Socialist Press no. 128

IRANIAN WORKERS

DEFY MARTIAL LAW

General strike to bring down the Shah!

For a workers and peasants government!

Black all arms to the Shah!

The already dented authority of the Shah's military emergency has government been under frontal attack since last Friday. Every night literally millions of Iranian workers and students have been taking the

• CULIC W

not as a signal to retreat to their Shomes come streets and onto the out rooftops in massive protests against the Shah's tyranny.

In doing so they know- ingly risk being shot down the army or and killed by police, leaders becoming increasingly as they desnerate see the unanimous contempt for their orders.

Murder toll The regime has tried to belittle these nightly battles by claiming that since December, when the largest demonstrations took place since Black Friday in Sep- tember, it had killed only 12 demonstrators. All other sources, how- ever, reveal that the murder toll least in the hundreds, so me putting it as high as 3,000.

Even this not curbed the courageous resolve of the masses. The Shah and the army now cringe in terror before two threats more which could finally settle their fate -the possibility of an inten- sification of the wave of strikes which brought down the previous growth of mutiny and a within the army as conscript soldiers refuse to shoot down members of their own class. Books opened Many of the strikes. which began in September are still going on and gravely undermining the economic strength of the regime. And last week one of them-that of workers in the Central Bank-dealt body blow the credibility and authority of thẹ crumbling tyranny. The bank workers-who followed the example set by Portuguese bank workers in

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 128 * 6 December 1978 * 15p Build armed workers' militias!

1975-opened up the books best reactionary armed to reveal exactly how since regimes in the world which August this year has for years named of members Iran's backing both of imperialism ruling elite, including the and both Soviet and Chinese family royal Stalinism and army had transferred tenerals. issets worth over £1.000 Dangers milton to Swiss, French and American But even this enormously bank accounts This important move to mass open the books of the ruling nonetheless faces enormous class had a shattering effect dangers which can only be resolved through the build- on lne morale or the dicta- torship in Tehran. ing of revolutionary these ways the leadership on a programme largely spontaneous actions which represents the inde.

the mass movement is pendent interests the bringing about the destruc- oppressed classes in Iran.

tion of one of the richest, One urgent part of such a A massive crowd topples the Shah's statue in Tehran programme is the formation of armed militias of workers and peasants • to defend them against the murderous brutality ot the dictator- ship. The task of building the militias should be linked to the dissolution of the present police and aully secret police (SĄVAK). Such militias should those soldiers who Include are ready to mutiny against their officers, as groups of them have already been doing. In the factories and il- fields, too, it is necessary

CHINA

Stalinist leaders close ranks p.2 Backing for Bakers • Back page Birth of US Marxism ..pp.6-7 SWP on Cuba. .. p.8 'Perks' review • p.S to establish strike and.occu-, being replaced by another pation committees anti-working class regime should join with peasants led by the opportunists who and anti-Shah soldiers' com- claiming be the form mittees to organisa- leaders of the present mass like Soviets The morement, which in reality Russia in 191 they trying to use for establishment of their own ends these independent organs of At present the religious the workers and power by like Ayatollah leader other oppressed classes Khomeini or LaC their uneasy an essential part of the bourgeois allies the fight for National Front "lead" an authentic this workers and peasants uprising endorumary mass government and the struggle much from the rear, for socialism in Iran. calling for than bourgeois democratic and This is the only way to Islamic demands. prevent the anti-working class tyranny Shah oI tne Students flee from gunfire But in the absence of an alternative revolutionary leadership , they stand ready the harvest which has sown by the Deen masses However "democratic" words of such today, the whole menders history of shows that democracy and the rights of the oppressed classes can only be won as of a struggle

DAIL

against capitalism under revolution- ary working class leadership.

Peking Stalinists try to close ranks against workers Page 2

-INTERNATIONAL •

meaning of What is the 7 the eruption of 'free speech' in Chinese cities during the last few weeks? _Does that the dictator- indicate of Stalinism is being ship shaken? What are the political forces at work?

The Party leadership seem nave resoiveo ar toe ana or tre week to act on the maxim must hang together or we shall nang separately Official statements, press articles, officially inspired wall- the stressed

POSTES

Have Teng Hsiao-ping has gone our of to publicly his way say Hua Kuo-feng as Prime Minister.

(Though the ambiguous grounds gives-his •I• that Hua should not sleep too basily). The 1975 campaign of the (safely dead) Chou modernisations lagricul- four defencescience she ander man eaves anodyne main plank official propaganda. reaffirms the inere•y continuity of Party leadership, while administering Most of the detailed reports 'Criticism by omission to in the last few weeks have come Mao Tse-tung-now on the road from the capital, Peking.

becoming the most well. It is here that foreign diplo-, 'non person' of all time mats Journalists And-most lodge. Many of them have Granites press are made become used to the excellent chorus annous rekimese cursine reculari precautionary produced for them by *the so device. Chinese people'. Permissible wider. possibil-

WITA

much ities for digestion than investi- Wall posters are 'permissible' gation, many of them make a their readers, living retailing I tc meane out nor nece sary tu est', for raising criticisms wEn & conte lack or county Public speaking and meetings the statements 'leaks' emitted by official agencies.

may have ideas for improving" Wall posters the system are urged to go and with Communist

•ISCUSS

Party officials. Though They nave evore closing bureaucratic the crowds thousands, the therefore, are combined sensational political summonses with a few calming words which oT some or tne undoubtedly accompanied Tien An Men Square, the gaze observers remains these actions by Tung-hsing's Tocussed al tne toP security forces) Rumoured purges and doubtful if these reshuffles in the leadership, the But it is rehabilitations' of Mao's victims can put a stop, even very political and the nuances of the official activity in China. press are the staple Ine Spanish King Crisis in Franco's specially groomed successor King Warsaw Juan Carlos has in the last fortnight been trying to show in Latin Pact America that he is the equal of old hands like Elizabeth the A new crisis develop- United Kingdom as last the of ed week in touring agent difficult relations imperialism. the Stalinist between bureaucracies within the Warsaw Pact. Stalinist Romanian Nicolae Ceasescu leader refused demands emanating from the Kremlin for an all- round increase of military the spending Warsaw Pact. Last week Ceasescu made defending several speeches independence 'national whie rimours were growing of impending Teranadon rom Moscow Socialist week's Press will carry analysis important new development the crisis of world Stalinism.

Juan Carlos. especially city proletariat, . the nas oeen enormously expanded by process the industrialisation since 1949, that the ah remember intra-bureaucratic battles or the Cultural • in 1966-67 through which opened up cad: flowed-starting in Shanonal-a of mass year strations and virtual civil war in city after city. Lost authority And they are determined this shall not happen again.

Chinese Com- 1978 munist Party has

HOST

Ent personal authority of almost all the veterans of the civil war There is no Mao to rally the army and the state, • or to numb all independent politics with the cult of his personality. Nor the situation be brought back under control by the means that nave traction ally been used Eastern Europe hes control or when control political lite nas shipped The situation Hungary 1956, in Czecho and Poland Teng with former Japanese PM Fukuda slovakia in 1968, was 'resolved by Soviet tanks; or the threat of tyPiCal Pe Singer reports have them. Much scanter reports But there no external force which could conceivably come trom the orner great cities where many fewer foreigners -from either a political or physical point view-bring circulate. clear that Shanghai-the 'capital' of the control Chinese working class, not On the last occasion when the CCP leadership gave way bureaucracy-there une Have been rallies of tens of thousands pressures the which have calls, for doms-in 1956-7, after the Soviet example, for the open election of 'thaw considerable of leaders. rebression thinking and wanting The prees What these scale was necessary for them to reassert their control. reports cive tew clues But we can be certain they Dangers not exclusively concerned modernisations with the tour Even the present political or the possible rehabiliation of Lin Shao-chi or Peng Te-huai tux that came essentary rom within the bureaucracy contains it that

ANO

we may таке serious dangers for it; especially they are not all spontaneously to take their humble nclined the moves renaonitate purged leaders. improving oroposars The problem is that the nearest petty to those resoonstole tor ine ouroes include the whole historical The sinking of the profound leadership of the CCP, each time differences and hatreds amonc sanctimonious with which unanimity. and-of course- headed by Mao: Chinese masses, , and regaru. unit Big setback in meets Soviet and Backed by Cuban troops and advisors, the army of the Ethiopian dictatorship last week recap- Videla tured Keren, the last major the Eritrean city held by Popular Liberation Front.

Though the fall of the city took place only after a planned Lima, Peru, he was In forces evacuation ol protected from any contact and supplies, the setback to the new morale of EPLF guerrillas must With

SUKU

wave against the military dictator- Keren was first taken from ship by unprecedented Ethiopian government forces in forces 1977, Eritrean The regime was no doubt went in Tine OTtensive glad to get the troops and inflicted a series of defeats on police back to protect itself larger, better massively when packed Juan backed Soviet equipped the off to enjoy army Ethiopian hospitality of military dic- Mengistu Haile Mariam. tator Videla in Argentina.

Guerrilla war There Juan Carlos, who hopes, and with Now the city been reformist support, be constitutional recaptured enemy yonarch" undertake voted will critreal: guerrilla war Droloneed tutional referendum on trom the issued a joint December, extance.

SUDOIV

isne. isolated outposts established by Ludi butcher of the working class "human rights supporting their ever thai ant concens "terrorism" to liquidate the Eritrean SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 The proposed rehabilitation renc however . would be a murky victory for Teng's faction the bureau- cracy. Peng was purged in 1959 for Mao the opposing economic policies and suffering •the disastrou real Lear Forward'; • Liu Shao-chi (Mao's Peng's later victim) acted oortical executioner Peng made his 1959 protest Hua Eritrea the Stalinist-backed revoluTion Ethiopian forces will step up their savage napalm artillery anc Eritrean attacks people the level near

COT

genocide. with the support of the Soviet leadership publicly

AUSCHEV

latel expressed a concern for his fate One implication, therefore of the 'unofficial Wiesertac noises being made rehabilitation that be with

TOT

Moscow contemplated Peking And for that, too, it would be necessary to lay iviao s gnost Liu Shao-chi Dutch pay talks crisis - breakdown Total to have been appears week in reached last Holland's annual national negotia- wage tions. The unions of the private sector last week rejected a wage deal employers' ment and the of organisation because opposition to plans of the right wing coalition govern- ment to cut state spending, especially social security This breakdown of talks (followed by a similar devel- opment between the govern- ment and the public sector days later) unions few the way for new opens higher wage demands wnict the employers say they will fiercely resist. Children slain by Ethiopian military junta

CRISIS IN EUROPE'S

¿STEEL INDUSTRY

S. African 'corruption' As their nightmares a stark in take shape daylight form, bureaucrats labour West Germany flying even faster embraces of the open the bourgeoisie. Two weeks ago a massive 87% of steel workers voted to take strike action in sup- of their claim for port 5% wage increase and a 35- hour working week. '200,000 workers in The West German the industry are organised IG-Metall, the metalworkers union, which earliet

UNTS

called strike action in yeat other industrial sectors on of new technol- the ogy and job security. Now Eugen Loderer and the other officials have once , again been forced to hold a which predictably ballot enormous revealed the and militancy TOHKeN fight their readiness the attacks against employers. But within a day of that the strike announcing would begin on Tuesday 28 November, they leapt at the negotia- •rucc tions with the employers.

Inadequate These new talks at Duis- conflict burg were not the 5% claim, wage which is generally agreed to other 'moderate'-in hopelessly inade- words, protect workers' quate ivine standards against the ravages of inflation. Although the employers have offered only a derisory 3%, they have refused absol- utely to negotiate the 35-hour week. 37,000 Last week workers came out on strike at seven plants in the Ruhr There is something a little sick about revela- tions of 'corruption' in country like South Africa. Just the American Indians were surprised find that the place they had been quite familiar with for cme c vàc vàcn cs 'discovered' as recently been 1492, black workers South Africa woke up a few weeks ago to find there was South

COU•LO!

African government. Minister Connie Mulder had to resign follow- ing the emergence the OI: fact that government money had been used to finance a pro-government newspaper.

Caught The significant only this that thing about Mulder was caught. the thin ror a moment facade of respectability with which the white population try to conduct their dealings with each C osen was aside. Power base Mulder has from COrC the Cabinet but remains an Mr wiln a sigmuicant power base to call on. led to a lt the event had SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978

INTERNATIONAL•

save jobs which supply matenas to With a the motor industry. further refusing to picket lines, a quarter Cluss of all steel workers in the region are now involved. have The employers carried out their threat to farce massive governmental crisis.

signifying a shift in power from one section of whites another, the TAen Case might have merited some detailed analysis and repor- Lane. United all those But fact involved in the dizumclls this around mN0 CCe i petty-corruption are united in their defence of capital- and apartheid in South Ismn Africa. The very capitalist news- which are objecting papers Mulder's misappropra- public funds tion alc hemselves financed throug "mis- nassive the most of all-the appropriation' super-exploitation of South Africa's black workers who daily lead a desperate exis- tence on starvaton torses (if they a job at all), have of and who suffer HaCK housing and every other sort of deprivation: German workers strike to KRUPP Arbeitnehmer Kampfbereit De Bib foret de Staffen

KREPE

bertsplatae and respond with lockouts, 29,000 Friday another barred from WolKer wele work in this way. Although its main im pact will clearly be within manu- the facturing industry, strike has already produced enecas

OLICI

SCCLOIS

While the revelations might upset a section of the whose workers standard living nationalist government finding even more difficult to defend in the face of a economic Ie os, mounting will little else LneTe significance to come out of Real battles the stirrings of the black workers which will bring any inner OIl Ical withi ine DALEEs and the real camp issues out IOnOT there how Page 3 Schmidt of the industry. The whole dispute, and These moves have taken the positions taken up dy place against a background employers union and militant bureaucrats, is not restricted increasingly resistance from workers to to West Germany, It 1s vet example of the the redundancies proposed another capitalists' the international crisis • OI tne Cast profitability slump. steel industry. At the Solmer plant near State ownership Marseilles, which is jointly owned by France's two Belgium has been the steel companies, of Ma Ul latest the lock-out im posed on was driven to bourgeois states the 7,000 workers who have in and attempt slop been engaged in a series of some order the

ICOLULO

struggles against 'rationalisa- industry's chaos. tion'. The proposed by Olall coalition government tne Debts cancelled amounts to a form of state ownership such as operates Central the govern- in British Leyland. ment's plan is the cancella- Along with state control rion or mne vasr debrs owee of investment and planning, to the state by the private promises for re. steel companies. This' is just employment of the 15,000 one of the symptoms which workers who will be made reveal the true character of one-third of Tec odr such 'nationalisation the total workforce process. 'rationalised' out of a job.

The Social Democrats, Such pledges are only to who dominate the coalition be expected from a govern- numencaly nave nol laker which faces elections these measures to advance nexi nonLu the interests of the working As the economic crisis of Their has class concern produced a preserve the imperialism has been .to catastrophic fall orders structure of Belgian capital- for steel, capitalist by from Steel apprentices march through Bochum near Essen ISm rescuing employers and governments Connas secuon have scrabbled around for which the capitalists cannot Printworkers, who have measures to meet both then continue to organise them- themselves been involved in short-term and selves profitably long-lell major struggles against new problems. As with the mines, rail- technology and reaundan Within Common the shipbuilding or stee. cies in the last year, took wavs. Market, the Davignon plan industries in Britain, solidarity action in northern of the Steel Commission has this factor which has deter- blacking a full Bremen by been attempt mined the of the advert placed by the Louise ordinate and plan labour leaders. unest steel industrialists to witch- moves in a 'fair' way. The Social Democrats hunt IG-Metall. ana tnel ales cannol nave forgotten mass rallies Ine demonstrations earlier allu this where steel- year, workers snower tnem opposition to any redundan- cies and demanded the of a 35-hour introduction week. Same crisis But once they have taken the responsibility of running the steel industry from the capitalists, state employers will find them- selves driven by the same crisis of capitalism which forced the private ownes into

CUOC

unprofitability French President Giscard The Social Democrats But individual producers will then turn inevitably to plans for 'restructuring' and have steadily refused to co- 'rationalisation', operate the scheme, tor redun dancies, closures and speed- which aims to share out the reductions in sales so as to up. Although such 'national- prevent the collanse of the weaker national sections of isations' one sense are phoney-nationalisation for the steel industry. the rise of This the bourgeoisie, not for the best to stop utopian plan has revolution in South Africa.

foundered on hitting the proletariat-they do fundamental represent an important, but realae one-sided for the capitalist competition. galn

INDIA

working class. By dumping their surplus The Janata has just won rival Driven commodities, oy lls own Inne. another resoundingly producers have attempted contradictions, imperialism hollow forced victory. At the to undercut internationally to reveal parlamentary by-election in agreed pricing and so force practice how private owner- Samastipur, northern the is unable less compeltive sectlons. lo ordalst ruling coalition beat off a the wall production to satisty human challenge Gandhi's trom these methods needs. winte Party with have intensified the crisis in Congress In developing state than majority more some countries, they have ownership and state control OT 27,000 When steel votes. the not been able to overcome of industry, the the Janata first won the seat in the problems of even the imperialists themselves have 1977. their to take steps towards build- strongest competitors

…HHONLY

300,000. For the In both France and Spain ing the very organisation of OTeN ingenious bourgeois press of the state has been forced to production which Britain. such result is a intervene and as the basis oi a organise Iecurcu setback-for Gandhi. wholescale rationalisation socialist planned economy.

IRA BOMBS NOT ENOUGH

Broad Left defeated at NUS Page 4

IRELAND

TROOPS OUT

NOW!

The war against British imperialist oppression of the Irish people goes on! This unmistakeable coordinated messace series of major bombings carried

IRA

in the last three out by the the mobilisa- linked to weeks. of demonstrations mass in Britain and Six oth counties demandwig te colora tion nolitica

STATUS

republican prisoners of war.

The new upsurge comes after a period in which a shortage 01 explosives and reorganisation PHOTO: Laurence the IRA ranks. had left within focus diri struggie as one heroic о алкої Long Kesh and the Block, women in Armagh Jail: •The bombings, according to Republican News, are seen as: of struggle (unique a means in Western Europe) which far-reaching political effects.

Irish working class to the role of who claim the Brits additional working class forces challences spectator to the be of around the fiaht for an immed.

in activities of an elite. clandestine , and successes show to iate _ot the trooDs certainly the world the instability of the socialist policies to and 1 Be flave and decent living shown that jobs the trish war state. provict liberation cannot be subdued by

IRA

"Behind standares. arrests, bombs is a structure of national- Such policies are re evan t both in the North of Ireland and and support, and tortures or sas murders. si sweaty But their latest campaign struggle against Lynch's we know That politicany • Ture In The severe also indicates the bombs destabilise and cause capitalist regime in The oUtA which But IRA's crises for Loyalism. politica leadership the successful presently. the militant retard "Roy aCts Mason. an investment tour in America, will look ridiculous trying to sell the arrash occupied Counties peaceful land to things wiere alc and where the IRA are normal" We have no quarrel with the Special Conference fight HA's absolute went British imperialism and to use such tactics, which they feel are the best way of driving British troops out of Ireland. these methods BUt though! uncounted y oraw reflect a strong base of support minority Catholic Ine ney lowly exclude the participation of the class struggle working against British imperialism.

Alternative The courage and sacrifice of a few is seen as an arternative to patient agitation and political mobilisation of the masses, who have recentiv snown memselves willing to take up issues relating to thee hear seath during near wedur strike rebuoncan frame-up victim Willie Gallacher

CARWORKERS

brought sympathy strikes in key the centres

SIX

counties of widespread indications and working class support.

CONFERENCE

the so-called i ne use "Prevention of Terrorism" Act Belfast dockers sent detain Liver- on a Training Coust pool led to even more militant

THE CRISIS IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY

industrial action. AnO nanaina Called by the Campaign for Democracy unionist Brian McGuire in the Castlereagh notorious in the Labour Movement centre lee Ilassive and demonstrations strikes January 20, 1979 in Birmingham Belfast. Conference Statement in next week's Additional forces Socialist Press Agitation around demands Full details from CDLM, c/o 37, Birchfield Close ment, low wages and SiUm housing which are the fruits of Blackbird Leys, Oxford British imperialist rule in the six Counties could moonlise The PAC demonstration in London last week demanding restoration of Pot starus to republican prisoners completion of the Irish revol- ution. buift in Trotskyist party must be Ireland to answer this CrisI and wdy forward British also workers must the furthering play TOrC struggle in ireland, taking up the for the restoration political status, for the ot Labour s torture chiel. noy After years of inactivity and betrayal of the interests of students in the Further Education sector, the Broad Left majority of the NUS suddenly executive have discovered a new concern for these weakly unionised students.

NUS

the Emergency At Conference, called in the face of opposition from the Broad Left, discuss Ine covernment s proposals on student finance and that Executive

INE

channel "everyone was acreed these specific proposals should the state. made by Sue Slipman- ex-NUS President-welcoming the proposal The alternative system that forward the Left brodu reeks of. collaboration ano wa not only thrown out by a very militant conference representing over colleces

ETIC

Executive were censured

TOI

devising it. National talks s alliance of theists and of Stalinists this alliance lett retormists would take nego tiations over capitation fee levels out of the hands of local unions and into the nanos or tre National Executive. This, they claim, will put the power the _national union behind the weaker colleges. This SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 Bomb damage in Belfast

KKITTEE

Mason and the and for cabinet, callaghiat concrete sonicarity including the blacking to the British military supplies Ireland O1 occupatiol as nart of the mant tor tne

CON

withdrawal of British system will not only take away influence in the oca student but the "negotiating" is to be procedure national Cut post one thiro Nus representatives one-third representatives of the Committee of Local Education Authorities ano one tara repre sentatives of the Department o Education and Science Whatever this body decide.

will be binding on local unions and the

NUS

Executive will then the postion entorcine une decision on its membership. Defeated This proposal was defeated 80,000 votes on a card vote.

by Utner forward Socialist Students Alliance were Both these defeated. disu stressed Ene im oortance defending student union auton- omy but failed to put specific demands on the Executive win failed to putthe crucial demand struggle. also tor capitation tees і то же покес with index to seen ace its workers and students intlation. Danger The student cancer

TOT

unionism now is that, despite the opposition from militants at The ameraenc conterence. une Broad Left proposal might be accepted at the Annual Confer ence in Blackpool this weekend Censures of the NUS Exec- utive are not enough: they must replaced and removed those prepared to Teac principled struggle if students unions are to be detended Defend Gay Rights • Dear Editor, Whilst agreeing with the front page concusions or ine socialis Press 127) tope the Thorpe case another Inal scandal and that the evidenc eing heard is exposing a grea deal about our so-called demo cracy', ! do feel that there was important ommission in the aructe he articie siates inat in the same way as the media turned scandal into the the Watergate incictment or one man so now Focused on one party and neig "the Thorpe case

TWO

Dollticians rresumaoiy though, another important face of this 'scandal' for the media i the alleged homosexual relation ship between Thorpe and Scott.

This provides another for opportunity excenent media to associate homosexual- ity with the seedy underworld within what you retel dearines to, perhaps rather moralistically bourgeois sewer democracy whie oo not assume na readers Socialist Press will association I do make a similar think that it is important tha we express our opposition of alleged sensationalising 'homosexual practices which serve to turner ore uaict and bigotry in order to uphold bourgeois that of the turtles castles • family as a unit. We recognise that gays under capitalism and that their oppres. minority forms, is main- • its many tained in order that, under thi guise of notions of deviance and normality, the family is upheld to serve unit economi cabitalism While recognise that under capitalism socialists only . gays can ine beration be at the level or retorms-ove 'over-21' age turning male homosexuals consent. to and removing nomosexuality from the World Health Organ. of classification Isation s diseases nevertheless have the perspec- defend gay of fighting to live men and women as an oooressed minority. At a time when the Labour Shee ament into hold family through new Family and the introduction he policy documen a minister tor marriage we mus up fight against the We see the perpetuation of the 'serve capitalist ends. We see fight against the cuts, whic more responsibility back place into the family, as a perspective for doing inis. but our fight to prevent the further oppression of women in partic ular, burdening of the family, defend the right o also sexual exoress preferences. Yours in sisterhood Teresa Munby Editor's Reply: We fully accept the point made on the nead vigorously f oppose efforts by the capitalist press to exploit the Thorpe cas for propaganda against gay rights We have made this point in our pages a number of times previously We would point out however That while This soect or the cas came to the fore in the secono week of the trial the lead article • letter refers deal: solely with points emerging from the first week's There seems tie cowot tal the efforts by the press sensationalise Norman Scott's evidence is talate not oy l attacks on gay rights but also to the desire by the capitalist clas the of the political scandal unleashed by Bessell's evidence and the revela.

tion or i norpe s letters.

Editor.

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 Who profits from Iran slaughter? Anti Riot Equipment C5 smoke hand CS smoke cartridge:

SOMALY

S CaDa LY n a Cres Drea aMs SAM Is este st coma Seras dong simen Advert by Schermuly

PRESS

GANG

Despite the lockout, the ulti- If half those who have the pistol held and shed tears at the absence of matum the head of Times workers, the the Times read the paper leader calmly claimed: when it appeared, it would this no inten- "There is in háve circulation, tion to engage mass in some total conflict with the trade unions. instead of the scanty reader- :is seeking a res. Times 1 N8 ship it so richly deserves.

ponsible and productive new rolationship with the trade The ioss ot the mes as a source of news and comment is one which will secure Uuons.

IOS:

red ular oro•ucton wii create produve pity and emable us productivity to ano even tnev have plenty of other avenues for their propaganda. Nothing here about the 400 jobs they are trying to axe and the straightjacket clauses which Orgy chapels will seek taking action over any But this did not stop …the grievances. and the rest of Fleet Times oreet moucine I all whimsical farewells the Bound hand and foot marte times leader- There "The simits ccocl- rest the leader will intra was diven over assurina trao e suitably dewy eyed about union leaders that they will gain ''is readers tor whom the pape!

by having their members bound part Imoortant nane ane lool life". *ve cà nàv cone õ cvc To the almost audible strains to the trade union movement by of 'Land of Hope and Glory the showing that good trade union. moutnbiece •ouraeois read- Ism ano o coc no ovau. tion linked together its favourite can produce real benefits, bene cliches in a few paragraphs: fits which are not available to unionism of the mass "'It is not for us at the Times the trade assess our Monticance rally and the sucden walk out.

British saciety or to British In the letter columns Major national life .. British liberty else?) Hugh Walter quoted (who first rom. the • . wee nowspapors.

• S0 YE

the November 29 which sung causes and 11•80 objective reporting" .etc of the Koenig The oralse. Bauer steam oress yyrical It is not only because he is a major bulwark of capit- alist control in the Middle East and Gulf area that the Labour leaders fully support the Shah of Iran, They also recognise Iran as a major customer

OTTA TISI

arms industry-and as such as a subsidising

MOOT

TaCLOI maintenance

STATAR

armed forces themselves. According Anthony he groat majority of -amocon Bazaar. the subat malouty Britain's €1,500 million arms export orders in 1977 were for Iran. The Shah has bought (and is now using) more Chieftain tanks army itself. than The Iranian navy is a majo for customer military hover. статі. And a WhO e hOST electronics, aviation added engineering firms derive this •roll rom arm CAes ro butcher regime. Rushed for export Two weoks ago troun. highlighted the particular role out in olaved by one small firm CS Dorking, Surrey, at whict gronades, riot gas guns and rubbor bullets are being rushed out for export to aid the iran iis dictind chi. dictator rapressing Schermuty, The firm subsidiary of British Match. The total workforce is only 200, 01 which, acarding renorter Chris Mullin. a quartei -nearly all TGWU members- terms. The reader. of this pald graph now nolds in nis nano one of the thousand many impressions of the Times •aber. wnich were такел отт ас night by mechanical apparatus.

of machinery almos! ordanic b88n d'avised ane arranged, which, while it relieves the human frame of its most laoonous avor an onarine. tar expidy and despatc powers in exceeds all human Later the sedael went l l disappoint. voice "the various ments and deep anxiety to which we have for a long course subjected," time been 'fear including an within macinery combination Printing House Square" and "a demonstration compositors, demand as a result of the abos.

their labour : ition of the hitherto necessary practice of composing duplica. pages." stake but the owners. :Night

NASA

in the ony ae her une menaemen . "My Chapel will recaive Now Agreement: unde Project longe with roduces ca- godliy etc. (hut: beres speurs, I't Owen work on producing riot gear.

The Department of Trade- , reported recently in Socialist Press-has sanctioned the export of 13,000 riot guns, plus CS gas artridge: rubber bullets, and batons,

FO VIC D.

the re ate! eguipmon mass struggles began in Iran.

250,000 rubber bullets-all British perfected during military occupation of Ireland -are still on order. material passes OTtAIS through the hands of trade union labour both in the manu- TacTurna orocoss ana l wansu to the Shah's murderous state forces. Production workers; lorry drivers, railwaymen, •oncar the opporumity- thrator all therefore have seamen black. ing action-to sitedes ins nd his inten Iranian struggles brothars and sisturs for the most rudimentary democratic and political rights. Two more Parliamen- tary Private Secretaries resigned last week-with again no prospect carrying out any serious fight against the Callaghan-Healey leader- ship. The resignations of Bruce Grocott and Ivor Clemitsor came with their vote against the Second Reading of the Bill proposing an increased number of MPs from Northern Ireland The Bill itself is part of the reactionary deal through which Callaghan's govern- ment has enlisted the Parlia- mentary support of Enoch and™ Powell the Ulster Unionists. But sooner than launch any fight on the real issues Grocott stake, and Clemitson followed merely Cryer unDunles

(SOD

Brian Sedgemore of their junior governmental positions-leaving the right wing leaders untouched. Jock whip Labour Stallard even managed to PHOTO: John Sturrock, Rébort Sedgemore Page 5

LABOUB

PARTY

or related industries should set And TUC leaders-ominous. silent abour the Iranian up union to inquiries final and events-have it in their powel thi ensure that such blacking action destination ot the letnal equlp• is imposed produc e-and call on he rest oo thay halping Teft' MPs who

LODOUU

•rotuce rincino soeecnes on th The adour movement to asısi evils of the Shah's regime, and Workers control denounce David Owen's oValI Caven sussort. colla spod ucar Any threat " ot disciplinary such a ligni, and link i to & the Official action, use fight to remove Owen and the redundancies whole pro-imperialist Callaghan OoCr8L

HOL.

must be fought with the aid of A Garsule the whole working class Trade union branches. and Such could also must insist that : Labour Parties

IN UNIC

reveal the huge profits made by the arms industry from the mass Already the

5/293 TGWU

Irish called on anc Branch at Cowley has muTeel oT alal other oppressed workers. Te UNeR SN TOndaxerv: need for workds connrolo the They would to press for full scale blacking action. export arms, T08

SUCT

material aid is directed not to Call for blacking of workers enemies those force movamen out lo fighting imperialism CUne cimendns nu started. Why hasn't the Com- Africa, the Arab countries an‹ Party-which munist controls Latin America mould show the actad? necessity tor the natonalisaton The call for blacking componsation of the must capitalist itnds oy ring out loud and clewr throuch Cavua Bua out the workers' movement.

Une e

8еCLеC

Comm tLdes Workers in the arms industry workers' management. Gone-and hoping to be forgotten retain his job while abstain- should be offered They ing the on same full backing insofar as they Tssue se contros, spes and carry forward the 'fight controls, cuts the right wing warc azalas in Ireland military terror leaders, and urged • lo go continue unabated. further and to spell out a socialist The workers' movement ruslauinic defend workers' fake does not macDen neco heroics of individual protest dent interests. gestures-but a determined fight, even if led initially by Worthlessness only one or two people, for Callaghan of the rem oval The persistent refusal of and Healey. even the most 'left' talking The constituency parties Labour MPs to wage such a represented by Cryer fight is a clear indication of Sédgemore, Clemitson and their worthlessness, and the Grocott should demand that construct

HECESSILY

these MPs the leadership that goes beyond undertake their reformist approach confines Labour and offers workers a revol- Party itself to the entire perspective and HORaY trade union movement fo1 programme. SUNDOlL Vicars pay goes sky high by There will be present wages are no no means out of this world government moves to Inere was no talk oi any block 20% pay increases productivity deal. But then, for Britain's vicars, it with increase, Deng out for the police was announced in paid judges and top military Parliament last week. chiefs, and 60% rises on the The Church Commission- way for TUC leaders, vicars had success than ers more feel that they have a must Ford chief Terence case for some kind of parity Beckett in arguing that this claim to keep pace with the wate

TISA

„ OU camse „•ne oppressor. unearthly price rises working misleaders of the And Parliamentary their class. Terr Walker sokesmnan assured MPs that vicars

THE BIRTH OF

Page 6 United States. article is Part 2 of Huge crowds at Lenin's funeral in January 1924. That year also saw the birth of Stalin's " "theory of socialism in one country tions for The faction struggle ." Congress. that was developing in Challenge The crisis-wracked Opposition the Left by Leon Trotsky, pp51-2 Republic Soviet This reflected itself through- not stop out the Comintern. Republic: August-September 1923 a massive strike wave "Beginning autumn of 1923, the history gripped the cities of the of the national is a history of com- Soviet Union as a result of the economic policies which plete renovation were being imposed on the Moscow staff, and the staffs of the national sections, by workers. This strike wave theaten- way a series ed the power of the govern- revolutions, purgations from which was rapidly above, explusions, etc. becoming bureaucratised under the control of Stalin.

Communist The

GPU.

political completely police (which was once used apparatus in the service of against the enemies of the Soviet foreign policy, ready Soviet state) had be at any time for any zigzag informed of any whatever. groupings existed in the Soviet Revolution Communist Party. pp186-7. launched Trotsky of attack on this state Temporary concession affairs in his Letter First Committee" the Central to in October 1923: "Both these facts testify problems, argued in to extraordinary was a change of course away an deterioration from within the party embodied in the New Econ- situation Policy since the Twelfth Congress omic Many, towards socialist many members, by party no means the and long term development of industry as the bedrock worst, have felt the greatest of the econom itself at the methods and alarm procedures used in prepara- The

NEP

AMERICAN

MARXISM

1978 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the emergence of the Trotskyist movement in the The Socialist Workers Party which today claims to represent that tradition offers no more than a hollow mockery of the fighting spirit of that early movement. This a series in Socialist Press which will examine the early history of the SWP, the party so central in the 1930s to the launching of the Fourth International.

By Graham Bond Twelfth the represented temporary concession to the peasantry and 1923-25 farmers madie businessmen order release resources urgently deterioration did needed for the war effort Soviet the But it continued, these concessions WOlO the with strengthen these elements at the expense of the working Communist Inter- class and effectively rebuild the capitalist class in Russia of its threatening all the gains of the October Revolution. Prosperous layers palace The emerging Party "At the present time, the bureaucracy, however, was International is very and peasant prosperous layers that benefitted from the NEP, and was moulding the Party to conform to this line. Thus as Trotsky began to Betrayed attract youth and the most and dedicated calculcu Communists to his positions the growing of the wrath bureaucracy Trotaky's answer to these Though 'factions' itself. 1923, outlawed were by the CPSU's Tenth Congress, the Stalinists began to organise measures as a majority temselves of 1921 faction in moves to crush all opposition. The impact of these were to be felt in changes the Communist Party of had America, whose Fourth Communist and stands views". It Ruthenberg accept the majority such proposed should take the . stated that he and not accept membership He moved at the faction meeting. Cannon counter-proposal that: sharing faction responsibility the leadership." This split. Convention in 1925 was to Commission have Parity '50-50" chaired by a Russian Comin- adopted. tern agent called Gusev. Foster, • Cannon and onto Central Bittleman were elected for Gusev their faction to the Central Committee and its Political Committee support Ruthenberg, Lovestone TNer and Bedackt were elected to Guser said both Committees from their faction. should have the majority All six were on the parity commission, with damage Gusev in these the chair. The Party membershir the elected a total of 61 had followed. Central Committee Forty members. were elected by supporters of the Foster-Cannon faction and The Passaic 21 by the opposition. The parity commission agreed unanimously on both American CP political trade union and Albert and there resolutions appeared to be trend of the unitication towards the banner contending factions. Front Committee" Cable from Moscow the strike CP But towards the end of leader. the convention Gusev called soon both sides to a meeting of violent clashes the parity commission and police handed them a "cable from Moscow" party It said "The Ruthenberg revealed the Communists group is more loyal to the dynamic SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 International unionizing workers. for closer its unfortunately IC called for the Weisbord this into came with Foster's to conflict AL policy which had been group get 40% of the representation on the Central Committee.

endorsed by the Sixth Plenum At this Foster exploded. of the Communist and decided he would not International. under • 1 ne unorganisea worker: had been disregarded in the conditions He Ruthenberg past the craft-based the union federation in would

AFL.

The Passaic strike certainly well organised and 50-50 basis experty iea. but lne bosser were too strong, and would this proposal not negotiate with the Foster-Cannon "United Front Committee" When the strike began moved sagging and bosses : Ine would not make a settle- "We lock up the new CC the UFC, ment with , they on a 50-50 basis with each began negotiations with the equally

AFL

Textile Union-with the one condition. • the faction Much deeper down the middle. After a 24 hour debate on it, Cannon's That was the ditching of resolution was Weisbord the strike leader (who later formed the Com- But no sooner had the munist League). '50-50 The Committee than that announced he would follow the spirit of the Comintern decision and Ruthenberg this meant that the Ruthenberg faction by Gone bureaucratic manoeu- vres developed even during dramatic events which Violent clashes strike 1926 sticks out like a sore thumb in the history of the Weisbord had gone into the field of organ- ising the unorganised under "United of the In the spring of that year broke .out with member Weisbord as its exploded into with the The Passaic strike put the the map Trotsky with Red Army Offic Iorce

чод pande 947 'paproJun peu suolstAD aut ДОТОШНОТИ jo. sanssı ПРА0

• LIST

JO pue шол pue

LZ6I

IST

07 sq Inq Asea Surto a4t

HIAT

алеч 07 . se

OUM

anoys Ing uaut JO aLOs ATuo 1124] sanss! ayejs

TEAS

preay

SOUL

187 эzz pue

STYL

no se per 047 элед элеч Inoge stanop tou 047 pue „no nd and 0 pue ГРАТА І І АЛКАЛОНА эреш de d anastar want 1047 tal por amo a pine uI JO 8261 touues

1TTA M

a e de ce

MOSSO UT

0f Ino f0s 247 uэ4t реч parada a47 pue 1na

47XIS

pInos Sular

STYL

seM parlada sTy pue guisn avo ATuo tuaM ATuo э4t 07 au1 Surgiam чим aq 1ON se a4t: pue 247 876ł [q passe 07 oBIasuoo.. pInom 108 07 [ 80d

LOM

a101 CA 299 IO

TO BOA

Шэ47 aloMs pue dn 108

SEMA

IO

MIO]

Page 8

OLD PALS

TOGETHER

AGAIN

Part One of a review by Tony Richardson of "Dynamics of the View" by Cuban Revolution-the Trotskyist published by Pathfinder Press in paperback.

The last couple of years internal have seen some changes within the 'United' of the Fourth Secretariat International. Trotskyist The Leninist followed the

POCTON.

which political line or the us socials Workers Party (though the SWP is prevented by reactionary US laws rom actual aman co international bodies) has merged former International the endency nodota wy Ernest Mandel: these opposition to. newly-formed moves Bolshevik Tendency comprisinge be ast marie not comprising the vast majority Kruscher-used Cuban « тетіса-

COCTIONS

forces and revolution for his own ends.

Europe, and declaring itself tendency more orthodox than China and Yugo- because Parties ever". the Communist slavia Both the documents oecome cents cartes the

LTF

and the under mass pressure, there was declaration the bolsnevik need Tendency give i see history us those parties. in countries history about carry through Cuestora portical the Fourth revolution. VorI and tne SWP, and the International as a whole.

The British For SWP leader Joe Hansen rrench SeCEIONS relected with a book this line 1953 public come out tow defending faction was declared against it.

The swe s

DOS TON

on Cuban revolution is thus ne taction was suosee uent linked to the moves within the became the "expelled" by Pablo and International Com- i front consonedte NeVi 'united and degenerate mittee which against the Mandel supporters form, still exists today.

years later, in the new But, charlene TrOIT

LIVE

Bolshevik Tendency and else- of the Cuban Revolution wake where. the swe broke trom Its SuDoor the 1C and moved back Mass pressure towards the remaining national Secretariat. still led by Pablo and Mandel The earliest document in the The Fourth International material (which reprints split in 1953 as a result or the

OOOK

false positions argued by its trom with introduction) confirms that, leadership-Ernest Mandel and and despite the hasty Michel abo They declared that the cipled wav in which the reuniti- "revolutionary cation took place in 1963 the orective political basis did exist for the process" would pressure Tine Stalinist parties of Europe accommodate LISt empirical and opportunist they would to the point where method of Pablo and Mandel.

"project a revolutionary orien- the tation", manser InrouenoUl articles argues shamelessiy that And they proclaimed that Castro Joseph Hansen, of opposing conflict class forces but that everyone has to start with" He even goes so far as to call the Marxist method of dialectic- al maeroism tematically carried out' (p.137). Material process But the empirical "facts" are •gerial Process ist not simply TrOM material proces. struggle in which the continua tion of capitalism and-athe treachery of reformist, national ano stainist key roles. Hansen in The Thus, while Cuba can ape bourgeois historians by drawing together a strong potted history pointing to each major develop.

ment ThE revolution relation to expropriation, this is than little more than analysl! events showing between those events reality that Hansen starts and ends with the facts as they fit into his scheme.

capitalism in Cuba Because and this went was overturned against the previous position of Cuban. CP therefore, he must be an anti- arques. castro Stalinist, a "Marxist revolution- even a "socialist revol- ary" utonary. Credentials CP And since the Cuban declared for Castro support Hansen. even awares revolution- ary credentials to this, Stalinist rally 'The fact is [!] that the Party Cuban Communist supports the revolution. If a rift and the Soviet Union it can be were OCCUl the loyal. certain that taken for ties of a decisive section of the Communist Party, not the as a whole, would remain party with the Cuban revolution. The experience of Yugoslavia speaks eloquently for such an outcome. p.76 "This party, like other Com- Parties, favourably munist аттестеа оу «reat icaveru or stamm. whic in Wordita he S the Soviet triumph began with cold "viewed objectivity, it is clear that the Cuban Communist Party is not a but instead one of the main com- potential of ponents new Dont ca moveme shape yet to Wale determined." pp.279-80 But these enthusiastic phrases are describing the same Stalinist party that had support Batista presidential elections in the 1930s! Democratic conclusion It never seems to occur to Hansen to ask why a counter- Stalinist revolutionary party Should suddeniv declare apparently in favour the overthrow revolutionary capitas. Instead, his analysis start. that such a from the "'fact" has seemlingly taken chance place: "That serious differences the world Com- appeared after the decades monolithism in itself was 'Arising fundamentally fror the victory of the Soviet Union German imperialism, the •Val post-war advance or Ine I colonel revolution and a balance the forces favouring world socialist camp, those differencès have holped pave the way for a rebranci Marxism. "What provisions absence any customs the discussion ot the forward to a domo. differences (p.336, 1966) So Hansen; once thought by

USFI

members to be a staunch. deten er or. rotsKVIst doxy" actually believes that the movement .could be Stalinist WOn •aCK revolutionary Marxism, given adequate customs and "provisions Institutions" Open rejection his position amounts to an open rejection of the very basis which the fight for Fourth International was taken the upposition in internationa LeT 1933: the fact Comintern Ludl for definitively tne purposes of revolution" "serious differences" The between Stalinist leaders, about which Hansen 'is keen, to no more reality amount ir than tactica orscoreements how best to control the working class.or Trotskyists, the only conclusion" "democratic "discussion" the such of thi overton parasitic nureaucracies degenerated workers states and Wester CPs By the but ding of destruction revolutionary parties. was actually Cuban CP The driven into its initiallv uncom.

fortable alliance with partly as a result of its determin.

any cold dent mobilisation of the Cuban masses, and to remain in control that did OT move els take place, and partly as a result foreign of the and military of the policy Kremlin bureaucracy. Strategic outpost The Moscow Stalinists saw as offering a cheap and Cuba convenient means of establish ing a strategic outpost on the doorstep of US imperialism at arose the point where the Ameriçan taken a major stride ahea with The Taco development of a highly expen sive sophisticated network Ballistic Intercontinental vassiles. thẻ Refusing mobilise working class either in the USA internationally in defence of the USSR, the Kremlin bureau- crats seized chance tiOnAs Castro's nationalist government lurched into crisis because retardted against initial nationalisations imposing a blockade, the Soviet enders tended bought up the crucial sugar crop, and cultivated an alliance SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 Above: Hanson, below: Mandel with Castro. An obedient Cuban Both the

SWP

and the CP also complemented a paralle british socialis Lavour Ledoul (now the had in fact policy.

WRP)

Pablo's positions The Cuban Stalinists at. no supported point became revolutionaries, or no one cares broke from the Kremlin. of the Fourth International the 1953 And even after Wholesale adaptations There Serous these wrong positions For Hansen to suggest that correct them did the whole they raises The result was that • the auestion of whether in a revol.

SWP in only • ten years drifted utionary situation ever _ It Is •ack build Trotskyist rat all since, inevitably.

supposedly broke from in 1953.

But those politics had in fact val tics such situation always involve mass pressure on the stainist and Mandel's oppor habo parties and the "melting of the tunist revisions of the Trotskyist great iceberg of Stalinism and relation Programme _colonia revoltion 1953 beer stalinist •Ла( both gone a lot further in 1978 extended by 1963 to include than they had in the 1960s.

wholesale adaptations to petty mansen S formally endorsed by the SWP bourgeors nationalses such a. Fidel Castro! this reprinted edition of his Next week: wittle hevong coubt nis tailure ane Hansen on Castro that of his Party to understand or complete the split with Pablo Soviet freighter in Havana

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesduy December 6, 1978 Their "perks' are more than your 'Perks'-The 'Man Alive Report' BBC-2 Tuesday November 30, Reviewed by John Lister "That's why some While people seem so much around for the cash for one holiday richer than the rest of companies pay us". to husbands the last This way representatives on business week's Man Alive Report trips.

(BBC-2)

summed whole catalogue of tax-free 36% addition perks which poster already fat salaries of top another management. average for a 36% addition some went interesting statistics, partic- to the salary ularly in a period of a rigid directors 5% limit on workers' wage Foremen, increases. hand, with average benefits worth those workers

STOI

only an extra 13%. struggling with the HP pay- ments, repair bills, insurance and detailed a number. fees, mortgages rising petrol histories to prove how top prospects OI costs to keep family cars on bosses can free perks to their salary the road, it is instructive to learn that three out of every worth more five new cars that pass you average annual wage. provided free of One by are casually about the pension charge by companies.

FOR CUTS FIGHT

An initiative which Committee's the could transform the conference fight against the cuts in emphasised Sheffield was begun on with supply Saturday importance of delegate calling "On Cuts in conference the the Health Service". Health The conference adopted fighting policies to offer a lead to neat service and trade Dancies Labour Party wards, and a steering committee was elec- ted to co-ordinate the cam- paign. Rundown Speakers from the Organ- outlined was ising Committee presented a Davidson the detailed report running down of the health losses, Sheffield service 1n brought out the importance of: occupation linked to which supporting strike action was tactics to defend the only threatened jobs and services.

The start Giles

(ASTMS)

Ron links brought out the the cuts fighting between and the struggle against low that only stressing pay, sliding scale of wages could protect health workers' Other living standards. X 120 wages! families scheme, free Jaguar car, sick benefits, free slap-up 48% lunches, yeat, eaucation for wives/ telephone rental and accountants' fees paid out accompany by his grateful firm: And merchant banker Tony Vernon- Harcourt wel-

BBC

comed the cameras into his sumptuous home to And "perks" in one form tell viewers about his cheap pension, account mortgage, cal medical insurance and meals of managing worth, he estimated, around £4,750 «uLC on the other £15,000 before tax. scrape by More ingenious Whole businesses are now The Man Alive Report advise of case setting up of employers new. more ways of forking easily add tax out benefits for top manage- ment that evade government than wage controls and taxation.

talked The new name for such executive perks is "alternative remun-

CONFERENCE BOOST!

Ted Eames (Oxford City In moving the Organising Ken Campaign), resolution Nursery Williamson (Chairman of also Hospital the need for Longworth the and nationalisation of drug and Con from Fight- Support the Candy Unwin from companies, of this to back Ted Eames attacked the demonstrated by a fight to treacherous role of the trade books Area bureaucracy Authorities elected committees of trade sabotaging the fight against the cuts and underlined the unionists and users of the nature of the international which crisis capitalism O1 Programme Labour government Linc attempting to foist onto the The resolution also spelt working class out a programme of occu- Specific details the

COI

pation and strike action to South of the occupation combat the cuts in the city.

of the Oxford Nursery building of the Longworth The extent of these cuts

(CASTMS)

lan hospital call alas who and of continuing struggles painted a familiar picture of in London and South Wales hospital beds, long waiting reductions were brought out. lists and penny-pinching by Supporting strikes the Area Health Authority Ken Williamson used the resulting in the recently totally inadequate facilities.

example the latest ended occupation Hospital Hounslow round of attacks comes with closure of part of the illustrate the absolute for Sheffield Royal Infirmary in necessity whenever strike action January and the conterence resolved to oppose this and services are occupied. The Sheffield Campaign to campaign to save the rest the Health of the threatened hospital.

Against Cuts in speakers included Service now has clear PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report eration" Virtually free suits, and even camera equipment are possible new area still one being explored. Rigid controls Meanwhile on the shop workers' sweat wages and salaries. floor where profit creates the these squandered by equally parasites, wages are subject rigid government spokesmen. to controls. And the 'sociologist' typical of the was

BBC

to attempt to defuse "rather sad" the dynamite contained of first part the energy with futile programme management's "discussion" at the end in top

TGWU

status". which an ageing benefits were convenor predictably on about how "dis- psychological reasons! burbled gusting" all was-before out an absurd pet capitalism trotting for a universal 18% scheme of tax to apply to all rate Communist Party which programme the labour move- fight ment in the city. Stalinists Major battles lie ahead, particularly with the deeply entrenched Stalinists whose considerable strength Sheffield consistently used to attempi to under mine the labour movement's willingness to fight the cuts.

But the campaign, which successfully has already threatened defended children's hospital, has the opportunity to provide the revolutionary kind leadership which socialist the Stalinists, reformists and "protest' groups Cannot challenge. Page 9 representatives the choser of the private owners of the brought predictable favour- means or production super able noises from employers' vise the exploitation of the working class who own nothing but their ability to regulation wheeled was work. out to mutter that it was all The not lI answer les to cut , lamenting the cosmetic measures required to perks but on action to force obtain perks, to secure the expropriation of baste "social without compen. industry, -as if all the material sation, under for will sought management which "managers" that ensult become accountable to and is that under corruption equally paid with the such remainder of the workforce and inequally are bunt mee the very system itself, where Mass support in the struggle to save Hounslow Hospital How to fight .. the Cuts

A WSL

BOOKLET

MORE

Available (price 30p plus 10p p&p) from WSL, 31, Park Hill, Dartmouth London NW5 1HR How to fight the cuts

Page 10

INDUSTRIAL

HOUNSLOW

of and local press coverage turned occupation The was the event ot ine lalo Hounslow Hospital of the Tuesday 28 ended on against the AHA. November after a statement by the Ealing, national focat point or the right issued and Hammersmith cuts in health expenditure.

Health Hounsiow Area Assistec ov Authority that they were to Trades Council, the Occupation Committee was a major force in the arrange removal from creating the rightoack Organisa premises. This was widely understood Campaign ArEd to mean likely moves to eviction by the AHA. Hounslow Hospital had been a year, (the occupied for the longest history of the NHS) as part of a The it as union can argu tion strike at the House community westla the Throughout ThIS of Holland occupation was faced by endless manoeuvres against them by the has been called off by

AHA,

culminatin

TGWU

notorious raid, in which patients were snatched from their deos themselves warning to deal

WILLOUL

out and bundled their relative. between fleet private out ambulances. employer. Those ten NALGO members. who assisted in this action are for currently appealing against their union expulsion from the union.

Brecker's initiative to Carl tion, occupation, continue coupled with an immediate and: for the kill. successful appeal for national in the fight frankly, Quite we're jobs by unique! struggle acains! the only movement unionisation that fights patiently ano relent fight against lessly the building capable

LOSK ISL

mobilising the working class in the struggle for state power and rejecting any the establishment of a socialist

SOCIBLY

form the WSL alone in aoing so, counter-revolutionary does not shrink from head-on battles with the existing leaders whether class not only these be lert talking Laoourite: internationally. bureaucrats, or Stalinists of the Communist Party. issues the woL set out to in taese dances we the only prove to workers both in theory and in practice workers liberation struggle and for leadership new programme which, starting from Iran and Southern and today's problems today d consciousnes when no ra STUCCOn ing class, lead workers grasp the need for centre struggle to party socialist revolution The WSL : though we This reason are smaller than some self-styled groups, the WSL 'revolutionary' ic a te easiest forefront of member has featured in the pay struggles in British Leyland,

MORE

DETAILS

Please send me more information about the Workers Socialist League. Name Address Send 1o: WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR

NEWS

WORK-IN ENDS

against health service cuts.

However, the political weak- in favour Occupation Hospital's defence and nesses Committee were not corrected.

protest spont co, Hounslow Hospital became a illusions the spawning closures and Labour MPs and union bureaucrats and the rerusa campaign for national indefinite Hounslow action against cuts in the SuriKe health service Thus great store was meeting of South and also launched a local Committee East Region TUC Secretary Jack Sell out deal at House of Holland Northampton and recogni- The Oxford-based officials Bill Geoff Hulett Morris and warehouse sacked workers called the making sure they together, included what was by then a full-time who had officials following a sell- majority the struggle abandoned cooked up began two months since it them and the previously Morris, (whose record of activities on behalf of local Though it had been clear has included employers that the time most notably, supervising an were bureaucracy making moves in this direc- all-out management-union the offensive against was not until last militant shop stewards Tuesday that they moved in• leadership the Export Why join the WSL? of Tuclearerhe sale the only really serious revol leaders, the utionary movement. look When at the cuts, you Ine • way struggles, strucoles

HOW

the problems faced by the bureaucratic king class the necessity for a dictatorship within the unions.

is urtmis. leadership takeable. This method of approach NOT. JOIN US? Fill

WHY

descent to simple form below for more the Form or concesion to y approach your loca corals. concession branch, who will gladiy supply (retormist information about our or Stalinist bureaucracy - is of policies, and por- course essential for the working programmo, spectives. out international obligation of British Irish support and revolut- ionarv struggles such as those in Atrica. also the necessity for the recon- Trotskyist Against Fourth internatonal ds tre urg world Ine of socialist revolution. the : biggest movement on the lett in Britain of. But in its approach to both theory and practice it is Revolution

VANY

The third day of the Hounslow work-in, September 1977

GLATC

chairman out patients departments.

Prankey Stiler members of However, *rank members wrote their own letter Executive

NALGOS

National and other trade unionists that omitted of the Occupation The decision members Committee with members of the occupation

AHA.

HosoIT: that this minority of was hoped produce a joint and Committee, meeting could delegation to David Ennals that would prevent a statement from will oav cose attention to the AHA that it could not run a and health service Servil budget, and requiring the re- campaign of the X-ray and NHS be stepped up. Packing Service plant nex of increased door to the been

HORSE

success of the recent Holland) proceeded announce the terms of the settement He said the firm would being mobilised. pay varying the compensation

WEC

Justified strikers could accept reject as they pleased, but the TGWU was as lat as betrayal by had concernea tut unOt well as agree done pretty ment had been reached and was called off. the dispute was over. The lesson Well aware that most of there had the people interest other than such role of the able to buy-off, brush aside the bitter oppos- basic rights ition from workers who had kept the strike going from its earliest SLates Regional Secretary Determined to hold out long possible, the as group confronted Region 5 Secretary Brian Mathers and demanded une continue its backing. that Mathers reply was he had full confidence in Morris and was prepared to support whatever actions he had taken. is no doubt that There the bureaucracy's desperate Hulett Communists'

PRESS

The key book for understanding post-war Stalinism. 166pp, £1.75 20p post and plus Name

WSL, 31,

packing from Address Park Hill, Dartmouth London NW5 1HR Dartmouth London NWS IHR SÓCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 Mass - meeting throws out pay plan mass meeting at A Swan Hunter's Tyneside week shipyards last Govan ship- followed builders in throwing out the three replace the plans to positions. present pay structure such to enc with three-grade of Hounslow opposed system based on a single set of national negotia- The it has been tions. agreed that a steering committee At present there are 168 future of the Hounslow healtt separate sets of negotiations that national trades British covering the against. culs Shipbuilders yards. The new proposal involves minimum wage levels of only £80 for crafts.

£70 for semi-skilled men, and f62 for unskilled But in order to introduce efforts to end the strike had it Govan workers would be the by faced with yeat mass standstill on their wages picket and the prospect of and other shipyard workers another one on the horizon 4 increase of with a Phase for which bigger forces were only 2%. The reactionary scheme hilt by • the 1s backed leaders of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engin- Hulett now justifies the by the the Unions saying employers and by the company had threatened to close down unless the action government. It offers to workers the for workers all-out • bid in similar actions could no!

be clearer and confirms the make this crisis-hit industry profitable vulcau cracy in the fight to defend Meanwhile the compen. sation payments to the old the bank interest owners. profits charges, and : 101€ raked in by private suppliers continue to be guaranteed.

,In rejecting the new pay workers must also structure demand the books of British Shipbuilders are opened to elected committees of trade unionists in order to reveal the of the exploitation industry for private profit.

basis the fight On this in defence wages and conditions can to with nationalisation, for the compensation, • workers' managemen of the engineering industry as a whole Right at

WORKERS

FEASTE

SOCIALIST

the forefront.

DEFEND THE

SU TOOLMAKES GET

DEFEND THE

SOCIALIST

RIGHT

PRESS

mirl

EVERY WEEK!

I would like to receive.: issues. I encinse the sum isl . £1.10 5 issues ..£2.20 10 issues ..£5.50 25 issues Send to: Socialist Press, 31 Hill, ..£10.00 50 issues

OFFICIALS RIG LEYLAND

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday December 6, 1978 Careful joint work British Leyland between management and union officials has led to the latest the decision to put company's package of of proposals to ballot members. The package includes a 5% increase on basic rates back. dated to November 1-not the 17% suggested in the Tory press Also included is the loss of 7,000 jobs through voluntary redundancy in addition to 5,000 "natural being sned wastage". workforce remaining The the to do will expecico additional work thus created as well as their own. Bench marks The third main point is the acceptance in principle of job and highly evaluation contentious •racine which places a basic 60 "bench mark" jobs into five pay grades.

cernents al c and every plant slots accepted, the into "bench marks", then, and only payments be paiche will "parity' then, manaaement are also withholding until that time the nationally-agreed rates for increases m overtime and night shifts.

will

TGWU

officials the half- attempt to use hearted December 8 'Day of Action' called by the Greater London Association Trades Councils of for withholding further support from the Garners strike. This became clear last in a meetine between strike committee and Regional Staden and officials •логтет. They declared that the Day would be a "test" of of Action whetner Turner suboort snoura be forthcoming. Open threat Since these bureaucrats have been distinguished up to now by their blank refusal to mobilise picket release even the Tinancia support that has been allocated to the strike, this amounts to ar open threat to knife the strike.

UNION DUES

SELL-OUT VOTE

This appalling deal was man- from Leyland's pay plan. oeuvred to the point of a ballot surprisingly, therefore, meeting through a Leyiana Cars Ivational

THIS

convenors Negotiating Committee approved the proposal to put meeting last Tuesday. deal with a the vote at that meeting recommen duon to deceol 12 convenors representing semi- Significantly the first skilled workers (the majority of defend the deal in speaker opposed was convenors deal. Communist Party member Peter Nicholas. The Longbridge vote- Com- Full time officials also commate munist Party-was also from skilled behind the company plan. Six convenors The decision convenors sections voted in favour. But sc did six full-time union officials to ao for a ballot amounts to a decision to flout the outcome of work in -who even last ballot which specific- British Leyland! "tied plant And this boaus 12-12 agreec that aly bargaining would continue this vote" was resolved by TGWU Grenville year. national secretary Hawley, who, as chairman, used National leaflet his "casting vote" in favour of the deal! decision then Fighting this betrayal, " nis Was 'Leyland hastily put ad-hoc committee to The vOTe meeting of convenors last Thurs- Stewards for the 1978 Review day. The meeting was weighted nas route a alone calle heavily favour explaining the way the recom- skuled (groups of as little as for sections mendation two or three skilled men in each come aoout plant get one The lentlet same representatives meaning of the company plan semi-skilled calls for a 'no' vote in the ballot tousallus and workers! calls

• TOI

•reparations fight the onslaught on jobs and Skilled sections benefit most Garners strike faces new threat While stating that they will recoonition oisoute regard December 8 as a measure of the turn-out Sandersons shows that the length of the Garners strike does strength me strike ThE mean in any way lude Li officials have predictably lifted case is hopeless. It could have been won long mobilise support not a tinger to committee's Tor ine wav oт Acron. doc They have reportedly policies of mass picketing, full "informed" TGWU branches in secondary blacking of Garners and a Regional levy to the 500.000 strong Region suboiler: sustain the strikers had been implemented. Police stations present strike commit- i ne national campaign

TOP

BUT

the same Time

TGWU

delegate conference to Shorter, with catering officer called discuss these Abrahams, were visiting police demands the Theretore sTaT ons fast week-no reaffirming treacherous Their Action the victory agreement to limit picket lines could so easily be won in thi dispute. enforce this arbi- nels trary limit, shorter and staden

HEALTH

that contingents of

PUBLIC

inspec supporters should first report to have closed tors now Leeds Inem STrIKE canteen wall directed by them to appropriate members refused to cross the restaurants. social workers' picket lines to ine lardest bossioe turn out on Friday is therefore essential clear rubbish. Similar strike from support from also led to a black. workers has Turiner oureaucratic savorade a.

its firse andersement of ts ing into office ot mall The bringing long delays th announcement granting of planning permission.

TGWU victorv of the marathor Offall

AT THE TOP...

will flow from conditions that the 'parity' deal. Though company, union leaders and the press have now orenestrate men connocion iol a 'yes' vote, , the enforcement of such a vote still poses problems.

Productivity increase. already being resisted in some the 'parity' before ians ever speed-up gets under way Triumph stewards at Speke for 800 plans die resisting rec uncancies ane where 1,300 jobs are scheduled for

TGWU

the axe, has promiscu support any section fighting to defend manning levels. Even Longbridge workers, centeo any leaders. are ukely to resist efforts to cut the work- force by 1,300 and add the their existing extra work onto jobs. The grading structure, too, is likely to prove a source of angry resistance. Tom Jackson's winter break at Bournemouth is not going to turn out the ideal holiday of his dreams.

the weather Whatever the atmosphere certain to be stormy inside tne

UPW'S

Special Conference on Pay and Productivity. Page 1l PHOTO: Dave evans, I. -

IAL

SOCiAL

RACT

CONTRACT

'AL Longbridge workers-will they accept 1,300 redundancies?

Already at the Cowley Body responsibilities of Mobility 01 Labour by Production Workers Plant mass meetings of all pro.

within this plant, and no demar duction workers are take place on Tuesday to oppose the , all Produc cation batween oos tion Workers must be nONE CoR grade and that should be the

GRADE

split production workers into two grades 'Stewards for the 1978 resolution to. be put Review' leaflet cites the states that the Body Plant will example of the Body Plant and only allow one production worker's job to be evaluated and cars on otner sections to toni the effects of the ballot should the company plan be carried "'In view of the accepted Storm brews on UPW pay After three years of slavish Trince beneTIs The size of this package devotion fairly accurately the control. the UPW leadership ha: finally been forced fling scale of the pressure building ur winds, and within Post from caution the

ETTICE

UPW

suffering claim recommend an 8% wag condition; along with primitiv conso leation reduction of the working week, and miserable pay , stes. But the Exer- recom leave annual aires. cost-ot-living clause and various mendation. flave challenged by scores ments, almost demanding larger claims, and ugly talk of industrial already HOs stung the ears of Tom Jackson and co. Amendment

JON

One amendment from the Oxford branch forward a 25% claim, alongside of the sections tne executives caim. and reve for realistic cost of living clause as opposed to the Execu.

PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report tive s onony desture The same branch has also called for the rejection of the Droposals on productivity which have now been held back by the Executive LEEDS Trades Council has passed unanimously a call from National Union of Sheet • the Laboul government to stop supplying arms to Iran. resolution lacked any call on the trade union movement to impose immediate to bring such Jackson supplies to a halt.

I ONLY MATIN COUR A NOT TO

NEW BACKING FOR

BAKERS' PAY FIGHT

PRESS

As TGWU and GMWU bread in the shops is being used leaders gave the long await.

as a propaganda weapon against ad instruction to their mem- the trike out is no real consor bers not. to cross bakers! ation to employers, picket linos, their the five week seen share cut to 40% by the effects Bakers Union strike seems of the strike. scabs-many of them in ASTMS poised on the verge of total victory. other maintain 50% production. But the TWU has stopped Hit monopolies snort or tull-scale sacking four and grain supplies-which Bakers Union Bakers Union leaders. been requested by Terry As and inde odor came weAk ThAT The happy for independent bakeries panies to increase their

GH0 COLGO

with the union which has stood our tary the 2eo giant cread this hits the two polios without hitting the house.

Only two giant wife. Hovis толоровь, McDougall and Alliea Bakeries now stand firmly against those decisions to support the strike demands-offering must pay which noSA includes vicious productivity RHM and Allied Bakeries plants strings that would whole. which are still producing. bread.

mean and Provincial journalists all call at rA picketing over the country responded becau colleagues. in large numbers to the first all out national official country were expected to Join strike which started on them. Monday. tion About 80% the 8,500 Post where members votee over provincial NUJ members affect: 1,200 ITiO working. Again pickets were set the end of the first day.

up. predictions in the press leading Despite The strikers prepare for a hard and possibly The strike That it would long partie. The union

NUS

members given called the strike under massive backing to the claim for from pressure 2across the bearere so nour week and an extra week's weakness. holiday. The Press Association agency -whose copy Is wired te General . Secretarv. Ken provincial dailies-voted 86-76 do nothing to prepare to retuse a union instruction to battle. come out in support. This was despite the Exec taries appealing utive's decision give them incredibly asked pay ou strike • week each. That Provincial journalists will receive "normal work": nothing. Chapels National Executive member.

Harold Pearson, foreign desk the claim editor at the PA, resigned from recommend acceptance lie only of

NUJ

the Executive with a recall meeting of Chape soon as it voted 14-7 to call the strike. Printers must In May 1977 he led his alongside this memoes across docker ine du own. claims against the 5%.

PA during a one-day national No sell out! strike. The 76. in favour of obeying

FUND

The November Fund closed £47.38 over the top of our £600 targal-a wecome development which could stand repeating this month. Christmas festivities likely to demand much of the financial of our resources and supporter! at the 8. 68 and of the month we are eager to raiso the Decomber fund as quickly &6 possible All donatians should be sont Socialist Pross Monthly Dartmouth Park Hill, und, 31, Printed by Anvil Printers (TU), London. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

SOCIALIST

and The continued supolies of bakeries police

SCRO

attack picket lines shows that the employers increasingly desperate ano tual victory is stul not yet assured. who have market Strike committees as management many strikers have areas unions-sweat established a high level of organ.

isation-while some towns, such Oxford, serious picketing is only just beginning, president and exclusive reliance has been O'Neill pointed out last placed information and policies out by full time union was quite union orcas. essential that strike output to meet committees be elected in each main mono. •ensure d of picketing, so that the official support from other unions car But the TGWU and GMWU and the breac mononolies forced to concede.

built upon Such committees, by putting the struggle into control of the tue nares or me workers on selves strengthen the strike and act to guard against any possible contiding violence outside Journalists join wages battle immediately their scab Journalists from all over the The only other major rejec- came at the Birmingham continue must now , oureaucrac severe and will below Optimistic comments about sharp strike'

CASTO

for the PHOTO: Laurence Sparhar His letters to ceneral secre for 'support than no more men members arounem must demand that reiected short of and that power come out strike their

OXFORD WSL

XMAS BAZAAR

Saturday December 9 from 12.00-3.00p.m.

at Cowley Community Centre Attractions include .....Raffle.....Cakes....Bottle Stall.....Gifts...Plants....Food......Drink......

...Jumble...Bricabac.... Fun Games....and more besides......

Published by Folrose Ltd. for the Workers Socialist League, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

INATSOPA

NATSOPA

NOT AT

ANY

PRICE

retreat on the wage cemenos ol productivity sell-outs by the union leaders. The prospect of a pay strike by tanker drivers in four of the five major oil monopolies grew ast week wnen one anecsso drivers' stewards voted recommend a stoppage from 2 January if the present 5% pay offer is not improved. The recommendation will be put to drivers in a ballol, and conferences of stewards. •from BP and Texaco will be held thi week The drivers' claim includes increase in basic pay from 275 to 290 Times before But the tanker drivers must week beware of TGWU national secre- Ashwell who last y cal ensured That ner were nerd back from action on their claim read: until after the firemen's strike nao enced management". ed signed Times Employees'. That wish opposition unions at the Times. The silence of a paper under deafening No policy,

STRIKE VOW

put forward. Instead

NOW

union refuse under of a sell-out.

EMBLEY & BRE

week that talks might be possible.

IMEC

BACK

confrontation management

BOLTON

unKnown to aIs memDers The demanding from the unions

STRIKE

hand and foot.

NOW

paper agreements reduced NUJ members picket their Executive calling for strike action manacement would all stop place. attack-the ment to this end. the chapels at in any major way The Times looks Wil aoreement force.

ATSOR

ORA

RAPHUTY WILKINSON

PEL

C

MATSOPA

NAT SO PA

ATS OPA

.º..

NITY

LENG TH

PUBLISH

Huss bors. NATSOPA MATSO PA

DAMNED/

NoT AT

MORE PRESS Y

NATSINATSOPA ATSOPA

LE

HUS HUS EY

NAPA NAPPNG

NATSOPA workers march against the closure

OCCUPY

THE TIMES

The final issue of the What still ober • is whether the unions question closure last will capitulate or the questior carried a small of 'single keyboarding' tucked away in the personal -meanine the • removal oiNg column of the back page. It jobs and the taking over of their work by journalists and advertis- "Goodbye Dear Times'-We're sorry to see ine stall single proposal you go and hope you return

NGA

jobs some reduce 60% soon with a more enlighten- chapels by almost anc increases the It was tota jobs to. be lost to about a quarter of the workforce and prayer the NGA The reason why reflects almost exactly the level nave retused to agree to this is amongst the that the Times management are explicitly acting as a spearhead the crucial for on the rest of Fleet Street: thi NGA as a major production unit question or ine occubation ot the building and the production could vanish the manage- The Times ran into oppos ition ment of the workers, has beer • •ecause it was askino thi NGA bureaucracy to agree to the removal of its own power apart from waiting and hopina: has been base Even over direct input the National the NGA bureaucracy came close te Graphical Association. the one agreement with the manage. to negotiate ment. the threat of closure, has Al secret negotiations week: bureaucracy begun to give unmistakable signs ago the

NGA

agreed inputting for about 12% of all copy, allowing Welcomed avertsine straight into the computer.

With leaders prepared to sell Joe Wade, General Secretary jobs ot the NGA, welcome the two at secret necolduons u reprieve as an indication workers at the cannot allow their futures out of their contro minute.

INE

Goserver even a revealed on Sunday-Wade has what makes already been up to his neck and absolutely critical the question of an occupation of the Time Devone in an attemot to avoro with the Times and the setting up of an occu.

secret talks pation that cuts ares be did overs cree challenges Times management is tne unions Canc two major defeats management and union bureau.

cracies alike. The first is over a new disputes procedure Business secrets which seeks to tie union chapels significance • A labour movement pape on this wa when the ness secrets Street • •acke• •owr Enrown open the major penalty clause-which The International Thomson 24 Organisation pay within expecting atter tax protit this vear of f45 nours or unotricial action taking million, mostly. from oil. All their interests must be national- But the accusations of dis- ised compensatiot spearhead for the major Times under the management of the workforce. attack on jobs. at the Times and van or ane nonca olsoute.

have been provoked by manage- Times must begin sunday raising these demands now.

so far only 17 out of 65 *No secret talks! papers have *No sellout on jobs! agreed to the manning clauses "Occupy the Times! Produce and those 17 do not include a a labour movement paper! " ew tecnnooov onlv unee the control of the workers!

Times *Nationalise the certain to and Sunday under ТТОТ worker. leaders on the introduction of management new technology and the removal *No compensation for Lord of up to 10% of their work.

Thomson *Work sharing on full pay.