~ ~ i—-— __‘

all SEPTEMBER 1986

Ninety workers at the Freeman Hospital in BAN Newcastle have been on strike since lOth. _After management's persistent refusal to July. The main issue in the dispute conc—- negotiate the porters instituted an over- erns bonus payments for porters who work time ban at the beginning of June. Admini- long and hard in an understaffed and exp1- strative staff at the hospital started to oited section of the health service. Mana- carry out portering duties and a threat gement at the hospital refuse to pay the "was made to employ students as scabs. bonusses and won't negotiate properly, ev- On lOth July the TSSU department was en though porters at other hospitals have due to be moved wiuhin the hospital. But long since received the payments. Seventy instead of making porters available f0f of the strikers are porters and the remai— the heavy work, management tried to insist ning twenty are TSSU (Theatre Sterile Sup— on TSSU staff doing it. They refused, and plies Unit) staff. All are members of the were instantly suspended. They were immed- G&MBATU . ‘ iately supported by a walk-out by the 70 porters, and the strike began. REPORT IN FAVOUR

The management's refusal to grant the pay— “L OUT agreed to a meeting with ACAS, but on the ment of bonusses comes despite the fact The strike is still completely solid after following Saturday sent a letter to strik- that after 3% years of pressure from port- six weeks. Management have brought in 3 ers threatening them with dismissal for ers and TSSU staff, an official report students as scabs - these have now left h . - T ' "breach of ". More recent talks showed conclusively that the porters were but will probably be replaced by more. 1S have been held through ACAS, but one shop already having to work above bonus perfor- is straightforward provocation - 3 scabs steward told us that "management are prep- mance. The TSSU staff have still not mana- can hardly take the place of seventy expe- ared to talk about anything -weather, hol- ged to get a similar report carried out rienced porters. The work is primarily idays, everything that is except pay". for their work. Both they and the porters being attempted by administrators and by h Lions of hi her- Nurses have faced considerable intimidation have had to endure systematically increas— volunteers from ot er sec‘II ' II g from management trying to get them to ing workloads with no additional staff paid staff. Whether the. Friends of the carry out portering jobs. being taken on. Freeman Hospital are friends more of the management than of the workers remains to PROSPETS FUNNY BUSINESS be Seen- These strikers are suffering consider- The new-style "business" management in the . RT able financial hardship, and are not Freeman Hospital seem determined to win a } SUPPO receiving the support and solidarity that reputation as "cost-cutters” and clearly ‘The strikers hold regular collections for they should be getting. Their union seems care nothing for the health or morale of the Strike Fund at various workplaces, as less than enthusiastic about publicising these much—exploited workers. They claim well as on the daily picket line, outside the dispute and seeking the support and to be unable to afford to' pay the bonusses the hospital. Over £700 has been received solidarity of other groups of workers. The — odd, for such a prestigious and expanding from workers at the nearby Longbenton DHSS union even said that they had no money to hospital. Even odder, because new wards at complex, both through individual and block produce further leaflets for the strikers. Freeman Road are taking over some of the donations from the CPSA (Civil and Public functions previously served at Walkergate _Servants' Association). Delegations of Hospital. Porters being transferred to the {strikers have also received support from Freeman will receive the bonusses. ,other government offices. Donations have been made by the AUE in the shipyards of up to £250. Inside the hospital many work- ers have shown their support both morally and financially. COHSE members fully supp- ort the strikers and give money (although COHSE officials are too "management-minded 4 as one striker put it). Domestics have ref- The strike may be over by the publication used to cross picketlines, and nurses on date of this paper, after a meeting on several wards have organised collections. 27th’August between the union and the chairman of Newcastle Health Authority. MANAGERS We hope that prospects for the strikers ,Management's tactics have been continually have not been too adversely affected by the lack of support they have received. l provocative' - On Thursday 7th August they

inside Q COMPUTER COMPANIES, CP scmzms, GUAG, WHEELIE BINS, __WAPPING, HORMEL, S.AFRICA, PLAYSCHEMES, HEALTH AT womt, ROUND-UP, BENEFITS, MINERS, socmt WORKERS. ROE’, SILENTNIGHT. 3

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EDITORIAL @’.1UA@ If you would like to make any comment on the Syndicalist, contact the Tynes- ed as a benefit and taken for granted. om ide Revolutionary Syndicalists for. One of the most serious and pressing This illusion must be undermined. Even more information or would like to issues facing the working class at pres- militant unions like the NUM (known for contribute to the paper both financia- ent is unemployment, with its effects on its members working large amounts oft lly and'with informatio please contact; individuals, corrmunities, industry and south affsiea overtime) have fallen into the bosses THE SYNDICALIST, society as a whole. .___. ._.. ... __ _ . -,-.-- trap. The ban on overtime is not a basic The Gateshead Unemployed Action Group c/o Tyneside Free Press; Many economists and so—called social- call out of class solidarity, taking they 5, Charlotte Square, ists, especially within the ranks of the began a campaign on Saturday 23rd August attitude that jobs are being denied to in support of South African workers. Newcastle Upo.Tyne, , see the cure for mass une- other workers. Instead it has been acce- NEl AXF. . mployment as straightforward. They say The campaign launched at the Monument in pted as "realism" within the workplace ' Newcastle City Centre saw the G.U.A.G. - that huge injections of government money and has been put aside as a tactic in If you would like to see the continua- into both private and public concerns appealing for support for the‘oppressed tion of the Syndicalist we urge you no rather than a principle South African workers and demanding that will lead to the problem being eventually of refusing to play the bosses game. i make a financial donation inmediately. don away with completely. This naive the British movement impliment The paper is produced on a shoestring view represents either a total lack of Shorter working weeks used to be a its own sanctions on Aparthied through a and your support is needed. Please ma- understanding of the capitalist system, paramount demand of the union movement, programme of industrial action. ) ke all cheques and Postal Orders out ti sheer ignorance, or perhaps simply hope- although no real effort has been put into '10; M nm SYNDICALIST less rhetoric to convince voters of a lie achieving this by the modern trade unions GUAG are appealing to local trades union- ists to support them in this campaign and Unemployment is not, as many would have The eight-hour day was not gained by the The 'Syndicalistl publishes news, , us believe, down to merely economic slu- whims of politicians or concern of emplo- raise the matter at their branches etc aswell as participating actively. reports and information on industrial " mps, inefficiency and overproduction. yers for our health or to grant us leis- disputes, rank and file'workers) Even under a total economic recovery ure tune. It was won through workers’ All donations collected throughout the organisation and trade uion activity unemployment would still remain. As has militancy and massive industrial action, campaign will be forwarded to the South and comunity and social issues on ') always‘been the case, unemployment is and for gQ_other reason.The fight for a African union movement. Tynside and elsewhere. used as a tool to drive down the of significant shortening of the working For more information on the campaign and _ If theie is something happening in the world's workers, increase workloads, week has died, apart from the mothings details of future actions contact; your workplace , community or traded reduce working conditions and to erode of bureaucrats at trade union and TUC union that you feel people shuldsknsw every advance that the working class has conferences. A working week of say 30 ?Cateshead Unemployed ActionrGroup, about please write to us with details- ever made. The pool of unemployed, well hours might not eradicate unemployment, c/o Cateshead Law Centre, if possible an address or telepoe over 4 million in this country at present, but it would be a step in the direction 13, Walker Terrace, number where we can contact you shall can be used at will by the bosses in of cutting the number of unemployed. Of', Gateshead. be of help. All comnunications will be their pursuit of ever-higher profit mar- course if this is to be an objective, Tel: 4771109. treated with complete cofidentiality. gins. Dole queues will be cut somewhat if vigilance wold need to be maintained to a profit can be made, and extended when ensure that gains were not simply whitt- workers have lost their "economic viabil- led away by management tactics and the I ity? ineptitude of union bureaucrats. For ex- The pool is also used as a weapon'to ample shorter working would prove point- wise, on the union front, members of the threaten workers lucky enough to find less unless speed-ups in production and TALKING GARBAGE G&M have been told that if they refuse to work, who can always be told that "there overtime could be resisted. Speed-ups A major row has blown up on Derwentside work the new scheme they will be suspended are plenty of others willing to do your could push production up so that the over the 's intention to cut or sacked. job." This is the clarion-call of many bosses woyuld hardly notice that fewer the costs of refuse collections. Both employers at present in their attempts hours were being worked. Production lev- unions and local householders are against .....THE UNIONS» to de-unionise workforces, cut down on els could be set to such a point.as to the new plans which the Council have put Meanwhile the union has voted with a 1001 benefits and conditions, and show that make it impossible to meet them, so that forward. majority ndt to implement the new schema. they and they alone have the "right" to they would be more than happy to revert If any workers are suspended or sacked, manage. back to the old system. . TRIAL PERIOD all-out will be taken immed- The social needs of workers are never When considering the possibility of a A six—month trial period of the use of the iately. Meanwhile, the G&M officials, even taken into account. Workforces can be shorter working system levels are "Wheelie bin", which the council says will in the face of such solidarity, are prese- slashed to the bone even when vast amou- clearly a major concern. If wage cuts save money by allowing them to cut staff- ntly trying to negofiate with the council. nts of work need to be done. But this a were taken in line with the hours we ing levels, has been earmarked for the Union officials believe that a programs work is only in the interests of ordina- would be playing into employers’ hands. of voluntarylredundancies of an entire ry people — the owners and mony-men villages of Langley Park, BuIflh°P@, La"¢h' Again, attempts to cut wages would need ester and Esh Winning. r crew of refuse collectors would meet the find it unprofitable. to be fought through effective industrial cost-cutting targets put aside by the 1 The"profit before people" idea is a organisation. We have the power as prod- 27!refuse collectors will also be moved-to council. This attitude helps no—one but very real factor in the rapid introduct- ucers to procure these advances, we have other jobs in the council throughout Derw- the council who now have the union offic- ion of new technology and autonmation. the sufficient power at grass-roots level entside. v ials bending over backwards to stop a Jobs in almost all industries are being to create the organisation to begin the 3 BINS REFUSED dispute from arising. The council have lost due to the misuse of the "modern" fight for our rights. The struggle to Uver the last few weeks bins have been also warned that if strike action is tak- age technology. Under the right circum- reverse the modern trends imposed by cap- delivered to housing estates for the start en they will have no hesitation in bring- stances, this technology can be a very italism needs to begin now. It must have of the scheme set to begin on September ing in private contractors - this gives useful an effective way of ridding a clear view of what it is attempting, 8th. But already residents are refusing to a realistic chill to Labour council's ourselves of dangerous, unhealthy or and must not get sidetracked by the rhet- take them. The estates chosen for the bins "Keep it Public" image. boring work - but only if the criterion oric"and"fudging of politicians and union are upon slopes which means residents, for its use is that of social need. bureaucrats. Whateven,we achieve in the area of including the elderly and disabled, would RESIDENTS _ pt-zcnns The question of overtime is insepar- wages, hours, conditions and unemployment have to drag the extremely large wheeled ‘The residents in the designated areas have able from the issue of unemployment. we must not lose sight of our ultimate bins up and down stairs in order for their been told that they will have the final It is quite obvios that it is cheaper objectives. Short-term reforms are too rubbish to be taken. decision on whether or not the "Wheelie for employers if some of us work over- Bin" system will be operated permanently susceptible to being taken away at any THE COUNCIL. . . . . time than to employ others to do the time. They are no replacement for the after the trial period has been worked. extra,work..But overtime can easily lead complete destruction of capitalism and The council are adamant that the new sche- Residents have already made it quite clear to lay-offs. It has been "proved in the state, and the building of a libert- me will go ahead and they have told all that they don't want the scheme — this practice" to have the effect of working arian society which is structured around residents that if their new bins are not democratic decision is that of the four people out of jobs. social need and mutual aid, not power and by theroadside due for collection, then areas on behalf of the whole of Derwentsi- In.manygindgstries overtime is class- profit. A their refuse will not be removed. Like- de. tation) Such business links boost the 3 abi_lity._of__ apartheid to survive and our --Z---""'Z"""""""""""""""""-*1" Hestern computer companies have been ma- solidarity can be demonstrated by bring- king a'kil1ing out of sales to the South ing these fscts to the attention of IBM Evéry project requires funding to cover that only delegates from the relevant African state. IBM supplied the computer and ICL workers and their bosses. running and capital costs and each proje- trade unions would be allowed to address ct receives £380 per employee on that new starters. This was no great acheivem- software for "The Book of Life", which G.E.C. CONCEDE - V scheme whether they are part time or full ent on our part as the only reason this classifies the population on racial gro- The British-owned company GEC was faced time. So you can see that in order to co- ‘barred’ person was invited in the first unds, and consequent resident and employ- with a determined response in early June ver these costs we have no option in the place was the fact that local trade unigg ment patterns. ICL computers are used to from workers in Germiston and other towns vast majority of cases but to employ as officials couldn't be bothered to turn up track the movements of the 25 million south of Johannesburg. Strikes at three many part time workers as possible in or- at these meetings in the past. .black population, each of whom is finger- plants involving 1,300 workers had led to printed at the age of 16, with 20 million der to acquire the necessary finance. the victimisation and sacking of 49 machr Even then we usually find that the proje- What is the general attitude of senior prints in current storage. Other compan- management within your establishment? ine operators and in turn this provoked a cts are being run on a 'shoestring' basis ies such as Control Data Corporation have In my opinion they are completely out of sit-in at the plush headquarters in near- and we are ‘encouraged’ to tout around provided systems used in the present rep- touch with ordinary people and they still by Parktown. The company then conceded to private industry seeking sponsors to pro- ression whereby townships can be simulat- demands for negotiations involving all seem to think that its only the 'low_ ed in great detail to assist the security vide money or material goods to make a three plants, ratherithan playing one off scheme viable. . - achievers’ ins soéiety who end up on the- forces in their brutal policies of deten- against theaother, the normal policy of se schemes. They all have a management tion and harassment. Another company, companies extracting super-profits in Why are wage rates so low on these background and their right wing political Ontel, set up the surveillance network on South Africa. I»? schemes? attitudes are plain to see. In fact a lot workers‘ productivity (ie rate of exploi- (source: Counter Information) Basically wage rates are supposed to be of our union literature has a habit of Z_|igg comparable to rates paid in proper jobs going missing from the notice board and Surely this must affect council jobs? v but this is not really happening in we all know which manager is responsible. practice. For clerical and office jobs FROM.,_THE, INSIDE Its_patently obvious that if you take on- 'We are patiently waiting to catch himein in general the job titles are manipulated Everyone is well aware of the massive ca- huge numbers of C.P. workers then the the act - . and the lowest scald applicable is paid mpaign regarding Community Programme council does not need to employ direct regardless of your ability or past Finally in your experience what Projects and the like, so recently we labour in full time positions. This saves conclusions would you draw from veiwing managed to interview a Development the councils wage bills and the inherent experience. In fact my position carries responsibilities which in private these schemes from the inside ? Officer who is employed in'a local agency statutory obligation that real long term Thers absolutely no doubt in my mind industry would increase my salary by which initiates these schemes. He is an jobs would nesesitate. that these schemes will in the long term active trade unionistsin NALGO and has quite a bit. Even in the case of tradesm- What about the private sector and their en the basic minimum union rate is paid inflict severe damage on working class become increasingly concerned at the interests by their nature of part time, use of these projects? and I know from my experience in industry effect of these schemes in the area. poorly paid jobs which help to drag down Hell this involves mainly Y.T.S. which I no-one gets paid that, infact in practice What type of work is supposed to be done am not directly involved with but again you can usually add on a further £30-£40 wages in private and local government by these C.P. Schemes? i in talks with colleagues there are distu- on average. sectors. Central government via the MSC The official line is that the jobs must rbing developments here also. Its clear has total control over these positions, be for the Community benefit and must sthst an increasing number of employers Are new starters on C.P. Schemes given and that fact alone must be bad for the not affect or replace jobs or services are abusing the Y.T.S. scheme and contin- any form of guidance about these jobs? future. What saddens me even more is They have in our establishment what is already provided by private or local _ ue to use the system as a form of cheap the big part Labour councils play in the government sectors. labour by repeatedly replacing one set of called an ‘induction course‘ in the first set up and eagerness with which our trade week which usually-lasts for a day. union bureaucrats do such a great diserv- Does this happen in practice ? C kids with another.without ever offering full time jobs at the end of their stint. Unfortunately a lot of this time is given ice to the people they purport to repres- In many cases and this is becoming more up to praising the virtues of CP and its ent by their contribution to the system. f q 0 0 0 _ It also saddens me to see companies re ueat I have found that the M S C 'benefitial role in society‘. Finally my twelve month spell is nearly does not stick to its own guidelinefl and _ shedding jobs one miflflie the? 3"d4?"1!,., recruiting yia'¥,T;S,, >. f, “ i A p§rson'from.a local organisation was_ up and overall I can only conclude from that local Labour Cguncils_are:f1aunting -allowed to talk to the newfistarters on y~; ~ everything Liveiseen and heard the real the so called 'ru1es‘of the game”. --/I d'o,C.P. Schemes churn outf so many _.,. _\. . ithe7henef1ts of joining s trade union but intsntion‘i§Fand alfiayd has been to get palrrt time jobs ' ‘ ’ 0 C this was stopped by senior management. bodies off the dole register. If anyone ‘Hut involvement has the local Labour The financial constraints imposed by the Councils with C.P. Schemes? A Their excuse was the talks were ‘political’ doesn't beleive me then apply for my government via the MSC ensures that the They act as sponsors for these projects but in reality this was utter nonsence. I position, it will be in the job centre emphasis is on part time work creation and employ and ever increasing number of He objected to this move and were informed shortly, infact so will I! C.P. workers in this grea. and our hands are tied in this respect. I WAPPI GNE S

ss_ 0 0 ill be leaders The rank and File Leaders W Discipline ‘Z Union authoritarianism, fear of court ac- 'working class attitudes. The Northern area Transport and General Rank and file printers on the Napping I tion and greater concern for union funds ~ LIMUTED PICKEIS Horkers Union has taken steps in severely picket line produce a regular news sheet than union members are rapidly becoming Pickets away from the Napping and Rinning disciplining drivers that refuse to stop containing news and views within the part and parcel of the News International Park plants have not fared any better in scsbbing in the News International present dispute. dispute.due to the anti working class the SOGAT hatchet job. Supporters aswell dispute. The 18th July issue of PICRET states, stand presently being taken by the SOGAT as flying pickets have been told that th- August 6th saw the first ever move.throu- "If there is any leadership in this, leadership. ey must not picket,.T.N.T. depots_'or other ghout the long running dispute to take strike it is certainly from the Ne have always realised that the work of distribution points without the complete action against those who continuall Y pickets, all others have shown people such as Brenda Dean would never say so of the SOGAT National Executive. cross printers picket lines. themselves unwilling or unable to benefit striking print workers but since As in the case of Hurdochs two printing force the strike ahead. Not only is the High Court move to curtail picketting plants, pickets must be limited_to sax it necessary to force the flying and rights of strikers and supporters the '11-lE'ICIl*B (Ii"l'NE GAE pickets ahead but also the campaign SOGAT National Executive have made major The epitamy of the letter comes when tn- to black all of Murdochs scabby attempts to sabotage the present action leadership directs that printers must not products and those who work for him. being taken by sacked workers at Napping under any circumstances attempt "to pers- The organisation of these activities and Riuning Park. uade those working in the plant to cease has fallen to groups of people without TOWEL THROWN IN working". Not only this but the leadersh- leaders or constitutions and if these A recent letter (dated 6th August) sent ip say that no attempt must be made to are strengthened then the strike is in to all sacked printers from Murdochs even talk to scabs if the scabs do not Six drivers, split equally, from T.N.T. so much more of a position to resist scab papers makes it quite clear that the want to listen. Roadfreight depots in Houghton-le-Spring the next sell out. If the pickets do SOGAT leadership have completely crumbled Picketting, and support and Carlisle have been issued with notices what they think is right then this and have thrown in the towel. have all~come under the hammer to enable of their expulsion from the transport dispute can be won but if the leaders The letter outlines many do's and donlts SOGAT to block any move by the court to union for their refusal to give assurances are listened to it is clear what will which if implimented would mean that the seize union fdnds. . that they would no longer cross picket happen". pickets might as well go home and kiss lines at Murdochs Kinning Park printing goodbye to any hope of victory. plant in Glasgow. Copies of PICKET can be obtained for the This is obviously what the leadership wa- It also looks likely that a further 22 price of a Stamped Addressed Envelope nt, they have even made members who break expulsion notices will be served in the fl'OI; ' the code laid down in the letter open to near future to drivers at the Carlisle c/o HOUSMANS BOOKS, personal union disciplining. depot. 5, Caledonian Road, DON'T PICKETI R The timing of this move seems rather odd, London, While picketting at Napping and Kinning mass meetings of drivers have never been N1 9DX. Park the letter explains that pickets held and points in the dispute outlined must not, "in any way obstruct the and even if it had to come to the expuls- highway" and not partake in acts that ion of these scab drivers wouldn't it could be deemed as intimadatory, "for have been more appropriate months ago? example, shouted insults, abuse or threa- ts or threatening behaviour". Basically

-- -=‘.‘.*'_"T 1 saying that sacbs can't be called scabs Print-aid and ail_mass pickets must be_stopped. FEARFUL BUREAUCRATS Rank and file strikers on the Napping Class solidarity is a no no for the Soci- picket line are extremely concerned that ety bosses. They have always been afraid donations made to the dispute fund are of industrial and physical support. The not getting through to ordinary print letter explains that now no supporters in i workers. Instead the money'is being should be permitted to attend pickets, LEAIIRS IQCRED channeled through to the National execut- demonstrations and rallies. Fortunately i large number of rank’and f ives of the NGA and SOGAT and the only Rank and File printers have been told th- I119 '111l3"t3 has 59¢" built "P ¢"T1"8 financial help that printers are present- at it is they that must keep away "other 1h? di3P"¢° ‘"4 SOGAT ‘"5 th91T 9111? ly receiving are that of weekly donations groups and individuals not connected with letters and ""19" P°11°1"8 °f'P1¢k¢t made from Fleet Street supporters. the dispute". This reactionary attitude 11"?! (I0 mflkfi BUIE directives are carri- If you are sending financial aid to the goes further when the 1e;;er exp1a1n5 ed out to the letter) will not be allowed sacked print workers send it direct to; that if print workers "act in a manner A ¢° 5lb°t38° the f18ht 383195! H"Td°¢h- inconsistent with the undertakings (that 5¢Y°"8°T 11"k5 thin SVQF "9¢d *9 59 f°r8' FIX! london Machine Branch, of the court...ed) they may be personally ed ind l¢l1°fl 9!lEfld0d- Casual Chapel, in contempt of court and liable accordin- Th? 50cAT °ff1¢1¢1 11"? 19 "91 °"1Y In c/o SOGAT House, 8],", A outright attack on printworkers but also Bl», Blackfriars Road, The union bureaucrats have obviously dec- on the whole of the trade union movement. ided uhieh aids their bread is buttered if the fight against Murdoch is allowed llxxikxn EH. and want to completely desert and isolate l0 I11? ll 19 "8. lb? Nbfklflfl Cllll, that the dispute with Murdoch_snd his anti— "111 Buffer in the long run.

HORMEL= British Link

As reported in the last issue of the Syn- dlcalist the Austin Hormel Mealpackers strike continues even though the union the U.F.C.W. have put the Local P-9 branch into receivership and officially called off all action. The last week in June saw an event entit- led ‘Solidarity City‘ take place in Austin with trades unionists as far and wide as California and North Carolina attending. The culmination of the week‘ long event was a mass demonstration and rally on June 28th. _ SUPPORT STILL CROPS Support for the strikers, who still have plans to set up a new union, (see last issue) is still growing steadily and the production of Hormel products is now bel- ng hit severly due l0 the picketting and consumer boycott. Earnings of the company have been slashed by 25.71. Trades unionists from all over the count- ry are organising support for the strikers This action not only includes consumer boycotts, picketting outlets and publici- cing the strike but also moves to block

utibsssa-Ia-eases-av payments of from their branches and the picketting of their union and union federation. One such picket was mounted by Boston unionists at a meeting of the AFL—CIO attended by the UFLW International Presi- dent William Wynn.

- BRITISH OONNECTION Closer to home we again urge the blacking A bureaucratic end PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE of all Hormel goods. These include 'SPAH' which is produced by a Liverppol based T.U.C. leader Norman ‘Terry Haite' Nillis The following publications are available frcm T.R.S.. has revsalled to print unions that due to \ firm under licence from the Hormel Company his discussions with News International The Spanish.Revolution 1936-1939. History of workers organisation...... TRS...... 15p. The firm is NEH FORGE FOODS and we urge a bosses future talks are on the way betwe- Libertarian Labor Review. New technology, working week, Bolivia etc.....IWW...... 80p. a blacking of all its products until no en unions and management. It is quite * Strike Strategy. Early National Rank and file publication...... NRFM...... l0p. Hormel goods are left on shelves in this obvious that TUC leaders want a quick and I.W.A. Aims and Principles. Aims of International Workers Association....IHA...... 40p. country. quiet end to the dispute no matter what Strike action. Tactics and ways of organising during dispute...... JhNd...... 20p. All letters of support and donations to the outcome. Miguel Garcia Story. Militant involved in Spanish Civil War and after...MGMC...... £l. be sent to; Anarchism and Feminism. Wbmen"workars and trade unions...... DAM...... 35p. ‘ More leftie scabs ” Tell us lies about the miners. Media coverage during miners strike. . . .DAM...... 60p. United Support Group, Contained in the last issue of the P.O. BOX 396, . Syndicalist was an article on Laurie Please add Zhp for orders under £2 and add 101 for total over. This is to cover post. Austin, Taylor, so called 'l'eftiJ lecturer and we wish to point out that not all views held in literature above are necessarily the 'MN 55912, and his articles.for Murdoch's scab Times tviews of the T.R.S.. _U.S.A. Educational Supplements. The_Jwo latest so called ‘Labour Men‘ to write for the scab paper, Sunday Times, are Neil _ The article on Michelin in the last issue stated that Officials in the . unnocp mg hn.|_u1n8”°n_ . ' Spanish Syndicalist union, CNT, were paid. 'I‘his should have read UNPAID! NEW FTRGE FTDD5. I-1‘-'°1'P°°1» 1-25 295‘-

_ J . I .|H-a.‘|*t| souTH FRICA why Botha clamped down whole conmunity in decsion—making. The two articles on this 8 8 I C ke into their own hands the power previously all" coverage. from the Johannesburg "wags? :ail"T sad exeicésed Ey tggizglfie €uthOr%tleS£1::1S Politicisation was continuing to pro- Given the content of these articles, were written in May of this e???" i inc U es t e 3 S ta ion 0 jug ' H gress land clearly many were consciously it becomes clearer why Botha's government y and essentials such as garbage collection. buildinp for a revolutionary Situation_ we felt it important t i t the , w . t l'ke E th nishment. = - chose this year to introduce a clamp-down as they show the extent tg whgzhnte m ngthddsngsedlby fh2epZople:'p:ourts, but ,T° do this wfiTnt1dcV€lV$3gic3n§i€1 tfihghe whether or not the South African State was black conrmnities have been able to take thought that we should give a "warts and lowest P0951 e eve a n 0 Hg too late, only time will tell.

n

-. We meet in a safe house in Mamelodi, of the small grassy parks and rockeriea one of several where activists can talk which feature in virtually every open privately or, if things are "hot", space in the township. spend the night dodging the police: You could call it recreation in the name of the struggle. Here is "Mandela perhaps even the ubiquitous Molotov I cocktails and hand grenades. Park", "Tambo Place", "Unity is The young people gather quietly. Strength" and "Comrades Centre", even ' Across the street a saxophone haunts the more facile "Lovers' Lane". ~the night. They are decorated with old tyres, There are five of them, all committee rocks and wood - even old motor car members of Mayo, the Mamelodi Youth Or- parts, brightly painted. A feature of ganisation, which its supporters say is Mamelodi is the "cannon", an old the embodiment of "people's power". vehicle axle with prop shaft pointing to the horizon as if ready to fire. For two hours they talk of their work I —of people's courts, street and section One of these faces the police - committees, education and re—education station; if there is innocence, it is programmes. deadly serious. Later, in a different house, activist Many of these young people have been igkgggiirr members from the Mamelodi Civic Assoc., detained after voicing their views. (MCA) - the older generation — complete The police know all about them, but the picture. that does not mean they can stop them. They sketch a vision of what amounts "We have actually rendered the police to a new reality, of which most whites ineffective,"says one member. in nearby Pretoria know little. Most residents, he explains, are "He are not speaking of revolution. We discouraged, even prevented from call it democratic change," says Mike reporting township to the police The activists have created "discipline fgggi-.-_v Seloane,26, Mayo's general secretary. f1’- ary committees" and "people's courts" "Revolution implies armed struggle. Rushing for freedom: schoolchildren’: resistance That would be suicide for us at this to handle such matters. _ _ ___€,_-,--i---—_ - ' .-- ..._.-.—--v—-—-- Their functions include controlling .. - - stage - the police and army are toc - .-. . 4-Ii " '- crime, politicising residents against strong. But the time will come when the had more of these attacks than any I the local authorities and educating township often associate people's balance of power is on our side, and other centre in the country. _ then the people will say ‘enough is people in the struggle. courts with "necklacing", the terrible enough'." The courts, or "forums" as they are execution of informers. "He know who is doing it, but we cannot Mayo is a child of the students‘ called. can be held at any time, "This might have happened in some prove it in court,"he says. revolt, as are most township youth townships, but no court in Mamelodi The activists deny complicity in attack groups. It was launched in August 1983 whenever there is a plaintiff and an has ever sentenced anyone to the attacks on police. They attribute them to after the national student association, accused. necklace,"says another member- "circumstances", and admit they are Cosas, realised that young "talent" was "The main aim is rehabilitation, to The court, he says, must hrflr 98¢h unable to control people who take the law being lost as schoolgoing activists re-educate the wrongdoer and make him side of a story before reaching its into their own hands. graduated out of the classrooms. a better person,"he says. verdict, and appeals are allowed - "But I will say this: in Mamelodi there The banning of Cosas last year thrust Petty thieves could expect to be heard by a special court that convenes is not a single policeman who has given the youth organisations into a pivotal sentenced to community tasks, such as once a week. trouble who is not dead." role. Being more diffuse and community painting and watering the parks. Hal p ractices have occurred,v- admits "The conditions force people to be oriented than a national body, they are But corporal punishment is meted out y Mike, but these are discouraged as violent. Sometimes they use every instru- also more difficult to suppress. A rapist, for example, can expect 25 much as the crime itself, because they ment they can to fight the system, which Mayo and related political organisat- or 30 lashes with a sjambok. could rebound on the struggle. is in itself viclent,"says Mike. ions succeeded to a large degree in "The punishment is carried out on the "He do not intend to desfroy people," "But our organisations cannot now resort challenging and discrediting the gover- spol."says a young woman who does not he says. to violence. The stage has not yet come." nment-backed_town copncils. Councillors H801 lo be identified- "They must gain confidence in what we were forced to resign, Militant "You have to see this from our point For the moment, at least, the fight is- are doing, so-that they can break away centered mainly on the black townships. activity and violence against individu- of view. The community must be the totally from government structures. als working within the system became judge and must see that justice is But the time has come, says an MCA The government must become irrelevant member, for blacks to begin meeting more 198109» done. It has reaped tremendous rewards to their lives." _ In June'8S, Mayo moved to fill the Many people who opposed us have been regularly with whites, to get them to In making it so, they wage n war of start questioning what the government leadership vacuum it had created. It converted and now work with us - even nerves against the police. Black launched "operation clean-up", a campa- policemen." tells them. policemen especially are made to feel "The government needs white unity more 18" l0 T00‘ 0"! Qfilfl I8 V611 as "Here we do not concern oursetve: outcasts, hooliganism being committed in the name with legal technicalities,"says 32- than anything else, and we need to divide inevitably, there is violence. The that unity,"he says. °f the 't'"8819"- year—old Strike, Mayo's oldest member, homes of activists are bombed with Activists say it also exposed agents "like in the Magistrates Courts where, "It is essential for the government Molotov cocktails, or even nand-_ itself to be isolated. They must be provocateurs, who were being used to 1f yQu have a gggd lawyer, you ¢an get grenades. The police deny complicify, spread dissension within anti-governme- off." forced to say: ‘we cannot govern'." but in some cases residents claim to The black struggle, he says, has moved “t Br°"P3- But he rejects any suggestion that have recognised the attackers. away from a "paper struggle" into a Mayo organised the community's own these are simply kangaroo courts, Policeman's homes are bombed in retal- grassroots movement,"and these roots must garbage collection and encouraged _ designed to eliminate dissenters. iation, spread into every corner of the land". community service, such as the building People who have never been to a Mamelodi, claims an MCA member, has

FILLING THE VOID LEFT B‘-*~. -1I["1~ COUNCIBS COLLAPSE money at the shebeen (the pub) without until 10.00pm. The formation of street committees in soon we engaged in a house to house supporting his parents. He appears before This was a decision affecting a several townships throughout the country campaign to get people to isolate the court and after being shown the folly of particular street and other streets wish- is seen as the first step towards replac- police and the administration. We tried his ways, he is usually given 5 lashes ing to impose similar restrictions had to ing official administrative structures. to persuade people not to pay rent or lay with a cane.. discuss the matter with the inhabitants Apart from having left a void in the any charge at the police station." Despite police claims that some people of that street together with the shebeen running of the townships, the collapse of This resulted in the formation of have been sentenced to death by "necklace owner. the much hated community councils and "people's courts to deal with petty crime or given more than 40 lashes, no evidence y Every resident living in a particular local authorities has paved the way for a But then this also led to other elements of this could be obtained. ' street becomes a member of a particular new trend whereby people govern themselve using the courts to settle personal feuds There are also instances of the courts street committee. The only people es. T T having punished rebellious children, "More and more people are shying away "People would come to us claiming that students who play truant and generally excluded from membership are councillors, from reporting their cases at local their'neighbours,or whoever,had insulted behavesanti-socially. police and others who are openly collabo- police stations or at the homes of them or assaulted their child. In some Street committees also made it easie. rating with the system. councillors. This has resulted in reside- cases the disciplinary courts would try to communicate decisions across a broad It usually happens that a member of a nts setting up their own courts."says the person in absentia without caring to spectrum of the community. street committee affected by a certain Mike Seloana, general secretary of Mayo. listen to the other side of the story. The executives of street committees decision feels unhappy about a proposal. Although there was no official State of YSome people took advantage of this type come together to form a section committee If after s lengthy debate he still feels Emergency in Pretoria, residents still of undemocratic procedure and would fabr- and the section committees and five dissatisfied, the matter is referred to found it impossible to hold meetings, icate charges against people they had a delegates of all other progressive the block committee. making communication impossible. dislike for,"Seloane said. organisations operating in the township The matter can be taken to the highest "There was an undeclared State of Emerg- In some cases a person would go to a together form an area committee. level, the civic association, and if no ency in Mamolodi with authorities banning committee in a different street to report The area committee then form a civic accord is then reached, the matter is put meetings or Security Forces disrupting an incident that allegedly happened in association. to a vote. gatherings." the street in which he lived. It is still to early to gauge the "If a decision likely to affect the It was at this time that some unruly The offending party would then be effectiveness of the street committees element "hijacked the struggle for their fetched and punished. This led to people but recently when the police disrupted whole of Mamelodi is taken at street com- own ends", demanding money from business- reporting incidents that had occurred the launch of the civic association in mittee level, then it will have to be men in the name Cosas. several months, or even years ago. the township, a highly successful 3 day taken to the section committee which will "He decided to launch an operation clean "It was then that we hit on the idea of stay away was called. pass it on to the area committee and the up in June last year to weed out criminals setting up street committees to deal with "It was remarkable how quickly and civic association before a final decision and hooligans using the political struggle problems affecting a particular street." efficiently information filtered through is taken." for their own ends." Street committees, which meet about In Mamelodi there are separate committ- After the November Zlst shootings once a week, deal with domestic problems to individuals." ' ' Street committees decentraliae civic ees for adults and the youth because of outside the Mamelodi administration such as a husband deserting his family the peculiarity of their experiences and offices, residents went on a widespread and moving in with s girlfriend. aagociations making them more approachable. -his has resulted in decisions emanating their needs. rent boycott. This prompted the authorit- Usually the man is fetched and brought But they come together at the civic ies to suspend all garbage collection in to the court to say what led to his walk from the people themselves rather than from the executives of an organisation, level and this eliminates possibilities ' the township. out. Several marriages have been saved in of friction and conflict of interest. _"It was lhen that we included garbage this way. R9¢9"¢1Y a street committee in Mamelodi decided that shebeens had to operate collection in the clean-up operation and At times a young man spends alt his i

-}--J1 " '.| " ' FOUL Pl-/\Y' WHOSE BE/VEFl7’? A number or Neighbourhood Playscheme Playworkers (N.P.P.s) employed by Gate- The unemployed are continuosly under att- 7. ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK BEYOND DAILY '1.4 million people are to be interviewed ack from Government. Over the last few shead Council on Playschemes in the area TRAVELLING DISTANCE? before March 198?. If you refuse two requ- have been given an extremely hard deal months we have seen the new board and ests to attend an interview your benefit by the not so socialist Labour council. lodging regulations implimented and sing- ANSWER: YES. . __ __ _m W will be stopped. ‘ 1 On starting the job they find that le payments for household items drastica- 3. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADULTS OR CHILDREN TO The questiotns asked are similar to they have no contract, job description lly cut. The Fowler Reviews still hang ' CARE FOR DURING WORKING HOUR? those in the above article. At the or job outline, which obviously makes it over our heads and the drastic cut backs ' IF YES CAN YOU MAKE IMMEDIATE ARRANGE: 4 Restartzinterview claimants are asked easier to impose any job that crops up that they threaten to make. MENTS FOR THEIR CARE IF YOU GET A JOB? about their attitude to and Specialist Claims Control and Regional on them. On the other hand it leaves ANSWER: No to first part or Yes to first how they are going about looking for them wide open to the threat of redunda- and Benefit Investigation Teams continue _ -and second parts. work. The interviewer will offer jobs on ncy. to harras and spy on us. Community Programe Schemes, temporary N.P.P.s also have a bad deal where -Added to these past and future attacks 9.*WHAT WAS YOUR WEEKLY WAGE OR SALARY work, training courses and voluntary, pay is concerned. They have the respons- are two new schemes and rule changes. (BEFORE DEDUCTIONS) IN YOUR LAST JOB? work (to-name a few) all of which are ibility of setting up junior youth clubs The first was reported in the last issue lOU*WHAT IS THE MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE OR SA: very low-paid or unpaid jobs. for five to fourteen year olds, and aid- of the Syndicalist and the second is the LARY (BEFORE DEDUCTIONS) YOU ARE WHATARE'I‘HEIYUP'IO?_ A ing the voluntary sector, giving them new RESTART scheme. A WILLING TO TAKE? more responsibility in fact than Unqual- The leaked questionaire reported in the The governments attacks on the unemploy- ified Education Staff (such as youth last issue is made up of a 21 page report *Make sure that the amount in question ied have many objectives. Wages can be club workers). Yet N.P.P.s are paid only 10. IS NOT more than amount in question 9. Idriven down, union rights bypassed, and heavily stacked with references and cross e £2.75 an hour, compared with £4.60 for references making it extremely difficult people become used to having short-term work on low wages. Not least is the Unqualified Education Staff. On top of to grasp. The questionaire itself only The formula is qufte simple. Choose the this, they are not entitled to paid hol- takes up two pages of the document the more extreme answers to questions. question of"image" - if pressure put on idays, sickness benefit or travelling rest goes on tbeexplain steps to take if the unemployed stops some people sign-' ing on, they can make it look as if the expenses. To make matters'worse they are a claiment answers a question incorrectly. jRESTART is another of the government's threatened withra ten week contract and A 100% result is the only sure way of attacks on the unemployed. This began in level of unemp loyment has dropped. no further employment if they join a getting benefit as normally. July 1986, and concerns everyone who has They will go on cutting benefits so long as nobody fights them! union. This would mean being effectively been unemployed-for more than one year. blacklisted. The questionaire is form UB 671A and will You would have thought that being a be headed ‘Are you available for work?‘ N.P.P. would mean that you need to do a A ‘Job Hunting‘ booklet prepared by the fair amount of training in order to acq- Manpower Services Commission will also be uire more varied skills as a valuable given to claiments when they receive a MINERS JUSTICE CAMPAIGN contribution_to your job. However, N.P.- copy of the questionaire. ers still in gaol. Whether it was felt P.s are not encouraged to do any train- Claimants ARE allowed to take the questi- On thursday the 18th of August, a meet- that any call for their release would ing and have been discouraged from resi- onaire away from the Benefit Office with ing was held in Gateshead.by the Nation y be unpopular, or that it would embar- dential training courses. They have been them though a date will be written on the al Justice for Miners Campaign. ress the Labour Party in the run up to told that they would have to pay their - form for when it must be returned. Ostensibly the aim of the meeting was -the elections, is unclear. own travel expenses and do the course as to organise the campaign in the north WOMEN'S SUPPORT 7 __ private individuals rather than from the .east and whip up enthusiasm among sup- The document states that the answers to Nothing was made of the role of the porters, although the vacuous rhetoric department of Sports and Recreation. questions on the form should be as follo- womens support groups in the campaign. Creche facilities for N.P.P.s childr- of Peter Heathfield might have been de- ws unless the procedure of reference and These groups had an invaluable effect signed to have the opposite effect. en are non-existent, ironical consideri_ cross reference should be entered into. during the strike, and since have been ng the nature of their job, and in fact We have reproduced-both questions and .STILL‘VICTIMISED greatly involved in any campaign for answers that the D.O.E.Swill be looking they are forbidden to bring children in- Nationally there are still 468 sack- justice for sacked and gaoled miners.‘ for:- to work, even under 5's. This makes life ed miners- men who have been victimised In fact at the meeting, the local women extremely difficult for single parents l. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO FIND WORK? ' ‘and convicted on hearsay, outside of support groups were notable by their and working mothers, especially during law courts. As one of the speakers, absence. school holidays. Creche facilities are ANSWER: Some effort (eg use of Job centre Durham NUMs David 61.3; pointed out, INDUSTRlAL.ACTION ? - not widely available for any workers,but services, applications to employ- A the only men in Durham who have been No mention was made of industrial for playscheme workers'§Bu would have ers) is being made to find work. re-employed are those who sacked for action, although discontent is on the thought this facility would have been 2. CAN YOU START WORK TODAY? .theft and other offences not directly- increase with the South Wales overtime automatic. related to the'strike. He also spoke ban., Pressure for some form of indus- The only way these workers could be- ANSWER: Yes. of the way in which the colliery man- trial action is growing in the north- gin to change their circumstances would 3. IF NOT WHY NOT? WHEN CAN YOU START? agement worked together with the poli- east, not only because of the unpaid be to join a union, but obviously the ce and law courts;- men were arrested, wage rise dating from November lst, but council have realised this and made it ANSWER: UNANSWERED. charges were trumped up, the men were also with the closure of Seaham collie- impossible to do. 4. WHAT WORK DO YOU NORMALLY DO? sacked, the charges dropped but the ry in County Durham. It seems amazing that a Labour coun- men remained sacked. Surely if any industrial action is cil can treat its workers like this and ANSWER: State your normal occupation. to take place, the demand for the re-i- deny them the right to join a union, but¥ ' TRIBUNALS 5. ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE ANY FULL TIME“ nstatement of sacked men must be an is- readers of the Syndicalist will know ' The effect industrial-tribunals has JOB? IF NOT PLEASE GIVE REASON. sue in the dispute. that this is not the first case of anti- been less than minimal- in Durham ten union activity by Gateshead Council. In ANSWER: Yes. men were foun to have been unfairly THE FUTURE -- sacked, but have not been re-employed. June '86 we reported how a delegation of 6. ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK BEYOND YOUR We will be watching the campaign As the last speaker, Dennis Murphy from sacked N.I. print workers were“dénied HOME TOWN? very closely in the future. The main the right to meet workers at Gateshead Northumberland NUM put it- task of rank and file trade unionists "Anyone who believes in Industrial Council Incinerator by management. ANSWER: YES. and unemployed militants has to be to Tribunals must believe in fairies" build support for victimised miners on The role of the Labour Party lead- the streets, at work, and at union ership in the campaign was made very branches. The government and ‘British -.._ TERMINAL- ILLNESS ambiguous by the speakers and chair. over a VDU staring at the screen leads They were all agreed that waiting for Coal‘, as well as the sacked and jailed Last month we reported on the use of video lads themselves, must be shown that we filmins and computor analysis to intimid- to other health hazards. These include the next election was a crazy idea; but (have not forgotten them. ate workers at Ltd, South Shei- damaged retinas and other eye disorders, the chair, Billy Etherington, spoke of lds. Modern technology is also used to menstrual disorders and all kinds of back a move by Kinnock towards the Justice exploit and oppress office workers, espe- trouble related to bad posture, stiffness Campains position. Less faith was shown cially those working with computers and and lack of movement and exercise. by David Guy _ _who said- "Iwish I had IIIIIIEHHHEMIIIIII .Visual Display Units (V.D.U.). ‘Quality of life at work‘ (QLW) groups as much faith in Neil Kinnock". JOI-Ill IATTERSON: Mutton — Twp“-“““”"m“7wu' — Three year sentence from 7For example, staff of Pacific South West have been §et up all over the states in ‘However it took a Labour Party mem- °""°°' "°"‘- °°°"“"°' "'85- November was. Armley Jail. Airlines in America spend most of their service industries, but these can often ber speaking from the floor to remind GARY BLACKIIOIIE:-19 - |_..¢,_ lead to a consolidation of exploitation Aflrsy, attempted not guilty. 2 NIGEL HO0u$ON:-Wakefield working dayasitting at V.D.U.'s. us of the less thap tepid support by n:uYhmMmmuy4mxamnu, Three your sentence from Novem- in the "interests of the company" covered smmhdduhqflwcmumnd buiflwflnmhyxllmuh, But these have a built in monitoring Kinnqck during the strike itself. He the silo) ,system and if work slows down (eg rate of‘ with a thin veneer of helping workers. also pointed out how the Labour Party - - - PAUL WRIGHT: SIVIIO —-‘ll {pressing keys falls below a certain level) We would be very interested to hear of Uhad ignored calls for release of the DEAN HANCOCK: Oahdale — Jail, Freckleton road, Preston other ‘modern’ means used to increase ex- 1EflNunnnmummGumnnur Lama a red light flashes in the terminal and Shrewsbury five in 1972. hWm*N=flWlMl*."'"""* CUNE1HOMHH:Ffifiby- quality control supervisors pounce. ploitation, whether this involves new thmmuqmtduuu._ “bros you common |mm Apll technology, monitoring techniques or the LEFT IN GAOL IIUIOELI. OHAIIKLAND: Tail 1985. G798-48. Aoldnglon Jail. Aside from strgs§_caused and a high degree _Mumy¢-Jfllwnrmnumn lknnm.Namumnmm¢ HEB pf nervous breakdowns, sitting hunched‘ _ 'team_spiritl approach coming_from Japan It was ironic that no mention was Games "mmdmum seounly prison, :XF. and America- made by the speakers of the eight min- "' M“ "“°'°“°" “'°'°‘°'~ in omo saurm Shirebrook - .-TEDDY "E5631 Bfifllfiflflflllfl 2‘/5-yesnemenoel|omDeoerrber -—FeIWI1vflflM"v“*mw 1mu.enom:A.whm|uun Iviflw-Fnfl.Wm*IWhm PukWmm(MnmyCuwmlh& Maidslonl ill. Kort. dington Road. Wolinporoufll.

Z IIOZI/\7Di ii I g-1271 ' LOT OF BOTTLE Y " I ENDCOFTHE, LINE ‘H “CABLES DISPUTE On July 30th over 40 dairy workers took The Power Plant producers N.E.I. Clarke On August 22nd 67 workers, icluding plum- LESS ‘socun.’ strike action in support of one colleague. Chapman who quite recently employed‘ bers, fitters and electricians walked The dispute arose at Associated Co-operat- thousands of workers have finally closed out of the workplace. WORK ive creameries' Blaydon depot when manage- their works in Gateshead. The dispute arose at A.E.I. Cables in . The 4th,bth and 6th August saw strike ment disciplined one man for refusing to A three month T.U.C. regional campaign Birtley due to a management implimented action being taken by all Newcastle City do a job which he maintained was not his to keep the factory open ended in failu- ‘Bonus Scheme‘ and wage dispute. to do. ' re.and Alan Wright the shop stewards Councils Social Workers. Workers, involved in EETPU and AEU, are . The dispute over a new rota system and After a mass picket at the dairy USDAW Chairman was quoted as saying, "We can demanding an end to the bonus scheme whi- cuts in staffing levels looks likely to were called in to settle_the dispute. do nothing more, we have tried everythi- ch is based on company performance and be a long one. Over the last two years 35 ng". It must be pointed out to Mr Wright was introduced earlier in the year. For that the continued series of redundancy jobs have lost through natural wasteage NUPE VETO C.R over 16 months workers have not had a wa- though non of the open posts have ever packages were and have proved to be ge rise and a pay increase is now being At lasf'a union in the area has decided ominous and that no amount of rhetoric been filled by the Council. demanded through strike action due to Faced with a further loss of 25 jobs due that charity groups, H.S.C. or Labour or pleading to bureaucrats will ever be managements refusal to talk. Councils will not be allowed to steamro- a substitute for industrial action in to cuts in council expenditure the local Negotiations for an end to the scheme and government union NALGO implimented a str- ller through Community Programesjobs at whatever form that takes. ‘B! B an increase in wages are now taking place. the expence of proper long term positions. ict policy of not touching work covering The dispute revolves around the Newbiggin OVERTIME BAN AT CONTRACTS the unfilled posts and against the new 3 Hall Advice Centre which has been staffed The workers at Coptracts Ltd., South PROFITS BEFORE-_ PEOPLE rota system that the Social Services by the C.V.S. using C.P. workers and_now Shields have implemented an overtime ban Committee wish to use to fill the posts that they have pulled out the council and work-to-rule , inprotest at breaches Profits just don't mix with people! A by an extention in workloads. want to bring in a new Community Progra- of contract by management. Despite this, Birtley based company, Victor Products, ' .NO U-TURN mme team to continue the work. management are behaving in increasingly has just announced a £l.4million pre-tax The Labour controlled City Council are profit for the year 1985/6. The company provocative and intransigent ways. They adamant that they will make further job continue to break many of the agreements makes lighting equipment for the mining cuts and impliment the rota system though they made following the six-month long industry and only ever made a loss during union members also have the same determi- strike which ended at the beginning of the miners strike. Nevertheless they have nation to fight the plans. this year. These tactics include ludicrous axed over 200 jobs in the last few years. The lastest strike action occured when anomalies in, and inaccurate calculation The company now maintain that they are to social workers at Clifton Mount Offices of wages. For instance, workers who reach expand, and create even higher profits, were suspended for refusing work which the age of 18 have been refused the statu- although none of the redundant workforce they were taking action against. All NUPE spokesman Keith Robinson is quite tory increase in pay due to them. Also will be re-employed. The plan is to inc- other workers from offices in the area right in saying that if the city council workers have been disciplined in the mana- rease production by the_introduction of, came out in support of the suspended is running a service they should run it ger's office without a union representati- new automation and a so-called "consolida- workers. byJemploying their own workers. ve being present - a requisite in the agr- tion" of the present workforce (ie even Future action looks likely to continue At the moment the centre remains closed. EEIIIGIII . more efficient exploitation). A _ for some time. L i1__-_i-

\ Even after the most recent redundancy WHERE WE STAND package involving 400 job-losses he was SOME HAT TRICK\. .___ Q, . _ Birtley R.O.F. has recently acquired a quite happy to see overtime being worked We believe in independent, non- major share of a £l34million contract on in the shops. With his abysmal record hierarchical working class top of its recent orders worth £23ndll- it's amazing when he again quotes, "The organisation independent of all ion and fllnfillion respectively. unions have been working with the other political parties and bureacratic Isn't it strange that these orders have R.O.F. factories in the jobs battle and trade union structures, none of been placed only after plansswere mooted believe they have got the formula right which represent the true IHIGIE1 for the privatisation of the works-plans to keep people in work throughout the sts of the majority of people, still in obeyance-and the workforce has country". It can only be assumed that if i.e. the people who create the I been decimated by a series of compulsary he has got the formula right then even wealth by manual or intellectual redundancies. more massive job losses should soon be means. There should be no shortage of bidders on the way. As for his working with other for the R.O.F. in the future especially R.O.F. factories in the jobs battle does We believe that under the present when people like the convenor Gerry he not remember pleading at the time of system of capitalism support Ferguson do such sterling work on behalf the most recent job losses for cut backs should be given to the struggle of management. This so called 'rea1ist' to take place in other areas of the cou- for short-term gains, such as who has never believed in opposing job ntry rather than Birtley. better pay and conditions, but losses at any stage recently quoted in Of course it is understood that he has a these should always be seen for the local press, "The unions have coope- heavy workload doing such a good P.R. what they are-limited interim rated by giving .way on demarcation job for management that alas he finds it reforms which are no substitute lines to keep costs down and help make difficult to find time representing his for the total reorganisation of the company viable". unionlmembers. society necessary to ensure true freedom, equality and democracy.

We believe that the parliamentary system does not serve the inter- ests of the working class. The ADDING INSULT TO INJURY solution to the problems that we Attacks on Silentnightsirikers by their to stay on strike" as one USDAW member put the working class face do not lie in the election of a new OPPOHPHIS Come in many and Varied f0fm5, it (a Sales Assistant in the furniture from misinformation to physical injury. leadership, but in the creation department at the Co—op in Newgate St., A striker from the Barnoldswick factory of new structures both in the who was on Tyneside at the end of July Newcastle). One would think that USDAW workplace and the community related how deception and distortion officials could have countered that rumour which allows for us all to have have been used by Silentnight §Ed_Co-op - since USDAW have been kept informed of total control over the decisions management. developments throughout the dispute. which affect our lives. ..-.-.\.1.1.uu.“-.“...... --...... 4. As revolutionary syndicalists we believe that only by a accompanied by mass occu- pations and the implementation of workers control, can capital- ism.be finally removed and a free I self-managed society where prod~ uction and labour is geared towards need and not profit, be creaged.

5. We are opposed to all forms of racism, fascism, nationalism and sexism—indeed any ideology which sets out to divide the working class.

withdraw the beds from sale and the picke- ts would go away! The Silentnight Strike Support Group will continue to hold pickets both in New- castle and at the Co—op on West High St. SILLY OFFER in Gateshead town centre, where the beds ....AND STATISTICS are also sold. See advert for details, In May a Silentnight executive and top More traditional forms of intimidation and come along to support the pickets in Co-op managers met for negotiations con- solidarity with the strikers. Raise the cerning the strikers, who managed to in- have also continued. In Burnley shopping centre one striker, Derek Halliwell, was issue at your local union branch etc., and sist on the presence of one of their write to the manager of your local Co-op“ solicitors. Both sets of bosses were struck in the face with a bunch of keys when attacked by a scab and his friends. branch complaining about them still selli- obviously concerned at the publicity ng the beds. generated by the strikers, who want to Two caravans used by the strikers and a put pressure on Silentnight via the threat picket-line shelter have been petrol- of the Co-op withdrawing its large order bombed and burned. In the latest incident Support the But the outcome of the negotiations was the pickets‘ shelter outside the Barnold- rather dieappointing. Silentnight's swick factory was destroyed while strikers "generous" offer was to "consider" strike- were picketting the Silentnight stand at SILENTNIGHT rs for any new posts arising at any of a furniture exhibition at Salterforth. As their subsidiaries throughout the world usual police have not investigated, and Strikers, (eg Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Kenya drew no conclusions, whereas damage to s etc). Even though this "consideration" Silentnight property is inevitably labell- Picket the C0-.-op would naturally_be followed by turning ed "sabotage" or "arson", on the basis of down a strikers application, the Co-op no evidence. It's plain whose side they're West High St., Gateshead- seemed to think that the offer was a fair on. one, and the meeting ended amicably. ll am, Fri l2th & Sat 20th Sept. TYNESIDE CO-OP PICKETS LIES,DAI~/[NED LIES. . . . More pickets have been held at Newgate St. Newgate St., Newcastle- Not surprisingly, the strikers were very Co-op in Newcastle during busy mornings contemptuous of such a pathetic fraud of and the Thursday late shopping hours. At an offer. But at local Co-op level the some points managers seem to go virtually I Iam. Sat 27th September story has filtered down as "the strikers haywire about people blocking the entran- were offered their jobs back but preferred ces, - but then all they have to do is to

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