Socialist Press no. 140

SOCIALIST

Goodyear ...Marathon...

BSC... BANKRUPT!

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist Iran regime shows its colours Beneath a wafer-thin 'progressive' veneer of anti- imperialist rhetoric and measures to cut off oil from Zionist the and South the new African regimes, Iranian capitalist govern ment has begun to reveal its true reactionary character.

Even though Prime Minister yet to establish firm political within Iran itself, his appointed repres entatives have begun earnestly reassuring imperialism its ala supplies are safé. Most was the weekend statement by the new Mohammed Ali Mowlavi, who declared that the regime will meet all its foreign

COUL

ments nat western investments are safe and that further invest- ment is welcome. went onto conv nat there were any plans for nation- alising either Iranian or foreign- owned banks. other words capitalist exploitation of the Iranian mases wu not simoiy continue unchanged under the Bazargan government, but will have to be actuary imensince in order to generate the resources to repay Iran's current £4 billion to the imperialist countries.

And wuue tue now manacine director of the National Iranian Oil Company has demagogically proclaimed to workers war tue of the BP-led consortium Tole which has milked colossal profits from Iran's oil, is at an spokesmen covernment have repeatedly declared that oil production should this week resume at tne oid output level of six million barrels a day.

Such a figure requires more than simply it requires renewed stable con- tracts with imperialism. Iranian and imperialist bankers will continue to grow fat on protits created working class This, the real face Khomeini's *Islamic Republic, comes as to , comes as no surprise to us as Marxists.

the onl from the HaVe outset that only form of government that can put an enc poverty unemployment and the democratic rights so long denied the Banan and working, class as a whole is a workers peasants govern- workers and peasants councils in each area. In two major speeches last week Bazargan showed that his regime sees such a government as a real danger. Threatening to resign if left mit atol proup home Khomeini's challenge his authority, he gave an idea of the scale eached by such political forces people, DerSeCUtE hey arrest people, they issue Continued page 2, col. 6

PRESS

Employers are hell-bent on a new round of job- slashing rationalisation and speed-up in every section of industry. but trade union leaders are should be no resistance to these attacKs They have rushed sign working conditions, living standards and trade union rights in a desperate effort to the profit- he doevear tvre bian in Drumchapel, Glasgow, TGWU officials John Miller and Hugh wwwer convenee a sopciat mass meeting which they ailroaded through a vote to giv ip the plant's 35-hour week management would relent on their closure threat. Management replied that the cum seown nao come too late and that the plant would close nyway: 430 jobs lost conica union edders ant ramoul unions respondeo to threats to close Falmouth Ship- repairers by producing a "mani- testo. volunteerina a no-strike clause, "more flexible working practices" and other guarantees ot good behaviour British Shiprepairers manage- ment this surrenderes unimpressed even with seem likely to close the yard: 1,200 jobs in the balance.

Flexibility *At Marathon Shipbuilders in Clydebank, Stalinist-led shop stewares Have steeree a rede tionary package of proposals for speed-up and flexibility working through a mass meeting In a desperate bid to make the yard "competitive". As a result, It more orders yard, less are

WOR

The workers will be required to com- plete them: and if the WOn then existing workforce will work itself more • quickly out of a job and onto the dole. * At the giant Singer sewing machine plant Clydebank union orticials and convenors No. 140 March 7,1979 * TUC leader Murray have forced through a nude package of speed-up and redun- dancies in the face of a manage- ment closure treat *In British Leyland AUEW General Secretary John Boyd has moved in to publicly attack the 20,000 Longbridge workers who struck in non-payment parity money by British Leyland management of jobs had Inousanos been shed through voluntary redundancy. "Their tirm' unionists singuld start out trade According Boyd the wish for British Levland to prosper, and for to efficient, their since com any. "Every restriction on out- put, every strike in whatever olant outs anotner nail in Its coffin" he went on. *At Dunlop's threatened tyre plant Speke,

TGWU

official John Miller has beaun by conceding that there would 2,400 jobs at Speke: difficulty in maintaining all But, claimed, "as efficiency increased there is a possibility of attracting neW products to the plant." And British Steel Corporation, the Iron and-Stee Confederation which, rades arguing that the corporation is DanKrupt nas alredoy of thousands negotiated away jobs, are currently involved in talks Ma y productivitv deal centrina on - manning cutbacks. The same story comes up again and again. Wherever al em over oleads bankruptcy or threatens closure terrified union officials and reactionary convenors come runnine with their own pet schemes to speed up the workforce, cut jobs restore the posses promitability.

Challenge figures Not once have any of these thought even to eacers challenge the figures on which companies make out that they dre bankrupt once have they

NOT

Lessons of Ceylon 1964 Centre pages Spanish electi Party Conference. p.5 Spanish elections. 15p the union chiefs who sell obs for profits challenged the riaht of the The Workers Socialist workers management of those employer to safeguard profits League TeleCts •Ene wretened •Tirms Which stano as an costace while thousands of workers are notion that workers should start to workers earning a living wage.

way from the profit- Such a demand is an empty SacriTice merver. out in any noods or to tace savage speed.

ability of the employer OrOTeST unless connectee to tne up on production tacks. only way occupation of the threatened inany event the When called upon to adopt a this can be tested out is to fight workplace and the fight for the clear starting for the opening of the books of Tignting poncy, widest possible supporting strike with occupation, to defend all these and other firms to elected action throughout the labour jobs, they respond with prevari- movement. Trace union committees. chat talks will do the risk Such an investigation would oluster sane oromises reveal the innumerable link-ups And this in turn demand: But as these : recent examples the building of a principled between Toss-makina sections show, such 'talks' amount time leadership capable and again complete profitable sectors private challenging and defeating the surrender in of the political bankruptcy now at the houstry ane ine sanks The, answer to éven proven head of the trade union emerovers ana Without a struggle starting bankruptcy of a firm is not to Labour movement and bointing from the mobilisation of tailor the demands the the social to there le Wage Ine workers affected. bosses' ability to pay, but to socialist tnere is no overthrow way in which jobs and working fight for the nationalisation this crisis-ridder - caoitalls1 conditions can be defended without system. compensation

IRISH

POLITICAL PRISONERS

PaLMORENS

ARE LYING NAKED IN LONG KESH

IRISH

POLITICAL PRISONERS

RISH

ARE IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

POLITICAL PRISONERS

ARE IN SOUT

IRISH

ers Stea

POLITICAL PRISONERS

IRISH

LITICAL PRISONERS

ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY BEATEN

RESTORE

RESTORE

POLITICAL, STATUS

POLITICAL STALL

IRISH

SOLITICAL RUBS E

IRISH

POLITICAL PRISONERS

valwo Picket in support of Irish prisoners last weekend. Ireland article-see page 9

Francoists strengthened by Page 2 The results of Spain's second general election since the death of Franco are on the surface almost a carbon copy of the results of June 1977. The ruling Democratic Union

(UCD),

led Centre by Francoist Premiel ouarez. cainee two seats in the Congress; so did the largest opposition the party, Socialist

(PSOE).

Party Yet these apparently undramatic results were none- inities: cream tatumon Suarez and the UCD who will almost certainly continue UCD govern- www a exce ment. And a triumph which was handed on a plate to Suarez the main ThE Anders workers' parties and in partic- alar the

SOE

under jeadershio of. Felioe Gonzalez.

First of all, this is because the were substantially different what nde seen the widely oreticter publicised opinion polls which UÇD the PSOE put the almost neck and neck and even held out the prospect of the

PSOE

party in the congress. Second doubt, as Felipe Gonzalez admitted in.

press

HIS

• DOST PIeCTIOn conference, that the election had allowed the UCD to emerge ine rignt in place or the incom petent ad hoc coalition which it appeared the June 1977 The cult of the parent of on the cult of the personality leader Adolfo Suarez-the man wno was once one or the highest functionaries of Franco's dictatorship and who the now •rotects nimseitas bringer of democracy. Limited rights Of.course, the UCD contin- ued assisted be these erections ov the severe limita- tions still placed on democratic.

rights in Spain. A number of candidacies of wing and

TRAL

nationalists were parties which remain illegal by decision or te ministry of Ine interior.

The candidacies per- mitted but the parties behind Them are not The electoral system discrim- inates strongly against the cities parties which The workers have a majority and in favour the old Francoist • Itolas Ine tess ino ustrial provinces. UCD's 35% of the votes thus converted into 49% flower seats the Congress house) and about 60% in the Senate (which under the constitution a can de in constitutional change).

consolidation was partly at the expense of the more Coalin mielast cratic Coalition election the Popular Alliance) led Franco's once trusted censor Manuel Fraga. Minister of the interior after Franco's death Fraga was scores murders of Spanish workers i ne wemocratic lost 3% of votes and seven seats.

But one of these was gained by the tascist New Force led by blas rinar Pinar's group got 2% of the total compared national

VULC

witn a mere 0.47 in 1981.

Ballot rigging Some of the UCD's votes possibly (though less thar 1977) «une Comme time-honoured ballot-rigging practices of the Spanish ruling class. The final results of the June Spanish election Results of the Spanish General Election % votes % votes 1977 1979

UCD

:35 35

PSOE

29 CP 11 5 Democratic Coalition Convergence and Unity (Catalan nationalists) Socialist Party of Andalucia Basque Nationalist Party National Unity (New Force) 0.4 Herri Batasuna Others 11 13

TREDAIADOR

Gonzalez-he knows all the wrinkles!

their bias 1977 elections have never been towards the etter because the government and the armed announced number of charges of irregular- forces or their technical incom- ities which have since days of still not been reso ved. This there were reports of the TV coverage expected, many vote apers or lettenino canor- dacies being available, of 'he "liberal" bourgeois dai priests and landlords threatening El ais publishe paper each excommunication eviction of the a cante for the "wrong" vote and so on. tative analysis of the TV cover- But the

UCD

realised long party • in of age each the Spotena trump cards its game of The final calculation showed restricted democracy was that of all the time devoted on the

COTILTO

MaSs news •rooramme. Tint the state radio and •articular elections, the

UCD

and 97 didates received a staggering These have continued with-

.OUT

TWE

smartest change-in cave une severa hours of party political broad- cast in addition to those allotted to ali une bartles with a certain minimum number of candidates.

UCD

controlled these-and of the several wing or nationalist parties had their broadcasts delayed, censored or cancelled because of "unacceptable" references armed forces or the national the unity of the Spanish state The PSOE's humiliation was only the hands of the not UCD but also at the hands of parties widely regarded as being CP symbol to its left. Seats Seats i 1979 1977 167 165 120 118 23 20 16 1 i. main 14 The Communist Party gained and voTes Tron ine increased representation 10o 23 Congress from 20 scals Public admirer The results of these elections in Euskadi decisively give the lif This, of chill to this claim and show that the course, also Suarez anti-ETA has been please • leader campaign since always bantact Com etery netterve been one of his greatest public In these elections both wings admirers of ETA had candidacies in the is little doubt that Basqu Euskadike , Here orovnices Ene Ul nas come to look or askerre the letter the stadi the CP as its greatest potential was closely linked

ETA

ally political military and Herri since Stalinist political • СОПІО

•TUE

workers com. •alasulte robular missions is much firmer than the ETA-military. Stalinist leadership's political Contre or une ation, the UGT.

HERRI BATASUNA

While nationally the PSOE's hoped-for support was signifi- cantly eroded the CP

TWO

recions-ancaiuci • • the south and Euskadi (the Basque provinces) the north-it was shaken trom more unexpected sources In Andalucia the regionalist Socialist rancy (PSA), which unlike most other small Social Democratic parties Between two then these candidacies received between 10 Mid. and 30 ) percent of the vote ir strenuous retused to incoroor ate itself in the PSOE, won an

TOU

bascue orovinces and astonishing five seats compared obtained three deputies and one senator. witn gone in the last erection.

And the bulk of these votes went to the more radical Herri More hostile Basasuna-one of whose slogans The PSA puts on a "left" ism" which was clearly face in relation to the PSOE and identified, with those who have killed a member of the police o tan a campaen walch was much more hostile, to the Surez regime military on average every three than was the POE's days since the beginning of the The PSA gained from atsu feeling Growt in one or une tour orovinces Andalucia since the advent Guipuzcoa, the two ETA candi- of the dacies significantly new constitution whict aives tormal riahts to a degree of votes thar evenue nant vote Tess than that possesed thing Nationalist Party base le less than that possessed by

(PNV).

British district council.

The PNV, however, remains the most striking electoral out une farcest party important reaction to the UCD's which implies that efforts (supported by the PSOE nationalist of parties various kinds have a maioritv in Euskad ano lne i to sandle move ments towards genuine national _ as a whole. autonomy came in the northern Basque provinces Failed 1977 elections the the political party representing the more "moderate" wing of ETA This, following the massive abstention in the constitutional (ETA-political military) stood referendum canetoates witT Ine fast becemoer. Communist Movement and means that one of the results 01 one the these elections is the comfirm- muenteer ation that the Suarez regime has Congress: competey to nod back the rising tide of Basque Boycotted nationalism. And it is not oniv the UCI But the parties connected ruskadi but also her and suffered electorally when with the more uncompromising

SECLO

boycotted the electie tine inadad and nationa pressioth increasingly identified the meantime right wing In next week's socialist Pres!

•ascue namonanst rony the UCD and the main workers' assess the political Will parties (PSOE and the CP) have nature of the nationalist parties run a massive reactionary cam- election 01 paign terrorism and the acainst The TeTT which, they have tried to argue, implications of the results for has no popular support. the main workers' parties.

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979 Suarez

IRAN:

from page 1 orders, they oppose us, they are adaman say the army I ney destroyed that must the affairs of the nation run and that the oeonle mut he in a state "ot revolution all the time Indeed among the appoint.

ments opposed by the massas is armed forces chief stati Genera Qarani. Soldiers are reportedly on strike against. him to defuse this political challeng from the working class This nerom onta delined to help religious back to the Qom must strengthen centre Gazaman d authority and weaken the power o1 the committees

COUNS.

The same motive is behind proposed referendum the March 30 establishment the Islamic Republic. such i a referendum VOTe VIO Bazargan as a vote o confidence his unelecter bourgeois HOVe EAGE mean postponing indefinite future any kind of constituent costudly TIS A Rentia that The srandar masses are now equipped with a programme, combining ànd demands, which can focus thoir the Bazargar struggles against atta necessity for a workers › nation government to industry and the land without under workers water OutBit must the gramme for immediate elections. to Consulteen a universal franchise basis of and the demand for the repudi. ation of all foreign debts At the same time the exist.

inuncia must do extended and workers committees developed into avery sector of industry and every working clas And within this fight a revol stionary Trotskyis party musi be ward the struggle for the defeat of Bazargan and the establish ment of a workers and poasanti

SIGNS OF OPPOSITION

TO DENG'S INVASION

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979

INTERNATIONAL

MOVE

call Of course a major conse- When we for quence of the theory is that Chinese troops out of the economic problems of Vietnam- Vietnam and both China and Vietnam of ese troops out cannot ve ccall with wilhle Kampuchea, Socialist the confines of the nation Press has nothing state, let alone the building in of socialism. common with the sO- It the drive to deal called 'peace' bleatings with this contradiction and, of imperialism. particularly China, efforts of the bureaucracy We know that the the to divert attention away interests working class can only be threatened from the developing dis- content and turmoil by the actions of the weak Chinese China itself that has led and terrified and them to move towards war.

Vietnamese bureaucracies.

Though US Lasury Mouthpiece Michael Blumen- secretary "strongly thal may issue The only country worded" condemnation South East Asia prepared to the Chinese invasion, it has be the occasional mouth- not stopped endorsement of of been piece the Chinese regime in the Kampuchea. form exchange of ol tne Union The Soviet has ambassadors on March 1. Some of these are: for however been much The ferocity the the release of political all successful in consolidating Chinese attack well into prisoners; for the right to relationship Witt Vietnam, 250,000 elect all state and party using Vietnam. with 100,000 inside leaders; for the right of

LOODS

As a result, particularly Vietnamese the opposition parties to have a territory, the signing of the since taking the voice and to be elected to Soviet-Vietnam treaty last capital of Lai Chau, the the National People's November, felt China has battle around Lang Xon and Congress; for a study of itself encircled. the Western the threatening of democracy and Vietnam itself has strategic route 1A to Hanoi culture well as science extended its control over astounded many and technology; and for a Laos in which it had until observers. reconciliation / with the recently 40,000 troops. Soviet Union. But the Vietnamese Stalinist theory invasion of Kampuchea was Rally held felt to be something that However these battles It is reported that on 29 could not go unanswered by between inevitably arise Peking's Deng clique. January several hundred bureaucracies which base held rally The. Vietnamese leader- themselves national, on ship itself faces enormous Peking's Democracy Wall in than lutcarold defence internal problems and has the Healers requirements. six different civil liberties even turned to the US to Both regimes adhere to beg for assistance. groups that have declared Stalinist the worn-out their intention to fight for Bureaucracies awavs live theory that it is possible to in fear of the working class, free speech. build socialism

OHIC

The terrified lest it should flex bureaucracy has so country. far not felt strong enough its muscles and cast them them, national

TOI

aside. move against interests predominate. protesters. Several flow Quaking dominant group from this. around Deng Xiaoping have First the need to In Peking today the tolerated move- secure borders against out- Party elte are quaking in siders; secondly attempts their boots. As made ensure that from the New York Times alv "buffer" states are acquired wrote: to defend the nation; and "Before, foreigner of any type had met a Chinese dissident.

political, economic OI Now practically everyone alliances are justi- military has, and some Chinese fied Since last long week's as they students have begun calling construed as necessary to struggles against at all hours of mass defend the state. the night with tips on the 22,000 steel redundan- latest poster." East cies in North The opposition to the France, the working bureaucratic stranglehold class has continued to has become more organised show its determination with the setting up of such to fight. groups as the Human Rights Alliance and the Enlighten- Equally the reformist ment Society. and Stalinist

CFDT

CGT

This latter has recently ¡union bureaucracies have been selling pamphlet effort to divert which included an appeal to the movement into harmless President Carter to make a protest Channels of statement behalf While neither the CFDT human rights in China. nor CGT leaders have dared the

OUCHES

19 points violent upsurge of demon- occupations ariel The Human Rights centred of on the town Alliance, with seven authors Longy, they. have done everything possible to curb their has sign put names. repetitions. programme of 19 A mealy-mouthed CFDT Deng points. statement declared 'I don'tknow what got into me... I went to America... I ate hamburgers and Coca-Cola... I wore a 10-gallon hat, and then l inyaded Vietnam...'

been able to turn it against Mao and the remnants of his followers Now, however, there are French job struggles go on "solidarity" with the struggle "even if its expres- does not always take sion the forms one would wish".

The

CGT

the evaded issues by saying "it is not a choice between • abut of and resignation but and bold action". IlIm Wretched plan Thus, the French as proletariat moves into struggle the bureaucrats talk of "vandalism" and By "firm bold action" the reformists and Stalinists their wretched plan for "restruc turing the while leaving the capitalist system that has created the crisis, untouched. The

CFDT

has talked "avoid about the need a social explosion", the only hints of an unsettling of Deng's apparently unassail- • able position. Posters have appeared in mobilisation proposed is a protest march to Paris at the end of March! And even here the CFDT leaders attacked the tave idea of "mixing together all sections and regions in an indifferent manner"-they demand restriction. of the Lorraine action to steel- workers. Such moves came in a week when from Houilleres de Cevenne: closed the main A7 motor- way demonstration against pit closures and steel workers in the Bouches-du- Rhone region struck to win wage demands. employers, of far bolder than course, are the workers' "leaders" The metal and bosses federation

(UIMM)

called off the first meeting in the proposed series of Page 3 Hua the last few days attacking the invasion of Vietnam-a move clearly seen as Deng's brainchild It also hinted that opposition to there Deng's modernisation pro- gramme. A sudden summons from Peking ten days ago caused the of Chinese delegates conduct- ing the Japanese oil national corporation on joint explor- ation in the Gulf of Pohai.

"Delayed" Also Chinese import licences have now been "delayed" to the Nippon Corporation who had Steel billion contract and a zl com vandes supply chemical processing Plant Deng may have launched the invasion of Vietnam to build up nationalist senti- ments and engender the idea of unity in the face of an outside threat, but he does appear to have

TO I

succeeded. doubt his recent remarks that China intends to join the

IMF

the Asian Development Bank if the Taiwan problem solved will similarly not unchallenged Bureaucratic perks in Peking-scarce cars negotiations on the grounds that the union bureaucrats had failed adequately deal with the violence of their members. There has been talk of "interests forces serving foreign to those of the nation" and the beginning of the use of the courts Enormous questions are before now posed French workers, Even the leaders pleaded for negotiations and made militant noises, steel railway workers seized stations once again in the Moselle region-exposing the superficial nature of the supposed "restoration of order", at Longwy. More than ever grows the need o a revoluton ary party in France-section a reconstructed Fourth International

RALLY POINTS THE WAY

"People's Prince' is not just a Page 4

OCCUPY TO SAVE

ST. COLUMBA'S

spoke to Tom Dyke,

NUPE

Socialist Press St. steward at the threatened Columba's Hospital, Hampstead. about £1 million; but when we •What is the background to the investigated down to was closure? We would like am. IFT this has _«ocument out know Sul Districh on ho ensing the District of Kensington, think the next

AHA

What do you westmansen aneiser steps are? -it was to be either St Charles, The occupation is going to St. Mary's Paddington Green Ț areence Children's Hospital. mass meeting and after that we unsuccessful nev nave been will lock doors with St. Mary's W9 so far, but the ambulance have succeeded in starting the closure of Paddington Green convenos to de tem to eddic

PHOTO:

not to take patients out.

coleten s moso ta We are also going to organise Peter Pan children's ward. at the St. Charles Hospital.

JOT

hospital from the of our resistance to JoCO hospitals. closing St. Mary's and Hereford Lodge, they have been forced to look elsewhere. and that closure when the Columba's was announced reaction in the hospital when the closure was announced?

FORWARD

Surorise and shock at first Everyone upset was ver ane there was talk of a fight against union branch secretary up and Public kind of action which rapid! sector workers told her what happened, and on from the major unions now The Lawou the following Tuesday we had a council to itsky also challenging Callaghan and meeting at St. Columba's, The Rally heard decided that Healey's Phase Four of wage we action in accounts of the other jobs Westminster and Woul nOL Take dily control met together on HOSOITa and that we would on Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary Saturday for a WSL Rally managed working case the role of on the low pay fight. to defend trade oradhist some wwdy Union reducas was the hospital. The conference was chaired placed under the cold clear On the Tuesday night after Elliott (NUPE ambu!- of principled socialist light by Rob the charge ance driver) who meetine Soelt •U1 anavsis. Speakers stressed the diver- to get their backing working-to- strike emergency sionary rule, selective actions and tepid Ne put our point to the CHC COveT •orcanise• oy.moeoenacnl by strike committees as alTo

VOIC

tne only protest gestures majority favour of policy capable of winning the Contributions from the floor keeping the hospital open.

discussion full claim. broadened Since then l've been going to the bureaucracy's The all-out •emane TO1 indefinite strike action the attempts to sabotage 8verv coint stewards ane umul Tine wades meeting I could, tell them key demand which the WSL has ste Ces inand the rusof NUPE, „TO what happening St. and the NUT. was Taken no me doour movement both before and after the token volumba. E ne has

CUSO

ocel of Action on January 22. involved in the centrally fight ve nave Tinally managea to Day touch with the

NUPE

and Pett time oficial, Mr Eastwood, the cuts Socialist Press has detalied in recent issues the massive victory speakers linkea with the wages question. ot trying, ano ne. 1s Camden, where gained• in coming down to a meeting on and Healey Callaghan were mem ser JORn Monday to announce the occu- steward for Camden dustmen) Heart Tor moe alcas a principled fight for the to cut to inflict the cost of their led What has the support been like so far? Solid, right from the Nursing Urticer ine porters domestics doctors have Also the twc expressed and local GPs have written to the AHA saying how disgusted they are wira tae decision. Our local Tory and have supported sick joke written to Margaret Thatcher to see if shell support us, because we get a lot of patients from her consttuenCy has been left to St. Columba's, which should by now have been Dear Comrade, Your columnist Press last week (Socialist Press Gang The o cave an accuraud ana uso ful account of the treatment of royalty in the capitalist media Poisoned •var to recont bortod The enormous amounts Well lavished Elizabeth on reactionary and vicious rulers on enough of earth of the rea loyaltie institution of monarchy lay.

Sultan Qabus of Oman duly expressed his thanks to her fo murderous war againsi The Dhofari liberation movement for well over ten years. Charles 200 Windsor, ludicrously vague but interpreted being some manacement. were of Elizabeth Windsor some importance also. document adopted for submis- Thay indicatad monarchy. complain about once again wealth and so forth, would be Xith World the Congress. Price 10р monarchy is used by the ruling p&p from WSL. 31, Dartmouth class, kept in a cloal Long ago Trotsky pointed reserve out that "Royalty as Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

is weak to its most devious sivo designs. long as the bourgeois parliamen To simply ridicule the is the instrument of bourgeois Caring for patients during Hounslow Hospital work-in deteat on rhase 4 on all sections of workers and the public sector in particular biggest applause of the The reserved afternoon Brother Dyke, NUPE steward in St. Columba's Termina hospital, who reported that the the taken cecision to occuov ne nosola against impending closure this webk Socialist Press urges all its readers give full practical to tive St. Columba's support (contact ocupalior ovke The nosoita Tne North West Health District Joint Shop Stewards Commit- tee. A mass lobby of the

AHA

atready been called Wednesday March 12 bisnop s briage Paddington (near Paddington Station). Rally encer wiin unanimous vote for the follow- the basis for resolution Letter and as no noed the rute bour- nead geoisie BALd parlamentary methods. But the bourgeoisie can if necessary use royalty as a focus of all extra- real forces •antammentan 1.8 directed against working class". (Writings on Britain, pp.

40-41). A ruling class which has been torrified by the strength of the the drivers hospital workers and other groups. action, with Parliament and its :to inflict a institutions too weal deteat on the working trade union traitors. Evan able to may take on the working class any more than Heath could of Charles with is 'populist' tone was thus i no way acidental, but reflecte

TRA

OTI

bourgeoisio and an insurance policy for what they may nead to do in tne next period.

Yours fraternally J.D London

SUCIALISI PRESS,

Stalinists in NATFHE sent reeling The sacking of John Regan, militant NATFHE lecturer from of West :Ham College has Further Education, been unanimously con- appeals firmed by the committee, subcom- mittee of Newham edu- and cation committee of consisting solely Labour councillors. Since the Principal who originally suspended him is no less than NATFHE Exec- Eric Williams, utive member secretary of Council, feelings Regional the last ran high at London meeting, the AGM. This meeting was movement coming The "This Rally on tow pay ir public sector declares the support for all continuing action by pudlic sector worker. • TO WIl the full claim, and will take thi following into the policies abour movement. Full support threatened occupying тасить а ана Courd 2) All-out strike action with arranged by the only •pay way of winning and eu orei esteliption. independent strike committees Joint shop stewards' committaes and of action co ordinate and extend the fight Cana leader ship of the trade unions who refusa to take up a real fight on wages or on the cuts. 4) The removal of the and Callaghan/Healey cabinet of a • T socialist leadership in the labour movement." weanesday : March, 191) a number of full time officers including Tom Jones, Assistant Secre tary, and in fact union chief since the recent death of Stan Broadbridge. Throughout the past year the Stalinist leadership together with the right wing held the narrowly majority in Outer London.

meeting At this how- resolutions deploring the action of the Principal suspending Regan with- and out written warning without due cause and on Newham Educa- calling tion Committee to reverse the decision were passed by 3-1. Motion Inst of •A further vote no confidence in Eric Williams was only lost by one vote of Clearly number while prepared to delegates, attack Eric Williams for his manager behaviour find the same tolerable in a union leader!

Following the vote of no Eric Williams confidence stated that he had no inten- tion of resigning. to his According

OWI

the ballol counting he had just been papers reelected by a majority of 11 votes over his rival candi- Wakeman, date

…JOS

41. IMG member. Brushed aside Arguments that the elec tions should be held again so that members could vote benefit of know- with, the ledge of Williams' recent actions were brushed aside.

All this took four hours and the main business of the

AGM,

resolú- prontising tions to conference had not begun. Stalinist The incoming that the insisted Executive can be given the choose the resol- power to utions and refused to take a procedural motion to adjourn the meeting. In fact the meetin . It is harc ended in uproar. that the leader-. to : believe ship will ride out the year.

Horse (right) with Princess Anne

Stop Tory policies now. Recall the Labour Party conference! Their contempt for the old, of workers in defence of their Amid the indications the young and the sick has been stanoaros- •Ul Nave that Callaghan hopes above launched a virtual cabinet cam- Trel •enoctale all to cling on to office until against trade unionism savage cutbacks in the health autumn of this year, the social services, ITSeT. servict need for an emergency Lab- Callaghan, Ennals, estication ano nurser Tablllles.

and others one Their contempt the Rees Party conference our unemployed is clearly revealed after another leapt onto public the of decide question platforms to declare the correct- bv their policies of "rationalisa- leadership and programme is ness of crossing picket lines, and tion" of industry, factory and yard closures, and all out speed- Secretary urgent. hee: ПОТЕ time and again gangs The months since last year's to protect scabs and further discarded workers • ang been annual conference record-long dole youth allack viekols a brazen retusal of marked by cueues the Callaghan caniner to nepo Contempt This leadershio has nothing the Labou Party andote Tuc. adopted the offer the working class, to and regards Their utter contempt for the Decisivev Party

NOT

LaDouT the issue ot prase sot wat and supporters that Callaghan and Healey control, has neen cemonstrate ov mel anemoers pressed refusal to implement the Labour put them only in ortice, but to tne capitalist class whom they Conference policy of ensuring a regardiess -using every possibie "manage" the weapon to block the struggles £60 minimum wage. Reselection killed until 1981 to give Last year's manoeuvre by a - chance President Scanlon's sabotage. designed to impede the 'danger'

AUEW

Hugh of a rapid movement of trade Right wingers stuck to the Scanlon ane Dour rarly conference has effectively post- "3.vear rule" which bars redis- unionists into Labour Parties to poned any change in the reselec- cussion of such policy decisions call local MPs to order or drive them out. tion of MPs until at least 190l.

vor tude yedts. Scanlon pathetically claimed This latest setback to the InIS mistake" in further blow against democracy fight the reselection confirms Party, Labour failing need for the struagle to be taken favour of reselection issue itself is by no up at once within the Labour racommendation means a panacea to resolve the and trade movement for minority union Callaghan/ mandated crisis of leadership within the of the Whica was LItE support. Party. Heasev jeacersnio at a recalled emergency Labour Party autority report woule Restrictions submitted all

MPS

have conference. procedure, Taculal Indeed defeated even the and thus taken a cartain step forward in making tna Parlia- NEC minority proposais were

TROTSKYISM

TODAY

INSIDE:

Mandel's dance with Stalinism The significance of the Transitional .SWP 40 years on. Programme • The U.S. Frank Allaun mentary Labour rarty able to the movement that puts them in office. manoeuvre ensured 394,000 votes, instead of being the

NEC

olace majority recommendation carried, which is a half-hearted nesture offering no real change in the existing system wheres MPs linger candidates unless forcibly removed. last week's National Execu.

meeting Trotskyism Today No. 4 now available, price 45p plus 20p p&p by Party Chairman Frank Allam from WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

1979 Party conference, in order economy It an election is tougnt witn Callaghan in the leadership government's standing on the the resultal inevitably pose major problems for the working class. hand a Tory tne one victory brought about by the wholesale demoralisation would Labour voltis massive walt anti-union Thatcher-style and further legislation of the social services and nationalised industries On the other hand a Labour basis would on such taken by Callagnar mandate press ruthlessly with his full programme ahead pro-capitalist policies attempting to brush aside or to crush any opposition within the Labour Party. Attack pickets TÚC-Labour Already the "concordat" holds out threat of permanent, rigid wag conto designed Testi tions cripple picketting and •further levels of between , Class Labour leaders CBf this is to be avoided it is assential that a recali Party conference be called offer the chance to remove the Galachar ¡eadersni• ara doodl manifesta for the 1979 etilis.

socialist internationalist Without such a conference dragged out vote-catching

PRESS

GANG

The leaders of the Royal of Nursing College are 'conscious force for dividing nurses from the majority of hospital workers. But sense ditavult at tho feel awe strategy for "action" put for- ward the RCN leaders by to revent mer memoersho ura- ing towards the trade unions.

When the membership voted taking industrial heavily against Daily Telegraph action. searching for the highest compli- pay, compared ment it could anem apparently being offered 18% pay rise). the RCN is an organisation which has away. ruled strike action, and out since nurses who do not accept this rorence ontineale approach already belong the 2,639 nurses trade unions, who voted in favour of taking action must have disconcerted ‚the RCN leadership, 130,000 the membership but they. made 8,500 who 30% those attended the special meeting a which the vote was taken.

RCN

The leaders began special AGITATInO

TOI

oTe from the government to prove that they could get a pay rise The deal was that nurses

CABOUR

PARTY

GMWU

Mass movement against low pay-blocked by Callaghan cannon fodder canvassing for a nanifesto diametrically opposed LITe last Party conference. Every Party ward and GMC, and every now be called upon to take up the fight for a recall conference, submitting resolutions should get the money and the should Governmeni return an examole to nod uo to the working class of the success ot no action sinos cont work like inal capitalism. The nurses under is similar strike pledge to no Ene deal untor nosolta coctor.

are trying to negotiate. guarantee Terms or. ether or •ota ot mnes: sections, there would be other leaderships the public sector making a bia to de included The Government cannot afford to maintain the wages of any section acainst inTatior without meeting similar. wide demands from such strata or workers; toar it coulo not meet the claims without throwing away, not only its 5% •oe out aso as cerence o capitalist profitability Weapon The press does not have to take such considerations into account. the they have found the perfect weapon acainst ene sector workers Prefering to forget about the Inousanos ot nurses who nave joined

NUPE

and aiready COHSE, Fleet Street wheels out cliches about neroines and angels = was at this point that the RCN leadership unfolded C GM W U say "Left" MPs who attemot to cling on to a socialist reputation by claiming , oppose Callaahan ' policie!

MUSI

called upon to lead a national fight campaign them ••ractce-ol stane pompous windbags incapable of offering any challenge to the right wing. They their secret weapon would hit back with .. a 10 strong petition. , and a 'vigil of reproach'. The Express was estatic. o its front page preserved simply Shamed and bilow said main headline wurses shent volt. Screaming? About a third of the front over to a dist Wacl with the tace or smiling nurse lor is she screaming?) which Express readers are asked to cut out and stick on their car win dows. reads More Pay for Nurses! n smaler emers. won't hurt too much Jim' and 'Daily smaller letters again: express, ine raper that cares • The text started: 'Nursos pledged never strike silent vigil Carament shame the Government into a . No banners, decent pay deal .. constant silent reproach to MPs and Ministers." said that paper also I ne senior nurses were to go on a 'strike in reverse' - 'Giving up four hours each week helpin patients in wards'. Quite what pressure these

TOUI

extra nou. exert. Ent the paper with heart-not brains.

CEYLON BETRAYAL 196

OF THE METHOD OF SO

Page 6 favourite argument- used by the International Group justify Marxist to their opportunist Socialist Unity campaign for fusion with centrist groups is that any political group that has "crossed class lines' not must be regarded as revol- utionary' regardiess of inadequate its how pro- gramme or method of work.

Anyone who rejects this basis for minimal 'unity" and seeks through a deepen- ed discussion to establish a serious political assessment of the group concerned and a real basis for agreement is branded as a sectarian But the complete inab- bility of the IMG's approach to provide a basis for a prin- cipled Trotskyist internat- ional is clearly revealed by an examinațion of the bitter lessons of the betrayal carried out by the USFI's Sri Lanka section in 1964.

The events. membership confer- Lanka ot the Sama ente Samaja Party, the Sri Lanka section 'Unitedi une Secretariat of the Fourth International was held on 7 June, 1964. conference At that of the majority members voted in favour of forming a coalition government with the bourgeois Sri Lanka "Freedom Party, led by Mrs.

Bandaranaike. This decision is correctly seen as one of the greatest betrayals in the history of the Trotskyist movement. Despite its modest numbers-at the time LSSP had less than 1,000 members-the party not opportunist lurch by only had MPs in the Parlia- leadership? ment. but tradition of No, there had on number of occasions been standing as the only workers party with mass support. It clear pointers to the direc- considerably tion that leadership had was stronger than the Stalinist headed and the party. been in, Mrs. Bandaranaike's development in bringing the over the preceding ten years

JULIES

"Trotskyist'

LSSP

into had helped lay the basis for the betrayal of 1964. government were clear In the split in the Fourth enough. International

LOOK

place in 1953, the LSSP had Close to collapse supported some of

AT TITST

"The positions of the Inter- government was the close to collapse in the face national Committee. The formed after determined I was wave strikes and moves to unify the split on the basis of a political lead from the US Laur

UNON

Socialist behind '21 Workers Party, movement of the points' programme-a opposing opportunist line on Stalinism argued by accomplished 1n

DICU

September 1963. Michel Pablo, Ernest Mandel with • all "Popular and the forces that of rule, supported them. forms the Hront' Unity at all costs porate opportunist sections of the working class leader- The LSSP however saw ship into their government the issue not primary only desperate last clamtication of the bolitical resort. differences that had arisen And Mrs. Bandaranaike's Fourth gamble paid off. The effect keeping the International together at all of the coalition was to give STi the leeway They proposed post- capitalism at the La kan ponement of the scheduled expense of the working class World Congress, Fourth

LSSP.

-thanks to the requested by the Inter- The background. national Committee; but How did the this was retused the "Trotskyist" LSSP wind up

LSSP

remained with Pablo's. position? Was Secretariat International simply unpredictable and participated the The Bandaranaike 1964 coalition government. LSSP leader N.M. Perera is stood next to Mrs. Bandaranaike Fourth Congress in 1954 "tail endism". Each time In explaining the LSSP's the workers went into 1964. action, the LSSP leadership capituatiol Mandel argued that the first took a new turn towards the left" _ opportunism indication of World Fourth So already in Trotskyist 1956 the at the was Congress, where' the

LSSP

supposed leadership" of the Ceylon amendment the document The Rise and: masses could be seen to be reluctantly Fall of Stalinism' dragging along the behind spontaneous Changed line? of the working Crass. Their amendment sought Yet instead of battling to change a call for freedom out the lessons of this clear for all working class parties of the advanced warning to a call for freedom for all Pablo betrayal, and 4404 the parties after socialist Mandel consoled themselves revolution with the "positive" side of It would be interesting in the LSSP's opportunism. current position view of the In other words the the

USFI

to know material of the impact Mandel still LSSP's false positions was in believes such a hine to de way understood by the no opportunist-and not, Pabloites: they saw the why not. question of programme and But 1954 was compared only perspective as simply a ques.

mistake tion of right or wrong ideas.

the opportunist elec- WIll China policy adopted by the Ton

LSSP

1956. The party LSSP's adopted the position The ideas "responsive cooperation" certainly were wrong, as was with the Bandaranaike shown graphically in 1957.

the invitation ot Chou cover uncal Even Mandel admits this En Lai an LSSP delegation showed "signs of wavering" visited China. The

LSSP

abandoned Although the LSSP was affiliated this stance only after race the Inter- riots had erupted as a result national Secretariat, leading of Bandaranaike's policies.

IC member Peng She-tse wrote to them asking them Matte retrosoed of the this argues hasty issue change by the LSSP was: Chinese nineters "the positive side of its Trotskyists imprisoned by SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday By Tony Richardson Mao's Stalinist regime Not did the

LSSP

only fail to raise the Issue, out fulsome praise they issued Stalinist to their hosts "the proclaiming China stronghold of Asia" But there By 1960 the

LSSP

come. was voting for the Throne Speech and for the Budget of the newly Bandaranaike government. Coalition plan LSSP leader N.M. Perera went further and put for- ward a proposal that they enter coalition govern- ment-which rejected by only a narrow majority. Mandel's retrospective apology again minimises the importance of this develop- ment, which took place four to the actual years prior betrayal: "A big step had been taken from wavering [sic!] towards betrayal. However again the Ceylonese working class saved the LSSP leadership temporarily Yet again the supposed "Marxist" party was baled out by its oppor- tunist adaptation to a new wave of workers' struggles And yet again the Pabloites draw the lessons Haled from the preceding betrayal of principle. But worse still Mandel's y 7 March, 1979 approach suggests that the major question involved ir 1964 Line events "ignominy" suffered by the

LSSP,

rather than set L'SSP's treachery back the inflicted the Sr upon Lankan working class. There were other tell tale signs of impending prior to 1964. betrayal 1963 in particular th

LSSP

"Unite ormed Left Front" with the Com munist Party and the MEP In a particularly squalid compromise

LSSF

the argue for the Te setto of inclusion the union representing Tamil workers because this would hav antagonised the nationalist racialist leadership the MEP Still no attempt was made by the Pabloites- now politically "reunified" with the US Socialist Workers Party-to force the

LSSP

, towards the path of Trotskyist principle The "International" reaction to 1964. The LSSP's betrayal in the coalition was entering Immealately seizea upon D leading IC Gerry . member Healy as evidence of the opportunist politics which "United" the Secretariat had been formed in 1963. defending themselves Healy's against criticisms

1: THE BITTER FRUITS

CIALIST UNITY'E

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979 the USFI obliged Ieel attribute to him charge that he did not make-in order to disprove it. Thus Mandel wrongly Healy Calms accuses the

USFI

and IS leader- ship or not naving callicised the LSSP leadership. Mandel goes to list

LICI

did where they mustances make criticisms. Formal points question is not But the whether a few formal points crucism are maae-Dul whether issues of principle are baltea our to a con- clusion within the ment. The USFI of course to talk of "socialist unity" this defend their the position that a dividing line only after a can De betrayal has taken place. But case of the in ine

LSSP

the betrayal was present factor in party tor years

••ITICS

before the event: Ior Perera as Chancellor introducing his second, viciously anti-working class, budget in 1971 "right" idea to become a fact it was The conditions for the he feels would be as in 1917 only necessary when Lenin It is therefore no answer United Front social for Mandel to quote public against democrat kerensky made by by criticisms the rising reactionary World Pabloite general Kornilov. sixth (1960) But the reality is that the Congress of the LSSP's support for Bandara- United Front tactic has naike's Throne Speech and by always been seer the Budget. Communist movement as a front between workers' Because that formal parties against a common criticism was not part oi a capitalist enemy, aimed at life and death battle within the mass the IS and the LSSP itself to over support of such parties to reverse its opportunist and revolution. treacherous positions. The deal with Bandara- Healy tact quotes naike could only have been 1960 IS document which an allance with a capitals virtually echoes the LSSP's against the party declaring that WOrKIng position, was possible: Cass "to permit practical no- Stalinists clash agreements witn [bourgeois] Sri Lanka Free- dom Party" The USFI's confusion on Mandel United shows signs of the tactic of the similar confusion when Front also emerges in their 1964 approach the LSSP's argues artIcle "United Left Front" that the conditions offer the Stalinists. would This "Front" is seen not Bandaranaike's party "United Front" of breaking workers from the Stalinists but as "establishing its own political power on a genuine socialist basis"-creating the Stalinists illusion that would go along with genuine revolutionary policies The USFI's willingness to blind the turn LSSP's capitulation to the racialism of the MEP is also clear. Nationalist Even when the

LSSP

changed its policy from one of defending the Tamil • workers line of that their arguing citizenship was a matter for .. "negotiation" with the Indian the government, USFI found an excuse for it, stating: "We recognise that there is nothing wrong in the principle of negotiations between India Ceylon on the subject." made, therefore, soft were to the point of being little more than gestures. little for Drover Mandel to ask where Healy raised criticisms of the LSSP prior to 1964. Healy was a leader of the IC-the LSSP was of Mandel's part International Secretariat. And Mandel knew what was going on For instance in 1960 resolution written by LSSP leader Perera arrived at the IS centre in Paris, declaring: "Steps must be taken to bring about a programmatic the SLFP agreement with with a view to forming a joint govenment." lemph. added]. Reformist view Mandel also knows full well that the

LSSP

had a completely reformist view capitalist of the state, and argued that Sri • Lanka was "exceptional" case which a parliamentary road was possible. This argued in an .1960

LSSP

astounding resolution: "And parliamentary struggle is also a struggle for Universal franchise power. does boost the prismen struggle. LarY accident of history that in franchise obtains has there been a revolutionary over- throw of the capitalist class.

"Though mass struggles leading to the overthrow of capitalism are conceivable, in point of fact such situa tions have never yet arisen, the franchise because placed in the hands of the workers vehicle for achieving power." Yet Mandel that argues the LSSP had correct basic positions! And then accuses Healy of "lies"! No discussion. The the weaknesses of

LSSP

were well-known but played down by Mandel and Pablo 1953 between 1964 for factional reasons.

They wished to present themselves as the continuity Trotskyism-and of the LSSP was their biggest and strongest section. They could afford a fight. the 1963 "re- And after unification" the pressure to Page 7 Sri International and the events in stronger than

LSSP,

melang up a discus- open wing, which has absolutely sion deters process no interest to put in ques would tion the unity of the part!

all the unresolved through the of differences between the US undue internal friction an‹ SWP and the International tension from any source."

Of Secretariat forces

OUTCOME

This is not of this policy of "leave well speculation alone" was that in a matter part: it is clearly on documented. Early in 1964 of the "dispute" months the Secretariat of the USFI had reached the public letter and the name of wrote to a request for a discussion Trotskyism had been tainted by the treachery of _Ceylon-a few months before the betrayal the LSSP. Having described the There is of course no that the Secre- guarantee even reunification. the correct policy frøm tariat went on

LSSP

could have required a certain avoided organisational relaxation for the blows inflicted by Bandaranaike after 1964 let a period and a serious effort ameliorate internal alone led a successful revol disputes the ution at that point. the But by failing to fore. sections and in united warn the working class of components of the movement-especially the dangers posed by disputes inherited from the Bandaranaike and by lend.

past |!|-in order to help ing credibility to her rule by area in the common joining a miserable Popular every problem of making a fresh Front coalition the

LSSP

carried through a crucial

SLATE

"All this was explained betrayal and agreed upon The Sri Lankan working delegates imously by the class had effectively been who participated in the Re- sacrificed the altar of unification Congress "reunification" of the The June 1964 Conference towards United Secretariat fatal LSSP When the the situation in Ceylon as Conference took place • the elsewhere in the movement 507 received has been governed by these for their coalition considerations laid votes were . two down by the Reunification policy. There opposing positions. Congress 'The United Secretariat The minority which

LSSP(R)

formed the Comrade 'in as essence' received 159 and Anderson puts it, votes, modified in the least the walked out conference criticisms of the LSSP made But the "centre" group- Seventh World by the ing which received 75 votes Congress. What it has done was not against a coalition is to place confidence in the with Bandaranaike-they capacity of the leadership of the LSSP to prove respon- favoured the coalition sive to these criticisms.

including not merely the "The letter addressed to

LSSP

the but whole "United Left Front" the LSSP was not intended public The

USFI

leadership some pillorying or as a challenge expelled the three members to pitch into a factional who took jobs as ministers brawl, Comrade Bandaranaike's 1n and suspended the Anderson appears ment. 584 believe. majority "The criticisms which it But did supporters contained were made with nothing who "centre's" supported the complete good wil by the assembled representatives of coalition policy. •the world rotskvist move.

ment and in full confidence Conclusion. would The 1964 betrayal is an they given thoughtful consideration by unmistakeable indictment of the USFI's line of avoid- the LSSP. "The United Secretariat ing a sharp clash on pro- has sought to maintain this gramme with the LSSP. It shows the dangers of and loyal comradely the any attempt to unite simply attitude towards Ceylonese section, while those forces that "have not crossed class lines" without frankly acknowledging that its members tend to sympa clarify the any attempt to thise politically with the left programmatic and wing of the LSSP each method on which United "However the section operates. it Secretariat feels that And it raises the question would be wrong for it as a of how Sri more Lankans developing bodv representing the move as a whole to brush within the

USFI

today- aside the declarations of the especially when the lessons majority of the LSSP leader- of 1964 betrayal, like the of ship and refuse grant those of tre historical needed them the time to problem the post war prove in action the sincerity Fourth International of their stand in relation to virtually a proscribed topic the United Left Front and of discussion study the

: USFI,

the good faith of their within brushed assurances. aside glib phrase or _ by a "It would mean first of wave of the hand. In raising the issue today all to deliberately heat the atmosphere in the LSSP our political objective is to sharpest stress necessity the ingecung kind factionalism; discuss the history of the Trotskyist. movement matters still to. and exacerone further the programme and political matters by transferring the dispute to method sections that OT have "crossed class the public arena. not yet lines" "A divisive policy of this kind would put in jeopardy Only in this way car the fraternal method of not destroy, principles relations between the Trotskyist Transitional Ine United Secretariat and the Programme be reaffirmed in leadership of the LSSP. The theory and in practice as the end result could be highly Fourth International. injurious the Fourth

When the chips are down jobs are on the line Somewhat belatedly it has been recognised in this that the country major developments in technology ' the UVeI decades will next involve the application of silicon chips. Furthermore, it has been claimed that these develop- ments are the guarantee of the future of capitalism, and that any major capitalist nation that falls behind is lost, while those in the fore- front have a safe future.

But silicon chip technol- ogy is simply a further stage in the development of auto- mation, and its impact gauged outside cannot be the context of the general crisis of capital. A silicon chip is a com- Dule l Is are me coe. opment of the electronic computer-an innovation of the post-war capitalist boom. Switches A computer is essentially a network of switches which structured in any way. Because of this plastic qualty the same computer can programmed to do more than one thing. A programme is a partic. ular setting of switches to pattern which Create responds in determined way. remarkable So particular input prouuces a atlmite output.

The samé computer can do any number or lobs-a: many there another. programmes written for it.

Early computers between Wals constructed assembled taster ana with electronic valves, more transistors, the computer will be. switch element. The drive In general computer •size lead only does one thing at photographic time-that is, only changes reproduction one switch setting at a time.

assembly from already exist- The power of a computer ing parts. derives from the speed with The pattern one switch setting follows another and that graphically speed is granted by the fact silicon which are then sand- that the switching elec- wiched tronic. graphic microscupic size Powerful cheapness. The development of the chips are failures computers the result of the chip was can pursuit of powerful compu- pounds today ters, not the desire for small have cost ones: pounds a decade ago. For the limiting factor in Commercial the power of a computer is being the time it takes electricity carry out millions of switch to travel the distance settings a second. between switch and Times Newspapers printers march to defend jobs against computerisatior ...and so in conclusion, I will demonstrate the speed of the silicon chip in its immediate processing of our latest project...

your redundancy payments settings one The smaller the distance add two numbers togetner, the use The first revolution human 'revolu- man- complete However, Even if nine out of ten Productivity be produced for a few that In the thousands of post-war boom meant employ- investment computers ment. The increased produc- installed tivity of new techniques is so great that much more can produced many So even if it takes several fewer.

HE RE

INA

SARE

The capitalists and their automation Marx See creating a leisure problem'.

In capitalist reality the be derived leisure problem presents tion While itself to the working class as unemployment. If the working class is to to make a prolit defend its living standards then the creation of unem- ployment on the pretext of SOUrCE chip technology must not be allowed capital's Is in interest that unemployment speed-up and other forms of 'rationalisation' mark the attempts between recovery, become stall ever more obvious that this profit. is not in the interests of the The working class. Potential benefits ence is Chip based technology profit. can have enormous benefits for mankind, and marks a further development of the productive forces at his dis- labour, tne posal. becomes But the capitalists can profit only introduce it along with outlay. enormous waste and misery.

Only with the allocation of resources under socialist planning can the new techniques be used crisis. to the benefit of all. And only the sition of class is in the position both benefitting from the turn to production methods introduction of socialist which ultimately planning and being able to position as a capitalist more bring it about untenable. The Luddites tried to check the social the reluctance quences of capital's expan- capital during the sion industrial profits they revolution. present. They see no pros- pect of profits which would the justify the machines new the capital invested. restoration of the of before the new technology automation blamed or can be fully applied. This the capitalist means that large amounts of form of capital in the machinery must be written If • is to be mankind capitalist instrument domination, fighting to preserve their jobs living denies the source any great The effort ment By John Lister The labour needed to programme the chips will be greater than the labour needed to produce them. Investment

GADDAFI

SPEAKS

Secondly the replace- ment of old man-controlled machinery by computer- machinery controlled involves no smaller invest- ment initially. Automatic machinery is no cheaper to make at the present time than the old machine tools, etc.

A WSL

This investment has got pamphlet to come from somewhere and the of present crisis capitalism is precisely one of profitablity Thirdly, the expulsion of manpower from the produc tive process-automation-

NW5 1HR.

itself militates against the restoration of profitability off showed that It also means that further ultimately profits can only amounts of capital be made from available exploita- invest the

CLO

In particular new machinery. capitalist may through some British capital, which did advantage or other contrive not go through the restruc- by trade turing and renewal with other capitalists, if this the destruction World were to be the only general War brought to Japan profits then the and W. Germany, is caught overall profits of all capital- capitalist vice of ists taken together would be more than appears that the only way out is through tech- Source of profit new niques. this requires But the level of profits unattainable exculange the capitalist and under present conditions worker that is the source of The only way forward for capital change capitalist pays the those conditions fundamen- worker less than the value tally. And this can only be of the worker's labour adds done by exploiting labour to the product. The differ- more under present the ditions. capitalist's By unemployment, The more the capitalist inflation, speed-up, the lays out in machinery rather working class must take a than in the employment of cut in its living standards harder The difference effected to make a signifi. by this cut must accrue to on the whole the profit capitalists as This alone will , provide This inexorable tendency the basis for capitalist rejuv.

of the rate of profit to fall enation in Britain, not this was first identified by Mar that technological and it is at the heart of the marvel. Overthrow The capitalist is forced by the competitive forces But it essential in unleashed by this crisis to fighting these struggles through that there make his political development which sees tne overturow or capll- alism itself sole as This fact is reflected in protection of the working British class re-invest those It is for this development make at Trotsky that the Transitional Programme on which the WSL fights for • amounts of leadership in all struggles of the working class. What is required is the *No job-cutting produc- profitability ivity deals *Work-sharing on ful pay For a sliding scale of form of old wages! WRP leaders junk the old Trotskyism The only serious examination yet produced of the opportunist political line of Gerry Healy's Workers Revolutionary Party in relation to the patty bourgeois nationalist regimes of the Middle 45p plus 15p p&p from: WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London

POLITICIANS WRITHE

IN FACE OF IRISH STRUGGLE

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979 By John Lister The obvious contains an undisguised attack of the republican struggle, des growing resistance to cribed as British military rule in the.

sectarian six-county statelet discredited handful of men".

in the North of Ireland, But unfortunately tor • all. 01 coupled with continuing the continued violence that has militancy of the working been hitting the news recently class in the South, is causing WeN: TOOT oUT havoc among bourgeois pol- defenders British rule- bestial they iticians of every stripe.

rotestant mureer

JOCK

Butchers' the 26 county. ot the *tree state' beserk British soldier shot dead also attracted considerable by his colleagues after pointing the last election by support in Lalnotic •osire as a supporter or a unce• but army NCO-and Ireland, 'has set out in recent pulling the trigger. weeks to tone down his empty more cautious level. In a speech to his Fianna Fail colleagues chiefly Darty r remarkable for its open hostility 20 cou is working (now in the throes

DOST - OTTIC

pursuit pay claim) Lynch pulled back from attacks on the British govern- ment. Lame Instead he lamely called for new British initiatives in tne six counties. Clearly the prospect that any even vaguely speech this juncture could fuel an already struggle Scargill imperialism in the North has daunted Lynch. psychiatrist has now his servile KnOWS DOInteC ошт 10&1 Ine oressures capitalist regime clings. that led Trooper Maggs' in part through the frenzy are far from unique. power role of the continued repressive And he quoted the case of Jeffrey Dack anotner then truggle for natin arkers- Rich hopes. who tion Irish with serving in find republic. Corps only Latenine himself assigned Anotner riSO Tank politician who ecognises this division and serving in occupied life is Fine act of Gael: leade ireland under psychiatric care. unveiled a new party policy Of course no effort is being document Ireland-Our Future British imperialism sparco to protect inese heersed toler publicity and murderers from the con- of their actions-and Partition perhaps TnE Genresi Case is that of the two SAS men who have now supposedly Fitzgerald's "new" plan is to continue • partition, with The been CHarted will Int establishment of a new govern of 16-year-old John Boyle last year Belfast function There is no way of knowing forming a confederate set-up, if the assassins themseives were jointly tackling security, foreign in court or have really been all, the charged at since pro- •ane some economic questions. ceedines witnessed me extiaor Alongside its sophisticated dinary sight of seven unidenti- of fied plain clothes fudge the issue men nationa. pertion nich Is entering the dock and standing the imperialist-ruled silent as the charges were read Fitzgerald's plan Courtlies. lack Lynch And ined temper and Tempedly men named nonen were remaneed military custody the whole total emerging as British even "USTICe' Clearly in this case the SAS relying heavily on support

"TON

Torture, Roy Minister TOl Mason. But Mason himself is under a num- increasino oressure on ber of fronts.' the occupied six counties In amber or targe and miltant demonstrations have been successfully mobilised by the InA acainst ine continueo mai- treatment of republican prisoners Block at the ane in suboor ot neir ceman‹ for restoration of political status. Mason's campaign And in Britain Mason has felt obliged to launch his own propaganda campaign defending over regular and above propaganda pumped out by the polls are beginning to register a majority of British favour of withdrawing people in from TrOOOS even leading Part John Pardos and Smith have jumped on Cyril the Troops the hopes attracting some alienated Irish Labour votes.

The Liberals have now gone so то cec are support for the United Troops Out Movement (UTOM) mort important Tron the standpoint of the struggle the Labour movement, Free of Irish

ISSU

Press reports that there moves afoot within the Labour remove marty oureaucracy Mason: "At least Lice las yeaI officials from head Transpor House Leaner for the nan they position Chet this is too had a cin that this is the minimum needed to halt the ero- sion of Labour's support among the Irish community Scargill Yet, oppor- deso te These tunistic manoeuvres, the scanda- Confrontation as RUC men block Sinn Fein demonstration to remove Mason is being wager openly by . secton or te Labour Party or trade union bureaucracy. Yorks

NUM

Prescent Annur ocaroll. whost headquarters are in Mason's con.

Barnsley, and stituency union whose sponsors him as ar has nad tne Two-Tacer youth Youth Socialist The League, which supports the programme and perspective Workers Socialist of the League, took a big step forward 24 February on when 100 youth attended Youth the Red Rally in London. The Rally was the first nationa event orcanisco ov un

SYL

since formation last Its May and attracted youth from Oxfordshire, Lonoon, Luit and vial anas, yorksaire Scotland. The first speaker, Ann Evans, a student SYL membe from Oxford outlined the role of revolutionary youth in Iran In Le downfall of the Shah's dictator- ship She went on to explain that solve any problems confronting iranian masses Party needed What was needed. she said was a revolutionary party that give leadership contine workers committees into the basis ot workers' fraGraham Russel described the role of British imperialism Northern Ireland and explained the need to support the Page 9

UTOM

cheek sign to the tory election Christmas card to Long Kesh Fighting for Mason's removal kicking out of the pro- not lifting and the while •risoners finger to remove Mason. Callachan /Healer leadership must be coupled with Now is the time to take up a the demand for the immediate Tant on This question in ever British body of the labour movement I roop: that the issue British -SO Trom re ane to make wa) self-determination of the I erase rebressron in irelaa Irish people. forefront of the figures at political discussion in the run up Step forward for movement to kick the labour By Socialist Press and the rest 01 out rov vasol the right wing Callaghan-Healey cabinet Reporter Matthew Jones. school Glasgow outlined STudenT TO the treacherous record or In Callaghan-Healey government in standards living and democratic nots working class and the socialist policies that would be needed to defend workine cass

VOUL

from these attacks Other speakers outlined the sus recoro ano bolicies i Int ind the struggle one n struggle to build School Unior Nationa Students in opposition • bankrupt YCLidominated eatersnis Red Youth Red Youth notes MacDonald told the rally that the SYL had a paper they could •rove or wake orner se Andrew MacDonald called revolutionary youth : of the irish Catholic struggles working class for self-determina- consciousnes. coming into tion, struggle Red Youth was not While defending the right of the IRA to engage in struggle afraid of politics The threat posed by the acainst antist inperialisit ano policies of to government supporting them insofar as they engage in that struggle, Comrade the staticares that their working cas. husse OUl campaigns Dom Ding develop only paper not win that struggle build a revolu 'We need when could over vout oorcer with which to tight back Honey born reare at wri National Secretary Phil uhite the Protestants and Moore closed the rally with an Catholics around a programme demands, not members of the SYL to join said. and help build a revolutionary He ended by calling for the eace sno amonest. vourn Toning of was told be withdrawal of British troops, for film "State the granting of political status showing of Seige and a disco in the re•volcar ane prisoners and for a campaign in evening.

Page 10

INDUSTRIAL

ICL workers stake in Britain's biggest So, whether firm, computer Inter- political.' national Computers Shop Limited, will be an Jimmy O'Mara said: "IČL have extra hurdle to cross if striking ICL workers are determined to win their demand for 15% demand a 15% increase on their need 15% basic rates of pay. rotting our wage levels. With To fight to defeat not only the government's 5% week pay limit but also the eager- members for speed-up hess among trade union officials and the employers' desperate bid for Stevenage, profits will require a level of Midlands North political Winsford, which trade unionists at the Winsford plant are now Chapel. beginning to grasp.

BETPU

shop steward Rejected told Richard Dunleavy Socialist Press: "We are very aware that management are hiding workers adopted behind the of one day strikes. wages policy. That means this so-called Labour all-out government are acting solely management "volunteer" big interests

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strike for 15% like you this fight national strike 1 n1s time when an •at a floor NED working party report worker the computer industry never had a reveals a sharp deterioration strike like this before. We're the balance of trade for to win. We the UK's computer because products. Inflation Deficit the-unofficial - It says that the adverse strike now entering its third balance of trade for the of the industry in 1977 was £152 EETPU, AUEW and TGWU million-an increase of 37% are out at the London-based compared with the previous factories of Letchworth and year's figure. well the It now says the target of at group achieving favourable Duckenfield, balance of £200 million by Bradwell Wood and Holmes 1980 will have to be aban- doned Although there has been a steady turn over of com- Initially, having rejected products puter recent the company's 5% pay offer years shown the tactic t/05 million; an increase of 12% on 1976), employment This rapidly escalated to fallen has from 53,000 stoppage when 43,000 in 1977. began The introduction of new using scab labour micro-electronic technolo- gles, in particular the silicon chip will process, add immeasurably the problem employment of computer workers. At the Winsford factory 900

EETPU

and

AUEW

members are picketing. 24 a hours day, and their morale is extremely high

CAPTAL

When Socialist Press asked what they thought of Frank Chapple's recent 'pickets are terrorists' state- ment, their replies indicated that if they have their way this particular right wing traitor's days are numbered.

Smith lines up For a clear TGWU officials last week lead in the achieved a significant step forward in their plans to . abotage the pay struggle by 150,000 bus drivers, ticket collectors and depot workers. They successfully through a delegate conference a call for a possible national one followed by "Further industrial strike. action". Inquiry But they, made clear that this action pursuit of is not in wage claim

•TON

workers-whose current basic rate is below £40 national press Smith's ludicrous officer demand 'independent insulte com dane rares of pay. Smith has already declared himself willing pathetic offer, if only it were linked to such an inquiry.

WHARPLE

WATCHING

WA

HIN/

PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report 'Electricians protesting at role of EETPU leader Chapple in 1977 The fact that local full time officials have not yet forward with the Curit obligatory "Get back cry is an indication work" of the tenacity and deter- mination of these strikers.

But in struggles come much more than milit- ancy and determination are needed. leadership has to be which will Consultel defend the jobs and living standaras or let workers This means spelling out the need to win not simply the present claim, but fight for wage agreements to a cost-of-living incorporate clause regular provide increases to keep pace with inflation measured by elected trade union com- mittees. Open the books challenging moves towards speed-up or through new rectacles technology by demanding the opening of ICL's books to an elected committee of trade unionists, to reveal the partly government-owned firm integrally linked to privately owned, highly profitable by its Islamic electronics monopolies and to the banks-and show the necessity for the whole set- up be nationalised, And the without under workers' management as part of a banned socialist Transitional Programme economy, Only in this way can the benefits rather than the We possible miseries of new technology be enjoyed by the working class. and in theory starting trom bus pay sell-out socialist revolution struggles in movement. Yet bus crews have only just

TGWU

seen lorry drivers take determined acon and win a 22% pay rise, taking their basic rate £64. There

WSL

stresses Is nC the irish chance or any Inquiry producing a similar settlement. reconstruction Strike The demand to be taken up is not protest strike acton "inquiry" torce talk-shop which will sell short demands of bus workers, but all- out strike action tor party with the haulage drivers. The only inquiry that should be conducted is • trade unior inflation on the pay packets of bus workers This would establish bevonc doubt the necessity for wage be agreements protected - Name .. Visite Address. scale wages clause sliding ,committing the employers regular increases through woy «to keep pace with The Send to Workers cost of living. SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979

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SWINDON

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NERS

mole WSL: we offer a lead Whichever way you look at the struggles and prob.

lems now facing the working class throughout the world one thing stands out above all: the necessity for a prin- cipled leadership capable of leading the struggle for state power and the establishment of a socialist society.

The massive revolutionary upheaval that has now toppled the already coming into conflict with the restrictions placed upon it a vivid reminder that socialis serves as capitalist repression and exploitation is to be destroyed once and for all ut such a revolution requires a conscious Market leadership ficht to construct guch a leadershio is inseparable from the fight in the day-to-day struggles of the working class internat- the method and demands of the Tratskyist a principles. to be the oWners entin Britain that font The Workers Socialist League patiently and relentlessly on such a perspective.

alone are the that doe: not shrink from movement even hate bate aditry he disin rigade of the ork inaling whether these "leaders' be open right wingers, Labour course alis poofy no made us a tri friends in the trade this policy has madi , or amongst the opportunists and centrists of the British left.

But it has eant that the WSL has consistently offered the most powerful lead to workers in struggle.

In each struggle wo set out to prove to workers both in the necessity practice a now, revolutionary transitional demands which, and for a programme today's problems and today's consciousness within the working class, lead workers in struggle to grasp the nood for is why the WSL has featured at the foretront of pay British Leyland and the public sector, in the fight redundancies and closuros, in strugglos the cuts, agaens. unionisation fights. and the fight for democracy in the labou This method of approach - : rejecting any descent to simple trade union militancy or concession to the labour bureaucracy - ig of course essential not only in Britain but internationally.

In taking up international issues in the labour movement the not only the obligation of British workers to suppor and revolutionary struggles such as Hooration strug le thon in lin of heroine Four the recent for the Trotskyist organising centre of the world party of socialist ravolution The WSL is not the biggest movement on the left in Britain; but its approach to both theory and practice make it the only really serious revolutionary movement.

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Garners day of action Jobs threatened at CAV SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 7 March, 1979 More than 200 police were called in to defend of the scab copies Nottingham Evening Post last Saturday after 400 workers turned up to picket the building. Ten pickets were arrested Notting- when police from ham and the neighbouring Lincolnshire charged torce as the picket line gathered for a meeting. The picket was called by the NUJ after 28 journalists on the Post were sacked for taking in the recent •part national pay strike. Paper Although members joined the picket from Glas- Ipswich, London, gow, Oxford, Birmingham and a promised other places, mobilisation Num and the Nottinghamshire other local trade unions failed to materialise. The sacked journalists their are spending time professional producing looking paper-the Notting not News-and nam are permanent dantalinis picket on the building. The News is specifically labour not and inaeea only decided to drop pin-up pic- tures from its page 3 after a boll of its readers (which knocks on the head the idea 'demand' for of public sexism) The picket was joined by 'left" Labour MP Dennis Skinner, and Labour MP for West, Michael Nottingham English. Filmed arrested Among those was Ron Knowles, editor of the

NUJ

paper, Journalist. Police lashed out pickets and drove from the street as a closed- circuit TV system filmed a nearby scene from police van. lines of police prevented pickets reaching the scab vans which refused stop for the two or three

NUJ

members inside the police ranks. This week representatives Newspaper Society chapels meet in Birmingham discuss a call from Provincial Journalists Industrial Council for of strikes in day

SUNDOLL

Nottingham. These must be used to build pickets three four times the size last Saturday's to shut down distribution of the paper.

Sturrock. Report

NUJ MUST STRIKE TO

SAVE NOTTS JOBS

called After weeks of delay- seen new violence-with ing tactics the TGWU scab manager at the Hay- Garners branch finally market Region has attacking picket-the declared official backing union leaders continue to for the March 24 Day of method possible use every Action proposed by the themselves of the of this embarrassment 13- Garners Strike Commit- month long strike. tee. But at the time of going No telephones to press the elementary task Despite promises, strikers of preparing adequate do not even have adequate publicity has still not been access to use of a telephone carried out. in the local (Henrietta St) While the past week has For of fuel injection months now ularly equipment. there have been persis- As economic arisis tent rumours of redun- is reflected most sharply in dancies and short-time the the motor industry so the large suppliers also feel the pinch.

working at in West Management have been

CAV

plant their order pointing London. books claiming that trade is As yet the management barely bad and there have not asked for either work to keep the enough short-time plant licking over. but manning are Revers In the light of this worry- already under attack and ing situation jobs are being lost. have reached an agreement whereby any jobs falling Lucas vacant must be filled from CAV is part of the Lucas inside the plant and no-one corporation and is a major is to be recruited from out- supplier of components side. TO This is supposed . to be the motor industry, partic- Lucas workers at mass meeting in Birmingham Police hold back Nottingham pickets TGWU offices. and sabotage Petty increasingly evasion have become the method of the union leaders. Socialist Press appeals to all readers-and particularly, those the

TGWU

answer these manoeuvre possible with the biggest mobilisation for March 24.

"The union leaders would no doubt prefer a failure.

like Instead bureaucrats Todd now Ron scheduled a speaker the Day of Action, must be faced with a resounding call for the immediate imple- mentation of the policies of the strike committee: *For decent strike pay. designed to protect the jobs already of employed by CAV but actually an agreement to de- of site. man parts the The departments with of the highest wastage labour are obviously those where the work is the least therefore desirable practically impossible to get anyone to transfer to them.

Speed-up Even where transfers are effected they , often take months, with the jobs stand- ing empty in the meantime.

sections become under-manned management is aoing is best to enorce speed-up, where necessary, to maintain output. In accepting the manage ment's figures and their arguments about the viabil- the the firm

ILY

convenors and many of the stewards are bound to go along with measures designed to tide the until the boat comes over in. Workers on the site must draw the lessons from the closure of the AEC plant just down the road. Run down The plant was deliberate.

ly run down over a period of years, with the manage- always asking for ment small "temporary" conces- avoid sions order redundancies. Page 11 Unions must back Brighton quotas fight consistent after a - Last najorist, decision, ment's attacks on social 2-1 majority sarvices expenditure students moved into occu- The Broad Left union execu- pation of the main adminis- tive had full knowledge of thes trative building to take attacks since last June fight to initiate the carried out no direct action against implementation of quota Their opposition to indepen restrictions against overseas dent action was clearly shown Stalinists on •students. when the leading The administration had been frenzied outburst announced his carrying incapable resignation, with DES policy. abiding the democratic The quotas are racist a particularly vulner- decision or ine meeting. The Broad Left was able sector of students but have abeant from subse spicuously wider implications alt quent occupaton meatings students in that they arovide a The students' initial demand stepping stone to impose more on the administration-for an effectively the Labour govern.

for a reversal of their prasent policy-was stubbornly refused.

pation approaching importance and NALGO-to win from them *For TGWU mobilisation • commo carry of effecting picketing. •race tor and col opposition the quotas by *For full blacking. withdrawal of labour. *For a TGWU national

NALGO

issued so far delegate conference to map only a verbal condemnation o out a decisive policy for the Senate policy winning of the strike Executive

NUD

forced to take action to • mako this occupation part of a national campaign The issue must also be taken AS WE GO TO PRESS, the students fighting to build by Socialist Press Fund help with the of fines strong contingents for the grant payment day action on s marco and , members or nic too woon for picket the DES in London.

Garners , produced £113.40. We thank Skilled donated so far, those who have out that the fines now total £455 with 3 still any cases pending. Send men furthe Garners rines runa, c/o socials, fress meet A mass meeting of al the skilled workers Plant with Cowley Body the exception of the AUEW In the end the workers members, last wook decided conceded everything- the to send delegates including their jobs! of skilled men's meeting When the management stewards called by the tool- say they are short of money room committee in Birming.

the demand unions must ham for 10 March. that their books are opened When 'one. member This does not just mean attempted to mandate these the few pages of their books delegates to put down a resolu- that they show to the JPCC tion TaVOUS mineolat (Joint Participation Consul- strike action Roy Fraser argued tative Committee) in order them being mandated against what hard times to prove ane se ne solution Wast 1 they are having, but all of clerical Meanwhile the then books incluaing inosc workers in the plant have voted of the parent company, mass meeting TOl Lucas. officials recommendation that In this way the workers corporate a new will be able to see for them- grading structure the long-term This structure will give wage: selves wiltal plans for the site are and on between £3632 and varying that basis work out the best This is about f4 per head way to protect the jobs. extra. But it entails acceptance Acceptance of the bosses' figures and viability of all jobs up to and including arguments not only means level where circumstances own but also job losses toW it." This Tell t the rise in paltry complete mobility of labour and summer as Leyland's work- alongside a number of goes force found recently. omer arcements to doceo roy technology. No redundancies whole exercise itself is related to the achievement the meantime exactv une same cars der person level as the workers manua levels must be manning within Leyland and will only be defended in every paid if this is achieved.

No be lost jobs must through redundancies OI

THE BODY BEING SET UP

If work is short it should to decide whether local govern- among the be shared ment and hospital workers are with no loss of workforce worth more has already got a pay real problem Redundancies will not be .

a anarmar Will 06 on a fought by allowing the plant of £18,000 • Sho this too salary to decide whether but will be down vigorously defending all than six nurses! existing jobs

Major purge hits WRP

PRESS

FIGHT

As we go to press it is hard to assess the final out- come of the ballot by NUPE and COHSE on the offer of

AUPE

9% and an inquiry made in says: response to their £60/35 hour week claim. 560 reports have concen- here trated on those areas-partic- NOW sutts ularly .. among some sections of workers-that have voted to accept the sell offer, out of heavy mentioned rejection the offer, partic- ularly amongst health All-out strike Indeed the area health com- mittee Ditional Council NUPE's

JB 8CT

OTTe recommend all-out strike action in pursuit of the claim. maiority for reiec. A Similar was registered among Ton Sheffield hoalth workers, the signs are that. NUPE's area health committees all over the country will vote for rejection.

NUPE's All-out strikes begin day will have before it a number demands for all-out strike section still at work-the parks the

NEC

department- already itself voted work from Monday. recommend of the offer, the obvious next step is to i ne to lobby the next meeting NUPE's London press the full claim. Accepted all-out action to win the full claim. NUPE, has the strength to Ambulance crews-who give tead even also currently voting on the 9% workers in the offer-last week staged a further

ACTIONS

GMWU

and

TGWU,

whose unofficial one day stoppage.

supposed Ve Toontole mine 9% sell-out on Blocked ThA their behalf. Meanwhile in London efforts victory in partial thari ever before, there is the pay Carden (where council workers little doubt won a £60 minimum tor a 3t strike and the token nature of a ЛОШТ it weak To action played meeting of an all-London strike one: day bringing together 28 delegates trom ambulance

NUNB

and 'action

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The February Fund finally closed at £483.95, nearly £120 short of our £600 monthly target.

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Every reader and supporter of Socialist Press consider whether they can make a regular contribution to the Monthly Fund and help us maintain the income necessary for the production of the paper.

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SOCIALIST

HEALTH WORKERS

HEAD LOW PAY

No confidence votes passed against Fisher

*LOW

LOW

Paid Workers

NEED

a Minimum 571 Wage •eLow Public sector workers lobby London Region Labour Party conference due backed down at each confron- are to this week in Hackney, and tation with management. only Now is the time for each TEnE elect area action com- due to stop all-out soBarned• _emergency cover strike committee voted under strike commit tee control. of But if many rank Divisional officials have failed miserably in this struggle against low pay their betrayal is nothing to that are of NUPE leader Alan Fisher, who regarded the NEC rejec. Though the strike was more the

•HORK

the key convenors committees' have Healy A wave of disciplinary charges and expulsions should amounting to a wholesale purge is taking place within the Workers Revolutionary Party as we go to press. crisis the congress Party, convened on February 24 in London is still in session on 5 Made seemsike to es at least another week. Among those expelled is Published by Folrose Ltd. for the Workers Socialist League, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

crisis of socialist the Scottish the Devolution the right crisis. if a Genera Assembly to trary

END

wilt english questions

PAY E

The Scottish Party are Callaghan unless the plan goes ahead. BUT Ine Labour members vote against FesusciTaT: the referendum making Tor calaanan Parliament. speculates ThIS onemma-cenera.v estimating the both the events have any i resens. created saved ot the 9% sell-out as a

LICE

"personal tragedy" Sor vIces Branches; sledgehammer indedingeneral the Tine spending cuts. 2,500 strong Camden In favour motions confidence Fisher that public sector unions is now to construct a principled leadership policy felt able to replace Fisher and his gang of strongly right wingers and "left' windbag and lead the defence of jobs anc •evoluton wages in the public sector long-serving WRP Central Com- paper mittee member and Newsline journalist Stephen Johns nowever is who actually That ane WRP's present policies lead it tions from working class, away and of this and threatened to resian if hi regarded as active members criticisms went unheeded.

Responsibility In a characteristic oeuvre, the

WRP

moved in and put a motion to hith draw from it. Once this had Congress this sub-district Johns included in the present purge.

and Johns dail y been Carried out i ne excluded, motion for his faces a mounting crisis, with expulsion sub-district piling up debts at an was Carries estimated £200 per week doschce The Central Committee has been reduced in number by six, political responsibility while branch and district leader CoIS ships are bearing the brunt Heal y-Banda leadership. disciplinary action the Party Their refusal towards itry the blame for the We cour movement tor the WRP's dwindling membership demands Programme and subservience to and organisational Chaos on its remaining local activists.

petty bourgeois regimes in Libya Disintegration the Well provide no political basis for the A of the of headise sera- building of tion

WRP

can bi from one sub-district in which a Referendum collapse hastens government Having offered the work. ing class nothing in the way Report policies, and staked its survival on buy- ing off the reactionaries of and Welsh nationalist parties through proposals, wing Labour government faces an acute With every indicator sugges- ting a dramatic Labour defeat Election were held Callaghan now, the tailure of the Devolu Now workers in England, tion referendum on the Scottish Scotland and Wales TaCe achieve the arbi- figure which the Callaghan leadership will the platform campaign or whether Callaghan's ot their wade-cutting policies government can survive to the paving the way for a return the Tories This is why it is a matter of Withdrawal threat Carlagnan Healey clique is, removed from Nationalist the Labour leadership threatening to with. emergency Labour Party confer oraw rarlamentary suboort tor Assembly ence weekend's The announce. ment by Labour's coordinatino will clearly half-hearted committee . or a "left wing' document of any alicio proposals for aTTe setback-thus manifesto volumes for the inability of the impossible virtually 'lefts' to offer a way forward to get it through Nationalistic But while the capitalist press Their package of national outcome under- istic, utopian and pro-capitalis! opportunism of nate wate SNP and the Parlia- But not one of its policies will be even considered for the mani- mentary Labour rarty-worker must be puzzled as to how these festo unless Callaghan relevance to Callaghan publicly favours Devolution would not have watering down even the existing a single job; manifesto wing draft drawn up by the NEC it woule neitect raren one iota or increase wages; it would Yet there is not so much as a do nothing to preserve the social 'lefts' about wisoer trom the need for a new leadership.

under of Labour's Workers must not wait vainly from thes cowardly ted through They must Party instead But thi is thereing cas branche Labour anti-working the for ward. emergency recall Labour Party rejects any element of socialist conference and call on the lefts to argue to support such a campaign tavour. stand revealed as the true allie of Callaghan and Healey: "membership". figure the blame for the oresent stat 257; this of affairs onto the membership is a repeat of their behaviour pay subscrip.

WRP

expulsion or conns is an ironk 85 only 8 can br echo of the expulsion of Alar Thornett and other WRI they mender. attempted to political raise criticism: of line of the • The Four branch secretaries in Healy leadership. are Indeed these criticisms antic- ipated precisely the present Newsline itsel f liquidation of the • WRP's cadre Transitional The Programme. There is no doubt that the Danger this for from The biggest danger is that the -victims of this new • purge direct demoralised and Will drop out of politics at a crucial the class struggle. This Transitional would to a tragedy

WSL

invites

WRP

nationalist members and present and Iraq discuss with real lessons of the crisis of that Party and our perspective for the buildin a Trotskyist move- of a Trotskvist oarty in Britai and the reconstruction of th Their latest attempt to foist Fourth International.