Socialist Press no. 200

PRESS

ed to the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee

SOUTH

KOREA:

CARTER'S

VOLCANO

ERUPTS

As President Carter flew Chon Too Hwan, whose repres- sive moves triggered over the devastation caused protests two weeks ago by the eruption of Mount St Helens on the West Coast of outside of Kwangju, and army the USA, an equally unex- reinforcements pected explosion of Lanks. artiery, copter gunships on the edges of militancy brought 200,000 the beleagured city, these initial workers and students onto demands were reduced to a call the of Kwangju, streets 101 South Korea's fourth largest student leaders, admission that its conduct had city. been brutal. Attempts by military author- ities student-led Material problems demonstrations led to escalating crowds

TOLS

Wich surrounded and police army outposts, raided armouries, and intimidation violence will eventually waree armed Insurrection that took control of the city.

last week's Kwangju revolt from nearby But -there armed with dynamite and gelig.

resolving he prond material mic. once ure sugges Workers' and students' problems militias, armed with captured WUIKelS automatic rifles and riding cap- into open struggle against one of the world's Luca vences. Tormed roadblocks around the city and regimes. organised distribution Throughout milk and ree been a wave of strikes and occu- lucilla hole, soldiers and paratroopers pations by defend their galloping 16 towns inflation. Wage In parallel struggles, armed the cloyers battles took nace in a 10% 16 provincial towns in Korea-a government's state egarded the Korean staunch fortress of US imperial- corolly Has buiced expected Ism look Witn demonstrators initially trade deficit put forward unemployment , including the lifting of martial law regula- regime wons a leecon one army hard-man, Major General President

SOCIALIST

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 200 * May 28 1980 * 20p the initial But as the struggles subsided began massill. TeTS a nonet- his Intelligence chief in Novem- the 1979-and and an army this crisis nave respondec with a policy of Thatcher-style monetarist restrictions, Suckle to unive down wage settlements through an increase in unem- ployment. There seems little doubt that Park's But since demise and brute militant struggles for contain union organisation and the removal nominees union leaderships have

«TOM

repression escalated. In April, for instance, miners have driver LOOK over attacked a police station cano students demolished several houses- most vicious demanding the union president who accepted a 1980 there has sell-out pay deal. workers fighting Divided living slaltualls JU-4l This militancy, increases forced from developing in the wake of Park's death, found the military regime Have been above the divided and confused 15% guillelines- Some chiefs favoured alilly "miracle' making minuted concessions on bourg this democratic rights billion students and the this year, growing opposition of the New. Demo- and falling cratic PartY jike Chon Too Huan, Others, former preferred defend ot stall. Park-assassinated by crush sign alla ally

ONLY

MiAMi

IRAN

revolt. In the event the two policie.

dęmocracy" lead serious selected bourgeois workers and students political dissidents Nor indeed promise of elections, coupled Kim-Kim Il Sung, with heavy press censorship deformed martial law Norin norea constant threat of military violence ing rhetoric about unity of korea bureaucracy Too slow nonary surupees in tne souri The pace of this "liberalisa- As a result Kim tion" NDP. From its stronghold in the student began campuses agitate for an immediate end to "internal affairs" martial law Riots broke out it Korean dictatorship, followed renewed crackdown on oppos- ition leaders 700,000-strong border to invade ine arrest or one ol these leaders in particular-Kim Dae Jung, only recently freed ипоет аттест- • ot the that sparked the Kwangju against the Kwangju militants.

revolt. But needless to say neithe Kim Dae Jung-who has pleaded for students (and workers!) politicians olors the Kim has strersed that me Sam-who endorses presence federation 38,000 in Kore: courage Iccards as ic i ne Fighting the anti- union laws Centre pages

MOMMA TOLD ME

THESE THINGS

HAPPEN

IN THREES!!

U.S.A. E

MOUNT

8T. MELEN'S

Tanks ward off demonstrators "deter Communism and protect or tre workers and students offer any South Korea are an example.to the Korean the international class working But the Dro Dici can the other they confront are likewise those leader of the faced by every without a revolution

WUIKCIS

salt wuntl y ary leadersmp capable oi break Despite years of chest-beat- ing politically with the reaction- bourgeois and Stalinist essenta Kim's Stalinist parties and Icaders and spelling perspective by rene speyacle of masterifie terrified out for working class action, such spon lanicous explosions or multane has fallen can be headed off, isolated and over himself to assure US imper- defeated There is no doubt however lalism that North Korea has n that intention of intervening in the unest of the South demonstrated once again that of imperialism aiding those in struggle against Chon's force can be defeated in mass using their struggle. the For US President Carter ally the Kwangju uprising must have Signiticantly it was tears of such an invasion that slowed the the crumbling of the Shah of Iran's 400,000-strong awesome in ace or me moon- ised Iranian masses As the US combat troops in Example Korea and how cale. upon to act against the South Korean work- cone uriner -and perspective is class and carriers not a united socialist Korea, but steam towards the peninsula Korean capitalism is left intact.

DOULD

Amccan workers must take ur fight for their immediate militancy withdrawal. and

USA ISLAMIC CONFERENCE NO

Page 2

— INTERNATIONAL

week Cuban There is more than one cold-war type of manoeuvre in the complex world of internat- ional diplomacy and power politics. And one of the most influ- flop the millar manoeuvre. for the Kremlin burcaucracy the ballass invasion of Afghanistan has had many Still unable to put a foot But the new balance right either home forces in S.W. or Asia ercated by abroad, President Carter has ine presence v Soviet combat troops on the borders of blundered into yet another Iran and Pakistan has had the embarrassing mess over the

CITCCI

Cuban "boat people". enhancing Moscow's influence As cold throughout the entire region.

war anti-commun- propaganda, his ist invitation clear indication new situation week's Wils leave Cub: reachonaric. and come the UsA might CONICECHCe have seemed like a good idea at ministers In saianno Of course there were some but practical well-publicised setback: for the reanty. in waien lens or thous ands of unskilled bureaucracy and particular contingent «workers professional Archan rebels. brought in herded across popi nave add them- Straits comerence as part or ene fanfar selves fast-growing delegation, were allowed ides borne & pod yes com unemployment figures. conterences pontical com- move is a sure-ure ser Even the bourgeois press has aCC unea press conference been though they were recog- least 20; nised as a formal delegation cranias ane avaDours conierence demands-for the withdrawal of chect impact on the Us will be depress tho asca crime rackets mine arca Australia ADOl even 1310) *1 optimistic estimates show that numbers involved, while USA. aru HOT InC from disastrous for the Cuban economy. abortion bill fails The Queensland state for notorious governells its repressive anti-union legislation, has failed in its Carter attempt to ram through an anti-abortion bill even more Indeed only 100,000 out of draconian than that of John a total population of 10 million Corrie in Britain. aru ILave - mere 1% of the population.

Proposed by state premie This is scarcely a propaganda Bjelke-Petersen, the bill Mr. coup tor (arter Nor are his des would have restricted abortion berate strictly to women facing stem the tide of immigration. or likely to commit suicide as a with increased coastal patrols, and other restrici

BRIN

KONS

Meanwhile the kind of social exacerbated being by

DOW

PETER:

disastrous Ellis were riots, Ine cared ltne M 12m 1 in which the hand of fascist elements in barbaric attacks dearly detected. In Miami itself unemploy Restinted black high as 36°0 This. sile valle пожест. DS cities the. uncommon figure in other recessio 5 in lay-offs have fingers crossed Carter must Miami re Detroit ghettoes Presidential least he elections. Picket against Queensland anti-union laws, London 1977;

COMFORT TO US

MPERIALISTS

from Saudi Arabia, and dona- from the viciously ical unary unitca ArAD Emirates Malaysia were immediately des- cribed as aid for the 700,000 Aishan rerupees now encampco in Pakistan and Iran-and not as money for arms. While verbally supporting Afghan the reactionaries, the comerence went on o abDom a two-nation ministerial com- with the task of seeking a poutical suzution to lue situ ation in Afghanistan. Contacts The committee is composed

"TOM

Pakistan, and -despite the fury Afghan rebels-is expected to make contacts wit Afghan rightist the Soviet-installed Barbrak Soviet troops from Afghanistan Karmal regime in Afghanistan and the people own _choose their in this respect the decision government -were upheld. while formally pressing the case But these minimal gestures immediate uncon- ditional Russian withdrawal fits were •worus oi ranar Foreign Minister Sadeq win karma recen Gotbzadeh, "the least we could offer of talks with Pakistan and do". Iran on a non-aggression agree- They were not backed up by any substantial support to the The Pakistani regime, in par- being waged by "the right , has increasingly formed ticular, wing Afghan rebels: that US imperialism even the view mcashy LIl nand ou nowever Eneory unable in practice to offer milit- ary defence of the bourgeois S.W Asia see looming WRaT Enev as a Soviet threat The Pakistan government was • Ellal the US imperialists in the waki of the Afghan invasion, offered $40Ğ million in as only transformations of bribe for the Normen rakistan line base for the Isiamic guerrillas to operate across the

DOTUC I

This was rejected-as a sum large to compromise enough General Lia's regime as a Us puppet eyes result of giving birth-and only ltne

COT

masses, but not large enough to inen alter securing me consent serious military of three doctors! Bjelke-Petersen's original •erence ans cover orces Since then, the US adminis- draft even excluded abortion for obstructed credit tration has Tant incest Pakistan though he eventually climbed down on those in the face of involving some $200 million huge protest Correctly suspicious of such cynical allies, and respecting But his vicious bill failed to evident military strength of the win support from the rank and file of any of the state's three Kremlin, Zia's regime has spear- incurred the out- instead l right opposition not only of the Medical Association, Australian sen's own government ministers, who joined with 11 back bench coalition his supplies secure by 40 votes to 35.

COND

IMF

The this week

STATEN

showed approval for Turkey's Demirel N ment by extending $1.625 billion special drawing rights D over the next three years.

Imperialism's interes Turkey based on the need for firm foothold port in area the world where the the with masses Organisation were to hold release of their pledges, until SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980 headed the towards political accomodation with the Stalinists. The Saudi Arabian and Gulf regimes, on the other hand are unambiguously aligned with the find themselves imperialists, but embarassca by une Us commil support ment LIOnISE state of Isarel. With hard-line Begin Parliamentary regime taking steos to segumase ano renaei permanent its occupation of the city the Saudi Islamabad pointed contracton between unlimited US support for Zionist occupation Palestine and its opposition to the Soviet occupation Afghanistan. influence of the PLO delegation at the conference was heightened by this factor, aso ov tre aramane ase m co‹ resistance of the Palestinian the occupied West people bank agas o pressul: And the PLO (which on the fifth support decared ine

IMF 'OK' FOR

TURKEY LOAN

Turkey had reached a deal with the IMF. The latest extension credit be seen indication approval government polIcies particular the January economic which included a 33% package uc valuation consulle 100%, rISCS attack. nanonalisea inaustry and incen lives to loreen myestor. DU

IMI

Clearl wants this Support for the ased on Demirel etend neit living standards Th workers movement PLO leader Arafat with Khomeini Soviet invasion of Afghanistan) with able welc *van and van cens lead a strong anti-American which succeede current establishing separat . conaemnanion oi tne U: confes ice peralism in imperialism South East Asia more rocked massive populi this time against the Us puppe government South Korea the Islamabad conference testimony its slackening hold in the vital Gulf region was far-

ODSDICOUS

away Morocco which led the pro-US lobby at the conference The i callsill which once led the reactionary look Islamic regimes imperialism for exeusive v support against the oppressed masses in their own countries, now increasingly urges them Kremlin stainist earer aty, Stalinist bureaucracy, which has emerged as the

DIC

dominant force in the area both willing and to restrair revolutionary struggles. Syrian President Assad with Cuban leader Castro internationally must be alerted incal posed Turkish masses.

DON'T LET TURKEY

BECOME ANOTHER

CHILE

A Workers Socialist Leagur Pamphlet From SL, Bedox 5277. Price 30 London WCIV 6XX

Why did Peruvian left wing vote collapse? SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980 Peruvian general The election on May 18 brought an almost complete collapse of the left wing vote, this represents a victory for the bourgeoisie and a setback for the working class. The electoral setback is in the une treachery of the Stalinist forces who their desperate continue search for a popular front-style alliance with sections of the Peruvian capitalist class.

And it is in part to be attrib- ured to secraman manoeuvre y various Trotskyist forces that led to disintegration of the united workers' electoral iront.

Toppled President, sune Fernando Belaunde Terry of the Accion Popular (AP) toppled from this office in 1968 by a 'progressive' section General Venico Alvarado the military headed by Sawere vers Resere polled 42% of the vote, routing right wing

APRA (27%)

and the Christian Democrats (119).

dates (including Hugo Blanco) polled 20% together. According A has gained reliable gained has an outright majority in Congress and the workers parties have less than 30 of the 240 tions for the Constituent fall from the -a substantial Assembly, Peru is unique in that the

TROTSKYIST INTERNATIONAL LIAISON

COMMITTEE

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL

TROTSKYISM

AND THE MASS

MOVEMENT

Eight days of lectures and discussion on basic questions of Marxism and the fight to reconstruct the Fourth International. *TROTSKYISM AND THE TRADE UNIONS: USA in the 1930s. France in the 1930s. The postwar struggle to builo •To oTruggles for The against Sonia in 190.

Stalinism the 1930s. period of entry into social democracy in Lo on Tor France and the USA.

*TROTSKYISM AND THE FIGHT AGAINST WOMEN'S

OPPRESSION.

*TROTSKYISM AND THE NATIONAL QUESTION

*TROTSKYISM AND PETTY BOURGEOIS NATIONALIST

MOVEMENTS

*THE FIGHT FOR A TROTSKYIST YOUTH MOVEMENT

*RECONSTRUCT THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL

JULY 20-27 1980

Evening meatings on additional topics, films and social by delegations from the school will be organisations affiliated to the TILC and members of the to supporters of the WSL the discussion and learn more about the WSL and the TILC Detrils are auilak from any WSL branch or from: WSL BM Box 5277, London WC1V 6XX.

"ost: £12 including accomodation for the eight day cheap meet will be provided at lunch time and there will b a pooled fare arrangement. Creche facilitias Trotskyist have 65% of parties the population periphery and influence : out suffers from malnutrition while all proportion to their size. and fish sufficient to feed everybody they have been able to make a shipped the imperialist major impact national countries to be processed into pet

DOLLIC

Lacey 1000 personal popularity and record in the run un to the roxi Hugo Blanco elections, the lef was beset by party, the

PRT

affiliated totally marcial to lit real struggles. Blanco's appeal was capable Genaro Ledesma, one of the 96,000 leading independents inside of raising signatures FOCEP, signed an agreement to

SUDDOLL

une oncial registration alliance mence winin ine the But the Trotskyists have no populist military group PSR and the labour the CP organised base unlike

MAOISE

-who control the country's Lost battle largest the milled teachers' organisation SUTEP- the Stalinists who, although This obliged the Trotskyists small, important to withdraw and they subse- Contol Unt CGTP union confederation.

quently lost the legal battle to The PRT's lack of a base is retain the name of FOCEP.

problem Morenibis hared the A new front, ARI (Revolu-

(PST),

the Lamber- Alliance) tionary Left was tists

(POMR)

and small formed on 18 January 1980 out Fourth Internationalist of the four Trotskyist parties, Tendency

(POR)

Tomderise the op who mass organisations orner rotskyIsi such the miners tendencies in per Strike of July •easant ederamon une teacners The General union, the UDP (centrists, inde- 1977 calling forced Per at list the Maoist and elections by the dictatorship of

UNIR

allu General Morales sermudez. wne stipulated that 'the In its early days ARI held back would democracy the most massive rallies ever Constituent Ene caling Assembly in July 1978. Peracted or the let aldor attraction left, for Minimum programme unreat to me bourgeoisie which began to hint at the can- cellation of the elections.

At that stage the Trotskyists However, were affiliated

FOCEP

problem: arust almost immedlately. Ine Maols!

and

UNIR

sought change ART's character minimum programme which calling 'strategic alliance' stipulated it a no agreements should be made with bourgeois anna Introduce their slogan for *popular lorces revolutionary government to 1978 FOCEP gained the enable alliances with the bour- bulk of the substantia left vote Bevisie. oul was Incapable or provialg a political leadership. Waves of continued strikes Democratic centralism without any direction. only refusal of petraved v tne the Stalinists and the inability They also struggled to foist of the democratic centralism

ARI

general strike for the overthrow In orcer To moose Lner ant. of the dictatorship. imperialist, non-aligned' pro- sembly was dissolved which explicitly gramme, in July defends allying with the rightist 1979 atter completins the squalid business of agreeing APRA and the Christian Demo- a bourgeois constitution crats. then, At repression, the same time they and inflation fought for the inclusion of the ten-member bourgeois grouplet nave all increasea ana tne state the working class has ARS which had been explicitly worsened appreciably. proscribed in the original ARI Blanco addressing mass meeting in Cuzco agreement The PRT succeeded in halt- ing moves won a These return to the original terms in a these where wort UDI aNd UNIK as well as the PRT. However, having lost the Date tor PCR and UNIR (probably unde instructions from their masters quarreling over iner quotas in the election lists. The alliance finally broke apart on 26 rebruary-the date agreement could not be reached on the allocation of candidates • groups affili.

SCOTSKVIS

Moreno/Lambert ated to the Parity Commission must take responsibility for their part tull They had already left ARI before it broke up, on grounds just spurious as those of the Maoists The PST and POMR claimed that ARI was a "class collabor.

ationist front" both in its com- position and in its programme.

Not allowed in Where was the bourgeoisie?

The only party that could con- eivabl fill the bill- the tiny IRS-had nic permitted been

ARI.

(Although, enter car orbit been want of original

FOCEP

ally oo celion mom me rot and bourgeoisie,

PMR.

turned out , was in the mind of

ARI

which the actuall Commission hadn't "broken with it subjectively'.

The and Morenists also objected to the lacl AN programme workers government. This objec tion raises the Cuts tion of how Trotskyists should intervene in elections. The minimum programme of ARI starts bv saying: organisations Ine signing below spell the basis oul respective proclamme. wille maintaining complete freedom those aspects where differences exist. 1 AC

MOST

in the programme is precisely this question governmental demands which while posing a Page 3 united workers front against the bourgeoisie the Pr correctl fought to be left for each organ.

formulate its Isallul precisely ol in f CEP in 1978 the Maoists -and it was they who quentiy gave way on it to enabie the formulation of ARI). However, it is impossible for rOTOVSTS tO come to compete agreement with governmental demands Maoists and because of the counter-revolu. popular politics they simply •stake was one of a united electoral front of workers parties. Five lists Following the break up of

ARI

the left slate divided into fought when moa election separately: 1) the

PRT, POMI

and PST (all under name seat. seats 2)

USP

one

UNIR

seats, 4) FOCEP, , twelve seat. 5) FUl (the Moscov one CP. PSR and other nationalist groupings), seven seats. potential It appears that the constituenc ol me lett faced with this complete disin- voted the lesser tegration of Belaunde to impede an AlKA VIctory Naturally enough recrimin- ations ferventiy refuted charges Illal "Fourth International" had the forced him take positions the 'national interest Dv national leadership of the PRT has always been autonomous in lEs decisions the same issue Combate Socialista (no. 9) Blanco writes in a desperation

JOE WILICI

we lay dulll solt personal, but no political sym- pathy: "Many be lessons should learnt although it is toc

I SOUL

to draw them a out ta! cl time of desperate recrimina- tions and insults between little leaders as we all try to justify our incompetence by blaming each other... comrades on the left "New take the helm yourselves and do what we were incapabl deserve it, but not the people, who are victims of it all Take those organisations which can still be useful to vor mend them, throw out those which are useless and make others. Continue the fight on the ashes of our mistakes!" There are indeed many Bessons De enomEn debacle; not only to understand the scandalous heritage of talleys also the heritage of Pabloism in Peru, the bankruptcy of Branco, erse lating til antront personality cult around a mass revolutionary party.

Mass support The PRT-despite the mass support still com- Blanco can only throw up hands and invite the people to resurrect what they can from the ruins! The task of a revolution- ary elsa is not to abanoon the 'people' to their own devices and the wretched cruelty and greed of the umberlausts and their local bourgeois devotees- but fight construct Bolshevik-style party to lead the struggle Ive tre seizure on powe.

the smasning bou poitical independences of political independence the working class allied with the poor peasantry.

Appeal court reverses train robbery frame-up Bosses squeal in Tory SYL Conference: a big step forward Page 4 The Court of Criminal of which related to illegal arrest forced confessions and refusa Appeal in Dublin last week to arrange lot a soncitor to ordered the release of Osgar present when Breatnach was Breathnach and Bernard being questioned. Mcnally they had анет 17 jail Public eye spent months in following their conviction for Sallins Mail Train It seems the campaign to tree the ikor members 3a0 Robbery. so che cà established the facts As or Sociali press tus case in the public hechaviour of the police issue Press unlu followed terror Convictions ana ine treatment ine case gol campaign in court was so well known, that sunched Ine forces so-called Free Appeal Court felt obliged to the Irish Repub- State release inem Certainly the appearance in ncan socialst party. the Appeal Court of numerous Farce representalives manus organisations from several coun- -including (editor of the paper Starry national-left the less paper and Mcnally were found guilty room lor manocuvre In the days leading up to the of the robbery after a farce of a appeal, Provisional

IRA

Special announced that Breathnach and Court, where three judges sul without a jury. were innocent and unat had carried out the At the time of writing it is impossible basıs the Cital appeal court reversed the con- assess at this stage what impact victiunced tater. be unis nao on tae veroler. Perhaps the forces of the Irish But the defendants had pre will state now leel pared their appeal on more than incumbent on them to explain 20 grounds-the most important to the taxpayers wny it was cold shower Last week's CBI annual other the benefit of support" dinner witnessed the Meanwhile figures show that unseemly spectacle of CBI been regis Sir John Green- President tering their real level of contid begging ence in their stocks of fuel, raw borough virtually materials, work in progress and the Tory government to "sucu zoous. cut interest rates. cut back on capital und With many of the country's spending. most vicious and grasping indus- rospect up the Plummet they lace prospect economic ruin in the gathering The drop in stocks in the last part biggest Geoffrey Howe quarter was une since Chancellor Sir records began in 1955. It indi- brush aside this hearfelt cates morale plumeting plea. alone manuraclurus capitalists ana ine level or lory destruc Moral speech tion of basic industry. Indeed after year of sticking But he held firm. Torv designed to spur on free enter- to his prenareo text ano deliver- ing an uplifting moral speech on prise and profitability at the leaders and need tol services- social employers gave tach red unaancie. are now running The Socialist Youth which drew in many youth from League is now firmly on its «oca counci estate. All in all the SYL must now to becoming a truly Way recognised extremely an organisation after national

SCIOUS

revolutonaly holding its Second Annual which has organisaton national base. Conference over the week- branches and members end 17-18 May. have ocean une lorenone

SYT

Tory members •anC TOnT The supporters from 15 towns and government and in defence of cities as far Glasgow away democratic rights. as In the coming year the SYL highly successful event. The level of political debate is cetermined to grow in size and increase its influence among young people. the weekend and three excellent The films-Look Back at Grunwick adopted a Superman and Bride and basic poncy document concern- the most of youth Tin

DO VIS

- 00 Mountain, and outlining oppression were widely appreciated. policies on how youth can tight On the Saturdav evening a back against the bosses rotten highly successful social event This document will was organised. Four local bands shortly , be published as an SYL played to a capacity audience spend over fl necessary million on two trials lasting 65 ana q› aays lo convict then released on appeal who are 17 months later third defendant Edward Kelly disappeared sentenced his trial and a warrant has been issued for him. IRSP claim that he tod i ne should now be considered to be cleared. Socialist Pres will report on this as developments take place Following the Appeal Courts decision the

IRSP

held a press Dublin at which conierence Breathnach announced his take civil against the state. The IRSP will running a campaign for the abolition of the Special Criminal Court, whose constitutionality will be tested by legal action Opportunity Last week's victory should nor oe underesu malea. It opens up a real opportun- state a paratus of the Repusive the opens up the of numerous other class war victims. of all averagene nearly (330,000 day per 1,000 per year), and unemployment certain reach 1C W

ICCOTU N

months. For the 712,000 school who will shortly be leavers the outlook searCh or HODs. with only 163,000 notif- ied jobs fall of over 5,000 on a month ago. his In opening remarks Chairperson Dale Ackroyd from ine tone bradlora DIL set 0I the conference. afraid of youth", he said.

Know unal swallow what they have offer. Thes won't lie down; This are fighting back! they comerence sas to make cean effective socialist programme for youth and workers -a pro- jobs callile ticalc L01 youth; to end the misery of low pay and long hours; to defend and extend leisure facilities and exploitation eno Cana oppression of women, blacks and gays. Crisis The message of the SYL has got out. The bosses' system is in a crisis, the bosses As Breathnach also pointed out at the press conference, the must. dIso or ARe founder Guestion. assassination of IRSP Seamus Costello. "Was it coin- wai assassill ated during the course of this case?" he asked. Congratulations Socialist Press extends congratulations warm the released militants and calls on the British labour movement to support against Republic's repressive state the machinery. Such a campaign, linked to the building opposition to the continued occupation of the north by imperialist troops and une immediate in hnifying, he sarug vitaloole unifying and south for an Irish workers' Furthermore, in Ireland struggles Britain demonstrates independent Tne interests of the British working distinct from the inter- class as ests or une brusa nanon wnica the British employers. in reality the interests of Howe For unemployed workers squabbles and vouth. the tactics between the CBI and the Tories are of no immediate only mass action arive governmen he possity lores an open possibility planned that soclalist economy WIll provide full employment. an inch society cannot таке forward. em once and dotiato ten systell replace W111 one produces goods because people need and not because them wil produce a profit for the There followed introduc- and discussion on tions Fight- racism, Ireland, ing the lories oppression, womers Ene National Union School Students international and sondariy Fraternal greetings were the taken Woman Worker, the local trades council ano Tne revolution youth group natora commie and an editorial board for Red

I OULD

were ane conference the encer With singing of the Internationale.

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 19ć

*TROOPS OUT

NOW!

IRELAND

"String 'em up"-Police Federation Not satisfied with the blacks. "licence to kill" effective As the Tories and Labourites extended to the Special put it in then jolt report expected that Patrol Group and the SAS, the repeal of 'Sus' will be a con the Police Federation last r develop tribution to the further week underlined its demand mell i coman will ca police)." for the restoration of capital It can be expected that the for punishment all vast armoury of alternative laws convicted murderers. used Dy

MOST

forces outside London-will And, flying in the face of a now be brought more into use growing

DOCH

even Tory MPs on m me harassment or orack aut the Commons Home Affairs white youth currently clobbered under the committee reactator Federation nailed its reactionary colours to For the Police the discredited mast of the 'Sus' however an 0101 „0 a curta ment of their rights is immed.

laws. ¡ately symbolically seized upon Meeting carborougn-the conterenc pricalle centre blacked by most unions but witn tne stung laken oul Federation because of Pictusy cal. refusal to recognise the GMWI conferences pay handed out by the increase —ine reaeranon neara chairmar James Jardine declare that: Tories the anticipation of using "The repeal of the 'Sus' law the savage anti-union laws in the pipeline and the steady escala- wil be seen as a maior reduction in the ability of the patrolling Federation Ce DO WeIS. police officer to _ act as a crime attention has shifted slightly-to voicing com officer the about the im pact of plaints streets But the Home Affairs Com- spending cuts mittee made it quite clear that No you've guessed it! They do not its proposal tor the abolition ol schools, hospita The ous aw is desoned ourer The Polic the cosmy e meier to defuse Federation is worried about the socia services highly effective campaigns impact of cash limits on police Wal nave veel wageu aballs police harrassment of young recruitment ana tramme Some of the new SYL National Committee

Blair Peach coroner spells out SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980 Police in action in Southall Nixon Joe Gormley's work in the working class on behalf of the bosses continues to be récognised by his grate- ful admirers. Ine NUM fresident nas Just accepted a seat on the board of Midlands Television Ltd., a com- pany for the franchise at present held

ATV.

Gormley, who if the bid is successful, will sit on the board shite district or kaise of he district of the Nanona Union ol Agricutura and Allied Workers) is expected directors well other who include of Aurev weave. Airey, well known for her deter- mined all anti- censor Tax firm books «thrown away" predictable The most The House of Lords last secretarial slip since Nixon's December that overturned decision. Two before secretary wiped his Water- they did so the new secretary to lan consultanl

KOV

rucker Lord Denning in the High away" diaries that • InTer would have had to be returned.

Court last week. Last year Inland Revenue raided the offices of Denning, set the Rossminsters, the unfortunate mistake in the first banking place, accepted the explanation, group, and took away van loads or papers nor investigation £1.000 alu Linca Denning-in contempt, a sum it is thought he his famous pro-employer is well able to afford rulings declared that The £6,500-a-year lax Tale was societaly and therefore Lynette Binks. said afterwards: Hillary sEve illegal and ordered the papers to "He is a super boss and I am be returned. still working with him.

GORMLEY'S TV BID

imperialist statements from tele.

vision. Unairman ol the company chance of outing A mom the stands a Which Midlands licence Sir money. KoberT sooth chairman of the National Exhib- ition Centre on the Birming and director Birmingham Board of Barclays Bank. Other fellow directors include Oscar Hahn, decutive director Guest Keen alic and ne t Kutland. Part of the original mones put to launch the magazine come tom group at present Which sacked all its 1,300 journalists for demanding a pay rise.

The Blair Peach inquest came to an end with defence of police savage West thuggery by the London coroner, Dr John Burton. His long summing uD lay rescue a respectable verdict but it will do nothing stalt to shake the conviction of ever class conscious worker who has followed the inquest that the police not only murdered Blai Peach that they have hunt announced their intention to kill again. Clubbed Witnesses have given graonic description or une oru in soe doll and of Blain Peach and of Blair Peach being clubbed Then as Blair Peach sat or the from his dying was ordered fractured skull, he to move perore being taken D local residents to nearby house told Other Witnesses have how they ran from the SPG but were followed and attacked SPG men was, if anything, more the 40 evence lION damning. Contradictory Faulty memories and contra- dictory statements nave their own picture of a bunch of armed thugs arrogantly confi- dent that they WIl called to account.

PRESS

GANG

Whether Basnett's accus- ation of a meeting between Thatcher and assorted Fleet Street editors to discuss May coverage of 14 unlikely to be concer, confirmed in the pages of the papers they edit. Certainly there was a sub- dued air about the denials. and the Basnett allegation was repor- tedly common currency in West- minister ociole de madele But the question of a formal meetog Is lisell only the out ward and visible sign of the relationship between the government and the pres. has peen most clearl shown (May 14 apart) coverage of the Carter/Thatches campaign to vigallise a voycol ol me mole game Before the British Olympic Committee decided to defy oycott wall passal Crosecut of headlines and editorials oro claimed the evils of attending The 1980 Olympics we one une 1936 Olympics in Berlin (a pity however that the press failed eat back through its own file complete anscover The absence campaign to boycott the Berlin Ôlympics, intended by Hitler to demon Aryan supremacy sport-an aim with which Fleet editors were not notably out of sympathy). press • campaign over Page 5 facts of life The In law" 'unauthorised' weapons the social varieties ot Earlier Burton had outlined whip and several varieties his defence violence on a clubs blanaly mass scale oy Donce explained away. for the jury, held the weapons, not but Nazi regalia • a chopper and painted a beleagures

TOTCE

armed and surrounded by an The police did not even seem angerous mo believe that is the Dancuatv anxious to orecent a credible Chillingly the stuaron miev SLOn was told that in it is necessary to use court future ne eve force disperse them UsCO crime squad -should be issued officially it is necessary to use sufficient Even Nazi regalia dis- force to overcome all resistance.

the The covered al re nome orone of force you use las gol le SPG thugs, however the be enrective llas failed to dent the The force Blair coroner's used on Peach belief certainly effective; the but we TOTCe 1027 • looks lkely to keep Shouldn His explana- him in business for years to Coroner Burton. tion of the class nature of the come. Dr. John police force and Burton -who

OWI

was not advocating caimed ne court was timely and lucia killing demonstrators- -said tha sufficient force to be effective Protected must be usco ov tee bonce Although Burton has told the jury that the inquest is not Com- His refusal to order mander Cass internal supposed to trial has already found Blair eaST police report to . ne opened Peach guilty. was a stirring , defence jury of the He asked the jury whether police to be better pro anyone left in the street when courts tnan, say the police charged could be Granada Television "A doubt has been 'innocent' placed have decide that in the jury's mind • there is that something know whether a policeman in thev situation might about", he complained. believe Blair Burton spent the rest of the reach was one doing best the noters. If he did even if he inques is mistaken, he is still protected.

eradicate „car coro "If a policeman reasonably believed he ne noterru was necessary to do so he would be protected Moscow was never long absent benefits. So while sports writers are trom its pages kept busv with football agains News that the tiniert cotellite of US imperialism had decided Argentina and rugby in South Africa, foreign editors have attend accorded was junked their Keep hont page treatment. ol sport iberaism mn lavour ol outrageous attacks on the Soviet Union It burst out in full lowe In the Daily Mail this has when the West German Olympic Committee, to spectacle- produced the which, after hesitation some wen erman araletes. voted t the has portrayed asn political pages fresh lease virtue Tor last week raging in favour of a boycott denounced wher nauche and the sports writers campaign Britain's athletes as competing for tarnished gold ing agalnst on! The boycott has failed Whether it has been neces sporting nation: only th major sary to vet the neadlines with United States, German! Thatcher or not, Fleet Street have joined has been sensitive to every last Japan ano came the boycott (and W. Germany' propa- government vote Mored yen vil end ready could yet be ganda At the same time suggestion sections of the international lo moscow lasan sent inem Montreal, including. as a i final no venel

LIKIN

humiliation By bashing nato dal fiogs and Australia. banning national flags and A piece conceding that the anthems hav Soviet Union had scored a big support at all from Fleet Street propaganda victory -despite the editorials which state that their fear is of the appeared in the Mail-not quit on page one however Soviet Union making pontica But the Daily Mirror like capital out of the Olympics.

troops after the war is over, has contin- ued to back Thatcher's conten- tion tha the golds will That is because they want "tarnished". the nationalism (cultivated reporters too, how- sport and transferred to foreign will go ever After all, poncy, ana tne pontical capital be there may yet to continue as a feature of the jingoistic phrases come Olympics-so long as it is coined from a 'British' victory.

one l a workers states 1na1

Page 6 Amidst the massive battery of attacks on the working class opened up by the the Tories riding on back of the betrayals of the last Labour government, the use the against CO1 law workers has risen rapidly in significance. Of course, the use of the "law' by the ruling class is not bv anv means new. As the law makers they have always been in a position to do so. throughout much of 1nus. the sin century trade umons as we now know them were illegal, and militants MarLYES constantly tation if they tried to organise Durham In County the 60. OUti police fought a running. against the attempt by miners to Baton charges Secret night meetings held out in the fields were broken up valui chalets, louses radeo ano tamales evicted keep up the general air of intim- Even the subsequent recog- government and the employers following series on pe mid and bombings 1860s in Sheffield. Durham and London did not really change The decision to give certain legat immunines io ine trade unions reflected not any accep- class rights, ot working OUTi ratner ine aecision by the ruling class to deal' differently with trade unionists, particularly with then leaders.

strategy of When this new using the union bureaucrats as intermediaries failed, nowever. was a case or boot, the cosh and the bayonet.

In 1906 the Taff Vale judge- rights previously won In 1911 transport workers in Liverpool were snot organising mass pickets by armed police. of this picture Teforming' from the neriod work of E.J. Allen. Writing in 1910 he points out: 'We have had Taff Vale Osbourne judge- decisions and

TORY LAW IS

CLASS LAW

ments from their law courts; so much for the state as an admin- istrator of justice. The army has useu aramst sunkers reamerstone Mod ane senast much impartiality tor these cases. During the strike at Hull and Grimsby, Kuncodes show how the wert шете navy is to be used when capital.

ist interests are threatened.

Outlawed In fact, the ruling class has for always ocen reauy dity excuse to outaw stakes and union action, even times when they were also draw.

leadership increasingly into the state.

In 1915 the Munitions of War Act effectively made strikes 1916 had been Hitcal extended to all industries Similarly, in 1940 the Con and ditions of Employment Arbitration Order (Order 1305 was used, with the assistance of the Labour and trade industrial oullan action. Thus, in 1942, three miners leaders Betteshanger coler in sent were area and a further 1,000 threatened with jail for of fines imposed for taking illegal strike action. Again, in 1944 on trial Tyneside and eventually jailed for defend ing Tine sulpyard workers to take strike action, regardless of the needs of the their Imperialsi wal. own ruling class. Labour government Such 'temporary' wartime kept as long measures were Order 1305 was last

JUSSIUIC

ther Labour government) against dockers on Merseyside who found themselves charged Cause strikes! Stripped of the verbiage, was to be militant, crime period the mid since 1960s should therefore be seen of this long in the history of state repression of the working class. At the same time, however, of in e snarpness ana rapidity recent developments should be seen in the light of the massive economic crisis racing capitanst to the inap their profits aers drive up their profits and Tory union-basher Prior prop up ailing British imperial.

ism without physically smashing the working class organised force 1960s the since Lne late attention the bourgeoisie, and servants in parliament has been firmly focussed on the against ine state working class. The introduction of British troops into ireland to break the population nationally wen hand in hand with attacks on the trade unions. Wilson's 'In Place of Strife' was followed by Heath's Indus- trial Relations Act and the crea- tion of an 'Industrial • Relations Court to discipline workers.

Conspiracy laws Since then, the introduction or ine rreventon or terrorism Act, the use of conspiracy laws against pickets as in the trial of the Shrewsbury Two, the use of sUs laws against yourn and or police

SPG

against strikers and pickets, notably at Grunwicks. nave created framework direct state suppression to be liberally used azainst mutants As the trials of anti-fascists Southall and Leicester 1979 showed, in the eyes of the stale anu CoulEs. presence demonstration which challenges however the authority the slightly, tor a pourecolsie. conviction. Taken together, , these things the shift towards the lestily lo apparatus- use state police courts-to tackle an undefeated working cass. It is important, therefore, to get this idea of 'the law' firmis Into perspective Just what is 'the law"? Whose 'order' does the much vaunted Yaw and order' defend? How did that order come about?

gine bourecorsic are usually reticent about their own origins. While perpetuating the the 'typical Britist compromise graduat change and fair they conveniently • he old feudal o real the fact that real ignore encine ol of the middle ages was a result not of some cosy • Parliamentary compromise cooked up over tea, deteal

DUT

ol ine Millar y the Crown and aristocracy Cromwell's bourgeois forces.

subse • was

LOUISE.

made definitive quently "legal" Rince deals and compromine and compromises came victory for the new, emerging bourgeois class. capitalism only Dractici compromises when it is to its own material advantage. capitalism in bankluel crisis there is no room for such compromise. Class warfare What we have, instead, is a open class move towares wal fare-class against cass- wiere the central aim of the ruling smash and bourgeoisie to IS working class as an atomise une or arised socia, force. this, it uses the state - in the marxist sense of "bodies armed men -as against the working class.

And in the background, as in stands counte

1 WACY.

the mailed fist of capitalism in crisis-fascism. Only after the material and defeat of the working clas the smashing of its organisations will they stop to sift the remains to see who can be 'dealt' with to of "legitimacy' the ane centemay co-oocialloil: Contrary the onions expressed by judges sometimes SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday May 28, 1980.

from beneath their wigs the law as netner god given nor cleral It is made by men and more part only by men acting ruling in class pall So cIeLy. • inererore, more tha the interested of res intérests SIon ruing class or the lane, lilal Is why the law' did not deter the from beheading bourgeoisie 1649, nor chares l m out James Il in the throwing "Glorious Revolution' of 1688 These acts were determined not by precedent or any existing notions of 'justice' or morality - indeed they flew in the face of earlier established positions 1 ney remlected whal was necessary for the emerging bour- geosie For the Tory government, theretore the duesnon or al and order' has nothing whatso to do with the rights' of ever working people and everything Police escort scabs during the national rail strike of 1911 - in to do with defence private property: their privately factories and Dallks.

FIGHTII

wealth. if the 'law" established So, earlier period an states that school meals must be provided or a certam nutritional value and that nursery provision is compulsory, these laws will be scrapped.

law guarantees the rights trade unionists . ot strike and picket, these laws will also go into the dustbin.

At where they mne vomi come into the contiict with

ANTI-U

interests of finance capital and big business, they must, for the Tories, sacred, it is a question of power.

Blair Peach whilst Thus, consolacy charges were used against flying uscu workers and tract

UNOI

LAWS

militants no such use of the made to deal with the 'law' is who agents stalt murdered Blair Peach. Similarly hauled the print while before the their members into strike action no such use of the on May 14, made aralist chiefs like Mason Jenkins and Atkins who officiate over the systematic use of the most barbaric forms of physical brutality and coercion against Irish prisoners of war And finally, while the courts 'and the threat or monsonmen used to bludgeon 1 Granada television revealing who on documents exposing Dassur the sinister role of the action wil be taste astrist, will taken against who spies and constantly infiltrated ranks of the labour movement and amongst those waging against struggle melalse domination. the reality: a class produce naked law designed class justice. ror tne bourgeoisie the law is in essence no more weapon to shale cand than a nonca 1o USt azallis! enemies-the organised la bour movement. In practice the ruling class operates and sees itself as safely anove the al Occasionally blow the gaff on buffoons like Nixon Richard inis by toolishly stating it in the open. Then, in order to perpetuate the vital myth of justice.

thes ruling class mouthpieces have to receive ceremonial smack on their accomplices the wrist from let loose in public - Delore dema once more. Chare Nixon never jailed for his crimes against the Ameries Warren got and Viet- Three of the seven dockers tried on conspiracy charges in 1951 three years for picketing!

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday May 28, 1980.

WHO

LONG

FOR

hich two pickets were shot dead by troops.

If capitalism has a long history of attempts at state suppression of trade union-

NG THE

class has ism, the working an equally long history of struggle to defend its right independent construct class organisations m the workplace. No-one reading the history or 01 or tne earl trade umons. the 'new' unions in the 1880s could doubt the willingness of class fight une

NION

defence against the bourgeoisie. There has. however, almost been Troughout scconuary problem confronting the work- ing class. Organs of Struggle Not only has it been obliged to defend the very existence of as class the trade unions employers and the state; it nas also consis tently had to defend them as organs of class struggle against leadership within the trade union bureau- cracy us, saddled with a reform- ist leaaersmp, ine worklig class has, for the past hundred years, been fighting on two fronts.

smash the Every unions by the state was tre response within the working class. head these

BUT

Lne movements there has remained a dedicated the of the and preservation property of ine very class which launched these attacks. therefore, At every out clearly instead of spelling the class implication or anest anti-union vicious attacks, the reformist bureaucrats within the have collea actions to protest with a view to deal within the of capitalist the Tramework system. Prepared attack We see this clearly Ine case of the 1926 General Strike Faced with a deliberate, well prepared mine workers designed to drive down smash their their power as tall. of the working section Arthur Pugh, Chairman of the TUC calmly informed the Tory Prime Minister onEL Mav.yLD strike, and tet these worthe with more workers strike, conme Oul vault udy today. sir, to we d general strike is say that tnis be terminated forthwith, negotiations may order proceed.: That the cancellation of the are carried from the court after their acquittal.

strike spelt automatic defeat for

LEADERS

DEFEAT

the miners mattered not a jot to these traitors For, as JH Thomas, leader of the railwaymen had remarked nine days earlier: the government's *I know position. I have never disguised , in a challenge to the that, stitution, Goa nelp us unless tir Government won. Clearly, a leadership which begins from the necessity for its own memners to be cetcu the best equipped to defend the rights of those mem.

bers. leaders Because these identify and their with the continuity capitalism they totall incapable of interesen of the the interests maceudelil working class within a capitalist system wracked by crisis.

As the dying hulk of capital- crisis to crisis, ism staggers Irom from war to war, these reformist always ready with yet another transfusion of fresh Dood to keeo lie corpse up ur its feet. But it is the working class which is bled white in the process. For Trotskyists, therefore, the len to deeat the attempte struggle to defeat of the one de c c trade unions is two-sided and contradictory. Combativity On the one hand there is the tremendous combativity which exists insce ane workur cras.

This was the unequivocal fight which 1942 release

COULLS

miners' leaders at Betteshanger colliery and' to drop the fines 1,000 on a further miners. same resolute determ That ination led to the withdrawal of anti-union Order 1305 in 1951 swelled national docks strike around the attempts up to jan dockers icauers solidarity That same cass through that lady Tories, shadowy figure through "the official solicitor' to release • the Pentonville lemands grew among rank and : trade unionists for a genera 1l1C strike would Have challenged not only Industrial Relations Act but-as the miners did two years later - the very existence of the Tory government. That is one side of the pic- turen the other hand, in sharp contrast to this fighting capacity of the working class as a whole class

LILC

record of the collaborationist union leaders. Time and again they display an absolute willingness to sacri fice members jobs in steel, BL.

(above) TUC leaders emerge after betraying the 1926 Gen- eral Strike: (below) TUC leaders on March 9, 1980, fighting to prevent a General Strike to defeat the Tories.

shipbuilding and textiles before of capitalist dilal "viability" They are willis to thee hard-won rights members for a few seats arounc the ned tatiy tehle remain eager to the job-as outline take over in the 1969 'In Place of Strife and the Concordat of 1979- policeman of trade unions.

plead. We'll do No laws! they it voluntarily! And they do.

Witch-hunts The witch-hunts of militants in the TGWU, as in the Cowle!

case,

AUEW

the readers collaboration in the sacking of Derek Robinson from his post combine convenot l DL. and the attacks on militant trades councils, as most recently • all bear testimony alamence. the value bureautrac to the bourgeoisie as pawns of the capitalist stat It is also a measure of the total no ticas bankrupic. this 'official' leadership As any militant well knows, union rules today are not a means lot organ action but for shackling those who would argue for it The struggle to detend the trade unions independent class organisations must , there- consistently fought on 1010 two levels Firstly against any attempts by thestate to incorporate thies activities inrougn repressive laws and le courts Secondly, in each and every one of these struggles, against Tine Wavens cavituatiollis leadership of the unions at both national and local levels.

The demand for a General Strike, as during the steel strike, anti-union laws ove poses sharply this question.

Democratise Thus, the struggle to defend Tory anti- the unions against umon laws goes nana mn nanu with the struggle to democratise the unions. That means transforming the unions into fighting organs oi the working class •trect. accountable their members and controlled at local level by those members It also means breaking the hold of the strangle endersmo do cne umons trousi the construction factory committees, combine councils action which and unite the militancy of in and file in action against rank the bosses, around an indepen- cent class programme Untol ouredu crats will no doubt resist such steps, just as they resist every Page 7 step along the road to other mobilising the mass movement.

such But it is precisely in Controntations wite te exs!

reformist leadership that a new revolutionary leadership is con Structed The construction of indepen- dent organisations corresponding more Coscly u tasks of the mass struggle society 1 Yeh? against bourgeois to the welcome against boin tne lones anti- union laws and the trade union leadership give an organisational nev expression to the tasks of the labour movement They also prepare the basis for the development of Councils of Action (Soviets) as direct organs of worKeIs Powel committee Challenge to the ston poses power of the 11112 Council or ACion does so 101 d entire town. is the workers' answer to bourgeois parliament with the sterile phony democialy. debates and clientele of time- businessmen. server of drawing Councils Action, delegates irom every section of the labour movement, construc ted on a national scale, are the that mustoncal sucCessor. parliament The sharp tasks posed before the working class by this Tory demand that governel preparations made immediately for the coming living standards and services are then the be defended firmly emphasis must be preparation for an 'struggle to bring down the Tory covertment For this reason, the Workers Socialist League fully supports for Democracy Canno in the Labour Movement's con.

ference on July 5 in Birming- Halll under the • This conference title "After steel and BL-nev leaders needed defeat the provide a powerful ones call forum tor a tose moultant. engaged in struggle both against and the Torie employer and asals

OWI

union leadership. forgin for a fighting class the coming period the CDLM Conterenci can be an important step tor- new, revolutionary leadership in construction wards the labour movement begins not from the interests of capital but from indepen interests of the working class. We urge all our readers to attend and . win support for thi conference in their trade union oranches. stewaros commuice and trades councils

SLAUGHTER ON IDEOLOGY

Page 8 Slaughter, published by Macmillan at £4.50.

for Better known its devotion to Middle Eastern autocrats than to Marxist art, Gerry Healy's Workers Party Revolutionary seems an unlikely source for a study of Marxism and litera- ture. Yet Citt Saughter. veterar Healyite, has produced what valuable, usable some ways a stuey or orecisery unat subieel.

The merit chief Slaughter's lucid, trenchant account is that it situates the MarXIST Study Htcrature political within from integrates a Mar IsI uncory art with Marx's overall material theory of the capitalist mode oi produclon. Exchange value For labour Marx, under capitalism is inevitably abstract labour, producing commodities qualities exist whose for the sake of their exchange vane corne dov n vone Under such a system .art becomes a commodity like any

OLIICE ,

UU L

Uccaus ahl tistl aDour is mrreducoiy concrele particular, contronts and society as. something bourgeois of a scandal Moreover. it offers a model of what a non-abstract form of abour might be like labour which orocess exisica develop. creative energies rather than to alienate and repress Licik Important though this per-

IN REVIEW

It is hard to work out whether the "seduction" in this superficial film reference to Joe Tynan's political degeneration or to his physical seduction by a J.F. Kennedy TERRY EAGLETON reviews Marxism, Ideology and Literature by Cliff relative a term like 'art' is.

Was Homer realiv 'literature' for the ancient Greeks? Was the work of art' for Parthenon Inem, in the sense that it is fo us? How far Slaughter when he historical materialist sDenks oI lne essennauy numal experience' Trotsky wnich art (all art.) is supposed to embody. He also fails to mention that brilliant though much of Lukacs Trotskv's literary criticism is. it never effectively breaks with the techniques of bourgeois Such language is ironically actual criticism, whatever its profound eery cerea test Marise siteras- edly 'greatest' differences of perspective.

critic of the century, Georg Excessive Lukacs because ronicanv Slaughter's chapter on Lukacs is Beniamin's concern with the an excellent principled material modes of production of art is emphasised; Lukacs's Slaughter Stalinism, capuso "technologism' laten ana its devastaung enrects on ms -al it assumes distinct spective is, literary theory excessive trust m une tecauica dangers in Slaughter's hands But when Slaughter rightly general.

L'OI

suCIl relects some ot Lukacs's bour abstract discussion art geols deaast ormuatons cne assumes that there is, indeed, enduring spell of all works of art called 'Art'-some something that evoke life's inexhaustible singit, universal actlvily wnose dynamism'). it is difficult not to 'essence' is the creative trans- feel that he has not slid danger- formation of human energies.

such Romantic ously close to idea has precisely Ducn an abstractions himself. been the stock-in-trade of bour- ui une various Marxist Chic geois idealism. with whom he deals, Slaughter properly singles out outstanding: Trotsky Abstract and the German art critic Walte Benjamin. The virtues of both men are: Slaughter, like idealist art impressively analysed; but their critics, tends almost uncon- sciously inevitable limitations are wholl!

cerebrate

CATL

such, in the abstract; it is less a ignored. question of the particular mater- Slaughter, for example, Trotsky's view ial effects of particular works of supports literature is thinking in images art, inan tne universal crcalive •Romanteisn w ich the Russian qualities of Art-in-general.

hangover trom In fact Slaughter seems una- Formalists rightly took apart.

ware or usı now mustonicaly The Seduction of Joe Tynan, reviewed by Tony Richardson

SURFACE VIEW

OF US POLITICS

lawyer who helps Calo sing, him, but one by one wolldll Hiattering him with a court case. cam paign gatters momentum Alan Alda plays a rising 'liberal' Democrat politician Uncritical from New who is headed York or une o arescencv.

HHC EI

focuses on the way he leaps

ISE

Indeed the film fails to take from bandwagon to bandwagon any position trilical Il iis Call Vale il Avon aoDears co Stan ror nim oouucs is simoiy a from the view that corruption career. He sees it as more impor- is aciepd bits a lonning streak acceptable lọng tant than his personal relation- old his in the lament by one

SILOS

Ills

ICCHS

101 ol noerausa dn wil uonoldln daughter. Tvnan thai enai wo Wars the traditional bourgeois values His every move is a manoe- "after a while you forget what of the family vie. He only backs a struggle youn mehere or The naivete of the film and US the reality course aralsl d TaCISL also mal characie Supreme Court when it is clear bourgeois bonucial. are ally remarkable. Would someone like that he can win. thing but starry-eyed idealists. Tynan be the unaware They are dedicated to no cause corruption of John F. Kennedy incu

OWI

The film has problems _TRe *nera emocia pockets and those of the capital actual degenera- brought the world to the brink depicting any ist class as a whole of nuclear war during the Cuban non m ynan rrom ine oulse a' cynical opportunist- he missTes CIss: filing on Yet Alda has Tynan solemn- men he doesn't know in order ly telling his woman friend that hard imagine him political system more shaped by reminds "compassion' mclalall musel imous. touching inquiries after their of Kennedy! Such cynicism may such material considerations wives and families go down well at Democratio roreT - arecion

UCOTYE

Vor , gatherings but it seems a Bush, for un- Tynan be shown to Dit Yar-fetered to examne in nas extend it to successful challenge • to Ronald Darticulally extlaululal the Republican Reagan a US bourgeois

DONEGAE.

51S me bearoom rivals the film begin by One nther sign of naivete is nomination. lashed out over s.

Benjamin production forces ArISH( themselves-is passed over Sucile indeed, is the whole of Benjamin's mystical, Messianic, Jewish-apocalyptic thought, to appropriate beniamınasa traditional Marxist with a severe problem Slaughter, undialec- 1n tica astonr tiere are orooiemn: only with those thinkers witt whom tions are consistently uncritical.

million in one primary election race hetore t.ne Srresicentia itself gets underway! Yet Alda's liberalism leaves him blind to such realities and amullon momes away romm uie struggles of the American work- He offers only class. •astral

COOK

DOUIZeUl political morality is not simply the fruit of Alda's own shortcomings ünKee lo let OI al workers' party in the USA-any mass party committed, in how- struggle partial a way, , to US for the IECIeSLS labour movement. Any attempt to analyse US this politics without grasping SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980 characteristic break sauenter lalute entirely with bourgeois human- ism that he feels constrained to when Colact : InC WOrd Seicuce applied to literature, in inverted commas. one assumes, Lilclalulc too irague ana dencale a plal such grubby handling, matter of 'creativity' rather than calegones He makes some telling points Althusserian literary against and rightly criticises "science'. own earue tendency uncritically adopt Althusser's ideology idea of But his equal rejection of my own concept or a nerary moat of production is difticult applause for with his su ual. Walter Beniamin: and his irrita tion with Althusserianism some times ; descends to a mere grous- complicated me dooul loo mally categories, as thouch Marx him self could no1 equally be accused of this by any petty Douteeols defects … or une book however are substantially out- weighed by its merits committed it ls bassionale and intelligent, C ano soue be required reading for any student of the topic. must wind up as a superficial moralistic exercise trappec between the two US capitalis parties. Acting The most wotinwhile aspect of the film is the superb acting Karoat HaTTS as vaas wife) and Merryl Streep But perform- even ance finds it impossible to over- script in which the nt Alda's happy family unit is supposedly restored. Splendid aclule Calllu remea the weaktesse lightweight and superficial film.

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980

GREEN LIGHT

TO VICTIMISE

GAY WORKERS

It is "not unreasonable' to dismiss a worker who has any contact with young

CAY TEACHERS

people simply because he or she is homosexual. That is at this moment the law in

GROUP

Britain. results from the zuage- ment of an Employment Appeal Tribunal in Glasgow chaired by Lord Macdonald.

a•ocal Was John Saunders, a maintenance handyman the Scottish National Camps Association, in 1979 WIlCa onstesseonine because he was known to be gay as a result of what the tribunal GalKiy

ICICTS

homo• sexual incident in Stirling'.

Reason for sacking The Camps

ASSOCRIOR

acmll tnat tne only reason tor dismissal was homosexuality, and the industrial tribunal whom John Saunders first appealed found against him.

The confirmation of that by the Appeal Tribunal even more serious since it establishes a legal precedent for the whole country. If it is not reversed (and it is bourgeois media, the gay which social bigotry about appeal teacher thus appears in the role culrenuy under Humusczudlly COnell higher court) it could open the many gay people into the most lrraoler ollae youlk flood gates widespread direct agents of I tnere are comparatively victimisation of gav workers in a few recent cases of teachers their own oppression. wide range of jobs, especially, of being for being gay, dismissed But this would be less true if course, in education, health and this certainly because gay teachers had any social work. reason educa- nnunereos cases which It is ior this reason occur are disguised and hushed LORE al tion authorities would not dis- pamphlet just published by the mutual agreement wllnale aralnse knowo notno Teachers Group -Gay between the employers and the sexuals, or if they thought that Rights and the reaching Union: the teaching would tearei contenned. wo acneer -is particular v timelv. to resign for "personal reasons" defend them if discrimination The vulnerability of teachers and avoid damaging to did occur. to prejudice and oppression of CADUSUIe gays is obvious. of statistical Un tne basis Reason to fear The growth of an openly gay averages there must be tens of community has not removed the thousands teachers oi gay attitude Un both scores gav teachers widesoredd Diutaln (not The vast majority live in fear up to now have in general good *moerale mention Stalinist) countries that of diso ery and, like the reason to fear the worst.

homosexuality In form of the National majority gay ocoDit general are afraid to come out, Counci for Civil Liberties suh CuluoLIon

OTMA"

especially at work. mitted a questionnaire on the sexuality. And from this Teachers are simply a partic- employment of gay teachers to viewpoint, all ducation so ie Tinerea reinforced by constantly example of the tllt Ulal wayl ruesuon pertaining possible discriminatior Only one authority (Solihull) gave entirely salis all The Battle tactorv auswes tne questions. Over half the authorities did not reply. expressed Many open bigotry, stating or implying that homosexuality was a lillcal le for cnuaren And virtually all of them qualified their answers in one way or another. replies not Devela coula bring themselves to utter very words Suffolk for example Trotskyism replied darkly that: caused us any dificulties in the "these matters have past ingston-upon-Thames camed that" "all teaching ahio ara ate that are made area are on judge- Second edition of the opposition documents Dapet protessiona ments, and considerations presented inside the WRP by the present leader- which your questionnaire refer ship of the Workers Socialist League co not taererore apply. With a new introduction Victimised Price £2.50 plús 20p postage and package from Workers Socialist League, BM Box 5277, It is hard to know if even London WC1V 6XX "satisfactory" allswols NCCL's meant • ouertonnare anything since one of the best.

which sparked off the one survey of the rest, came from the ILEA which a few monud. later, in a notorious case, sacked John Warburton because would not dg cartakme nevel to aiscuss nomosexuallty with students in his school.

The IP ther NuT ins a aery case showed the bad light since ended up Lney more the same posin 196, berore l before the War- burton case, the NUT replied to the NCCL that the union was: "concerned at any form of discrimination interference 01 with members embe tull eand es orale provide member 1n2T required assistance." After the Warburton case,

NUT

the replied to the Gay Teachers Group's questions in 1980 with evasion. They admitted that the ubject had never been debate u conerence teougr The conference a vote on dis-

JAIST

crimination against gays was not laken because oi an executiv manoeuvrei No answer talled to answer the Group's questions and repeated tic only poncy tney nad on the ssue which is that 'teachers (including homo- sexual teachers) do not have a basic right to instigate classroom rapetive oF nei wat c hey discussion sexual topics Msc ucos auswers emestions choaa roperl the responsibility officially dele- persons satoo t° gated the iob in the So the Group's pamphlet concludes a gay NUT membe snoud Denave as lolows "Pupil: Are you married? Teacher (male): No. Pupil: Have you got a girlfriend?

1 cacner. No Pupil: Are you bent? Go and see the Head of Biology.' (p.17) The pamphlet correctly con cludes while the NUT has a

NDUS

TRIBUNAL

coherent and explicit position on racialism (if one that is still short on political and practical realities) its position on rights is appalling, bears relation to situa the classroom of today and is unhelpful IoI botn its gay members an the pupils (both heterosexua and homosexual) schools.

IO. O

The other main school union, National of Schoolmasters Associauon Union of Women Teachers has a position which, possible, even worse than the NUT In reply to the Gay Teachers

NAS/UWT

Group the said believed that: private lives are "teachers their own affairs. They should havever epee pree las private. teacher publicly proclaims homosexuality would in view inviting serious diffi culties." (p.11) Quite true-but the first difficulties would arise not with tne ceacher s emoiover our wita his own union. Notorious The NAS/UWT general secre- tary Laser salol notorious BBC interview a year ago that: "my union would not know- ingly teacher ecnuit homosexual main Scottish teachers' union denied any knowledge of against teachers and so did the Associa ascr minatior tion of University Teachers. The union Colecd teachers NATFHE didn't even bother to reply. It 1s worth recording Ine reply of the organisations of the public schools the Headmasters Conference, even if it has notne lo do wila cav Bants 1 illustrate the superior coes quality of English grammar you would 101 muzu lees ar suca estaoisamentei am not aware Heacedede s Conhe lengta in proceeded the length Europe-wide attacks The Saunders judgement is of a number one of attacks on gay rights which have occurred recently not only in Britain but through- out Europe. The French parliament recently voted aralls proposed extension of gay rights (the CP and Socialist parties voting in favour). Dut tne snaoes attacks are in Greece. In July a gay journal Ane Gis to be sord Last week Greek banned the Cousuls Sno wing brush lln 'Nighthawks" about gay in London, because teacher the content and the scenes or te Ilm dangerousl undermine the sane traditions ol Greek people and disgust mora avavic homosexuality and will have a Page 9 AL pessie or Reso you request which you reces details. Yours sincerely tary)".. Glover (Deputy Secre.

The Gay Teachers Group amphitti sa mpea tor gay- to the struggle fo way

ILOIILS

pecause _oI tne Wh pit o use fatt neicheos policy uuons wauen naveo take uo : serious practical committment if gay rights in education are to be advanced Positive attitude But, the discusses also, the pam phlet issue is 11U U asce mination against gay teachers but also the problem of fighting for a more positive attitude

SCHOOIS

lowarus nomosexuauv so as ta : oppression of gay combat the Sc oplst udents. And that must be part change attitude to sex in general is impossible to disagree with oamomet s remark. NAs/Usi tht osiiae the

NAS/UWT

must be kept a secret "Many teachers have aban doned role of an aloof authoritarian for a more relaxed to their pupils way ol relaling that brings iin ansierint thel qats with greater honesty if pudis in

LOIS.

such a stua instigate discussions

TION

sexuality-and thes often do- including seeking the teacher's • exper- UWIl

OPIIONS

sexua situations such ences teachers such frequently their pupils aIsWCE directly. similar situations expected to , differen acl upon principles to dishonest where others are honest, and to dissemble where OWIeS alt Until their policies and prac- tices are changed then, as this the teachers pal Diuc! orovs. unions make their contribution to dishonesty as well as to the oppression their own members and their DuDis destructive effect on Greek youm. Third, the Greek government has retabled the notorious anti gay bill "Concerning the Protec tion from Venereal Diseases and Other Related Matters", which would • allow year prison sollcliles to peooe suspecieo ot "immoral soliciting" in public.

GAY RIGHTS IN THE

TEACHING UNIONS

Published by the Gay Teachers Group (London) 112 Broxholm Road, West Norwood, London SE27

BL stewards call Page 10

INDUSTRIAL NEWS

conference Ten workers highest paid manual workers in the country. Today, we are among the lowest. have had another forced on us-from Measured Ryder Plan, Participation, Bargaining, Corporate the Edwardes Plan, the victimis- ation of Derek Robinson, to redundancies and speed up.

This year we have had yet wage cut -that is what

3 0O LOC!

means when inflation is at 20%. And for this privilege we nave nad to swallow ye page.

of stri sti started out with a claim TOr 114. strings. The company retused to negotiate from the beginning rest of the time running away.

Terry Duffy, wnen rawardes decided to himself 25% impose the deal, the LJNG and conference ted his members to work Evans call a BL-wide Moss retusca to decision by promising had a 60-40 even mouen uncy majority in the ballot for action.

any action taken by members

JOIN THE

WSL!

Returned to office after the Tory government has immediately begun betrayals, wielding a sharpened axe on jobs, conditions and social services. Trade Union rights face imminent legal attack.

Prices are already beginning to rocket upwards.

Plum sectors of state industry will be handed to the Tories' profiteering big business backers; and the pay rises to police and armed forces mark only the prelude to increased state violence and an intensified army crack- down in the accupied North of Ireland.

The Callaghan Healey leadership has made it clear that it will opppose any perspective other than settling down and meek.

ly accepting tive years or tory devastation And, though they have once more dusted off their near- Labour's forgotten 'socialist speeches, continued to duck away from any fight to remove Callaghar ders, Thatcher and the Tory cabinet paralleling eaders collaboration their anti-working class alliance with Wilson and then Callaghan working ciass has experienced and overcome such betrayals berore-to topple Meath s union oasing government in 1974, and smash through Callaghan's reactionary wage controls in a series of monumental pay battles last winter.

¿ nese exoeriences are not dead. iney point to tne wayllat jobs, social services and hard won union rights can be defended against renewed Tory attacks.

revolutionary leadership is needed if the but a rancised Labour traitors, coa corators ano uner nancers on in the Party are to be exposed and pushed aside, and mobilised that can defeat and remove the the mass struggles ory covernment Such a leadership must tight day in and day gramme of transitional demands which, conditions and today's consciousness within lead workers to draso une necessity or socialist revolution And in taking up democratic demanas-sucn as an ena to racial and sexual it must show the crucial role working class as the only consistent- the that must be played by ivravounonay Class colaoe or emancipation of mankind. an international basis-mobilising And it fight must on anti-capitalist anti-maria Solely

TOT

whether in Ireland, out the world, and drawing strength. and political lessons from insouthern Atrice or elsewnere Throudn' as that which ousted the hated Shah in Iran. This means fighting for the reconstruction of the Trotsky.

ist Fourth International.

This method of approach, rejecting any descent o Union mit ne or concertons to dy wi or luo sa•wur bureaucracy, is the method fought for by the Workers Socialist League. The next period will see major class principied, Marxist leadership is essential. Our movement though trong in programme rerains small in number: OIN US and take forward the struggle for socialism When the members responded he begged for peace. With more unar Lo.UUU

SITIKE

derailed the struggle with his agreement which changed nothing in the 92 page document. changed CAll That was: 1) Participation will be re- establisnca. miserable LCJNC, which has shown that it cannot Light its yout pape ba No wonder that the Tories Edwardes is a mo employers think He may not be able to walk on water but he certainly knows how to walk on door-mats. BL Has arcalcu unc unions with contempt. never negotiated. He He has Edwardes simply tells the unions what he Instead they passed the buck Is going to officials refuse to lead a national fight against Edwardes gave with a few convenors. honourable exeepic is a lace strings, instruc- which avoided saving way of surrendering to back no mistake. Edwardes MaKe is attacking the very existence of the unions in BL The victimisation of Derek kobinson was a direct allack on shop-floor organisation in the The document is aimed at undermining the tradi- tional role of the shop stewards by doing away with mutualty on are thor is ues. threats to sack strikers even exhausted is a direct attack on the right to strike. response of ou involved leaders is to five years of Labour

LCJNC,

participation both which are aimed at reducing shop-floor strength.

prepare we must now lo ensure that there is no repeat last year's farce. We need to combine behind unite une common cla or BL and we need to Cars for a "left-wing", MPs have Phase our tor a oro starting from today's working class, the struggle for the Get the struggles- to simple struggles in Britain. A Chains, Coventry close the factory. Management motor industry main reason the Jobs must go

TEXT OF A LEYLAND

ACTION COMMITTEE

brave words about defend jobs at

LEAFLET

SOUKTI

workers united fight this time. The LCJNC cannot be relied advocated by union bureaucracy. upon to do tnis. With the same officials control were responsible for this year's claim, Divisional can expect only a repeat central argument performance. Remember, the only oppos employers-viability. ition from the union leadership He argues sufficient around the was ol them opposed the 5%. Nex year we need a rise, not another open during first towards discussion SLeD around alternative products achieving these objectives is get the negotiations under the control of the membership. For for products Griffin This we nect a mat on come ence of BL Cars, based on dele- persuade gates from the gapa faim to eat air plants to government pursue ll, wage Shortl campaign to get the member- tion, and it that ship solidly behind it. Temporary We must break the cycle of Siuy detet-tor this we must change the way we approach the annual we need several and negotiations, change the leadership. avoid • will discuss This conference how to fight for the necessary changes, and what steps can b worker towards a nationa. lakell 110m Hollis delegate conterence

L.A.C.

LEYLAND ACTION COMMITTEE

CONFERENCE

SATURDAY 7th JUNE 11.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

DIGBETH CIVIC HALL

DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM

Entrance £1

WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE

THERE'S NO WAY OUT

ECUL

Trial sub (UK): Six issues. • Six months One year. Europe: Six months Rest of the World: Six months.. answers in

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Name. fighting Address. policies to defend jobs, wages and social services SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday 28 May 1980 Renold jobs under threat 815 workers at Renold this graphically shown , are due to stralcry lose their jobs if the com- Here we have a Tory govern ment determined to back to the pany carries out its plan to

10 DS -T0

Laur bureaucracy claims COnC with the solution of asking that reduced orders tor mera me chains made at the plant for the government of the what a sees as an unprouucky plant. the trade inion bureas despite the trade "fighting to sion the Renold" that cracy noids out the prospect ol

AUEW

launching new products! by of Actor demonstration in the city, the Open the books must totally different The first step in an alterna.

which unal defend jobs is the tive path to the trade demana lot the opening of the company books. Assistant Workers the Coventry organise AUEW has already accepted the factorv • should eleci . a Col of tee whose job it will be to inves tigate the company claims.

scrap of information only that Every surer twelve months produc orders must be cannered co give a col plete picture of the financing production records orders and tion, and tnat ll tne plant wer the that time a "viability tory and the Renold group as a could be opened. whole. Such an investigation should in order to provide Inance be carried out totally indepen changeover to new is trying to dent from the interference 01 management. collan All required from is them is the information temporary But it this is not to be ar working compensa exercise in getting the workers • OI prove to their own satisfac Employment Sub- tion that thev have to sacrifice thest be part ole rate. opening the books Under the first scheme, com- must be offensive. to resist the bosses months in order to The best way to launch ai making workers investigation and a real fight to redundant. Under the latter, the defend jobs is to do so from a government pay £20 a week pe position of strength-this means for periods up to 12 a policy of occupation The limits of reformism are Threat to all Renold's theat workers is part and parcel of th all workers' jobs anc threat to indeea lows out ol ine crisis o the motor industry. Steps should i be taken to discuss these attacks jointly with car workers.

Com. The Leyland Action conference planned for mitter June 7 in Birmingham is an idea opportunity (TO1 who wants to figh supply industries right into the centr discussion on how carworkers from defend Edwardes' attacks For any strategy to defend BL workers must involve plans an integrated plan for the whole of the motor industry.

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to Socialist Press

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•..f2 ,. £8.00 £14.00 £9.00 £10.00 Please send me trial sub/six months/one year of Socialist Press. I enclose Send to: WSL, BM Box 5277, London WCIV

Jackson forces home Post Office bosses charter SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednęsday 28 May 1980 it will out At the annual conference greater rank and file members to work of the UPW last week, by far the most important issue manacement taleels. fácing postmen and PHs Do "'an Edwardes" local productivity, was of under the name The axeman "improved working threat to preach me uro tel methods". monopoly and the Post Office's The debate took place on determination wick cowaraes Jackson moved support of the reasons the deal for acceptance. deal. Jackson claimed it was "an experiment" from Tune and was 1ат ano away the best deal in the Post Office would, he alongside any other deal in out- side industry. This deal concluded was between the SOle UPW London LDC3 and the London Postal Region, with encouragement given by HO Jackson and the UPW In the past, LDC 3 has been in the against local reinforcing that productivity, policy WIll agreement year after year.

"improved methods" working contain evervinne wade orevIou: COn- ferences have rejected-local productivity and work measure- Rather tnan eliminate what Jackson calls "overtime kings"- hive off docks action in defence of this nation- A major confrontation industry -while with dockworkers at South- Mir ampton and the other 18 demning the ports controlled by the step, revealed grade British Docks Transport We have spent years developın the present set Board [£16.6 million profit in 1979] seems inevitable if the Tories press ahead with same umon manacement condu their plans to denationalise the most profitable sections throughout by handing them UVEl private shipping companies.

into haven profiteering (the present. unc blan vultures of private capital.

Bill introducing private capital is in Militancy July) contains provision for the The government to se up to 4чo O] greatest its holdings in the BTD Board which means that the port of workforce themselves. ›thampton £7 million profit in y wolo certain v revert to being owned and controlled Concuucu by private shipping lines.

the

TGWU

and Nur bureaucracies have been ramphet To nattacks. forced to (verbally) declare their newiv intention to fight these far- militancy of the with retapo sals, Ashman workforce [these Teplotal SeCretarY

(TGWU)

warning "catas- trophe for labour relations".

'special labour relations'.

industrial This momentum Chall

AT THE TOP...

UNION DUES

It must be remembered that pressure on stated Jackson he meet previous order conterence would "sooner have a smaue. well paid workforce than a large ow pala worklorce. The first amendment, a com posite called for the Keith Joseph's report and was of the rection District moved WasI Council (Essex)_ ano seconacu by

NWDO

No. the main Branch (a member of LDC 3).

that sackson avanced from Support Calle Croydon, manenester.bummcy Jackson Joseph Tories move to TWU leaders to develop strike

WITS

cemands Labour action in every section of British witenel. COl move as ransoort Docks Willl support that action from Ing LiNe against the Tory plans. industrial It is of course precisely this oration that has supervised job- workers at Vosper 250 deals Thornycroft's Shipyard in

BTD

trans- Woolston, Southampton are •outilamolon

LUCKS

sinke-tree on unofficial strike. down the They walked out on Thurs May when engineering day implement workers relused flexibility' agreements. obstacie to This is the first walkout con these plans however will be the cerning the far-reaching Confed deal imposed without consulta- With 72 hours of strikes plus tion of the workforce. the TUC May 14 stoppage only have given notice that they will seek to defend their jobs against Production is at a standstill AC -Delco (General Motors) at emerone 2000-strong in Southampton Western Dock: over yu workers are lao on due to a pay dispute involving the first tor 18 months threat- storemen. The factory is one of ens to aemonsn any pretence lo Une 11le producers in Europe. must be

HA HA!!. SEE OUR MEMBERS

HOUND

I COT SILKY INTO THATCHER

, OUR MAY 14TH SPEECHES

- AFTER ALL

WEREN'T ALL BULLSHIT, WERE THEY?..

don ston, Stroud PHG, London without join the scheme and still Oxiora rHu. No. 2 (also a member of LDC 3) jobs. St Austell Uttoxeter. divisions among the branches of Liverpool. a debate that lasted for In the wick over two hours, twelve spoke in make it easier Office and Jackson to hammer • Javour futher cutbacks later. tavour or local producuvily The main argument for rejec- JaCKSOn rightly, centred speech tion, quite point that produc- Monday had «rougo le tivity leads to lost jobs and loss Tor tears Ove of future job opportunity unemployment it was and would against UPW spoke of UPh But have an effect on pay TUTUre argaining to the replying who hypocrisy said that debate LOSt rejected local productivity hac through the higher echelons o and the trade union 'paraded "doing a grave disservice movement. Were to members, , to a great • pudic served and to the public they service the letter monopoly and cream they cities Under the deal, he claimed.

the overtime kings DrOUUCLIVIE) while those who do average 'through toss or benefit strike action. Increased ony jobs) and more leisure time.

The amendment was two sections defeated by 6,510 to 5,064 on alone a card vote. The report was lale accepted defeat of the amend- Post Office next year The ment represents a malor setback for UPW members and the trade marker sharks lo buy silales Iu union movement as a whole cash in on the rich pickings.

preparatiot The Post Ottice is dengnied with the decision because it can exe locat thramatin to lose sure the maximum pressure "Telecommunications Scottish teachers win support Scottish teachers telephones. 8,000 in the were called out on strike for Glasgow, loaches last week by three days tives have their union, the EIS. They will be out for two more at the Hillees days this week. WOrKShODs. The publice the ca union eagersno nave stated that these stoppages will strike I he continue "indefinitely until the claim for 18.6% is secured union leadership. This mass for Scottish teachers-is trans- Glasgow last forming. many attitudes towards trade union dary ism. has retused Support strike levy! The speaker EIS leadership in Glasgow and Lanarkshire especially teachers organised mass picket have which McLeod is headmaster.

strike committees That support of both the sougnt ine general public and the organisec labour movement. In Lanarkshire given prime time on the the steel- workers have pledged their sup- union. nort naid for rooms Tor Int strike committee in Motherwell Town Hall and helped teachers of the tion and secure

THATLL TEACH HER TO

THATS ALL VERY WELL. BUT

WE MUST SEE THIS IN PERSPECTA

ON HIS HOLIDAYS!

... AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THATCHER MIGHT

LEVEN TAKE OUR ADVICE AND IMPOSE WAGE CONTROLS!

THAT WILL CALL FOR SOME FAST TALKING

ON OUR PART!..

Page 11 by T. Brook turing" just one week prior to compensation, lose conference The debate on this crucial Friday cause certainly Issue place morning with delegates receiving amendments the day Hia. for rOS Delore The main argument put for- acceptance deal was that it was in opening shabby conference interests of telecom Ine Dest cried crocodile members änd contaned increase from April 1. 3½7 policy and › pay 2 The pay date is July 1. reaching Two amendments calling for time he rejection of the report. were same withdrawn. members enter- the Janice Stone moved sought composite wilc! right . defer the report To De the sub• ject of a special telecoms confer- be held not later than and November '1980." The main reason she cited If the Tories want to break was the rushed nature of the given off the profitable sections in the hadn't branches the time to consider its will do contents a carrot estich was not The -unless acceptable The agreement contained 17 The Post Office is to be split, in fact it is already split into commitments and by lar TiNe controversial was the most The Postal side will have to reduc- шна. which siales while the highly tion of complement wiereve. improved efficiency allows this telecommunications to be achieved without incurring side wil be a vorce iron cae putting reduno ancies. it in an ideal situation for stock Rebuffed The UPW EC was rebuffed however in the final vote which for the rushed the UP went in lavour or terertilig unc out a special report dealing with issue to a special conference.

Restruc- 8,000-strong Scottish Secondary Springburn area of Teachers Association to loin the strike. representa- But within the SSTA there been invited determined anti-strike are address the shop stewards com- rail engineering will have to be wnlo challenged by more intensive and have planned a picketing. public meeting this Thursday to The undoubted steps also helped forward in the fight must blind teachers Ine smoke out the right wing in the manoeuvres going on behind the meeting the Tuesday EIS General representative for Albert Secon- John Pollock, denounced EIS Executive member Norman McLeod who a deal along the lines of tha secured by the civil service.

even lo pay This would called on the nermanen pay body May instead Arrand organise of 1 April, instead of tne school a "found" bi more mone Dein! McLeod allowing a reduction same evening teaching over the announced us resignalon iron the Executive. He has since beer next ycar wheeling and dealing media SuCT can only be blocked by a deter- to attack the policies of his own of the strike of the schemes There will be further escala- and exposure strike this • week being cooked up by the leader ship following the ballot vote of the

.. THERE ARE SOME VERY STICKY PROBLEMS

COMING UP... MORE CLOSURES... MORE CUTS..

PRIOR'S EMPLOYMEN! BILI

...I MEAN, ONCE WORKERS GET A TASTE

FOR PELTING THATCHER AND JOSEPH, WE'D

BETTER START WEARING CRASH HELMETS!

'LEFTS' COME TO SAVE

WE NEED YOUR CASH!

PRESS

There is no doubt that Saturday's Special Confer- ence of the Labour Party will be a vocal display of unity by both 'left' and right wingers alike. After all, there is only one resolution. unanimously endorsed by the Party's NEC-.

are and amenaments allowed. But the facade of unity will be erected at a time when the producing LOrY major cracks the Labour Saturday's four platform Herer. Joan calle Eric Jim (allaghan. Hefter. and Tony Benn, will have to diveri the attention of militants away the treacherous wage- policies une

CASI

Labour government, away from the mass action bring down and zovernmeni vaguc package Towards Labour govern- in four years time! ment Nobody pretenos resolution before the Special Conference contains anything new. Leftovers It is a warmed over pot reformist left-overs, specifically worded to exclude any commit- to perspective of planned socialist economy.

the icform and expansion - the system that world-wide Britain has recession, 3n0 n brought record levels of unem- ployment and inflation

CHIS

of mass public livc ycar. under the Unemo ovnent Wilson and Callaghan ments, resolution nypo *the Tories-studiously avoiding any

CHUCKLY

restoration and maintenance of pledge actually full employment" "the high- major industrics or the banks Instead government". seeking the stake collapse the Contiols over various This amounts to little more than introoucca under Wison pledges once again to introduce powerful government can! system of price controls' private employers. *While gamely *And talking "international agreement' and "Policy for tion, tongue in cheek, condemns the mast the Soviet invasion of Afghanis.

tan with a ringing and hypocrit- Havionalst trade war ano • CIas. collaboration with pledge "not 10 manufactured imports to continue to destroy peoples If readers of this column Internatonal Liaison com- have detected an increasing- mittee, such high levels of ly desperate tone in our inflation make life extreme- appeals for money in recent ly difficult. weeks they are right! For any operation that is tant interventions show, this run on a tight budget, 22% work is central to the build.

inflation inevitably has ing of the WL and the fight crippling effect. to reconstruct the So when we are at the International. same time fighting to expand our work both most nationally through to date dof the our youth work and our work Youth League women (with the extremely allul? two papers Red Youth and leadersnip Woman Worker) and inter- will be a great, asset to the nationally, through the fight fight for Trotskyism in the build the Trotskyist coming period. Published by Foliose Ltd for the Registered as a newspaper at the Post Uttice. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the

SOCIALIST

CALLAGHAN

-not bury him! "What shall we tell them, Tony » "universal" respect which of course successive Labour leader- extenain. ownership and planning Nori Sea Oil and - with Irish retused to extend to the continuing "hived off" struzy fording all eration.

reference avoiding nationalise

8CT0E

Curreni issues che ents the workment: she it restricts itself cuts; "significant public antrunion laws. celo illalon -and a degree of control the Labour leaders plainly hope avoid exposing the divsions now increasingly Callar:an/Wilson-style inrouen me umon bureaucracy hallucuts week's tentative move Tory Chancellor Howe to in a section headed the

TUC

invite to discuss the resolu- sululloy ware producet eviaence unese divisions. While some union leaders- "universal Ray Buckton of

ASLEF

Sapper of rights of al the ACT and Ken Gill to self-determination" of TASS-ruled out such Woman Worker contin- ues to be used centralv work such the fight against cuts in social services But as a series of impor- -and Woman Worker sup- porters played an important role in the Notts nursery conference reported in last week's Socialist Press. Last weekend saw the Funds successful conference Socialist And this weekend with members of the WL and a capable youth organisations number affiliated to the TILC have emerging that been the intervening Lutte Ouvriere Fete in Paris.

DUEL

all unis work costs s boclaust beague. bM box ozil. London wCV 6XX - "Hmmm, never mind, we'll think of something , others were more cagey Moss Evans and pressure Alan Fisher, such Joe divisions Gormiey pretence camen a openins angling Labour Party. social Yet new form this basis Contract Electricians' leader Frank who and Chapple, however, came gang programme uno en unorecedeniec attack from other union leaders for his condemnation of May bring down Labour's 'lefts' Day his declared around seeking to willingness to talk to Thatcher on any terms. for Callaghan's policies!

Saturday's Healey ference will His stand was immediatel offer any endorsed by shadow Chancellor Denis Healey, who once again and unrepentent supporter of wage labour movement as a whole.

controls. £1842.65. money. Increasing amounts £1157.35 of money. That is why we absolutely have to raise our monthly fund in full and end of July. So can achieve greater progress in tackling the second half of respond our £3,000 Special Fund. So far on the May fund we have only £484.70 • done £750 target— allow towards our leaving us £265.30 to raise by a lack of money. Dig in five days! deep Progress on the Special pockets and see Fund is even slower Call Conc Since Easter when address to we donation is: completed the first half of the £3,000 fund Socialist BM we have only raised BOx further £342.65, giving

WCIV 6XX.

us : Ltd, London. • Anvu frinte Workers Socialist League.

Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement

AFTER THE STEEL AND BL STRIKES-NEW LEADERS

NEEDED!

Saturday 5 July at Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham 11.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Credentials £1 Write to: G. Webster, 169, Barclay Rd., Warley, West Midlands - Linwood jobs sacrificed Another 1,000 jobs at the Talbot plant in Linwood Renfrewshire have been sacrificed the bloody altar of "profitability'.

Stewards voted last week not oppose the arest wave o sackings, which brings the tot and 2,500 since. leaves onlya skeleton

I CICW O

in a plant where once 8,500 were employed The now being Guestiol now ion! before the closure?" Certainly is little there Heffer stewards tion by the will appease Talbot's Peugeot- There is no doubt that under Citroen owners. class record are also Linwood over the last 18 throughou months by sooner than build on one week lost. campaign for the Even admit management removal of the Callaghan-Healer that there has been substantia for " th socialist platform speed-up in tne last six montis But with the car industry in which to fight for actior crisis and every firm looking for the Tories, scurryin ways of rationalising its produc are nite tion, even the most aoject sud servience to management is no ana rignt and wmp up suppor guarantee of a job way that jobs can special con the orly througl thus confirm detended is th collaboration with the complete inability of the lefts employers, but only through at real alternative independent occupation, астол supporting strikes and blacking Head ersat ction-to enforce the demand of work sharing on full pay.

Grain picket As we go press This leaves

GMWU

laggers from the • Dy building sites all over the WSL Summer School at the country are expected to jom a mass picket of the CEGB appeal to we Isle of Grain power station every reader and supporter call. site There's important work to are protesting against uner which we cannot reactionar _agreement by

TGWU.

to be thwarted purely

EETPU

and

UCATT

mangemen! train scab on the into

YOU

to fill the jobs of 27 strikin what you GMWU laggers with. The ouch an oven cakenreakım send your move by the four unions is the my u far-reaching response yet Press London Fund, union leaders to a closure 5277, nical by management