COWLEY -

RIGHT WING!

Scargill's lawyers no answer PHOTO: Chris Davies Report "One of the most dis- decisions astrous ever taken in the history of union"— that the was how Arthur Scargill reacted to the

NUM

executive's vo te to sabotage the drive for higher wages by going for local productivity deals.

upholding the 12 By month rule the executive intend not sim ply to delay the wage claim but to kill it off altogether. The. wing

VICIOUS

clique behind. Daly and Gormley have reached a new level of bureaucratic rule.

Wait for outcome Despite his strong words Scargill's first action returning to Yorkshire was to start legal action against the executive and call on miitants to wait for the out.

come of this action.

SOCIALIST

PRESS *

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 79 * December 14, 1977 * 15p

THROW OUT

Scargill saw -as hardly fail see-what the 15-9 vote in favour of local productivity deals represented. In my view it is all retrall pressing ahead with the wages demand of fl35 a week and attempt to overturn the annual conference decision.

Ludicrous This attempt is certain to succeed it Scargil does not drop his ludicrous attempt to ask High Court judges to do what he himself ought now to be acting on. He said: I shall be demanding that our miners in Yorkshire are not paid Jess than any others around the country.

To back that Scargill will need to fight for strike action

HU W

If the executive wishes to give areas autonomy to nego- tiate local conditions Scargill must press for immediate strike action in Yorkshire on the £135 Claim and spread that action throughout the

COLLY.

Kent, Wales and Scottish follow MinerS WOWe Yorkshire in strike action, bringing many other areas in He Wate Mick McGahey Vice Presi- dent, and Scottish miners' leader, be forced to back talk of strike action with the action itselt. The simple fact is that the nine. delegates who voted against productivity deals represent a majority of the membership Gormley is determined the Lib-Lab coalition must, preserved, and its pay limits upheld, no matter what the cost to NUM members. Hence the two-pronged thrust overturn confer- ence votes and to tear up the results of the recent ballot.

At the same time Gormley intends to press for a 'league Inside: Portugal Page 2 Ireland (Part Seven).. -pp.6- Teamster Bureaucracy. .. p. Wise denounces pay control.

.. p.: Grunwick .. .. p.1 The right wing have taken a heavy White. blow in British Leyland's Cowley The held la hearings, Plant. Witch-hunting week, contirmed as Assembly were classic kangaroo courts whe Reg Parsons-who was it was openly stated that ti installed after a three-week national same six-man committee h press campaign helped management selected those to be charge named the charges; would s and

TGWU

bureaucrats oust the in judgement; and would th previous leadership in May 1974-has recommend the sentences! been voted out of office in a shop This mockery justi floor ballot.

TGW

was presided over by 3½ years after they were District Chairman, magistra And, Bill Roche. removed from office by the

TGWU

These plans were careful Midlands Regional Committee, left laid, and recommendatio winger Bob Fryer has been re-elected for endors have now gone and Alan Thornett as as ment to the Midlands Regio

CONCHOL

deputy convenor. al Committee. There is no doubt howev that the election results ha The same popular vote hampered these moves. Whil introduced to procedure no-one can predict what t remove them in the heat of a

TGW

by the hysterical witch-hunt in 1974 their returned them to SHas previous positions. The results confirm that for all their appearance of strength, the right wing and the bureaucracy can beaten. In the vote for convenor Fryer received 1,195 votes to Parsons' 995. In the deputies elections Thornett Calle fourth of the 28

OUL

winning 796 contenders, votes. [Full results p.ll] Frank Corti, Secretary OI the TGWU 5/293 Branch of which Thornett is chairman deputy elected Alan Thornett Was convenor-as was another left bureaucracy will be, it will winger, Tom White. difficult much victim ise successful Call Arrogant dates than defeated ones.

The support for the le And this morning Parsons, in wing is rooted the car the man who was so arrogant paigns of the 5/293 Bran he did not even stand in the against 'participation', again elections for stewards the corporate bargaini was back on his package, and in support of job. These results are a blow principled policy on wage Branch policy is to call for the right not only against £100 per week wage with Cowley but against wing in of living clause those in the tomost echelons

COSE

protect against inflation.

bureaucracy of the union The defeat of the rig who have supported them Alan Thornett was wing carries a Since to pay sell-out elected Chairman of the every section or workers loggerheads with bureaucrat Shes Branch two years ago, forces have made ana teacuonary lcduels to destroy Teveated moves Principles the Branch and the principled position' for miners in the Widespread support can t line it upheld. form of a guarantee on future gained in the working cla This summer, the right pay intentions, similar to that for principled policies, wh wing District Committee, those who accomodate to th with full co-operation from This would take the steam right wing or compromise Leyland management, set out out of future wage claims and principles offer no way fo "reorganise" the union in could lead to ward. the plant and set up a new pay claims ot The Cowley results gi BaCE eeds branch, hoping to destroy the once every three years with the lie to all those who sa 5/293. inadequate inflation clauses that leading militants, by th designed to ensure that pay Kangaroo court of their struggl sharpness. rises more slowly than prices.

isolating themselv WelC The plan badly misfired from the working class. 'lefts' on the and the majority of members While will ha in 5/293 national executive do not act remained GreTences now the miners union will be Branch. Fryer, his re-election as co In October the right wing reduced to a powerless body venor marks, as one milita far claimed a meeting of the remarked "the return of trac from leading Oxford District Committee drive for higher pay, will be unionism to the plant". been "disrupted" and used as a dead weight against declared h Fryer has used this as a pretext for all other sections. intention is to fight to reuni setting up a kangaroo court.

A turn to the courts is a the shop stewards moveme They produced a dossier of complete diversion from this and to hold regular meetin question and a betrayal of the charges against all their oppo- of TGWU stewards. nents. This will open the way f Scargill's place is on Almost every leading left the fight to regain and defer winger was charged, including line-alongside his living standards and worki pickel Fryer, Corti and conditions in the factory.

miners. 1 nornell,

US MINERS FACING KEY

Page 2

- INTERNATIONAL

170,000 US miners are indefinite nOW the payments to dollars in national strike action in a health and welfare funds.

battle that is decisive for The

UMW

has had to the future of their union, from the borrov

п1OICY

banks to finance any medical the UMWA. benetits at al under these cir- The miners' 3-yeaт cont- cumstances. ract expired on December 6 Bankruptcy with deadlock in negotiations over a new contract. The pension fund is near us coal bosses are deter with the bankruptcy 1cal mined to inflict a body-blow threat that all pensions will to the strength of the union cut off as soon the as increased this miners walk out profits. The central demand of the The mine owners who rep- last UMW convention for the companies such as US resent complete right to strike over Steel, Ford and the giant util- health, safety and work cond- oil and conglomerates itions is critical to the lives of have stockpiled coal for over the Yet to win this miners. anticipation of HOHLIS Iu will require the virt- aclaa the strike. ual complete defeat the have spent millions JUNe v and that corporatons OWll in contracts for foreign coal run tne coar mines, wno alc and coal from the many non set on preventing such gains.

the west. union mines Miller, Arnold presi- CulC dent of the UMW, has used a The UMW critical condition. The mineowners his power not to fight the but to attack have withheld millions Which way now for Portugal's bosses? At dawn last Thursday $3500 debts amount Portuguese politics half to of entered a new critical what remains of the country's phase. gold reserves. The deficit in the balance first parliamentary payments Tendes

CILUL'

government for 50 years was mous and there is no sign of decisively defeated after only export growth to reduce it.

16 months in office. continuous two- Hyperinflation Aftei day debate on a motion of This means that without confidence, Mario Soares' outside help Portugal would minority socialist government very soon face either internat- received onlythe votes of the ional bankruptcy oI massive 100 socialist MPs. devaluation and hyperinflat- did the Not only ion. bourgeois opposition partes Since the Soares govern. vote against soares. as taey ment took power, despite its were expected to do, but so tireless efforts to make Port- did the ugal safe for capitalism, the Portuguese CP, which did not economic situation has cont- make its decision until the deteriorate. last moment. n UCa very Unemployment is officialiy In the debate SoareN of the labour wooed the CP, saying that it force and still rising as more was a "democratic party' and firms go bankrupt. that he would be willing to National production has continue to govern with risen a little in the last year support. but there has been no renewal That itself was a striking of capitalists' investment.

change from Soares attitude Soares' socialsl gOvell to the CP at the beginning ment has for 18 months tried His crisis. ot the present to keep a precarious political concern then seemed bourg- balance between the to be to get the parliamentary eois opposition and the CP.

votes of the two bourgeois parties-the Social Democrats but poltical Dalance nas Democratic not been enough to re-estab- and the lish the confidence of capita- Social Centre. lism in Portugal. 'Concessions' That requires the reversal of more of the gains which The CP leaders dared not the working class has made back up Soares anti-working since 1974. class covernment wanoul al Already Soares has tried to least the appearance of some seize back trom the beasantry 'concessions' land Soares did not wish aistrioute• to unei l the 1975 Land Reform. make these concessions for fear of losing the confidence Confidence vote of the international caplial- He has cut back govern- That last minute spending, proinoteu compromise saved Soares and unem ployment

INDOSCL

sronf nf the extreme econ- to slash wape reat

TEST

militant miners. In a recent string of unoff- Miller has worked. icial strikes with the rBi to nunt down expel striking miners. and He has sent union thugs from all over the country to but revolves around the ques- the struck mines by open up tion of who will own and run shooting it out with the pick- the mines. Miller can certainly not be of the The entire history defend and their union has depended miners miners in the present strike.

been one of a coniacus battle to defend In order to win tne mwel- strike the entire trade union which is the only thing they movement must be rallied to haveo defend the union today Tae cause. political solution All foreign coal shipments requires for the entire industry. be blacked by dockers

IULOL

In this respect it is interes- workers and TaISOUl! note that a defeated this scab coal from ting to prevent UMWA Presidential candidate reaching the US. Patrick, recently spoke A campaign must be begun Harry out calling for a break from in the trade union movement for the nationalization of the Democratic the bourgeois Party coal mines. This struggle is not simply Acting as guest speaker at battle of the a convention of the rank and economic file' body Teamsters for a unions against the companies CP leader Cunhal ties would support the latest round of measures demanded by the IMF as a condition for $750 million Joan This loan is now of the utmost urgency for the Port- uguese economy. The bourg- eois parties threw out Soares because they orelercu Hem own measures watch world involve less restrictions of the market but an even more full- blooded attack on the organ- ised workers movement and a more complete reversal of the gains made 19/4; The opportunistic nature of the calculations of the Sta- theit linists was AnOt Dy behaviour during the debate.

For the first day not a single Communist said a word in response LU savage attacks on the CP from the bourgeois parties. either a coalition of the bour- Conciliatory (impossible geois parties long as Socialists and CP MPs The leader of the CP pari- vote against it as they almost Carlos iamentary wasnt oue, certainly would),or a tripar- in the Rrito 'democratic' tite coalition of chamber. CP excluding the He was waiting elsewhere parties (inacceptable to Soares who if the government to see rapidly lose would thereby would agree to a last minute his already declining working bargaining session.Only after this was refused did Brito class base). first CP contrib- Failing these parliament- make the the right ary alternatives

ULIUI

Despite some criticisms of might go for new elections in of Soares this was a conciliatory the (probably vain) hope for the speech. getting majority bourgeois parties or for some But hours of demagogic move toward military dictat- both sides hypocrisy Trom orship, either under President did not result in a CP vote or some new potential Eanes for Soares. Spinola. When, in this final speech he offered not the slightest Partially demobilised concession to ine ConCeta Stalinists they cast their deci- It must be realised that the sive votes against the govern- Portuguese working class has as did the five 'left'

10C OL.

demobilised in been partially socialists who left the party the relation to inest dangers as a the entuer result of the criminal policies MP of the "left-wing' single of the Socialist and CP lead-

PDP.

ers over the last two years.

The Portuguese bourgeoi- But Portuguese workers sie is now without not only have not suticred any major Mario Soares CHetldc Democratic Union, Patrick Labor News speaker: . 'The labor movement's got to get together, and if we can Party in this country, I'm all for it."

Patrick as an individual has an appalling record as a top- level UMWA bureaucrat. But such a speech must feelings of wide reflect the layers of workers and now particularly the miners, locked in struggle with the US capitalist system and its political representatives.

Only the development of a leadership within the UMWA prepared to carry through a break with the bourgeois par- ties and take the lead in figh- ting for a labour party based on the trade union movement can press forward the fight of the for expropriation mines without compensation.

Soares-can the capitalists find a substitute?

1975 to begin to build as in soviet organisations to detend all the gains made since 1974.

to take up and unify an inde- for jobs and pendent fight wages and to form a basis for workers' power Immediate tasks There are other immediate tasks which are just as impor- tant There must be a tight ur the unions to force the Stalin- ists and reformist bureaucrats defence of call action in nationalised jobs, wages, property, and land reform Norkers must struggle within their mass partles TO force the CP and the Socialist party to form a government and carry out a programme based not on the demands of the IMF but on the needs of the working class. Leaders who have demon- stated clearly their contempt workers' for requirements, such as the defeated Soares cabinet, must be thrown out oI inen positions it workers and SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 14 December 1977 Whitlam goes as Tories win The Australian Labour Party is in crisis following its failure to make any the Liberal- dent in Partyf National Country Coalition's majority. The General election has left millionaire Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, with a virtu- of ally unchanged mayonly 50 in the 124 strong House of Representatives.

pm on Saturday At 11.00 Gough Whitlam conc- night eded defeat and announced that he would be resigning as leader of the Australian He will prob- Labour Party. ably be replaced by his form- er Finance Minister Bill Hay- who made a bid for the don, leadership earlier this year.

Negative reaction Fraser's victory can be att- ributed to a number of fact- ors. He had the assistance of the entire media in covering potentially explosive scandals-eg. the Lynch atfair as in conducting -as well virulent polemics against the

ALP

Whereas Fraser promised Whitlam tax cuts, called on voters to renounces hopes of such cuts in the interests ot "economic stability'. In addi- tion, Fraser managed to keep the ALP's previous disastrous in Government suffic- record to deter iently fore potential Labour votes. The decision by Australian voters is thus in some ways a negative reaction to the luke- reformism of the Lab- W dl ll! an Party, rather than endorsement of Fraser's anti- Australian union strategy. voters clearly felt no desire to give support to a party which.

while in Government, instit- uted wage control and presid- growing unemploy- er over ment and intlation. Critical support Socialist Despite that, Press last week called for crit- ical support for Labour as a way of drawing the class line and the direct between representatives of Australian capitalism. consolidation of Fraser's will not alter his position fundamentally the balance of class forces in Australia! The election had been called on union bashing theme of the 'Who Rules?' after a ten week La Trobe Valley strike by for wage inc- Power workers reases. (see SP 78 for details).

That strike was sold out but the working class in the area remain strong and there talk of a resumption 1s now of the strike should the arbit- ration board throw out their wage demand. The continuing inflation cent) and unemployment (6 per cent) material forces are objective confronting the working ciass and are going to pose serious problems for Fraser as much as they have done in the past Temporary respite. His reaffirmed majority does give him certain temporary respite but it can- long before things not start hotting up again. In preparation for renewed class battle steps must now be taken towards the formation of authentic Trotskyist • elk The Party Australa. current crisis in Labour, alth- ough in one sense a set back marting dase would

ITALY BOSSES NEED

The leaders of the Italian Communist Party are haunted by the fear of losing their support in the working class. that then Once they lose their principle political role as maintainers of capitalist the rule in Italy will disappear Once they. are exposed as of being no use the working class then, by that very fact, they will be of no their the use to patrons, Capilanst Class. The CP is now used by the capitalists give support to its minority Chris- Democratic government inside parliament and simul- taneously hold back the working class outside parlia- ment. Disenchantment That is why with every of disenchantment new sign of the Italian with its Stalinist leaders the Christian Democratic govern- ment is thrown into crisis.

this And each happens the CP tries to use the crisis to get "concessions" from the Christian Democrats

(NATIO

HOTO: Dere killings of students in Iran.

The temporary truce India's Congress within Party is being now threatened by increasing violation. Moves afoot in the southern states of Karmataka trades to spilt from the main party and form new *Socialist Congress' The architects of this plan "'socialism" identify with the policies of the Gandhi dictatorship. It is not yet clear whether Gandhi decora commit herself this faction. She may instead utter calls for party unity with the expectation of being able in the near future to ride rough- Brahmananda

CYRE

Reddy (Congress President) and the lorces wich ousted her from leadershin.

INTERNATIONAL-

spending and raise taxes

CP BACKING

to keep in line with enough the IMF limits would provoke uncontrollable reaction from the working class. the Andreotti govern- proposing ment already break the unilaterally to limits with a budget deficit of £26 billions, hoping that compro- in exchange for its continued ted this "historic the IMF will agree to that as mise" all along. support. the cost of avoiding a majoi It must have something to It is calling for "a govern- political crisis. show working class base ment of democratic unity and Even that, however, would that the bourgeoisie is being sólidarity €£34 billions of new mean tion of the left parties" forced to pay for the privilege Healey cuts (roughly what of being kept in power by a Now the Christian Demo- did in Britain in 1976). so-called Communist Party the main party of the CP leaders are not But this technique is fast class which capitalist Ilas opposed to these cuts as such.

losing its effectiveness.

dominated all Italian govern- But they have no confidence is faced ments since the war. New crisis at all of being able to force with the momentous decision economies on that scale down as 10 More and more the the throats of the unofficial popular front workers can that the class-unless perhaps they government into tully "price" the bourgeoisie pays were able to get Communist declared popular front. not merely ministers in the government.

tones it This would bring back the actually involves a worsening CP into the government from of their existing conditions.

which expelled The new crisis the 1948 at American orders in Andreotti government is the the beginning of Cold the most serious it has yet faced.

War. That is why there is Condition for loan increasing speculation that the only measure which will What has massive social suddenly Wavell brought this possibility to the explosion is the participation in government fore are the proposals for the the 1978 budget. itself. The small parties between Originally the role of the proposed budget deficit the and the Christian was Democrats (all of them part agreed at £10 billions with Monetary of a six party programmatic the International Fund last July) condition signed IOr appear to have reached this loan. But the Andreotti Berlinguer realised This would be presented

GOTCHNOT

COVETACE

CP itself has advoca- that to 'The ago cut government by the CP leaders the as

STUDENTS

replacement of bourgeois by workers' ministers. In that way they would hope to persuade workers to accept the austemtv measures for demanded *economic stability" Already it looks as if it

SUNTUI

may be too late for such a move to work Last week the CP organiser of a massive 200,000 demon- stration of metal workers in Rome were unable to prevent the partipanis from raising demonstration and demands hostile slogans

03 MURDERED

to the CP's collaboration with the capitalist class. 100s INJUREMONG LIVE THE •Mounting pressure This demonstration com-

ENTS

bines with the mounting

00 ARREST

FEMIVEMENT IN RAN

pressure on the union leader- ship to call strike action to protest against the unemploy- ment-creating policies of the CP supported government. shows how difficult it for the CP has become reverse the workers' growing rejection of its policies.

Both CP. Christian A demonstration by Iranian students recently took place in London in protest at the recent Democrat leaders know that entry of the Stalinists might not work. They also know that such a move would be almost their Gandhi fights back last resort for imposing capi- talist solutions to the crisis still malntamug forms of parliamentary democracy. This is There has certainly been a ness to join with the Janata why it is almost of in a popular front against the certain the present crisis will significant resurgence Congress at the dext assembly not be resolved quickly; and popular support for the fallen it is still not certain 'that. it dictator. elections. the same statement the will lead to a declared popu- The Janata coalition In CP (Marxist) reiterated its lar front coalition. sover miseras, renable to proved miserably unable of Janata 'abhorrence' Deeper crisis meet either the requirements policies-a reaction expressed in more concrete form by the Whatever of capitalism in India or the the immediate demands of the workers and workers who have taken developments, bourgeois rule action increasing in Italy has entered a stage of the peasants. even deeper crisis. numbers. blatant The failure of the shows perhaps more uttet Italy betrayals of the Stalinists and starkly than anywhere else in parties of lne workug class to reformists allow Gandhi and proved alternative leadership Europe the appalling conse- her faction every opportunity quences face has greatly strengthened walch if exploit this hostility to humanity the crisis of Gandhi's supporters. to class leadership working The pro-Moscow CP, their own ends. Those forces in the Indian not resolved through the alone supported the which construction of a Trotskyist has labour movement dictatorship. not to represent the party based on an indepen- recovered from electoral claim Its interests of the working class dent working class while the Maoists of the TOul CP (Marxist-Leninist) have must draw programme. from situation, and fight for a The opportunities for the remained in disarray since the Emergency; the Socialists socialist programme which building of such a party are can unite the Indian worker obvious develop form. part and •OL in the of the parallel crisis bourgeeis coalition govern- alu Dedsdlil

LADDED

of the CP and the Christian overthrow ment, and the CP (Marxist) has inet announced its readi- Democrats USSR worker 'dissidents' letter The capitalist press gives ample coverage to 'dissidents reactionary such as Solzhenitsyn and Bukovsky who make no secret of their relations with Tories and Fascists.

But little is heard of the Russian working class which bears the brunt of the oppres- sion by the Stalinist bureaucracy. However news has come of a protest to the Soviet autho- rities by seventy two workers.

Mismanagement They have apparently been victimised for protesting the agalist corruption endemic and amongst the bureaucracy In an open letter addressed to the Soviet press they state: *We undertook to offer publicly critical remarks of against the plundering socialist property, bad ditions work, • pay, high injury rates, the raising of production norms leading quality and low production'. Financial Times 8.12.77. The group have also given histories of workers LaSt sacked for complaining about bad planning of production (which has led to a worsening conditions in of the coal mines), pooI wages and the and Pensils, fiddles that management WOTk . to supplement their ample salaries In

BOLIVIA

It is impossible to accept at face vale dictator Hno Banzer's declaration that he stand in the Presi- wil not dential election he has for June 1978 announced Since still no machinery for has been decreed elections and no opposition leader allowed out of jail or exile to stand it doesn't look very likely that they will happen.

The exiled leadership of the illegal mineworkers union have called a one-day strike on December 21 to protest of the against the mockerv election plans and to demand trade union freedom and the retur and release of exiled and imprisoned leaders.

ROMANIA

According to the plan for 1981-85 Party Confer- issued at Romania will have ence, caught up with the developed countries. A massive invest- ment programme

WAD

though President Ceacescu also Rave vague Reactionary dissident Solzhenitsyn sign One worker was beaten 1 by the militia in front of t family for defending someo who had exposed corruptio and was jailed for fifteen da tried file he

WILCLI

complaint. nowever despile mIs : protestors have disassociat themselves from the dis dents, and insist that are not opposed to the Sovi but merely desi their rights as 'guaranteed' the sovet constitution. 'Socialist construction' The exact significance this protest is unclear but certainly reveals some of t behin rottenness Inal bes the facade of socialist co It demonstrates striking that the inefficiency Sov parasitism of the Trotsi regime exposed by over 40 years ago, had n disappeared with the death Stalin, but remains feedi off the socialised econon stunting its' develo ment. As more and more milita workers do protest they w is not enough, that what necessary is the sort of ma that movement Poland in 1975. will present opportunities for a revol to tionary party interfe Trotsky: with the of politic revolution in Eastern Euro to oust the Stalinist bureau racy and restore and democracy econom planning in the interests

BRIEF

promises of a shorter wor ing week and more consum tion. Inconsistent over-optir economic adventu and ism ism, it are still seems, Romani features of main planning. And repression ar the cult of personality are ti of its politic main leatures Number 2 in the Party hi clear archy now wife. Ceacescu's And replaced the usual images!

Marx, Engels and Lenin wi massive medallion of hi self.

ZAMBIA

President Kaunda anythi have refused Ower do more to settlement because of Ower comments Rhodesian massacre of babweans Mozambiqu Kaunda publicly wept (as often does) when he ma the announcement. some hypocrisy from a m who the past Zimbabwean freedom fighte back across the border to fa Smith's "justice".

COURT IN THE ACT!

Page 4

JONES JOINS

THE SPIVS

It was natural for the it clear that his legacy to the Crown Agents to turn to- trade . movement been to knock fresh nails into wards Jack Jones. Any- the coffin of its indepen- one who can make the dence. size of his members' More understanding wage packets shrink SO quickly must be in the On hand the one he right line of business. appealed to the CBI and the Tories for more understand- But why did Jones-the 'Mr. Clean' of the

TUC-

ing. On the other he attacked show such readiness to step militants in the trade unions.

the scandal-racked His into themen-conciliation, arbitration, collaboration- offices of the Crown Agents?

'Frankly, there 'New opportunities' strikes-all of them many Have a reason, our many o could be avoided by The £1,000 a year salary them will do little to compensate more discussion or concilia-

£7,500 TGWU

If of his tion. expect we are to

BOSS

reasonable treatment from salary. perhaps empłoyers, there is surely a clue can his Richard show found in Strong case

I0I 4S ł0

Dimbleby Lecture on BBC2 tolerance and concern for the public... 'Retirement should not be 'I am not suggesting that the end of living. It should be we should abandon the right to strike . . but I do believe the beginning of new oppor- tunities, new experiences, that there is a need to reduce fellow- strikes Joyous by ship". finding alternative to ways It was one sidelight of a heroe our alterenced speech in which Jones made This goes beyond Jones' For the diminishing A succession of high court rulings have attacked the number of workers who independence internal retain illusions in British democracy of the trade justice, recent. events unions and the Labour Party.

have provided a series of Racial bias jolts. While thousands of And costly, unsuccessful have witnessed show-trials numbers of workers legalised fallen victim to youth-including the WaCK Club police brutality picket Carib trial, the lines or on anti-fascist demon- Mangrove Nine and more the Islington strations, rubber-stamp recently have have proven nothing but the magistrates courts ignored evidence to mete out racial bias of police and their further the sentences those determination to settle workers unfortunate enough racist myth that black youth than violent to be arrested 41C

NUIC

The Workers Socialist League is a Trotskyist organisation fighting to construct a principled revolutionary leadership in the working class in Britain and internationally, and for the recon- struction of the Trotskyist Fourth Internation- al on the basis of the Transitional Programme.

The WSL fights at every step against the existing leaders of the trade unions and the Labour Party now firmly harnessed to the bourgeois politicians of the Liberal Party in an unspoken coalition arrangement.

Against their policies of class collaboration we put forward instead a programme which points to the independent class interests of the working class, its need to organise indep- endently to overthrow capitalism, destroy its and establish a repressive state machinery socialist planned economy.

Only in this way can workers resolve today's problems of tumbling living standards, mass unemployment, slashed social services, racial, national and sexual oppression.

For more details on the WSL and its work, fill in the form below. Name. . Address Trade Union/Occupation. Sead to MSL. 31. Darimouth Park Hill, London NW5 IHR natural wish to boost the from collaboration industry which he earns further £2,870 a year (ACAS and the National Ports Council). He has a genuine hatred of clear class lines. deplore strongly physical attacks on the police of: anyone else-the sort incidents that took place out- side the Grunwick factory should be avoided at all costs -so I welcome the setting up of the Scarman inquiry'. Parcelled up The for class struggle Jones is to be parcelled up into committees, dissipated Joint Councils and pros- before 'independent' Lated arbitors. The outcome of a dispute is irrelevant-the sole aim divert the feeling behind to it. 'It is no use condemning a strike unless you put some- thing in its Dace-something which allows the grievance to be ventilated and the case to properly presented, with criminals. Recent weeks have brought new events that high- light the workings of police and courts. In Glasgow Sheriff's Court: last week it was revealed that had been • plack scnoolboy charged with rape after an identity parade in which he the only black person in the line-up. "fairer" Detective Woman Constable Karin Howie forced to with the agree defence solicitor that would have been "fairer" if all the others-or even one or two-had been African descent like the boy accused.

nowever, sue sala, one ol the five white boys on parade did have an Afro-style haircut! When pressed as to why there whites WeTe and no black youth on the identity parade, the detective claimed that an arrangement made through a restaurant had to rest mend me. had fallen through and wonder whether earlier black patrons been OT picked off one by one after conned into similar getting "identity parades" Six months jail Meanwhile. Lambeth, anti-fascist demonstrator John been by jailed for months magistrates on the incredible of "assault charge police officer" following the Lewisham anti- fascist march on August 13.

Contrast this vicious treat- ment to the puny £4,000 fine 10-year driving ban handed out to wealthy year old Bartholomew Smith £16,000 after his Maserati slaughtered four people March this year. Smith's car, travelling 80-100 mph, all Collidicu turned broadside across the into an IOdU and crashed the prospect of impartial possible and solution round the corner.

'I ask the questions: Is the strike the only way to fight? Can't we fight by discussions, by intelligent argument?'

Complete answer Jones' speech complete to those that Scarman had any - thing for Grunwick strikers, those who say 'partici- pation' is anything other than a chain round the neck of the working class. oncoming car. Yet despite this lethal behaviour, Smith, an ex-pub- lic schoolboy and of a former Tory MP and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire was allowed to walk out of court having suffered no more than a tine that must amount to cash a mere petty for Maserati owner And Friday another on ex-public schoolboy, Hon. Thomas Tyrell-Kenyon given setting the hostel in Birmingham. "A little fire" He is reported to have told the police: wanted a little fire. didn't intend to do all that wanted to damage. get myself put away because 1 am a let-down to the family".

Tyrell-Kenyon tried the wrong kind of offence. He should have stood peacefully a Grunwick picket line on That way he would have been with a real chance of a jail sentence. PHOTO: Laurence Sparham, IFI Police last week guarding fascist slogans SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 14 December 1977 "joyous Jones has long since existence fellowship' renounced the working class with the capita- and his attempts to straddle lists represents leaking class lines have proved futite. vessel arriving at its natural His arriva in the worid of international speculations, his PHOTO: Andrew Wiard. Revori the new Crimmal Law Act-giving sweeping new powers to police and to magistrates-came into force, the first potential victims were these squatters in Battersea.

The new Act gives police wider powers to enter, search and arrest without warant. It makes passive resistance eviction a criminal offence, and allows JPs to inflict six month jail sentences and fines of £1,000 on those found "guilty" While squatters may be the first to suffer, workers and students staging occupations will also soon feel the brunt of this latest legal creation of the Lib-Lab coalition government.

8 138 daubed on a wall in Brick Lane. East London.

Anti-fascists who organised to paint out the slogans were threatened wirh arresi and a possible charge of criminal damage. Only larer were she slogans covered oser.

WISE DENOUNCES PAY

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 14 December 1977 Between 100 and 150 firemen attended a lobby and rally outside Bir- mingham Council House. In pouring rain they heard speeches from amongst others

NUPE

official Roger Poole, Brian Mathers (TGWU) and Audrey Wise MP. With his unions' 30% claim relected by the emolovers al Poole could call for was 'solidarity' unspecitied Lib-Lab coalition! action. "Vociferous minority" Audrey Wise, fresh from a

PLP

bemoaned the fact that only Healey and Callaghan repre- of that 'no workers AlUuB interests the "vociferous minority' of the should ride on the backs of SElL Labour MP's supported Labour don't the movement, the firemen. think the TUC leaders repre- firemen. It is not clear what was 'Your sent the interests of the trade struggle class 15 a meant by this. struggle" she told the rally.

union movements, she She then added. Alternative? that the vote of the TUC not While stating that she support the firemen was control and Does Wise mean that other

GODOSES

walt 'the biggest betrayal since that she didn't think the fire- groups of workers with claims the General Strike. men were a special case, Wise of their own should be out on *Just I don't think also went on however, to say the firemen strike alongside

NEWHA

PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report

KEEP TORY

PRENTICE

LEWIS -

LAWS OUT

WRITS

MCORMICK

OF THE

WONT

BIRDS OF A

HABOURPARY

INTIMIDATE

FEATHER

US Andy Bevan and co-defendants at the Strand Law Courts after an earlier flurry of writs.

NEWHAM TORIES*

NEW

WRITS THREAT

shrinks from applying the elementary principle of exclu- ding these lories, backed as they are by unlimited finan- of The

NEC

the in Newham. cial resources, trom the ranks of the Labour movement. Labour Party has been Oxford University McCor- "seeking legal advice' over mick his child protege The

NEC

enquiry and organised, not to expose the Mr. Julian Lewis have talked the situation in Newham activities of people who rely of an 'avalanche of high court North East CLP. writs' if moves are made to exclusively on the backing of Tory Eight members of the NEC Press, infiltration in the and end coeT "left' MPs Eric Labour Party. but to deal with the 'embar- including "Enquiry" of Newham Heffer and Frank Allaun find rassment as themselves with quickly and quietly threatened action, if they After holding yet another possible. in any For this Newham party party's affairs the

NEC

still with a principled extreme gut wong weckers struggle announced their intention to 'Left' Tories? make submissions the enquiry, were not called upon answer any lo co so, or to allegations by their right-wing against them during the pro- ceedings. At a public meeting in councillors in the meeting Oxford last week, a cam- than by Labour councillor Hear submissions paign was launched to

SECTATU

Rev. Williamson JP. One branch of the Party one of save the city's He was more concerned to has already raised the demand middle schools from argue on the need for three that the NEC hear the sub- closure. form viable

SILLY

bela missions of three members.

middle school than to argue This • Ine ory countv Council nOW De com-

1I LDL

against the school closing.

with its military bined with the fight to force it waves

NEC

call leader Brigadier Streatfieid is back ed to divert the question into in the midst of an attempt to already raised several larking dooal getting buses Lo first branches, CIObE 0 wI Hirseries. take children halfway across schools and middle schools.

forwarded by Socialist Press in the event of the alone-the immediate expul- The County Council bases school's closure. McCormick sion of Lewis, its plans on the most appall- This attitude coupled with and the rest of their gang.

the NUT's failure to take a ing concoction of inadequate

NEC

Every udy an ene of figures and predictions opposition pussyfoots and 'seeks legal numbers of children. school closures weakens the advice' allows these sinister campaign within the labour One of the first tasks of elements to paralvse the work be the campaign will of the Labour movement. challenge these figures and to An independent campaign leat issue must be decided carry out an enquiry mto the must be built with the aim real need in the area. putting pressure on the NUT as a reliance upon The strong feeling for this and opening up strangely given more

CONTROLS

Now she must fight now-or that if the firemen win other groups shouldn't that to launch their own struggle? made her It is time wise clear. If she is position opposed to wage contro wil she support struggles against it? If she is opposed to wage control where does she stand Lib-Lab on the coalition whose task is to uphold it?

If she doesn't think Healey Callaghan represent the interests of the blabour movement why won't Wise their removal campaign for and put herself forward as an alternative leadership? It Wise's by actions along these lines, rather than by

ICE UCCURR

that must be strations, she by judged the workers' movement. ALEX KITSON - the TGWU bureaucrat accused of ment- ioning the absence of poverty and unemo ovment in

OR USSIA

- has been let off the hook by ludicrously-titled

TROTS

"international " committee. disregar- T'he committee ded vicious attacks on Kitson by so-called lefts Eric Heffer and Joan Lestor, and decided he had been "misreported".

In this way Labour's anti- communism is preserved and Kitson's grovelling before both Stalinism • reform- ism acknowledged. The Press campaign in support of higher pay for armed forces the looked like bearing fruit this week when a Tory private members bill was accepted by the Government. Substantial increases can be expected army pay year with next exemption the forefront of In the campaign has been the Sun- focusing on the role the of soldiers scabbing on the fire- men's strike tones of heroic sentimentality But there is nothing senti- mental the drive behind the demand for higher wages.

The Press has been fighting hard to draw distinction between pay for the working class and pay for the forces of the since they state. di t convinced soldiers and police must not be allowed to share similar material conditices :: those

SILENCE

'Left' Labour MPs are exceeding even their own record of spinelessness in the face of now public Government plans to introduce a Phase 4 of wage controls. Any dreams these charac- ters may have had that wage would controls fade without a fight were dispelled by Chancellor Healey's state- ments over the last ten days speech to the Parlia- Labour Party last mentary Wednesday. But Merlyn Rees the latest Lib-Lab attempt to con the firemen back to work, and himself unintentionally blurted out Phase that 4 18 on the horison, scarcely murmur Was heard from the lefts Norman Atkinson announced "misgivings about the situation that might arise if the firemen were given exemption from Phase 4 But fellow Tribunites Kinnock Heffer never dared mention the new pay limits their contributions.

PRESS GANG

forces' favourite Hence tears for the soldiers killed in last week's 'green goddess' crash. Hence the Cala Dals living quarters for soldiers in The Press barons are assuring the most backward elements of the working class who are drawn into the state 'You're on our side!' forces- The Tory motion was pro posed by Graham Page who condemned Fred Mulley for out 10L acting stamp suggestions of a trade union

LOSETS

The Daily Mail ('Heroes on the Cheap') quoted Chur- chill's attack on the Govern- ment at length, • topicsenting Grunwick strikers over- as paid compared to soldiers.

'If you find can any empioyer so hard-faced, so (as the Government) I mean willingly be the first to stand on that picket line' The Daily Telegraph reported that Service Chiefs Page's i Healey

PHASE 4

PHOTO: Chris Davies Atkinson The only way to stop a Phase is to destroy the existing Phase 3 10% limit. And to do this means to break the Lib-Lab coalition that spawned it. By claiming to support the firemen but refusing confront this issue, the 'Left' MPs' off from con- the working class frontation with the govern- Those that will not fight controls must removed 'They have made it clear that they do not regard limi- tations in Queen's Regula- on their involvement in tions political issues as applying in these cases. 'Troop involvement in the firemen's strike, commons and the Government's defeat last week on defence and service pay have, accord- Ministers, issues firmly in the category of political controversy 'Reports that Minister booed and heckled by Was Senior Army officers during the congrenated rey so mo 'exaggerated"

DULLIC

civil servants. The Press has now turned the firemen after against some indecision in the early days of the strike. The reason is simple. In sharp contrast to the thugs of the police and the army, the firemen have shown that a uniform does make them

ALCE

F:33210 They bave declared for be

'Page 6 Loyal Ulster was once the most rebellious of the Irish holding provinces, out the longest against the English invaders and finally succumbing only in 1607 with the defeat and flight of the Gaelic Earls chiefs, the Tyrone and Tyrconell. The land that the Catholic been driven from Irish had was planted with English and Unlike the Scottish tarmers English who let much of the land they had acquired to the native Irish, the Scottish land- let their land owners tenants, thus Scottish creating in Antrim and Down a kin the extensiony setted of the a kind extension Scottish lowlands. In their struggle to hold on to what had been secured tor the Scottish them • by and English farmer forged a consciousness that saw every that the Catholic advance made or attempted to make as a threat to himself. Closed door The failure of the revolt of the United Irishmen of 1798 in which the Presbyterian and Catholic middle class attemp- ted lead the peasantry landlord against English and the door domination, closed upon a unified capitalist de- velopment of Ireland. Instead the Presbyterians were pulled their temporary from away alliance with the Catholics, Irish Parliament was the abolished and their represen- tatives sent to Westminster.

Under the 'union' that the English government imposed, Ireland developed as two pro- The South of Britain. and the West developed agricultural that provided province with cheap food and cheap labour while the North- East develoned as an indus- engaged trial province engineering and ship- linen, building, looking not Ireland but to Britain and her Empire for her raw materials and her markets. depopulation The rural and emigration that followed the Famine of reorganisation agriculture into larger units. led land Various to a alLy lessening of the of the grip landiords and stimulated the middle class whose growing the land was control the Church of paralleled by Rome's growing control over education and social life in general. background This was the which the Liberal against Gladsone ad- prime mister neo-colonial vanced the Rule. strategy Home Ireland would remain econo- mically ted to Britain but it that by devolving was hoped Irish government onto the social steam would be taken out of the nationalist movement. 1860 the Irish middle class had £20 million on de- while Irish banks posit in that, £40 having double British million, invested indicator. clear SLOCK-d their subordination to (hence for representing) British imperial interests Ireland. The strength of Ulster res- Gladstone's istance to strategy was slow in emerging and consequently allowed the Catholic nationalists and their Liberal imperialist sponsors the illusion of believing it was of no consequence and could be discounted. Gladstone's in elaboration of first move his neo-colonial strategy was the disestablishment ot the Church of Ireland in 1869.

Threat Correctly interpreting this as a threat to the Protestant ascendancy, the authoritative voice of that ascendancy, the declared Times, tot "Dissolve the nationalism! between article " declared a Church and State, protestant clergyman to the March Express Daily 1n "and you will see that year, be how few protestants will the connection be- loyal to tween England and Ireland.

threat Responding to CEnE of a new 'union' being torged English govern- between the ment and the Catholic middle.

class, the riotestani attempted to nationalist movement against England. The next year Isaac Butt, an Ulsterman, a Protes- tant and a Conservative, Home Government the Association, in which a Prot- leadership predomi- nated. representing as they Kulf did only 10% of the country's and proletarian bourgeois restricted to the North-East, the control of the Association passed class and Catholic middle clergy. So that in the of 59 Home Rule elections, two apart candidates, only himself from Butt ex-Tories. Divided landlords Having failed to capture the nationalist movement the Protestant ascendancy set its face against Home Rule. Yet it required substantial nation- successes alist Ulster to propel the divided and disor- ganised landlords and capital- ists to combine their torces Ulster what became

THEO

unionism In 1883 Tim Healy unex- pectedly won by election the nation- rather prematurely alists who declared "Al Ulster is ours Two years later in the general election of 1885, the Liberals lost all seats while the their theirs nationalists increased from three to seventeen, thus becoming the largest party in this the Province. Seeing seemingly irresistible nation- alist tide, Gladstone openly at the end of the year came for Home Rule and in 1886 first of the introduced the bills, that was Rule Home defeated only because a sec- tion of the Liberal Party de- fected to the Tories. the Home bill 1892 was Rule defeated by the Lords after the Commons, the Ulster unionists knew that with the restriction that had Lords in been placed on the 1911, the defeat of the third bill would ulti- Home Rule depend ироп their mately own efforts. Orange order To resist Home Rule an Colonel Saunder- ex-Liberal, revived the Orange Order as 'the only body capable of dealing with the condition of and rebellion which anarchy He urged prevails in Ireland". Orangemen to arm, drill and "drive don uniforms popery and radicalism before us as we have done many a time betore. But the Orange Order incapable of rallying proved the anti-nationalist forces of working the province. class character and its sect- arian exuberance were feared Irelan

ROOTS O

TODAY'S

CRISIS

Part Seven:

THE ORANGE C

«This squalid confederacy o Catholic place-hunters, William O'Brien the nationa ist MP for Cork described i "rose to alienate tha up... of powerful by the estal countrymen lishment of a pseudo-Catholi leading ascendly alternative but the partitio of Ireland." O'Brien and his "All fo Ireland League" worked bot the Protestants io win Home Rule and to curb th power of the Catholic Churc in the Home Rule movemen policy which subjecte them to abuse anu polysi gangs of Hibe assault by The nationalists led Redmond denied on the or hand that the unionists ha any support in Ulster and o the other banked upon ti British government to coer into a united Ireland they did resist. From the comfort of the masters (parliament at Wes Redmond minster), could afford nationalists Unioni chuckle Ulster Edward Carson his "stage army". Yet that like Carson, enemy of labour and dem was able to pose as cracy, champion of political and 1 ligious freedom, serves Edward Carson illustrate of the nationalist leadership of Belfast shipyard worker the means Yery Tom Sloan who broke with Carson's army Catholic driving remain a stage army for lor 1903, of Ulster into the the Orange population formed his own Independent On the night of April 24 arms of nationalist agilators 1914, Fred Crawford guid important, the Belfast Orange Order which by 1905 More 71 lodges, and the Clydevalley into Lar had formed bourgeoisie wanted an instru- with its and not the stood in alliance with the harbour ment 35,000 rifles and five milli Council controlled This Belfast Trades and landlords Joe Devlin's nationalists rounds of ammunitic worked for and finally they Carson repla got with the formation of the official unionism against the wooden guns in the han the elections of 1906. Ulster Unionist Council in of the Ulster Volunteer For Yet the enormous poten- 1904. with mausers. tial of working class bankruptcy of Only squandered by The Tories had encourag leadership unity was the . nationalist HoI Devlin within a year when he the unionists to defy enabled the Belfast capitalists withdrew his support for the Rule and the Liberal gove and the Protestant landlords th big Belfast strike of 1907 and not because to hold onto their mass base denounced its leader, Jim served different class intere which time and again they In Larkin. Larkin too against its masters. revolt for a neo-colonial attacked by the more radical ready 1881 at the very moment Gladstone nationalist party Sinn Fein solution as Protestant tenants were that They feared that a 1908 posed. the Orange Order to whose journal referred to him as national sneeringly concession to join the Land League, Parnell sentiment in Ireland would "that English strike organi- agitation, called ser' who fermented strikes for They the Kilmainham pact signed

ELECLOUD

the purpose of diverting trade the rest with the British government, away from Ireland and the empire. League T 3- renamed This preoccupation con wards England! 'National League" and invi- through very hea Devlin who had ted Catholic priests onto its was Tory formed the Catholic counter- listen committees. part to the Orange Order, the Bonar Law An even bigger threat to 100.000 unionists in Belf Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Ulster unionism was posed by

F

ARD

on terms no less humiliating than had been offered Redmond's party, while also nationalist abandoning the population of Ulster, leaving at Easter 1912. He cleverly inside Carson's manipulates Ulster Protestant sectarian Protestant state.

symbols but for il is nol Ulster that he is urging them Kacialist state to fight: By the racialist criteria "Once again you hold the upon which the Orange state pass. The pass for the Empire.

was founded the counties of You are a besieged city, the Donegal, and timid have left you, but you Monaghan had too large have closed vour gates." nationalist population to be The third Home Rule bill Thomas easily contained. received the roval assent but Moles, the Unionist MP for the outbreak of the imperial- Belfast the Urmean.

DUL

ist war in 1914 suspended its the protesting position The effects implementation. the protestants borucl of the war, the Russian revo- counties with brutal trank- lution and the revolutionary ness when he said: that Europe swept "In a sinking ship with showed even the Tory party life boats sufficient for only they could no longer that two thirds of the ships' com- rule in the old sabre-rattling all condemn pany way. themselves to death because not all could be saved?" "This advance in bital Within the six county democratic sentiment, the Times so delicately put it, ot sectaman surger LodiLion the unionist leaders addressed had to placated while support for Carson appeared tnemseives entnuslastikany Lu task what the creating as a provocation to it. Prime Minister Sir James Sensing that unionist sup- Craig "a called protestant port in Britain was not what state

IOI

it had been before the war, luteolalil people". the Ulster unionists accepted what they had re- ironically Redrawn boundaries Home sisted for thirty years, Rule for themselves. Charles This required the drastic redrawing Craig, the brother of govern-

LOCAL

Northern Ireland's first prime ment boundaries to convert their areas with nationalist major- minister, expressed ities into loyalist strongholds dilemma in the Commons on the 29th March 1920, when and a protestant-only militia, 'B-specials" the whose Iepu- he said: tation for sectarian violence "We would much prefer to remain part and parcel of the acquired in the first year of their existence, they lost only Kingdom. United rave when they were abolished in prepared ana we nave made 1969

OUT

Province

DEUSUGLUUD

The purpose of a under the and under the laws passed by this parliament at Stormont House. We do what was supposed to be an ally desire to recede from a posi- integral part of the United Kingdom was well ilustrated tion that has been satisfactory to us. But of way by acoste we have many enemies in this Minister for Agriculture in 1927 that: we tee that an

LOWILY

Ulster without a parlament 109 officials and "I have Inow there are o o o bę four catholies, three of whom nearly as strong a position as in which ,) parliament were servants handed over to me before I began."

has been set up. witn tne state secure and Leaders executed the consequent threat to the union receding the class The Easter Rising and the within unionism antazulsI of its leaders more easily the came created

NUCO

Te vIsOt In 1921 P.J. Woods surtace. English rule that the against stood as an independent nationalist party of unionist against the "clique" Redmond, completely tied to that ran and took a Ulster British strategy, was swept to safe seat from the Unionists.

oblivion. Supplanted by Sinn Fein In the general election prosecuted war against the British that as it of 1925 the unionist seats in Stormont were reduced from proceeded took on more of a 40 32, Labour character. stim ulating gainıng DULLdI and Griffiths and Collins to settle tnee Hiu ponucill unionists winning four. Determined stop the Minister Craig rot, Prime unsuspected revealed an capacity for irony by choos- 12 1927, ing July the day protestants celebrate the of their political SCuTU freedom, to announce that he

GEANTODUE„

tional method of representa- tion. "We Ulster are and In ought to be happy community. Adversity has taught us the value of unity.

Un R OIl Doo OI of peace and present state contentment. Mr. Devlin and his Nationalist party (the Party) are the natural oppos- Why then should ition. ally loyalist constituency add strength to it and weaken the colleagues influence my and myself." The industries of linen and shipbuilding upon which Belfast actually

D SUCIIL"

rested (although it should not up OveROOKeu Ludu agriculture 1926 was the largest single employer labour) were in decline from the time that the Northern created. Ireland state was 226.4 While million square linen were yards WU il 1912 1961 this had by 59.8 million square fallen to Shipbuilding yards. too declined with the recession in world trade. So while the economy in the South of Ireland slowiy stagnated behind tariff walls Twentieth century conditions; 17th century flags-a Loyalist procession Ulster capital Not only the South was was carnica through the inter war years providing a signiticant percen- the crutches of British tage of England's food, but subsidies. At more OI less England's declining capital the limited but the time, bour- finding Salle geoisie of Dublin in 1958 profitable markets the 1957 Republic. As the profitability and

SETRASI

obliged to acknowledge that of British capital declined, off-load the their attempts develop the urge burden of subsidising welfare, their own capitals had failed.

No less was it recognised social security, industry and defence in the North became in the North East that foreign wooed to capilat nau l0 the Province. A Government Bring changes sponsored report suppressed two yeais because of its 10I A reiorming group in the stated 1957 possal sill Northern Ireland cabinet that O'Neill's emerged under the basic cause of export of capital trom North ern Pre- leadership to bring about the The changes. land was iow expectation of Ickosal y composition of this group is profit from domestic invest- significant. It com prised ilawie. politicians who were in the 2) greater scarcity than future Britain for profitable vo eny O00s Great another. It numbered one for and openings Brian Faulkner willen enlarged undertakings. Bradford, Robin base Craig, Koj 3) narrow economic Baillie and O'Neill Terence placed a mark questiun This structure of patron- against the long term viability ape which tied the protestant of the Province. working class to Ulster 4) constitutional status of the Province was uncertain. Unionism by allocating jobs as a reward for 'loyalty', was But if the bourgeoisie so powerful in Ulster because Dublin and Belfast saw their of Ulster the nature future prosperity in exactly capital, small, local family the same way, as dependant But labour units. upon their capacity to create

HILCHS YE

the capital that new was the conditions that would entering the Province (while forèign investment aLiTall Ulster capital declined) was then the original 'rationality" export orientated and capital for a partitioned Ireland no longer existed. And Britain's HILCHNIvC. relationship to the changing As unemployment rose in South and the North mad did be- this period too ner consider a marriage sectarianism. tween these two satellites.

ComPanIU UDA men barricade the Shankill Road in 1972 the fitty year commemo ation of the signing of the Covenant in uca Der protestant workers marker the occasion with o ring rs sectarian rioting twenty years. this backgrounc Against raised the Paisley tha cry O'Neill was "betraying union ism" And Paisley thi question was essentially righ for what the Unionist bour geoisie was trying to do wa to structure a new relation whil imperialism ship abandoning its petty-bour geois and proletarian allies tr the cold winds of the work economy While Paisley was marshall ing his followers under seven teenth flags it wa century twentieth century condition that were driving them to hi banners. No future Seeing their mass bas them the deserting unionis eze orc ov oc avanuu! ed their leader O'Neill. Bu O'Neil the repudlation of was in no way an abandon politics. ment of his Ulster capital visibly disap pearing in front of their eye Unionist could have no future unles they could turn themselve junior into imperialist interests operatin in the Province Same fate Having brought down on leader they had no alternatrv but to back another with th who same policies do tha nothing more to await the same fate. Thu O'Neill toppled Faulkner who was toppled b Craig, who was brought dow by the very same forces h mobilised against Faulkner.

The split in Loyalist rank Crai, between Paisiey and by bourgeoi was explained philistines as one between bigot and a contrit CIenCdl "'modes extrem ist ation' For materialists the diffe ence was one between a bow geois who • could accomodat to imperialism and a petty bourgeois who could not. Thus in Ireland the cris of political leadership is or which engulfs the polltic struggles of both the workir class and caritalist class alik How this accelerate tensions in both the Loyal and nationalist camps is th subject of a later article.

TEAMSTER IN REVIEW

BUREAUCRACY

Page 8 With this book Dobbs his four- concludes series the volume on i the liotskvist movement demon.

GLEN LALA

truck In name of class md was the decisive turning can President De endants Jonazi tryis. was forced to say Eg: nant mctory won ::e over-the-road' детет known conducted strike than those Boon men engaged this SEen from a man who fought the Trotskyists at almost everv turn shows the of forces which nuance enioved br tion frame-up Ralph Johnson, Jack Maloney, Francis Quinn, I sesenth victim, Earl Carpenter, had not yet been released on bail when the picture was sixteen members of Local 544 Federal Workers Section were jailed for 'conspiring to deprive the government of services" auer disputes on the Work Project £l up oy koose velt supposedly order to reduce unemployment. Other FBÍ tactics included urganiser Labour Movement. Teamster organisers. From the left: Louis Miller, and waiter k. Tobin Once decided extreme moved

WITH

1941 the May rapidity. IBT President invoked a rule preventing communists from holding union membership.

Despite TecorO struggle and widespread support Local was in a difficult position SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 14 December 1977 KEITH WHITE reviews "Teamster Bureaucracy', the fourth in a series of books by Farrell Dobbs on the history of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Teamster Bureaucracy" is published by Monad Press, York and is available in Britain from Pathfinder Press, 47, The Cut, Waterloo, London SEI, price £2.50.

existed in the US. The Ameri- Federation of Labour (AFL) to which the IBT was affiliated had originated in the craft unions. The initial battle of Local 544 (then 574) had been to Teamsters out turn the to unorganised, unskilled section sections of workers As pointed out above, the success of was move dramatic reflected in growth of the IBT. Unorganised workers By the middle thirties a mass strike wave very often involving unorganised the sweeping workes

USA.

Out of this was born the Congress of Industrial Organi- sation which was opposed to the craft conscious conserva- Trotskyist-led demonstration against conditions on the Work Project Assignment set up by tism of the AFL. The leaders of IBT Local The bureaucracy had been there was a retreat on the 544 decided that the best beaten the past part of workers' to them the was to DaCK ment nationally. largely by continued seek affiliation to the CIO.

expan- possible in This done and a sion of Local S44's intluence would be was in the among new layers of workers.

situation for a combination charter was issued of legal and physical attacks name of the United Construc- National retreat year of hard Workers Organising to destroy the The slide towards war had work. Committe. taken its toll on the labour At that time two national of trade unions movement, and groupings nowever. Labour tells it like it isn't lawyers The BBC's evidently thought that the Labour Party's now political famous party interests of the workers; and broadcast the on fail to because thev National Front was SO socialist policies the

WIET

the hot it might melt seaich by the capitalists for a mass base should they require a fascist solution to the crisis.

Same source Despite its daring use of films of Hitler and Mussolini the Labour Party broadcast did not, therefore, dare to draw the deeper historical parallel-that was the by criminal betrayals and workers' reformist leaders which allowed fascism and Nazism to rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s. impossible welcome these stirring noises against the NF without point- ing out that they came from the the source policies which allow fascism to grow and and racialism which itself promoting army strikebreaking and the police new anti-picket 'Special Patrol Group' Unwitting help A consistent fight against racialism and fascism includes most-perhaos the onlv dram- Natona a tient against an une anti working class policies of the Lib-Lab coalition government and of the union leaders and implies the building of a new leadership of the working class. At least this broadcast may have unwittingly helped open up more discussion within the Labour Party about what such a real fight TuTO azamst taclalsın would entall Ihe growth of the front By Henry Philips economic problems ship to offer policies in the

OUR

POLICIES

Workers' control v. participation The National Union of Miners, at the same time financial targets, ratting appointment as on the wages and budgeting. struggle, is engaging in a Their alm national debate on discussions workers participation. miners to accept this. This is not surprising, since the two positions opposing independent wages struggles and attempting to porate the unions into very much part and parcel of the same They represent aspects of the drive by right wing union leaders to weaken Andrew Wiard. the working class by tying it hand foot to the employer. Debated

PHOTO:

In the November/Decem- ber issue of The Miner the *Industrial question of Democracy and the Miners' is debated. They quote The NUM Executive this the line argued by Eric Varley accepted in 1963: усаг position which would miners 'The Labour being on a 'colliery manage- has ment team, making decisions extension of democracy and a over output (ie. over the rate social order.

WAGES

FALL TO

PRE-

70г £ 65- 1970 •Real Weekly Take-Home Pay 60% (Man on Average Earnings

RATE

at September 1977 Prices] 55฿ 1970717234577 of exploitation of themselves) the of relevance workers' control today would be to marketing, of managers, deny the very basis of socialism'. in the current Varley of course, persuade Minister, has name prodding for himself by Chrysler and British Leyland managements into confronta- workers in a drive for all-out speed-up. In this fraudulent ment is contained the essence of the difference between our workers democ- OI racy and the notions of these left wing fakers and defenders of capital. Workers' democracy indeed the basis of socialism. Parasites But that basis can only fully exist within state controlled by the working class, Scargill where the capitalist blood suckers parasites and favourably have been forever wrenched from their prey. Movement Workers' participation stood for within the context of a capi- talist state, where the aim of To deny production for private Savage cuts in living standards of the working class have bitten to such an extent that a married man on average wage, now takes home less in real terms than in 1970. The source for this evi- dence on the effects of pay controls is nothing more sini- ster than Treasury official figures, in reply to a Parlia- mentary question, and therefore be expected to put the best possible gloss on the pay figures. The graph published by the Treasury shows wages 1977 September prices reached a real peak in 1974 when the self conti- dence of the working class in fighting for wages was also at its peak. Throughout the following period of Labour and TUC backed waee controls in the 'national interest' there has been whatsoever profit not for need, is firstly the in no sense workers' control workers' and secondly. can serve only obtained'. as a method of incorporating their own

WOKE

oppression. in the debate carried out in the of le Miner Arthur Scargill shows himself to be aware of some of these with a bang. points: 'Participation will only perpetuate capitalism. The

NUM

. should be mislec into supporting the theory of workers control within existing society'. must begin He discusses the function- singlen Consultative ing of the the capitalist Committees in collieries.

furnish He points out: organisational its main function has in independence fact, been as a vehicle for "pushing" the decisions and views of senior management distinction in the coal mining industry.

la lace cl Collaborated Scargill gives examples of management-which how such possible only after Consuitative Committee collaborated sation, and the sacking of a miner for absenteeism:. the 'This has the effect of weakening the union and des- socialism. crediting the leadership in the eyes of the mmers alsO weakens the union's ability to negotiate effectively with the management because miners begin to distrust a leadership prepared to who are parlIck- pate in dismissing a member of the union

LATE

clearly management function and a management decision which and be challenged by the snould, union as representatives the membership'. Scargill goes on: I submit that we do not need participation to play our part as a trade inside the National Coal Board any other industry in Britain'. Provided the trade union is prepared exercise strength, we can convince change its views, the very at least modify them in many fields'.

Direct challenge Workers' So far, SO good. But interestingly, Scargill through the capitalist out his article uses the term.

special trade union 'participation' 'workers control' interchangably. the Yet they are in no way the workers management: same thing. The fight for workers' the most elementary control poses direct mic plan- opposite, a direct challenge to VieW the management's 'right' the exploiters-is exploit the worker as he so without wishes. It means not "joint' that is, control alongside the capita- tration of the list or his agents, but control into all open by workers over the every action of the capitalist-in the Committees interests of the workforce, not of profits. Scargill refuses to see this distinction: ttees 'It is impossible to have Dranches workers' control within capitalist society. Capitalism, of national by its very nature, produces contradictions which cannot be resolved until and unless change the of system caverience We have to change society. to the working class. well below The dizzy heights of 1974 January have long since been aban- improvement in doned levels and wage are now lower than when Wilson since August. to Heath in the 1970

LOST

The

IMF

election. Significantly they are still falling. have gone away At constant prices, in official figures on balance of terms of today's pay packets, payment and inflation trends.

male married worker on average pay took home that the £69.22, and by September inflation to start rising again year had fallen to in the middle of next year £60.35. and for the balance of pay- Average wages ments surplus to disappear in 1979, If the present trend con- North Sea Oil. tinues it can be expected to™ slip below the £60 mark. Average wages which of include some 'high' wages are the amount not an adequate reflection of duced, real wages) rising.

the general level of wages in The whole run of the mill jobs, where Labour and coalition strategy take home wages are well has been to produce a few under £50 a week. good figures At the same time the charts to show off to the figures for retail sales-which world. reflect what the working class spend has fallen able to faced with a freezing room, Page 9 otherwise for system, direct management control cannot be nationalized industry the hour for that eventur Scargill's view of the trans- strikes'. formation from capitalism to The Transitional Progran socialism is one in which capi- Trot talism continues to exist until we do cou all of a sudden one fine day, expect Arthur Scargill, the working class seize power his confused and eclectic v to be aware of 'Marxism' uphold Trotsl Unaware Transitional Programme. He is absolutely unaware But it is significant that failing to draw a clear line of the process of struggle by which this must come about.

the issue of participation workers' 1 he working class can and control, Scar to extend ends. effect and UD In its power advocating a maximum p within state order gramme of complete nat itself with alisation, giving the be how is strength and achiev necessary for the struggle for power. Ammunition By blurring over the real between workers' He is unable as a result control and participation in Scargill provide any link between 1 • DU day-to-day fight for identify laisely within capitalism carried workers control and workers' by the unions, and struggle for a socialist socie nationali- which By leaving this gap he gi for its development does presuppose ammunition rig establishment wingers like Derbyshire Heathfie secretary Peter under who lyingly argues: Trotsky control-the 'It is not our intention t probing into the workings of prop up capitalist; but rathe economy by to formulate and fashion ner commit- systems of management tha tees is an essential transition will enable the socialist caus establishment of to advance'. course Heathfield "The working out of even method nothing to econo- with advancing socialism.

-from the point of But if workers set out t exploited, not establish areas in which thes impossible not management, workers' control, control, and set up their ow the pene committees monito - workers' safety; examine the finances- and concealed the protiteering springs of capitalist economy.

bankers raking in interest on representing individual business enterprises loan capital; coal merchants pit equipment suppliers; an should meet at conference to choose corresponding commi- industries the Coal, this would advance bot trusts, industry, workers' control and th of economic regions and finally, cause of socialism It is the fight within th industry trade union movement fo whole. Thus, workers' control this drive to extend workers becomes a school for planned strength that Scargill back: economy. On the basis of the away not control, the proletariat will prepare itself the level of had decided to breathe on the 1976, and after thermometer to make things an the middle look better. ot this year has fallen steadily disaster of Ine economic policy is for the book-keepers working class complete and who have now left Britain, firms uLLET, wille ale now rosy. able to make rising profit: because of the low level of wages. But they have also learned Immediate demand forecasts for alt 'It is only by rejecting all collaboration with Govern- ment on wage controls, guide- lines of norms and fighting to despite the bonus of restore and defend living standards that the working class can win back what it has There is absolutely no sign lost the real economy jobs, This requires an immed- goods pro iate demand that wage claims be pursued, through vigorous thrust of strikes, to destroy the policy that has brought this about.

The working class only has selected an independent solution to the crisis. It is as if the Government,

COMMITTEE HOUND RIGHT

INDUSTRIAL NEWS

LIFT PAY DEAL

The lift

EEPTU

engineers vote to return to work for a paltry 10- 15% instead of their 130% claim is a blow to the whole wages offensive. The 1300 strong meeting TO 10% in London, the centre of the biggest firms, of course wak stage-managed and then given maximum publicity influence the vote elsewhere.

Not mentioned The fact that the Glasgow section had voted against a Chapple's letter was mentioned, received with a of storm the of unanimous vote shouts, 'Well then let us bring shop stewards

LONCON

them Government) (the refuse the offer was played down'. down. The sum ming up These speeches showed centred on impassioned that growing of sections letter from Kent a sinall need to

WORKER

branch threatening with- bring down Callaghan and drawal from the union if the Healey and are willing to take strike continued. action to bring that about.

The letter from General bureaucrats see this Secretary Frank Chapple stall it and place themselves desperate to fore- himself was the key poison.

He warned that to con- solidly before the Govern- tinue wome Involve a got ment. not just against the employers but against the Government Meeting stalled itself. It was on this key This line was backed up by tion that the meeting stalled.

other right wing speakers. The offer They said the fight against accepted derisory 12-15% to bring a the Government was one they mate's pay up from £43.40 to couldn't win and to carry on £47.48 and senior fitter from would result winning £56.10 to £63.24. nothing. Further negotiations Fraudulent arguments Now the employers recognised their muscle, they would get a big increase 'next time'. The fraudulence of these arguments was clearly seen by other speakers. Several shop Actor Andrew Faulds, stewards spoke strongly. Labour MP for Warley They said the strike was East was confronted by a hitting the employers now and they should carry it picket of firemen when through. he arrived to speak to a With the firemen on strike Young Socialists Meeting and fights by

NUPE

and in Smethwick last week- well powerworkers end. miners coming up, they were The picket was organised bounu lo will, Confed's bogus wage claim In a move clearly des- fight on the claim must be igned take the heat to confident they out of local pay battles SO that the Confed President, and bring about Marie Patterson of the TGWU national level sell-out, felt able to denounce the 10% engineering union leaders pay limit as a Government last week decided to truce in which we have no part". moribund revive the This was all part of the act national pay agreement. designed to give the impres- The national agreement sion of a fight on wages while been has suspended since in reality throughout industry Phase of the Social officials are manoeuvring to Contract, and currently accept specifies a laughable £42 as settlements of 10%. the basic rate for craftsmen.

Workers must place no The Confederation of faith in this conscious fraud Shipbuilding and Engineering orchestrated by right wing Unions will Monday on bureaucials. submit a claim for They that insist

LICY

mast rate of £70, and the plant claims are submitted, phased introduction of a 35- big enoueh to restore living hour week. standards eroded under two They do so knowing that wage controls, and wears ol the reflect the linked now cost-of-living clause protect against in the industry, and that with inflation. the obstacies created bv olant They must fight for action and the

TUC-

agreements on these claims in defiance of 12-month the 10% the 12- 1 posed

LINE

anu chances

PLUNGES

the 130% mentioned, except on terms of sell-tinancing productivity deals. Lays bare Promises of 'negotiations' allowances, the on lodgings provincial daily allowance, visits home while in lodgings, sick pay schemes and holiday credit schemes wale leadership could offer. The of outcome this dispute just how seriously Chapple's militant turnabout at the EEPTU Con- terence pledging strike action for the workers-can power be taken. It lays bare his position of detending the Government at costs and placing himself as me main oostacie to any gains. by the emergency committee of labour organisation set up by Warley Trades Council.

The only workers' organi- sation not supporting the fire- Warley is the local men Labour party. "Extremists' After an impassioned attack by Andrew Faulds on 'extremists" and 'wreckers' who wanted destroy the Government, 'Labour the Warley East GMC narrowly voted down support the firemen. The YS meeting was the firemen's invaded by PIcKeL emergency committee. faulds, who gave a talk on the future of the Labour Party began talk by Clay attacking the Cross councillors and the Shrews- bury picket, typical examples of how extremists claiming to be heroes of the Labour movement brought the party into disrepute. Astonished 'Democratic centralism must, he said, mean accep- of of the unpleasant decisions of the Government This was the with the firemen. case Struggles could achieve nothing but the fall of the Government. local trade Astonished Faulds go on unionists heard that lower living say standards, unemployment and the industrialism had come to stay in britain He and eminent academics • were agreed that many people were fed with industrial uD society and would progres- sivelv

WADE'S BID TO

SMASH nUJ STRIKE Joe Wade, General Sec- his ability to delay attempts of the

NGA,

to raise the seven month old retary strike to a level necessary to pulled his master stroke suaded the Darington NGA expired, sabotage the Darling- to ton journalists strike for members on December 6 to a closed shop last week, call off their support and to return to work. at the very moment that Executive the

NUJ

Renegade printers finally decided to spread Thus the striking journal- the strike. ists tace the Ielaunching of the North of England news- Calculating correctly that PHOTO: Mark Rusher, IFL Picketing firemen warm themselves at Euston fire station

WING MP

where they could grow try role on Grunwick was sicken- their own vegetables. ing all trade unionists. Godfrey Ass- webster, Andrew Faulds had said he Secretary of the was horrified at the growth Trades Council said it was no of support for the National accident that Faulds attacked Front in his constituency, but every struggle of the working and the Labour Govern- class from Clay Cross to the ment had themselves laid the basis for this by their con-

IICIECI

He had. long ago aban- stant attacks on the working doned any pretence of repre- class. senting the working class and Finally a local fireman said seemed favour that he did not consider his

LUW

abolishing it altogether.

union were a special case.

He demanded that Faulds They had been taken on along with the present leader- by the Government as repre- ship of Labour Party the sentatives the whole should be expelled. working class this and Johnson, Trades George explained the magnificent said that Council Secretary, support they were receiving the biggest problem tacing from the local labour move- the working class tne ment. treachery of its leadership.

Faulds would do well to At Leyland's Longbridge return to acting full-time. But plant the TUC have actually It is doubt anvone vetoed a wages deal accepted Warley would be taken in by their his performances again. allu Pay strikes solid After 13 weeks of strike to be added to the Queen's action in pursuit of their 17% already packed garage. pay claim, 600 Rolls Royce And at the giant Raleigh cycle factory at Nottingham workers at Willesdon remain mass meeting of 4,000 determined to achieve their ahead with full demands. voted to press their 3-week strike for Management have refused offer than 10%. demands for increases of up more to £27 per week. Despite attempts to iso- late, confuse and even ballot 5,000 workers, nearly all members of the Metal Mech- them back work, the strikers of anics union on strike. show sign are no Management weakening in a dispute that again has delaved "Rolle Poure offered onlv 10%. closed since August, papers, using scab journalists and the renegade printers. Wade told the

NGA

members that the journalists -who had voted 79-1 against accepting an offer from management (which gave them nothing whatsoever)- were intransigent. He also claimed that since NUJ General Secretary Ken Ashton, had not argued strongly against the proposals meeting with at a ment, they amounted to joint management/union proposals Ashton has denied this but admitted that he stayed the meeting and helped word offer that the management was put to the strikers with- out comment. Significantly, at this meeting represen- LuCa tatives from Darlington and London, where journalists were locked out for suppor- ting strikers, •excluded-for the first timein the dispute. The NUJ Executive, who have letter from Wade saying that he would consider unlimited noW that they claim have been stabbed in the back by the

NGA.

But in fact it was the NUJ Executive which refused to escalate the dispute, despite calls to do so from other papers owned by West- minister Press. Escalation call The Group NUJ Chapel first for escalation in Called August. Since it was accepted in principal by the

NUJ

September, axecutive action had stronger con- been 'in stantly postponed case we 'offend the NGẠ".

The right wing leadership of the had union willingly played into Wade's hands to leave the Darlington journal- ists more bitter than at any time during the strike. Meanwhile they have decided continue their to Second offer While the Darlington strikers do their best to pick the union up pieces, leadership has called for rejection of the latest pay offer to provincial journalists of 10%. The second offer coming days after the TUC's open backing for the 10% limit, was actually worse than the first. depleted meeting chapel delegates in Birming- ham on Saturday (December 10) voted to endorse rejec- tion and for to campaign strike action early in the new The meeting rejected out devise ot hand attempts to clever schemes around the 10% limit. call was made to lobby the TUC on December 21 and to campaign for a joint effort "sections of by workers against the 10% limit. Farm pittance Capitalist farmers are none too pleased that the Agricultural Wages Board has resisted government pressure and insisted on a 12.5% award for pay farmworkers. About 11,000 farm- workers, paid the statutory minimum rate, will now receive this amount by law But the remaining 99,000 farmworkers may well find themselves fobbed off by 107 of their already abysmal

Grunwick-step up the fight!

SOCIALIST PRESS. DESTro 14 Dromber 19"-

METROPOLE

LONDON

HOTEL

"OFFICIAN

PICKET

Important develop- ments are expected this week, the tenth week of the strike at the Metro- Hotel, Edgware pole Road in London. The remaining strikers continuing to mount a 24-hour picket with the support of other trade unionists, including firemen, and with visits from militants working in hotels as far away Bournemouth Edinburgh. Pressure The management, however that Camele strikers are sacked. As we go to being press, i would put on the GMWU to take up the case for the reinstatement of the remaining strikers.

Efforts are being made to arrange between meeting GMWU official Romp, John Bruce the chief steward and tHe madement. It is to be hoped that the give Cowley results in full Deputy Convenor vote: .1044 blake... Barson. White. 858 Thornett Paintin. 671 Taylor. Glen Harris. O'Sullivan Braggins Turnball Daw. 409 Gallagher Whalley. Waiters Dovee_ Thompson Brennan Jakerman. 129 rollard . Brough 23 Rankin. Oliver. 103 Vaughan Tales's Ofishal

YOUR MAN AT THE TOP

DEFEND THESE HOTEL

STRIKERS!

support now that the basic principle of reinstatement is raised. Meanwhile it was discover- week that the police have dropped charees against a member of manage- who carlet knocked down in his of strikers on the picket duty. Management itself is not the showing same magnan- Grunwick strikers have called off their proposed lobby the TUC on December 21-under threat of suspension from their union APEX if they went ahead. latest bureaucratic

APEX

hatchet-job by the leadership amid comes rumours or a sudden enq to the dispute that every union official has lỗng been deter- mined to lose Victory is being handed on Ward, Gorst. and allale Gouriet by a TUC that now refuses enforce even the right trade union representation. Leaders' fault That such situation could come into being the fault of all the entirely present "leaders" of the trade only

UJOS-101

Grantham and Jones, whose unions are fighting for OWnl recognition at the plant.

Also to blame are Tom David Basnett Frank who have done all in their power to that no action ensure was taken by their members to off cut essential supplies

NO, I'VE GOT SOMEONE

DIPLOMATIC ENOUGH TO

PLAY THE GAME...

WN SPECULATORS INC

wages Pretext of a tai

LOWER PAID

claim under

HOTEL WORKERS

1946 Act is being used to dodge round the 10% pay limit and enable the to

SHOULD SET MIT

turn blind eve to substantial The Metropole picket pay increases for fitters at Swan Hunters shipyard on Tyneside. Swan Hunter management are noping that a green light will be given by the Central Arbitration Committee the payment of to £8 up extra to the 1,700 outfitters.

Though this will be less that has than the pay claim been the basis of the

QUE-

Wednesday fitters' three month work to imity. On 14 reformist December the case is due to rule, leaders and Marylebone employers it will be heard nope Magistrates Court enough to procure an end to against Sadie Levis, of the action, and open the way for the building strikers, who is being evicted of from her 'tied accomodation' the four Polish cargo vessels at the yard by the management. This shows the urgency of Reallocated continued support for the struggle and for the picketing, The other three ships out in particular the mass pickets of the original order have held every Friday evening.

Govan yard on the Picket of TUC called off after officials threaten suspension (gas, water electricity) or to resounding NO!-a reaffirm- black postal collections.

ation of their determination dispute win this basic Doing nothing despite the opposition of their union leaders. In a cynical display of victory to be

SOUL

contempt 1U-week a correct political achieved, long efforts of these under- line is necessary. largely immigrant The essence of such a line workers, these leaders is simple-namely, pitting the recently united in a TUC vote ranks the to make it clear that they will Lcut movement, who have shown a do nothing to win full recog-

APEX

nundred times their wiling- nition for and 1ci- ness to support the strikers, statement of those on strike.

against the official leadership.

Now, atter the mass of picketing the summer; Direct approach after hundreds of arrests and For us that means directly vicious

SPG

attacks approaching postal, gas and November 7, the question is: water, and electricity workers are these trade union leaders in the area and asking them going to get away with it?

action Take blacking Defeat? defiance of Jackson, Basnett and Chapple Will they manage to inflict these workers come But if defeat where out on their own they can

WORKET

Ward,

NAFF

and the police easily be Isolated and brow- have been beaten into calling a halt to unemse wed unable to? their blacking action. answer from the That i ne is why we say that, Grunwick workers must be a in addition approacline

TIT WOULD NEVER WORK-THEY WOULD DEMAND

A THOROUGH INQUIR....

WHAT ABOUT A <

• TRADE UNIONISTR

humi

CROWN SPECULATORS

...AND HE'LL CERTAINLY

O'FISHALL - JOIN THE

O.K.- WHEEL

HIM IN.

CROWN SPECULATORS

Page 11

-INDUSTRIAL NEWS

SWAN HUNTER-THE

SCABBING GOES Or Clyde, and two to Smith's The Morning Star even docks on leeside the nerve to claim that ' Last week Govan's Com- shop stewards munist Party-led stewards unanimousiy deplored managed get almost Br • TO by unanimous endorsement for to reallo Shipbuilders their reactionary work during a dispute" accept the Swan Meanwhile the Hunter order, and Hunter affair prov 1s no- has strike strings. fresh impetus for efforts Boilermakers let Complete bankruptey John Chalmers to impo: This must be seen as an corporate system of barg ing to cover all British s indication complete oI tne yards and shipbuil bankruptcy of leadership in unions. the yard rather than any inherent weakness ol Lne Weaken and divide Conspicuously, the Stalin- Stalinist and right ist daily Morning Star last leaders in these union. Tuesday avoid managed to combined to do their bes mentioning the Govan weaken and divide the w steward's decision to scab on force in the industry. the jobs of their brothers on Their moves to abolish Tyneside. existing pay structures an Exception enforce acceptance strike clauses must be thr Instead it lyingly headlin- out and a principled lea ed "Govan's unity appeal" Stalinist ship built defend reprinted Jimmy wages and conditions convenor Airlie's statement with the exception of his announcement that the Govan stewards would accept the extra Polish ships. these workers locally, the Grunwick strikers should also approach every union branch Council and Trades in the country, and demand of them that they commit themselves support to any blacking action. APEX leader Grantha Strike action This position, coup resumpti to an immediate For us that means not just scheduling motions of support, of a mass Passing and pledging financial outside

TUC

headquart donations, but giving assur- early in the new year, sho ances that they will engage in be the basis of a reactivati strike action to defend postal of the strike. workers and others from is important that th victimisation or legal attack.

policies adopted be After 70 weeks, the Grun- fought for in the forthcom wick workers have the right meeting on Grunw to demand strike action from organised by the South E other Region of the TUC as well trade unionists who, verbally at least, back their the Action Day demands. December.

SOCIALIST

PRESS *

5 issues . £1.10 10 issues . £2.20 25 issues £5.50 50 issues £10.00 (Overseas rates: write for details).

I would like.. .. issues. I enclose f. Name. Address Send to: Socialist Press, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NWS 1HR

REJECT PAPER OFFER!

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Firemen from all over the country will be res- ponding to the call of the London Brigades for of the TUC on lobby December 21. The meeting of the TUC General Counci will near the disgraceful the Ieport by Economic Committee which Join Firemen on TUC calls on the firemen to return and recommends no to Work support teamone recommendation

TUC

central to the plans to lobby December 21 isolate the FBU and support of the Government defeating after another. Wide support workers. increases. The Government is under- It would almost certainly - The lobby against this taking that this will be paid be tied rigid no-strike been proposal of pay stipulations-to irrespective controls prevent by the Greater supported then in existence. firemen getting out of step in London Association This scheme is even more the new pay 'league'. and Trades Councils many dubious than it sounds. If it And the proposals for other union bodies. went ahead it would fix fire- cut the working week The and lobby men rigidly into a position in would increase workloads come at an important time as the wages league'. through a 'productivity" deal.

employers and Government To cap it all, the chances have plan No guarantee presented were elected over hele designed to con firemen into re-elected whole This guarantees nothing. If

WCIC

a return to work scheme would be aborted, Phase 3 is left intact, then the The only tangible element with the firemen left to fight looming prospect of a Phase 4 in tus pian is 1or a rise again from scratch. and permanent wage controls 10% now-preserving the pay firemen's wond that limits intact. Sown confusion real wages would fall by the same amount as every other Top quarter section of workers. Faced by such a phony in terms of This would, in theory, be And cash it deal, the

FBU

leadership followed than should have clearly rejected rises the

OYWI

Incans that would £8.71 Instead, they have sown next two years Itvicase bring firemen into the top spread over two years, in recom- •y paid quarter of skilled manual it, while putting it addition these 'average mending® for general discussion. brigades Some smaller have been taken in by

FUND

though the major, more mili- tant brigades such as Scotland are solidly against it. It seems clear as we go to press that, despite the of Parry and the wallines FBU leaders-who from the We are again on target this month with a total of £256.27 received and still not half way through the month.

very outsel nave opposeu Lne strike-the deal will be But there can be no room for complacency. December is rejected and the FBU dele- an even more expensive month than most and it is vital if conference will not be gall we are to complete our fund that the full £600 is raised recalled. before the Christmas period begins.

Defeat Donations received in the last seven days include: Oxford car workers £15.05; Centrai London

£18; NHS

FBU

The right wing workers £50; Islington £15; Sheffield £10; Hackney £13; officials are all too aware that Hull £2.10; East London £12; Manchester £2; West London they cannot another allord £7; Liverpool £0.89. damaging defeat at the hands All donations should be sent to: of a delegate conference.

Socialist Press Monthly Fund to But this 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, preserve the Lib-Lab coalition London NW5 1HR. is no less strong than that of the

TUC

their cronies Ull Economic Committee-and watch for the firemen first signs of a sell-out.

Meanwhile workers must demand those 'left' wing MPs that claim to support the fire- men wune neugug lew Dels on the 10% pay limit and the government trans- form their vague words into positive action 'Left' Erie Heffer If they really support this strike, they must declare their all outright opposition to forms of wage control, and confi- retusa. the Lib-Lab dence coalition. They must launch an all- out campaign throughout the Labour and trade union to remove the movement Callaghan/Healey leadership,

TUC

and right the wing leaders who are its mainstay of support. Anything short of such a fight this point the 'Lefts' talk of expose "support' to the firemen as so much hot air. While the 'Lefts' decide which side ot the _tence to jump down on, firemen must press ahead with claim. PHOTO: Chris Davies, Report Merlyn Rees-offered fake "guarantees" It is not enough simply to the offer. The fight reject must be stepped up Parry refused to put • has

NUPE

Fisher of other public sector union leaders on they are the spot-though continuing to hold back their own members' claims, leaving the firemen isolated and the 10% limit intact. The December 21 lobby must redress this balance.

It must the biggest be possible lobby demanding that the full TUC rejects the Economic Committee's and that NUPE and other unions come out or strike alongside the firemen.

FBU

In every area branches must fight for the establishment of Councils of Action designed to strengthen and spread their strike. Such Councils of Action

STILL AVAILABLE

"The Hotel Strikes- Lessons for unionisation" Price 35p plus 10p p&p From the Hotel and Cater- ing National Action Com- ittee, 21, Scala St., London

W1P 1LU

must invite delegates from trade union bodies, tenants' associations and all working class political organisations.

Leadership In this way they can become organisations within which a leadership can be developed capable of oppos- ing both coverIne TUC attacks and betrayals.

Every TUC delegate, every 'left' Labour MP,. every local union official involved in pay claims must be asked this question: Do you put the survival of this rotten Lib- Lab coalition above the interests of the working Those that answer "по" must be forced to bring out Those their be forced answer 'yes' must out of office.

WORKERS SOCIALIST

LEAGUE

Christmas Bazaar Saturday 17 December Opens at 1.00 p.m. East Oxford Community Centre Princes St. Oxford