Socialist Press no. 239

CUTS CONFERENCE: 21 March, LONDON Details, see page 9

PRESS

TURN

BUDGET

There could scarcely be a leader Len Murray has looked working class man who was not once arall enraged at last week's savage the CBI! Tory budget. Howe's latest ackage set: has been and deliberately coolly to dISCUSSIONS pillage plunder the poor, some ume mn an errort to carole clobber the claim- them into making a joint appeal pensioners. to ants ane mik the misde class.

His proposals will add £5 per reflationary policies. week on average to the cost living, bring a new wave of infla- No resistance tion, recession and redundancy, and sin housil, social seeping.

housing, social services cuts the same ana caucalon spename. 1s a

LITOWI

thousallus carried by class-war unionists onto the dole queues with no union resistance cabinet representing The impact DanKers. Speculaluls. likely strippers, spivs amStocraTs and nOW seems that make up the British ruling cement this unholv alliance classt is an attempt once exploiters of pressuring hatchet on the both to drive un attemate of profit it the expense of the vast majority one hand while on of working people. preventing the mobilisation the working This is how it was recognised could defeat the government.

at once by shop noor workers ul hostilly d blast almost physical But this anger. Tne race Britain and no echo from anger has found capitalist the leadership of the labour on movement.

SOCIALIST

Weekly paper of the Workers Socialist League * No. 239 * 18 March 1981 * 20p

FURY

INTO

Instead of pointing towards does not mean that workers should support one side against the other political Thatcher's monetarist towards a is divisive: it SualcEy

LICEOS

sarily means Dan DIc 10] Behind the scenes, the TUC whole sections weaker conducting employers-in ruthless regular search for profitability by the

CBI

for with une STrOngeSt he scale or the recession a package of itself has made more and more employers begin to fear that the thev monetarist poucies OnCe applauded will soon drive them out of business. This is the main reason for While the talks have gone on, the Spills have employers the Tory Party as a whole and even within the Cabinet. the "wet" The

CBI

alla Tories do пот aisapprove of the Budget Howe's attacks on the working further class. They oppose in profits and wholesale devasta- bureaucrats and Or orate mouse muc recession. the other Conned class in action that Some Tory MPs also fear of course it is true that in that impact furthe the spending will antagonise recession

CUTS

world wide the ayers of the middle class who class itself is divided conned into vin the last

WOLC

une way forwara. but tus Dy guo *

ACTION!

So do the election. A number of "wets" have Indeed, even while his now emerged as open critics of Imansug the government, and one shire readers were Tory, Christopher Brocklebank- taken the astonish- action" rowler, has ing step or announce wilde he which not even will not stand again as a Tory MP. strikes will be called. Within the Cabinet "wets" These labour leaders such as James Prior have begun Live workers were To connel a reede ory version of the fight for accountability.

acTIon now. Such developments grab the headlines. But thev offer workers nothing. The government is reeling- policies stil hont header ater us cereat socialist by the miners-but it still needs Tesolve THe CESS. to be knocked out. and Labour's right wine leadership have begun treasure in package drawing case there is an That why early General Election. Foot has And

COT

Course challenged Thatcher to call an election. neither he nor his ment.

DUL

have Anger at the Budget shadow caomer Crones "right" of HOW De to remain in office actionto services and living standards.

until 1984 This means: And thev oppose working class action to furce this govern-

TALOUL

ment out of office.

SPAIN:

LESSONS OF

THE COUP

BID

Pages 4-5 Miners w they inte workers in struggle over wages New claims to incude caren me- increases and a cost-of-living protect against •rate ane rent surkes to the massive increases caused by Heseltine's cuts.

*Strike action and occupa- the cuts in health, education and social services.

blacking action to defend industrial jobs against closures anu rcuunual cies. For work sharing on full pay! *Prepare for general strike Howe was action the budget attacks, Thatcher government! to restrict their April "week of gainst the governmen Royals activity one-day token pay rise movement in fear that given a lead to they would soot CASH LIMITS for public see that they have the streneth sector pay: cash limits on hous- not onlv to crush Thatcher but ing, hospitals schools and aside the gang of But the sky's the universues. Tient wine nurealcrats with limit for Tory essentials- their own ranks who oppose the military spending and the royal necessary Lamly Howe's fioures make it clea that the government's 6% limit Prepare action on public sector pay settlements does noi They are right to be afraid forces, who can nave watever Socialist Press has figure their review body cares to stressed the necessity to prepare recommend Meanwhile the royal famil to bring down this hated govern- have managed mecorate 9% pay hike for themselves 1 1981, jack cool 3,260200 i jacking Queen's must channelled into all-out Mother's delena Jobs, social the Duke's £160,000 and Princess Anne taking a nosebag with £100,000 servants and other sections of in it.

NO RECOGNITION TO

RCT CONFERENCE: NO

Page 2 Committee for the Defence of Democracy in Bolivia , Cambridge Terrac 3 March 1981 Comrades, attention following Thatcher's visit. to Washington las quite correctly been centre Cold War the barbaric against for national libera- would Salvador, 41011 one unforseen see erect. ne likelihood recog the dictator- nition the Reagan administra-

SAID DY

tion and the lory coveriment following in its footsteps Reagan has been backing

ITOR

Junta led bv General Garcia anc established following the bloody.

Because the Us Drugs once- year,

LOUD

ment Agency has given publicity to the fact that leading members military The TUC's bureaucratic of the confer- proscription ence on Ireland called by the Revolutionary Com. munist Tendency's "Smash the Prevention of Terrorism Campaign" be Act must condemned throughout the trade union movement. It is part and parcel of the dictatorial methods used by the union bureaucracy to keep the chained pro-imperialist, bi-partisan policies on Ireland. The Workers Socialist reiterates its active and League unconditional opposition such intimidation. But neither did we give poltical support Dracucal to the RCT's conference. In fact we are strongly critical of the and called the wav Was inethods or tne kel. By pursuing an adventurist policy,

RCT

leave elitist anti-imperialist forces within the o•en victurilsativil and potential exclusion from working class organisations.

Deaf to all but sectarian self- interest. the RCi promote irom a position of weakness, noDe- less clashes with the reformist 'prove the vulcaulidey Labourites and Stalinists class collaborators. Mousetrap By staging artificial confron- tations they aim to 'expose' and workers' with official leaders-Ireland cheese mouse ap this simple- complete the minded schema, those on left who relect such futility are of course summarily dismissed as accomplices of the pro- Explicitly rejecting the hard task of taking workers through experiences against their present they Headers arom Cali draw strength and make a devel-

RCT

substitutes opment, exemplary

SOIL

cuts ariu actions such as last •atulady s conference-supposedly galvanise the masses from their sluool.

BOLIVIAN JUNTA!

deeply involved cocaine Amnesty International mission trafficking. corroborates polvid This meant that the assertion that repression olivia s massite s3. continues on a massive scale: Junta has the entire country lives under a gonate DUlVid s billion external and deni sate • Sect flounders on the very of bank- per breaking are cural breaking Tupicy • unions However, on. 27 trade rebruary Garcia moved to clean up his anne replaced by firing the two leading government-appointed 'coordin- image political parties me coes a de cabel only the fascist right may work Colonels Luis Gomez (Minister of the Interior) and oneny: ine mines Conte (Minister of Educ infested by troops (several Ariel Coca and slightest ation). evidence of criticism (even Wall St. 'subversive delinquency. The consequences of this are They have been replaced by now well-known: arrest, torture men no less a welc with connections with and summary executon renau Wall Street) but less renowned a daily occurence. On January for their dealings in narcotics.

nine members of the Movimento de with the reum or arce and Coca to their natural terrain of Izquierda Revolucionaria directing repression the

(MIR)

way were captured, tortured and then assassinated open or recognuon wiel. u fact, ne report changed. with the regime making report effort to cover its tracks. This is.

recentl

WAY TO BACK

IRISH STRUGGLE

affiliation of Tameside Trades Council last While it may salve the RCT's vear

RCT

leadership conscience uncommitted militants gullible enough to fall

WSL,

virtually will end up The demagogy Ior this the defens consistently supported only o ate a camorascu Fought campaign This petty bourgeois, propa- gandist playing the Red turn that into a cene es.

wide campaign against the TUC Rrigades than Leninism. It is a to this effect resolution mere variation on the methods Tameside of their • former comrades in the Carricu conference SWP, whose stunts on the Irish The RCT's infantile inability Wat nave understand horse shit onto MPs from Parlia- their ment's public Labou The initiated this Party with the Tories, turned conference with no aliculot di into a self-right- that struggle discussion with others who might have given support.

cous talkie slug Much worse, they even chose i ne Runneroie cesture and single issue mentality sees a organise l lurousn a problem as solution to every trade union body but their own simply running up the red flag-

SPTAC

giving their party or on Ireland more accurately a address for contact. green flag as they boast of giving scale media with the IRA uncritical support witch-hunt inevitable, •this can the letting be seen as deliberately They only ene TỰC reformists off the hook. the door for A nO only winners in this game ana postively the enemies of disaffiliations. people. The experience of the dis-

PTA RENEWED

Labour MPs embarrassed the Wilson government in 1974 at the continuing flow Since then it has been backed of Irish both Tories and arrests innocent MPs men and women under the PLP's But last week the of so-called Prevention Home Affairs group unanimous- that Terrorism been ly recommended

ALL

renewal be opposed. forced into mealy because of any This is not mouthed Parliamentary of protest. towards lost The latest figures show that British imperialism. Hone 5,000 people have been Affairs Group chairperson Alex over that detained under the PTA in the pointed

LYU1.

see the legal last seven years-only group wisted Droscription of the IRA whom have been charged with con- offences under the PTA tinued. Some 249 have been charged argued that the

DU L

with other offences: and 240 Act's impact on older simply liberties was unacceptable.

people This however, not excluded from Britain without view being brought before a fellow Labout ever shared ov MPs-who have decided simply Coll to call for • a review of the PTA rammed

A CU

was through Parliament KOv and Its workings. Jenkins as Home Secretary of though, instance only auls bally Moreover. on y Januarv the resin air in an enort to lay the basis close relationship introduced an the WIul economic backer maa remover the subsidies on a series of basic inflation increasing recessile around 100%, and luce those wages-except military who have had three rises in the last year. Strike The workers' response this exceeded with a simke Ine mines and the major factories of La Paz and Cochabamba now v oreover Front for Clandestine Union On 16

(FUSCLA),

estab- December lished on underground the COB (the outlawed national federation) with the support o delegates the

WUIKCIS

PCB, POR, MIR, and PRIN. The TUC is "an imperial- ist organisation", and trades councils who don't have an anti-imperialist policy on Ireland "good for are nothing". That was the theme of last Saturday's Coventry conference (literally) which took place under the green banner of the Revolutionary Communist Tendency. As the pres egged on by

RCT

statements, arovocative whipped up a witch-hunt, added the conference boosted attendance to 200 - mainy students. However, significantly only two or three trades councils had sent official delegations follow the

TUC'S

proscription ing threats and formal representa tion trom coner labour move ment bodies was sparse. Previously advertised British trade speakers unions were also absent. thus

VITA

latter reduced to Irish republican anc

RCT

speakers (who oppose any criticism of the IRA) it was n wonder conference The organisers drew high praise from Brendan Gallagher. the main speakers, a Gu branen secre tary from Derry drew out some real problem actually organising on the Irish question in the unions. minority of left MPs will carry the banner of opposition to the PAssace olden dence from the reactionary "bilateral" policy on Ireland.

ince Box SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 cocaine coioner arce somer The FUSCLA calls for 100% the Bring in our stovertht vage rises, the establishment o British labour movement sliding scal of wages return Carrington written Tony fos miners radic slations Denn Wal die reasur full rights of assembly, speech witholding _ recoonition and trade union activity suppression of democratic liber ies. He bowst e ke to thi th reorganisation the allowed labour movement stands threat repeat Chile ened by the renewal or impera DONCi allt ist support for the dictatorship Argentina spurious under the believe that every effort excuse that the 'cocaine dealers and we have gone and all is now well.

SHUSI

made Isuldit Elit Junta, including pressuring the *Down with Bolivian the Tory to withold dictatorship! Iccuzilliol "no recoannon We would. therefore ask fo *No arms your support in publicising the *No trade! threat of recognition and build

IN BRIEF

SPAIN

EL SALVADOR

As Reagan's US administra- General its military aggres former Spanish Deputy Chie tion steps up of Staff and aide to King Juan sion in # Salvador. it appear Carios nas now been cnarged with has beelin has been _under wing arrest 26 and will gr guerrillas is beginning to beat since february to court martial at an indeter- some fruit. The Sandinista in minate date. regime But clearly has since his trial will be Nicaragua. which officers of equa support ve inge rank it is highty unrikely a measure oi conautica seps, has begin tradin Salvadorean inal any severe punishment will be meted out-if indeed the trial repeated ever takes place. Not onlv have statements been made assurances that the arms will cease, but the FLN has now issued insuucuons Ulai Sandinista speakers abroad should not even address solidar- CND Labour Movement El Salvador-for

CONFERENCE

SILV

fear that the US imperialists will cut off $75 million in aid.

AGAINST THE

MISSILES

DEMONSTRATION

US Hands off El Salvador Saturday 4 April 1981 Saturday March 28, Assemble 2.00 pm at UMIST Students The Plain, Oxford Union, Manchester. Evening Social Called by Oxford Latin Up to 2 delegates from America Committee movement labour

POLAND

Details and bodies. credentials from; The Polish union Solidarity

CND

decided to call off a 24-hour 11 Goodwin St, general strike in the industrial London N4. of Radom after securing the the resignation loca She wii. Party governor and police sible beatings against 1U1 workers in the 1976 strike wave.

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3XX

Zimbabwe: workers'

ZIONISTS DRAW COMFORT FROM

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 party needed The masses of Zimbabwe are ment-but it is also leading to In Zimbabwe over the frustration and confusion which bosses' several adilse few weeks, past government which tramples on inevitably being misalrectec guerrillas, workers hundred in all directions and manipula- heir needs ted by opportunists who oppose and youth have been killed Mugabe's increasingly. while fighting government bases itself not on between NUHdUC S during the guerrillas, , or the masses who malntaining tnel own and

ZIPRA

ZANLA

while this frustration but on the capital- voted for it. đ op ning guerrillas. and confusion 1st state macande ranks Mugabe's 'cure" for all the Many more have been killed amonosE suffering and red top bre she captak- oppressed of Smith's Rhodes- The lorces

CO CA

at tae tanes the capital- saved from a mountin: 12n Aircan Kiles. sent un oy las Ucl. by the Lancaste confrontation Mugabe to maintain 'law and ist arive lol prols is to cau lol growing stronger more capitalist investment pousc ucal alt promise has e cani talis prot his Smith's airforce was put on ano bolder. as vurabe Comes LU rest on them more heavily.

even put into the alert by mugabe, reduy bomb the camps cabinei those into wnich COLLe saulle Working class Mugabe had bosses who for 15 years suppor- Nkomo and Smith's terror against the ordered the guerrillas as part of masses they exploit. Socialist Press has consistent- the imperialist Lancaster House of class ly pointea to these dangers and settlement. Murades DOrCiCs collaboration criticised the class collaboration The deaths of these people, make nıs ovene ment more leaders. and the confusion and frustra- pullle greater and that the tion which gave rise to the fight- to the capitallsts, a we have arzUCu greater obstacle to the struggle are the results of the class forces fighting Smith must be of the masses. r the leadership of which brought under collaboration ponucs the working class, and called for Mugabe and Nkomo have Imperialist deal followed. the ne one madaly Not so long ago, Nkomo and organisations the working oI working Every day the class e have put forward policies wipane TO0e a conilel from whom the petty masses Patriotic Front, senders une bourgeois nationalists Patriotic announcing that Cem beb e uo bese Stalinists of the PF drew their combined forces of ZANLA interests of the working cass. bea se e stand on support are expertencis wilal This' is and ZIPR A would soon be iber- 'freedom' and "liberation' method the politics. ating Salisbury and Bulawayo.

by the promised them same time, they were At the strategy ol le Irolsky-st dians PF that in secret negotia- itional Programme which argues Heall. both involved leaders head the government.

that in the epoch of imperialism tions w7110 amberlausts Nkomo and Mugabe, having -of capitalist decay -no genuine work out a deal whose aim was part their simple class collaboration.

lasting reform can be granted by •urany comvicia the The imperialists demanded a ot the imperlanst acal continue stand united from time to not mean that we guarantee the Pr leaders

ITOM

the struggle that they would defend private stane ooposcu lu They are united in ordering partial and hold the for reforms a TOl pideiLy was set to escal- Smith's old army means altack we struggle which guerrillas; in ordering. the struggle for that ate amongst une masses m uc Ictugilise attack strikers; them, if it is to be consistently police exchange for a their supporters PF majority in the government.

carried ao visane TATouan. Car orLLy won behind the leadership temain patenl, ana I ensuluie that they remain the working class. patent-al Believed The situation in Zimbabwe gunpoint. And while the hardship off The of Zimbabwe

TO02V

sn rece cu dualus masscs sections of the Trotskyist Ine masses contas. postton on followed fought for and voted of the petty bourgeois leader- struggle for democratic the for the PF because they believed ship are dividing up the spoil rights and reforms in the imper- that it would create a govern- allowed which imperialism has needs ialist epoch. their mentu wich their And it is burning proof of them, moving and which would carry out the with their fat salaries address tasks and socialist policies the need to reforms and their privileges. komo Mugabe and wAlch

TOTSK YISLS

crucial in every situation: espoused whenever they faced Reality *to build independent the masses. working of the But under the new govern- ordanisa ols Every the reality capitalist state day, classto build a working. ment une being class collaboration remains by and arge lutacl. Class behind which to leadership, Donerstip, matial tain. property remains private exposed rally all buro sed inde s thousands of workers and militants. widespread hute ine. indeoeraeni extenuca. Incle politics and party of the work- That is leading to a growing , unemployment poverty, anla ing class. hardship. anger

ITAA AN R HAN

= REAGAN VICTORY

the Middle East is an important As the June 30 election part of a general aggressive turn date approaches, desperate by the Us. Policy attempts are being made by ideas previously by the Carter regime. appointed finance newly minister Coram Aridor to The US government is very buy' the Israeli voters. much alive to the strategic value funding for release surplus Tax cuts on cars, televisions third of the Sinal o Ine

YISL

military expansion will stoke and electrical items, linked wịth hand bla-who h Bype in Apt0 the class struggle. back to Egypt in April new loans schemes 1o1 nousug support and many other proposed for Reagan was brought down last-ditch This chunk site of concessions are to earth last week by Defence three airfields, and the US may Secretary John Nott who made attempt to restore popularity to be set to pressure Egypt into Begin's reactionary

ILIKUO

It plan Inal a Dillis contiou- government. accepung a lalgt Americal tion to the proposed Rapid presence often the case in the area. Deployment Force would need this area cobld ell bested been any It has periods of capitalist CrisIs small and probably se a possible be Cilcab short term galns may wet be little more than a political toker overshadowed by further deeper staging post for the Deployment of support economic collapse in the near contaniy an are or the comaa- governments Israel is of course in favour

TUTUNC.

which would of Lils UUUls

LIVEV

Inel IcooceuiYC Some comfort strengthen theur even purtact working classes and it is partly embrace with the US imperial- this which accounts for the lack their ists. world record erolte of enthusiasm in some govern- These developments inflation and gloomy emigra- ments lol Keagan s comlonta- tion figures, the Israeli Zionists linked to Te genera neven tionist rhetoric. tionist US policy against wil have calned some comiort of Thatcher by The defeat liberation struggles from the election of Reagan.

natonal and water workers The mea Himself a well-known 'hawk' througnout tne worla, wileh i.

will not have gone unnoticed.

Reagan is surrounded by Zionist • most starkly shown in We must recognise that the Salvador. advisors, worus US operates from position people and the PLo are expect- Reagan Pale tinan attenoumg which has weakened since the make a stand at a time when imperialism. world capitalism is in crisis and ing a hard time ahead. necona wore wa-as «amon- 'Support for the Paletinians strated • in Iran and Nicaraguo. inability As reported in Socialist Press Sucli millal the political intervene a nol the plan for a Rapid Deploy- can onu ve amanced oy swunzo- Zionism in the able ing attacks on the working class.

ment Force to

NOW

will be movement Cuts in the US, designed to home the against otersve liberation struggles ir agalist Page 3 By Jim Farnham Mugabe Homeless Palestinians in Israel and financial support military contribution to Te ner cn throughout the world Tor Is ensence fact that defeat in mind the bearing of israel KriTiSh BolT Tacki SUaLE strong totally reliant upon outside

LESSONS OF THE

SPANISH COUP BID

Page 4 HENRY PHILLIPS, just back from Madrid, sums up the outcome of the February events. So everything in Spain is back to normal after the dramatic coup attempt of February 23 and 24. Just as normal, the govern- ment is in the hands of the main party, the Centre

NEIT

wing Democratic Union (UCD)- led by Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo wnose vote oi contidence was so by Civil emoter Guard machine gun fire. And, just as normal, this is a government willi lacKs and dullully wnose timidity internal divisions are only too obvious. UCD MPs have demon- Many strated their desire with the Socialists Coition which Calvo Sotelo totally rules out. Though Calvo Sotelo asserts that he is not going to govern with sword Danlocie over his head it is clearer than February ever аттет he doesn't look u wards before move he makes, at least he ooks over his shoulder at the rancoist amy. Almost every day Calvo obliged to announce

DOLCIO

that there is no military pressure But another thing which is plainly back to normal is that every spanish barracks is full of -at the drop of a onucers who three-cornered military if they coul thought it could be successtul. will have no They inventing Tanks on the streets pretext since another thing which continues of Valencia continued The terrorist campaign of the radical

ETA-

comfortable quarters in various militar the analist НОЗ ДОМОНСОРО ТО state cores on plete freedom to receive visitors relative impunity vince The and communicate outside. with which

ETA-M

has been They being treated, El able shoot down Donce and Pais also reports like neroes ally onicers is one ol the main Their role, and the coup as a reasons given by the military whole, is to be examined by a officers who want to justify the secret military tribunal.

seizure of power. Calvo Sotelo tried to demonstrate his concern Cover-up by rushing off to the Basque country

DUV11

What is planned, of course

POLICE

commiss oner was shot realises because it is ETA-M last week. as everyone

ETA-M

has another part of what is normal up its campaign ince the failed coup Partico diary action or tie distinguish it from the fact that plans for a coup were almost certainly participated in "poli-milis") to the majority of the LEne 10-calec which reacted to the coup by echelons we fellar releasing the three foreign and orooaoly dise to te Ning Consuls it had kidnapped and and the leading politicians.

conditional ceasefiter unilateral and un- Such a cover-up designed to bolster the myth unal Ine army and police leadership can be divided into Released pro-coup and minority democratic, Everything normal in also back Everything which has been nearly the army revealed since the coup attempt and the Civil Guard. Most of the members of the Civil Guard who government sources are since invaded the Parliament building silent) suggests that it virtually been released and are now held rinciple we majo that way back at their posts trom haullly Daci they I ne supporting the coup -but rather were merely obeying orders: in a tactical decision. fact had volunteered forces leading to cards a mit try thus clear that articipate in an action "to save Spain

COLD

remate as stone _ever Only their leader, Lt-Col. and have even been strengthen- Tejero is detained along with ed by resenteve sto four (including Milans much the 10 I del Bosch and Armada) and 20 Spanish capitalists Most of the Spanish bosses as a whole Dul other of tirs and a hand- who are supporting the coup.

still hope to be able to control ful ultra-right and exploit working class Franco's with the aid of the Socialist and Bureaucracies bureaucracy. communist oureaucracies which Their 'detention" according LeAnd toke tomats on the to El Pais, the main bourgeois And in the aftermath of isation.

CEOE

In spain, means that coup attempt the fairly for the most part the officers declared itself lot ot gratifying evidence of the wally simply confined to their against it. which the labour extent Arm in arm "defending democracy " - Francoist Manuel Fraga and leading Stalinist Camacho bureaucracies are prepared to make abject concessions the threat oI a -though enough

CLOC

nomma behaviour for them. During the coup attempt the main workers generals.

LIES

WOIKe. CommiSSons and UGT (Socialist), munist) urged workers 'stay calm and not go on strike: And aiter the coup was over they called off strike after strike "provocations" This is just what most labour leaders did in Chile in SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981.

Tejero - led the raid on the Parliament: now a fascist folk-hero. collaboration--which led Workers' Commissions leade Marcelino Camacho and scarcel Manuel rerormed CHrancois Fraga to march arm through Madric the Constitution and the King are already sectors of the Spanish capitalist state who are with the briel "democracy" Unemployment This sector can only the crisis of capitalism becomes more acute It is the enormous level of youtl for which examole mass support mi campaign is so antensive fo me anned norees ws a de ulsiot the massive growtl resistance dictatorshir among • working class, the youth, The the intelligentsia and the petty bourgeoisie spain's rulers had • opuon but to grant conces sions to this movement But every along the way the maintain con- ConcessIon 219( with the Franco dicta- tinuity torship. Bequeathed This explains the importance of and Juan monarchy Carlos (who was of course elected o1 chosen by nobody but bequeathed as head of state by Franco personally) Section: bourgeoisi thought their interests would be which serven oy introducing a loim ol bourgeois democracy and tyin their fate to their fellow Western turope class The central contradiction has

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981.

Civil Guard commander Aramburu hurries to the Parliament to quell the rebellion. What will he do next time?

Calvo Sotelo been that ther •were obliged to attempt this manoeuvre under conditions of rapidly deepening crisis, under Coolulli the where cond mons

DOUL

geolsie or omer advancea capil- alist countries were moving not democracy from it. Spanish bourgeoisie June mid-stream -and the stream was a raging torrent. only too aware Thev were that in material terms, because of the economic crisis, there was could their

ALLI

offer to the hungry workers.

Tentative Workers had to be given but

ILLES.

they cond not be alowed to use them to make gains. This the manoeuvre has been of 'democratisation Carmed Spain's rulers. Although the state officially a bourgeois parliamen- tary democracy, apparatus The Garcia Carres, of the Francoist dictatorship has one of the -with few exceptions (like civilian conspirators: old unions") - former leader of one of vertical remained untouched. Franco's corporatist Of course all parliamentary "unions" have a forms of rule repressive limited democratisation which them-and has taken place. There are tew nations where toe The failed led coup leaders of that apparatus have Generals Milans del Bosch and seized political power or never Armada nas. served ares. come close to it rehearsal for the real thing- But the difference in Spain is February 23 so nearly that the Army, Civu Guard and nations armore lid Devallie. military will have now regarded officers learned to theit own satisfaction natural -in 1 ally vases unless a major political they heaven-ordained-that change takes piace, a coup will should monopolise political mer a ve organise "democratic" inter actions by a alted tont bour- une other action a united front military caste-and that is not so much because they haven't been By contrast, the tar right has taken the attempted coup as a ave lo or occausc they layou l action and cue for a wave wanted risk The poltcal consequences of trying to do so.

provocative mobilisations Slogans in favour of Telero have appeared painted on walls Pinochet everywhere. fascist MP, of Fuerza publicly Many of the more openly Nueva, Blas Pinar, has dictatorial generals haled the attempt and has said have been forcibly retired: but others rise that to fill their place. temples General Pinochet conryrted rose to the top of the army as a go The old Francoist and still result of purges of his superiors semi-official newspaper who were belleved to the Alcazar has also praised ficiently constitutionalist.

objectives of the coup It is not the capitalist class present is in the van- The strengthened position which at towards and arrogance of the extreme the guard of right should provide a terrifying milt this vat military m oyalll. this vast but caste lesson.

TOO.

Tne Danse which is the pile od class. very the inere little time to develop the neces and whose united front actions if the diminished prestige amal Mayo sal y sharply even through the very next allomol al a couv is lot lo Juan Carlos chatting 3 years ago with General Milans del Bosch - now confined to barracks.

iraultzarako erakunde harmatua ETA politico-militar declare an unconditional truce after the coup attempt.

quiet and trust in the King" be successful. But when democratic rights.

immediate calls There for . general strike action wnen even a mted as now the neces of the a number ot Spain, are supposed to Tev 1O Bourbon instance, from number installed by military revolunord

SOCRISE

and from the CP in Euskadi and dictators lis ume lol dulassiy in Catalonia turn in the But these calls were either class movement isolated from nass olli Aside from the building of a working class or, in the caste almost immediately revoked in line with the centra the right wing bourgeois UCD a general preparation of line which Jally

EUSKAD

strike, and propaganda in favour of the dislocation of the Franco.

there specific concrete demand around which a movement for these objectives can be built.

an the demand open pubic tribuna cauca o.

organisations of the workers and the radical movemen nationalists designed to uncover the designs or ine millary caste and the bourgeoisie. This would help Page 5 Socialist leader Felipe Gonzależ congratulates the King strengthen the preparedness of the working class. would also help to

CAROU

expose the 12121 weakness created the reformist and Stalinist leaders call for all the facts to ney that should by • done • The military investigator appointed bv the government. of the Socialists and CP leader have more or Santiago less echoed the call oi the new UCD Defence Minister that the enquiry into the coup shall not "witch. converted If Spain is "back to normal" that fạc should be taken as a ast minute warning siren by th is only Trotskyism transitional programme and the SHared ane understaren permanent revolution which can provide the perspectives to meet • those tasks reconstruct

CONTEN

prove the potions of Fros do authoritative world revolution, 7900 correct not-s now-anger by the betrayals of the masses at of the Stalinists and the develop- reformists, but by ment of the socialist revolution in every country.

LAMBETH AND THE

FIGHT TO DEFEAT

Page 6 KW: There's quite a movement their decision to go for cuts in the face the government's threats. How will you seek ink up to that movement and bring that struggle into the Lambeth Labour movement? TK: We have been working in various ways with the people in Camden for some time, build-

WOLACIS

ment within the Direct Labove.

sewares Organisation have been trying to build a London-based These onestons to makuo wIl the Camden workers. Camden workers didn't think it was going. duncuities convincing tem that this is how the fight will take place. think now that they ve had the experience that we will Bede toon that ink tocat union level councilor level.

HEADO TAY

level, and we will try to link that the London Labou to Parties and at councillor level with the we wil work close councillors that are in oppos- ition to the right wing of the Camden council. So in all ways we are attem- pting to develop. We are using he Camden experience here in in our public our discussions, meetings. It's a continous interaction that's taking of experiences place. But i don't think there's any straightforward straight line development. It's possible because 110L you've got all sorts of situations even at London level. I mean while we've got the situation of tou be had a similar situation, We reply: assessment and perspec tive for the fight against the cuts from that out- lined by Ted Knight. not take as their starting point we obvious problem isolation Heel tines that defies council ultimatums on spending We start from TAne necessity therefore to find ways and means to build a movement action such break done down sections of workers and Labour

THE TORIES

Heseltine Southwark. 450 jobs have gone Southwark. There was no such reaction. The same applied Islington there've been major cuts. While there's been a development in the Labour Party it hasn't beer able to draw on wider support will think i deve open mend develop over period make we unat intend to be here to make it.

I think that is the difference between our line and your line seven Clav Crosses don't think is a very construc- tive contribution to any devel- IS: So you don't think there are any circumstances under which that fories could be feasibie?

the Tories would feasible? If it isn't with six or seven DeTh

CUT

rather than accept these Ted Knight of course points the fact that Labour Group convened last and a recal conterence In sand held marches, , and suppor called by ted a week of action He argues correctly that even far : as this Lambeth in going as has gone further than most in campaigning against the cuts.

But the fact is that useful though been limited been, Knight then presumably it isn't with ten or a dozen or twenty?

Well I heard Alan Lambeth conference I Knee Thornett's what the argument was that he was presenting, that you want a series of such confrontations.

i don't think that will be the way it will develop. It's hard to speculate circumstances. Stances a relationship o circes- but I think they need evaluat- ing I think the last thing ward merely foe for- want are plungin Lo say to bay the Light Brigade But conferene audie it at concence enough martyrs in tne movement not to just willingly walk comrades into that situa- ton wiloul a viool cvaluatiol oute Danceoncer I don't think what's required the present are at momen What S lilallyls people workme consciously

›EVERY

that seriously should dig in Lambeth

«HE OILIE

COCHON

much allowed him to make his left speeches and ride confidently believing that at the end of the day he would emerge with a package of cuts and that would keep the tory woll trom we door. Indeed during veeks we have been publishin Knight acceptance of a budget outlining a 10% council spending, cut in rates and rents for workers Lambeth. Only four Labour

COELACT

from the positice bod SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 As Labour councils up and down the country decide on rate levels for the coming the question of how to respond to Tory attacks on local Tinancial year finance is sharply posed. Socialist Press has consistently argued for a policy of mobilising working class behind Labour councils in a confrontation with the Tories.

of Labour councils have argued for Time to orepare d movement this view most consistently. Socialist Press supporters KEITH WHITE and expressing IAN SWINDALE recently interviowed him. The third and final part of this interview is printed below together with a comment from Socialist Press.

mobilise, and the view that you you can't have a situation where come out in struggle in defence can only mobilise providing that you just have isolated individual of the social 1 wage in their area sacrifice and prepared to possibly YUu fact. argument has workers coming out with them you

HOTCES

something that the history of been against that all the time.

I think they'll see a link u labour movement doesn't The motions with that situation. there passed at the first Lambeth conterence in mt workers did was to shov view will fragment the struggle.

ineir concern. iney belleve tnai The tenor of them was that it is possible to wage a struggle when the ut it has to be on a wider fron take place. you Culi must take industrial action to Where councillors Lian Labour Parties fail to get imple.

defend that situation. individual TO 27 Their argument borough it will be defeated.

because ther stages of in And that t is certainly nat a financia to protect services against cuts do you think they should go fo experience that will be repeated deceneralo authority are at different stages direct action against their local therefore you can't have a co- tion of the balance of forces.

get

COLICI

ordinated struggle trade unions strike, Well, it's nonsense. What will suggested by ine NEC? Well the

NEC

has seen Son the Wanton there were we've never suggested that we mobilise • situation seen strikes. Wandsworth trad IS: The problem of talking have basically accepted it. Now about sections o! workers lik KW: It's resolution on cuts they actually went out on strike BL coming out, it seems to m said that the working actually but the victory cor a lew days, must be prepared 'K: No, I meant there, in class use une won was war taere wolle its industrial action to defend..

possibly be no enforced redun- where relation situations the was wel 71021 dancies. you nave large concentre that the Special on to was motion So you know there's a limit- labour force I think Lambeth at local government workers would Whate of the de on to ence. I think that what we were 0 j00l0 101 Sull 1oi dal whole unions lalking about tnere was une neec trade actions Irom sue arger seculor for national struggle their defence At this come to of or anised winkyrs. defence of services and think they'd stage wat development nasa! be look. would expect the taken place. relationship a closel struggle. the movement to see whether it And we had situation : to widen the base of is possible KW: Have you any more plans here where

OWI

Laut unlal struggle. #nine nave cozen coke acton or Cus tor coordinate acron in defence of services but in of the sort of that week of IS: Do you think that Labou action? councils like Lambeth have a isolation there are imitations IK: No. I think ou own play ana regrettabls we cant see a the lea widespread development. trade unions would want to develop that because I don't think wait and see the way develop obviously isn't going to come anybody was ments take place the TUC at this stage? national

1LUI

struggle in the week of action before they zamber take wendy but I think we have posed the further action of that nature and we are, yes. But I don't The They will be waiting think that the Labour councils issues. that for order for that to be successful Leyland

TONO

TOWO

Indeed Knight's new of lambeth and weakened on its economic . with the majont cut. councillors who have consistent- and political policies only one 9 me Third 0I the opposed action to fight Socialist Press of course has amount : Heseltine is demanding never advocated the willful Heseltine. be cut. From being the spokesman In today's conditions of the • has become the tactics in the labour movement.

unprecedented hostility to the risoner of the right win But we have insisted that the Tory government, there is a real the process he h time honourec opportunity . bind a move

ALIC

angry, ment in opposition to both cuts nerped Genre passing the Due oraco reactionary on the cuts is a recipe for Thanksh The disaster Knight has retreated those While Knight blames union al down the line. It he serious!!

Labour

VULC

wants to hike the resence n defend local services councils for not supporting him, must first show some himself. I oppose rate increase: union leaders and other Labour fight. is not too late in this respect the Lambett councils will cite Knight's Insofar as Knight or any lef weakenence highlights all and retreat as a basis for thetr own LaDOUr COUnCIlOl postponing betrayals. Series and evin kar dobs, fight to defend workers' postponing a fight in order to This vicious circle can only to extend will seek in every way and defend them The is that stand. Home's latest badget the action strad against Tory reaction

DOL

But act ai tac

DONE DEUTES IT TE

raising Thatcher government.

CHILDCARE: THE SERVICE

CAPITALISM WON'T OFFER

BLOOD RED ROSES =

SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 Nursery campaigner Ann McKinley explodes the myth that even the most "progressive' capit- alist societies provide adequate childcare facilities. Today other many especially countries Western Europe, are held up as being ahead of Britain in child provision and care legislation for women. wnlle this might seem to de the case, a closer look is needed inadequate that show how Bi lcally Is aSO importanu to see that, as the crisis of capitalism child reaches 8 or a full leave of a world scale, gains baby untu theu 1S 18 ausclllt that have taken MOnTAs-ouT WItA umancial compensation for lost earnings away

WONC.

LICSC

countries as well as in Britain.

in either In 1971 Sweden. women represented Sweden has always been seen 43.9 of the Swedish worktorce and 66% mothers of pre- as une county wrosc fecistalon for women's rights is well ahead school age children were work- any other. Legislation is one thing, but providing adequate Emancipation lacmues lo go alongsiae Il Is another. parents is 180 days n 90% pay Maternity both leave Sweden was seen as one of The Tr Colntrec to see lemale emancipation the ano or cavs ver cma ber vedi tempora leste ne say debate recent Swedish ouluills legislation, which was nile Wallols iorce on 1 January 1979. gives e „coa ncone cole all parents increased 35% the rignt to a hour working day until their labour potential unused John McGrath's latest munist Party; his decision production, "Blood Red position oi a full. take uD Ine Roses" has just completed a time union official; their draw- ing the tinal sepay isoh short season at the Citizen's is that when Theatre in Glasgow. Bessie tULIIs

LIIC

LITUlI 101 It is, like all of the presen- nelp УСТИТОв erstwhile husband the 7:84 tations of colnpaliy. called rationalise avowedly work, political attempting, retusal of the asto the male workforce to back her present say, lU Los reinstatement. auster directly to worki n -845 Didactic the fact that 7% of acIiyes ilull Ine •COLLsn populaton Of her two daughters, one is ×ư ot the connov d veą The play, in a series of short determined not become he the c lydeside politics and the other joins the Bessie McGuigan,

SWP,

maltal. acnouneme D tallillst we see her Irom ger earl betravason the movement to days the Highlands, the which her mother belongs.

soldier thoroughly play in Korea, growing up to become didactic, arguing OuL sullle a convenor ol a large lactoly ll Tne excental CorTTaCHone East Kilbride. the British trade union and There are her battles against labour movement. the shows the oi a multinationa DOWC l

A DOVE

the enor- corporation, dichotomy between her acce ser nae defeat with the capacity of the working class to struggle to defend their closure of the company. The storv follows her victim- 1009. wates ane conamtons ano isation when she tries to get a on the other hand, the failure to at an engineering factory in realise this potential in political Glasgow and ends with a reaffir- construction of a nơvvn vr dc vodc „ovoc cbc v vovs press struggle challenge to the Ene ReTious against the class enemy. capitaliause em. with the Because Anyon this strongly history of trade unionism in the the polcilical apolodel bidy WesT

CICI

aks aar eemen o enean echoes of industrial battles and ment which enlivened earlier skirmishes last two vorks of McGrath such over as Bogey' decades-particularv the strikes Games

WELLN

W asi eventual shutdown of the based on tne wiltings oi Jonn

BSR

factory in East Kilbride McLean. There, the political message and the tairiv recent victimisa- tion of a female militant who Was Dreserted INel tried unsuccessfully hold on manner, using the techniques of music hall her job at Rolls Royce in felt that times are too McGrath auunncton. woven in witn inis story of SenOus Bersona i nie: ial batiesage heo approach. not w nether OI personal naturalistic approach marriage Alex McGuigan, the shop stew- more ard at the East Kilbride factori eftective medium is a debatable proposition. who draws her into the Com- women was fully used. This of course did not take the cost of provid. into account ulucI os working women. even noeed. now only 22% under 7's although Sweden receive has set itsef a target of provid- in y ee for all thre that vant It was important during the Dos-war economic doom O geI as many people as possible out into the labour market This titted in well with the TerorIsT 10 ea oI tRe e ve period of Social Democratic government 1976. The government planned Rusery racues were encouraged to go out work. But those facilities have Not that the play is without numOuI u nere are some glot iously funny scenes as when the Lesie anr man pupils 1011E zeciuic on tat • ocaulies and marrlea le The Minoroin ate status of woman, delivered with the usual string of boring

CIRSUR

Momes. brought to an abrupt conclusion by Bessie's apt remark, 'Shite" more pessimistic than MClrrath's earler works. N Tne notes to the play MoGrath even bemoans that: struggles of the work- 'The made in their standards of life But they suffered, go suffering serious setbacks. Ame mulancy mi mose suruggies -particularly industrial -is of fashion. this sounds rather cutiou in lne immenrate arter. math of the bloody nose which he miners have just delivered to the luly poverilell

DUL IL 1

at a deeper level that McGrath is Little difference Throughout the each scene, a narrator Delwecl appears wno almounces lne yeal which Rin I8 the seene place and which .government making currently in office, DaH unat mnere is acte discerni- ible difference between succes- Labour and Tory adminis- uraluls. At the the of Bessie and her struggles fellow workers proceed which ever government is in oftice and the gap between the industrial class and Labour betravals of powel become the „тоге markeo s as plot unravels. The pontical ieve daughte which Bessie and her not materialised. The local authorities provide day care centes lor pre school children which are run trained personnel at a ratio of for every three children in one Ine Imant group They also employ day mothers are often with their own children pay n eltner case Toe barents the local authority according to đay means receive their salaries

MOLICIS

ATOM

monthly allowance for toys.

in one area there is a two year waiting list town with authority care. Fo1 populationol 111,00l

LACTE

only just over 2,000 places and about 3,500 on the waiting and the Socialist Workers Party respectvery.

DOTA

WICN

whilst channelling their Incle militancs down blind the alleys, confront political major IssuCs •.InC cont raies out t th be eeso rede cries to be resolved- confronting industrial militancy pomaca stultlicalion. Central problem ds Besie and ulen da scener finds daughter 1979 watching Genera Election results on and bemoaning the victory blaming it upon Thatcher, erosion of class consciousness' T TART dOeS HOT dooro& central political problem that revolutionary which movement, about obviously VICTIaLI. passionatęly concerned, can only built by taking the struggle for working class leader- shin directly into the heart of social democracy, hastening ideological and organisational demise. only that hope we McGrath will explore that vita theme in his future productions Where in? KosOs Colt

LIC

or houl d say the i Enet "the Redcoats, the English- British soldier", dominating the Empire 10] centure Scotland as part of that"Empire.

Larger struggle But they have been replaced a new overlord American by which miocialsl CUse factories and TOWnSHOS In a and commands "long black hulls (which) glide under- water out of the Holy Loch, tull of terrible destruction, quiet as the tre e. nationalist element, evident in McGrath's earlier Page 7 lists. It's the same all over the Wednesdays off and the 35 hour country. WCCk And as the economic reces- ALRougT manageenr Sweden sion begin to bite it hostile to any decreases in work expansion time it is ready to seize upon all possible work anne care key к France is aiso neraldea as increase productivity. way ahead of its time. Mexibte Workinehouas, manage- first reluctant about fo Maternity seare mother only is 16 weeks on 90% CHL duey Inde tooe with 26 weeks for those they too could benefit-large with three or decreases

HNOE

There is an optional two years increases in production (an aver- unpaid leave for either parent àcc v es vnnc cnc In 1977 , women represented increased difficulty for unions 39.2% to organise in the workplace.

o e rę ą I WOTKIOTe and there were 50.1% women Such advantages couldn't bi working. ignored, and, acting on the basis Although pre-school provi- experiments in West Germany and Switzerland, NOR So asistor caloter under six, and while it might be

DUSSES

son octale auvovale remarkable quantitative ol lexiole working nours achievement. ia1 Women with their double Ls cualily from satisfactory workday Staff/child ratios in nursery irst guinea pigs and could only schools are between 1:40 pleased LIt 1:45, and the Minister which "allowed" them to better reconcile their various

LOCALO

:SaLoy 1980 these would be reduced to obligations The demand for Wednesday The nurseries' "full day" is off for working women is full of «x ola-aucn coesoeE with a working day of 8 hours adequate oi more centres. some women in France Only 20% provide some sort are saying no to tne Ireeaom of offered by companies and nursery day as well as lunch demanding a sufficient amount which means arrangements have Cart conte

WILD

qualified personnel. oe or mae other 80%. They not looking for of these problems readjustments' of thei various children in France do not attend obligations and constraints bu1 school Wednesday a way of shedding them. allCl

MOOOS

CRETE

Deen campaign for more flexible Continued next week work schedules, part time work.

Review by McVicar works, especially "The Cheviot, class movement. Stag and the Black. Black h o rar as ne conamues lc seek penetrațe these issues Wil' ts nou go mer n the larger struggle of the inter- and present his findings dram- national working class atically we shall all be the riches against imperialism on a world scale . 101 114L certainly

MOTIATI

endeavouring to confront major dilemmas in the working National Child Care Campaign

AIMS AND ACTION CONFERENCE

Redefield School Blackbird Leys, Oxford Saturday 11 April from 11 am. to 5 pm.

Delegates from labour movement bodies- £2.50 Unwaged £1 Creche provided "The aim is to force the

SICKON

SOMEO

state to run the services we need. Many unions

NUPE,

NALGO, NUT,

cover all sectors in etc., the social and educa- tional services, and their union officials must be forced to act in support of policies already accepted against the cuts So states this vital booklet 60p plus 15p p&p from NCCC c/o Surrey Docks Child Care Project, Dockland Settlement, Redriff Rd, London SE 16.

School cleaners fight cuts Page 8 Tate and Lyle sugar silo

STUC

Protest strikes plans hit docks 2-hour denationalising Trans- strike Three consecutive 24- ine Act intends to transform port strikes have left the hour the

BTDB

British into a new port of Southampton strike Action change the

LUIL

will to bound militant dock capital having a 50% stake and government's overall control. build workers up support The action to force a general Southampton port made for their 1981 pay claim.

the election is question year and clearly seen ine 4 uvu-strong workiorce which should face the as a took immediate unofficial main target for these vultures Scottish Trades Union action after rejecting a derisory Norker know that this will and demands Congress when it meets in 9% pay offer and further meet- wase

CULS

ings between union leaders and for higher productivitace They Rothesay on 20-24 April. they employer Whether Congress will be in cancelled. confrontation Edwardes-type 1000 nly Cuint June Board

(BTDB)

have issued a extend their •econ as onestonaoie It they standin in orders committee are action strike many cases

BTDB

worker-either work workers win their Wall compositing resolutions if ther JocKers which take contradictorv stands Ritchie Pearce (TGWU) revealed seek programme action on this question. that the men were sent home on throughout : the BTDB Friday defend their condi within minutes of theu Pressure 'rerusing to give tnese assurances LIOn This provocation means that *Demand TGWU and NUR In the section on the econ- face an indefinite plan blacking actions. workers now omy, a TGWU resolution calling

*FOI

renationalisation of лоск our ov une emolover Although called around the any denationalised docks.

Ior Dressure the strike reflects *Open the books of the pay issue the pursue alternative employers to elected commit- deep hostility WOrKOIS LIt and

AUEW

continuing run-down this tees of trade unionists. nationalised industry. non. calling governmen to change the direction of its policies are being asked to com.

ASLEF

with an resolu- pusity "massive campaign to moduse alillated to combat these policies and to create conditions for the Tem ol a cabou covernent committed to socialist economic policies." The STUC General Council obviousiy to avoid the The dodges and manoeu- issue of confronting the Tory the vres used by local government. However. given the leadership of the GMWU to number of resolutions on the head off any serious struggle calling for such action they will find this difficult against cuts being for Organisations imposed by the Humberside Reton «entorce genera Was County Council were high- from Standing lighted at two meetings of Orders Committee insist education manual workers put anel in Hull. conference. Education At the Hull , mass action against the government in the localities Branch 5 school cleaners meet- ing held on March 3 over 200 is one way of ensuring the issues cleaners college staff and of working class leadership are not avoided

STUC

TUC

of The meeting was informed week 1he CondeSS of the extent of the cuts and wil buit f action i Hull redundancies the action is taken at local level.

the Tune The STUO are contributing County Council. to me week oi accon oy recom mending a two hour stoppage Adamant tom 3.00 pm. on Wednesday 8 Apru! were over the whole membership and the Council were Retreating count around this тле oadonu adamant and not saying there was no vente Instead of building on moved from their to accomodate all on the one-day strike of last implement cuts would the membership! General Council lean loss of 200 manual the are yval. Auter some wangi Il wa Hull schools commenc- jobs in a 2 hour air ed e sall a massaneetiand Teneauma Io Cal lor ing on 15 April. actiosition to gutermoning school opposition government College staff. workplace This meeting was held on 9 details ounow and ergere thase The union leadership and every community. with over 400 members The recommendation for a in attendance. Dul cave two-hour stoppage is to be put no indication that they were going to give any lead in oppos to a shop stewaras conference in Leith Town Hall on Saturday The Regional Organiser went Ine caese allacks 21 March the rigmarole, When the Regional Organise through The campaign has to be built was asked from the floor what over an wel do about it, giving details of how, when and now to encime was serike end seen as the launeday extended one-day would the cuts take пе терпса. poln! Dace campaign to bring what are you going to do about When meeting down the government. finally thrown open the Joint work by supporters of Socialist Press and Social- ist Organiser at the threat- ened Tate and Lyle plant on Merseyside has begun to challenge the sabotage by the

GMWU

bureaucracy of through campaign leafleting and paper sales outside the factory. The first mass meeting saw

GMWU

Heros de reats cynically refer previous campaigns Merseyside factory the divert crosures. and enthusiasm

COTI

Ine WOrKTOrCE into a hopeless binge of protest and lobbying. leaders were shang haid into this farce along with Liberal council leader Trevor Jones WIl 1s museu curten sacking workers connel and even six workers from his own small business! event, Tne nowever Thatcher refused to even see the lobbyers, them referring con- Minister waker Even after slap in the face, the "Action' In a major victory for the Party left, the Labour Scottish Conference, on a card vote, adopted a resolu- tion calling for British with- drawal from NATO. from The resolution, Lothian Regional Labour Party, sam no reverse the paign to reverse Labour Part national conference taken last year blackpool, to stay In NAIU.

However the were LetT narrowly defeated, again on a attempt . vote calu make local counchiors account able to their local parties.

this the

TGWU

vote deleacion absta ed. they voted or resolution which was defeated 362,000 294,800, Committee meet tang bace on MarCA The an indication motion cussed with by the members ont speake dissent. By this time it was quite the resolution would clear that • canca u out lo cne vole Then the bureaucrats moved the motion hea suggested that motion calling for onecav token saKe onADa They were corrected by Nix pointed that the who out tor immediate Calec -which was all-out strike action- received with applause from Chairman asked Nix "who do you want to take part in the strike action?"

She replied the member- ship of Education Branch 5 This was a mistake, and the Fighting to save sugar jobs talking still to the mittee Is and the government rather than occupy r the refinery Two WSL leaflets have been into the put refinery attacking the GMWU bureaucracy. On Friday March supporters of Socialist Press and Socialist Organiser handed out an open letter : to Humphries, workers on and also suoo steware day (wher meeting ater in the Humphries collared by young Socialist Organiser sup- and personally handed Leanel Not content with this, the youth proceeded to take him up lenter, in par thelpoin de mas accommade to me mem- bership or the bureaucracy!

Humphries, nervous, rulllec and on the detensive. manaced to blurt out that he would carr out the decisions of the Action "even if this meant from his disarray, he countered Anti-NATO vote would have been carried. It was widely rumoured at the Conference that Alex Kitson argued strongly inside the union should oppose the resolution on accountability.

This position is very differ- en rom voss as speech I the Wembley Conference- in which accountability was Key note to his support for thi NEC proposals on college. He strongly advocated accountability for everyone- except himself! Kitson's right wing stance on accountability marked his Cultas ounic catements on the conter.

ence floor regarding using TGWU strengt! figh i for the savin car factory. platform were quick to seize or as lifeline could a decision taken be 110l present involve members not such as caretakers and kitchen stafi She twice tried to move the SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 saying "Anyway, what do you The youth said, "I was made redundant" Moving in the kill, "Why Sall didn't you fight to save your "Because we did not have a strong union" replied the youth, triumphantly! The open letter was followed ano mer lealer uro m mass meeting scheduled for 10 March entitled ""Ten Tate workers asK and Tony Humphries at today's for occupation conterence or sugar industry the ocupation oral teatened remeries atos , coupled with supporting the mously It also calls for a joint occu- committe with Courtaulds, the council work acoartment lace »vuu sackings) and the docks where are being sought. Talbot workers should take wand between the public face and the private. Tony Benn, in addressing the Sae Bras warned of moves within establishment to set up a national government.

uney now want to cerro d Thatcher but stop the Labour Party coming power he said He that such arqued national government would have as its priorities a maintenance missile systems and defence keeping expendule Britain within the EEC. The media be can relied to build up support fo uDUl government. a coalltion he claimed, in the the uilt the pro Common Market campaign. motion saying they the cleaners, , would give a lead, bu was blocked by the chair.

It was finalv acreed to cal another meeting of the whol membership as soon as possible agreed to lay o two buses for the lobby.

Camden councillors climb down arm SOCIALIST PRESS, Wednesday March 18, 1981 The majority Camden's Labour Group have got their reactionary package of rent increases, job and wage cuts through the Council. The collapse of the ten rebel Ansells sell-out rejected Attempts are still being made by the TGWU officials and Allied Breweries to force 600 management Ansells workers to accept the closure of their brewery in Aston, Birmingham. section of the workers are being offered iobs in beer distribution instead This closure threat is a direct result of the way te colonic crisis is affecting beer sales.

The brewery employers need o inflict a major defeat on one to force inrough wage cuts and speed So far the 600 workers have latest management/union formula on alternative jobs and redundancy pay-conveyed in a DaloT-ov majority of 4-1. A new attempt at a negotia- ted settlement is to be made on MaTch in. Unfortunately the bargaining position of the brewery workers Ine limitations they have placed on Following the practice of an old agreement. they nave adopted a poncy or not sending pickets breweries has allowed Ansells to 11115 supply Its olos in birmingham from a source in London and has prevented solidarity action DUI LUll Alled breweries major Mialanas production centre. But the possibility of total Many victory

DUD

clerica ano distribution staff and all major Traweries are organised by the and the unwillingness of Ansells between them and a victorious Socialist Press supporters leafleting the Courtauld plant at Aintree, Liverpool, last week were pleasantly surprised when a member of the Action Committee his stopped on way into work, and invited them to the next meeting of the the following committee, evening, where he said we welcomerobably be most Despite our immediate res that we were not ponse 'ourtauld workers and, there- fore. had no buses vela swich his meeting, he persisted with humoured him by turning up.

we explained inose DresenT wn21 happened; they asked us to sit the rest to arrive, in an amiable way. and Convenol • Lamh Oticia KOnhy had arrived, we were asked to re explain our presence for their benefit. In contrast to the friendly and polite response earlier, told were bluntly to leave-as we were not Courtauld workers!

But belore this nappened a few snatches of conversation between Action Committee members revealed the state of affairs within the plant.

has wing councillors Tories' by work in the building department mitrouucul. inflicted a real setback on the while voluntary redundancy and Bethal right goes ahead cuts struggie In tae borough wing leaders of the The £2½ million cuts saw that ally concessions lo Last Thursday Group meeting would be with- WolO heave fixing meeting dangerously isolated drawn Services would be emergency rate of the council at last ratified Group, Labour Party and wides or the balancest a mysterious raiding to fund with gency funds" contained in th pausanny As a result. on voncav even ing at a special Labour Group budget deal was finally struci sutching up a deal witt the ten left councillors, who had Pleased far principled

COLICIE

opposition Neil The left councillors agreed Leading left winger the Fletcher was quoted in the local Detraval me maority were ao e support leadership's to break through the stalemate "We've done saying, of the previous council meeting ditions:

YOLY

wow all all visa will The and savage 1) the outcome. Wills The programme on Camden's work- "Camden supplement" Group as a whole should now be the ing class. prepared to unite. ill be absorbe sume manual worke But the left councillors have InTO "Unity' nationed and da But it will be sold Ther voles anel Trel Poliy al cedibity implicated backdated -if The week the fully implicated following Court rejects District abortive rate fixing meeting. on Council's anti-working Auuitor Culaul unlal the pay March 4 had been characterised ments are illegal class porcies. £2½ million will demands for increases desperate attempts by …kent Labour leadership cobble from the sale already gone out to tenants £3.50 and upwards unity together some basis development site in th with the lett This is to be coupled with a Dorouga. A maor oroDoTTon o Having buy this will go towards providing £2.50 increase on heating Cuts Conference

POLICIEȘ TO STOP THE CUTS

Called jointly by the Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement and Socialist Organiser Saturday March 21 from 10.30 am. to 5.00 pm.

Islington Central Library, Holloway Road, London N7 Details and credentials from: SO/CDLM Cuts Conference, c/o 66 Brokesley Street, London E3.

Pergamon strike wins support the Labour Party Nine of Al Us surver shows unal witnes members the only three out of 57 comparable local wards beginning

NUJ

sacked by lower pay voice their the 1UI millionaire Labourite than Pergamon wage SuNKerS -& emoatt- Robert Maxwell for taking assment to Maxwell who sits on chapel is aemanding a Lolo pay a 35 hour the Oxford GC official strike action at his improved holiday, sickness and seeking 1 ne Chapel Pergamon Press offices in maternity beners ensure the immediate nockino Oxford.

NGA

The strike has won immed- of Pergamon journals by the local labour and other print and distribution iate support The NUJ chapel was caned months fruitless OlIt atter unons. allu blacking dealings with Maxwell had failed supplies and called

KUSK

College services to The attended by over 50 trade company's Headington to secure any a Trades Council- Messages of support and lialiulls alone donations from are urged antons emboaled In the perga- mon house agreement. labour movement bodies-to bi oeen estabilsnea sent the Strike Committee c/o 5 Union Street, Oxford.

No' to occupation

MHANWHILA

LONGON

65 journalists at BPC have beer reemployed temporarily Maxwell after a three month occupation of their offices.

the arrangement lasts Our "friend" stated to all morale of the rest of Merseyside only weeks, while Maxwell tWU that he had resigned from his

WULACID,

Inause mansior are or wale shop stewards position because he has just become the proud a nese experences have reinforced less militant and owner. ne nad been at odds witn every one on his cynical over Print unions have agreed to wanted him nego- Courtaulds Tate and a total of at least 600 redundan- tiate redundancy money; he had cies print Whatever else may be said, it shops, including 400 sackings a re user ane arquer unsuccess fully, for an occupation.

seemed premature to call for Sun printers, Watford this NUJ members at BPC the immediate occupation The Committee Action claimed he face a further round of struggle althoug •Was obviously necessary not to leave if they are to press home their It was clear that the factory it too late. fight against redundancies.

polarised and the was There seems to have been stewards meeting that dav had been the scene of a fierce row prepare the membership for over precisely this question.

such a call. Why from Rejected Gardners to speat at ahe mare mo tinen days later on Thurs- was there no attempt day 12 March the mass meet 1o lonn a oll accon Com- ing and Lyles, Te ected a car immed. mitter with iate occupation of the plant by council workers and the docks though i wai where also massive recommended by redundancies. Why was une stewards connuttee no anemo mae The platform was aggressive- to break down the crippling ly opposed and sense of isolation and impotenci pessimistic rank and file.

demanding that Lamb the Would oces Lial Jul organise immediate blacking of ollicials in case nad been unable to stop elements on the Courtaulds nationally, to bring stewards Irom It to its knees! the Name

VOTE

aven amus mate sace. nost tion, but the stewards in turn principled stewards who were were unable to win support for jehind the occunation must not Address it within the plant. despair. Part of the reason for this is Thev must steo up the cam paign and wait for a change in the recent dereas at weccano Send to: WSL, BM Box 5277, London WCIN 3XX.

and Massey Ferguson, which the mood of their have taken toll their on the members. Charges and a 42% rate increase in a savage attack on council 1,500

NUPE

workers will still have their wages frozen fo

TWO

WhO believes that the bourgeois High Court will allow back payment of the supplement?) will still be the Direct Labour axec Organisation. The fact that work two estates in the now De rese! is little more than a face-savin device protecting Irom pressure to introduce com pulsory reaundancy The only concession that the leadership has made right wing Is to willulay last mmutt proposal I01 £ 2/2 millon cuts But these duced in the an attempt to buy mal score ner witherwa bought the support of the ten let co neil disastrous climb- dowt unese councilors nave seriously undermined the possibility of a united struggle Scotland: Labour's backlash Socialist Press has given much attention to how to fight the public service cuts which the Tory government are attempting to enforce.

Quite rightly the effects of and any rent rates Mini wastr vi workie class lymie slanuara.

nas been given equal weignting as the need to maintain services However much 'needs done winning Ine argumen whether fight the Tory government measures.

CRAMP

GUILTY

Charles Cramp, the free- lance photographer hired by the Daily Mail last summer to provide photographs of members and supporters of

WSL

the for the Mail's of series witch-hunting articles, has found been guilty of bringing the NUJ into disrepute. Cramp refused to identify himself a press photographer as challenged to do when Avan inorner.

A TO

Thornett then grabbed his film, camera to remove by threaten- Cramp responded Ing nim with a gun! After inquiries by both the Oxford Branch and the union's alonal axeculive, Cramp was last weekend found guilty by 10 votes to 5 and censured for his actions.

JOIN

THE

Please send me more details about the Workers Socialist League.

Page 9 By Graham Shurety by trade unions ations and Partie: government aganst The and the Council leadership The task : of leading the e fight within the Labour Party talls or

LILE

Labour LeIt supPort the and or the Yin fought nuts, it must now buolc iy alsassociate sell mom tnen capitulation to pressure the right wing. Urgency sition hast inde assed wits position has to raised . with more urgenc Inan ever belore Camden Labour Left i he has to support and help initiate rent strikes and industrial actior Tory chalenges policies of the Council The door must remain ope!

for any left councillor who will or last week ano commit ther selves to a real fight But with them or without them. the tight must go on The right wing backlash was sentine string Annual General , Falkirk and ency Labour Party The retiring chairman, John Wyles, seeking was election. The left canaidate l replace his wved was fellow Stirlins District coun- cillor, Michael Connarty wing packed the meetno and put forward lon Simpson who has had chequered career of public scan- Scottish labour the Despite this he won the vote for chairperson and the right Wing Well left candidates from posts within the executive. The left, Stirling-basec the campaign to Stretched DI maintain local authority and building the unemployment campaign naa nor moosed TOI Ine AirV With Regional Councillors facing reselection meetings this Scottish Regional Council elec 1702 tions, the right wing organised.

unofficial held the District candidates drawn Their The that tried teare in The lessons for the left are action against the cuts, ThaT action against unemployment, public mobilisations ucvate are du very wel However the fight within the structures and organisations of the Labour Party and the trade unhols must co on ignore part of the wing public platforms allu poncy makle without even a fight.

WSL!

DON'T LET IRISH

PRISONERS DIE!

HERALDING A NEW

Published by Folrose Ltd for the Workers Socialist League, BM Box 5277, London WC1N 3XX. Printed by Morning Litho Printers, London

SOCIALIST

PRESS

Civil servants feel their strength A huge wave of solidarity take a grip on the course of the action and force the pace.

strike action by 100,000 The unions have the power civil week to win. but them leaders have forced management yet to show that they have the climb down from threats to to conduct a gloves-off discipline four clerks in the tight with ts vicious cover hell-bent on Customs office in Liverpool.

ment Which axing still more jobs in clerks had been threat- civil service. ened with suspension for black- or iris Customs start. work covered by the action Unce again the civil servants have glimpsed their own poten- tial strength in a dispute which has militancy previously quite dormant layers.

further this strength will be seen this week as inano Kevenue star becin an all out strike at the two main computer centres at Cumber- nauld and Shipley. Cut off This action-if not circum- vented flow of up to £1.5 billion per week into the Treasury. But becoming increas- 1t 18 to concuct une pay battle with such partial is a recipe for a long and tactics al- out stoppage could quickly bring the Thatcher government to its knees. of servants should not be switched on and off like a tap by national LOCal strike committees of the nine unions should bezin to

-ERA OF POVERTY

spending Huge attacks on local death blow to many tottering authority services-among social services. which education workers, seems unemployed, housewives, youth certain to be the main and pènsioners count the cost of victim-are implicit in Chan- Howe's measures. it is plain that Howe's Budget cellor The ontolen is cessnee proposals announced last mainly on the poorest. Pensioners and claimants week. face inflation well boost in include a 5

HIS

above the pitiul increase in cut, in top or ver cuts aspen their benefits-while many table for tax as the fest ot Thousands teachers made. result Haulc workers in education HoWe seem certain compul- to tace personal allowances. sory redundancy if these cuts All in all, the Low Pay Unit are carried through. that million estimates worse could be in AVne even additional low-paid workers will store subsequent the now de caugne in te tax net.

proposals from Treasury And the way Howe has Nigel Lawson raised his additional money impiemented that a two chid lamily mned Lawson grabbed the head- on £75 per week laces a 0% lines by talking on ITV's World increase in taxation This Weekend of a possible pre- on £125 is hit by election tax cut of 3p in the 4% increase in taxation. while pound on income tax. the £30,000 a year couple faces anxious to But he a tax increase of only 23%.

was an addition £6 billion in public Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Workers Socialist League Amid a deafening silence from the Tory press and mass media, Irish republican prisoner Bobby Sands has now been 2½ weeks on hunger strike in the Long Kesh concentration camp. He is demanding recognition political prisoner-a prisoner of war in the struggle against British imperialist rule in occupied six counties Northern Ireland He has now been ioined in his struggle by Francis Hughes and other republicans are thought likely the hunger strike as it develops.

Pickets during last week's day of action Lawson: planning new cuts

CAMPAIGN AGAINST RACISTLAWS

Demonstrate Against Immigration Laws

STOP THE

Hyde, Park, London 1 p.m. Sunday

HATIONALITY BILL

5 April But the British press is using Them pril to dies operate tactic silence in hush the attempts bitter attempt to minimise the impac • struggle by Bobby Sands struggle and the prisoners in the workers who are also faced with Blocks in Long Kesh for recog the need fight the same nition as political prisoners.

• IC It is un to rank and file trade and direct unionists and socialists to raise a indeed torture chief Humphrey Atkins through been told by the Tory out the labour movement Labourites cabinet and leading Pickets. protests and demon.

strations should be organised in

NO U

He ION Lilt support of the hunger strike in strike TesT attract publicity to the case.

The Labour and trade union Don't let Bobby Sands die!

Join his fight against the Tory leaders have for years maintain guilty Political barbaric military repression now! Demand immediate the the Irish meted out to people troops from Ireland! Self determina counties. tion for the Irish people!

Labour moves on Ireland One of the most import- Hoped that the ne it Nato bal developments ant the that new National Labour Party over the last base its work or Counci Will the these principles year has been rapid Over the next growth of discussion on Ire-

LCI

make ar musI land and in particular of the impact in the trade unions who Labour Committee have decisive say in Labour on Party conference policy. Ireland. National outcome The annual conference Council has made a visional the LCI on 14 March national this development. 60 delegates labour movement conference on allence Ireland on June 5. This is a mos organisations in Scotland west important initiative which it 1s Midlands East Midlands Manchester, Greate the South Press take their Socialist up in , South Wales and London • union and Labour Part Lauc The greatest success organisations

LCI

to date was discussion the Party Political status and the support that this constituency revealed A resolution 1 was also passed This is now being followed committing the LCI to support- like the West repu than prisoners for political renewed struggle alcd. Birmingham Mance wnere District Labour Party stalls adopted a model LCI resolution | remains a coalition of people with views on Ireland from deaDour rarEv conterence immediate with- One weakness of the LCI the last was the un. willingness Salt orons on a broces ol of the leadership to withdrawal, but it has proved it: fight for the statement of aims its succes adopted at the founding confer bringing Irish the questior which calls ence clearly 1U1 Delore layers WIll immediate have never considered it before allu withdrawal from That is why socialists should Northern Ireland continue to see it as a necessary However the statement an usell venice for work or aims remains unchanged after Ireland.

FUND

"Dear Editor, Jecded to send hit an hira abation a test Tory budget we decided donation fund. Please monthly find enclosed the mail this week he hurt is temple that lebe the mail this week. We think that should be emulated by readers and supporters up and down the country you can't make it quite as much as our Coventry comrades well settle for less Together with other contributions, the Coventry donation brought the fund so far this month to a healthy looking £422 35 But as usual. , we must not allow ourselves to get complacent if we are to ow Jolt outta to ohe Tory Budget in a constructive way target on time. and send us as much as you can afford. Our address is: Socialist Press Monthly Fund BM Box 5277, London WCIN 3XX