Workers Press no. 12

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER

Sast Saturday nee buncil meeting.

EDITORIAL

French economy trouble

THE DECISION

bank France idle the unprecedentedly high level of 8 per cent 1s a rurtner maicanon or tne deep trouble into wnich the economv is orittine. her that a said that and of year: The measures taken to watta thon ecare carried lide The sp ensure spreesy int sHem back into ran and services and private indus sandenis minister Last a devaluationte What the pollisians es? Pich Republic try to and a me are forms

• PAGE 4 COL. 5 →

workers press The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League

PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY • NUMBER

12

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1969

JAN 3 1 1970

PRICE 6d. Demand for eight-hour day Dustmen dig in for the 'full five'

80,000 YORKS.

DUSTMEN and other council strikers in most of the London boroughs, in Man- chester and in a number of other provincial towns are staying out for the full claim, despite recommendations from two of their three unions to return to work.

MINERS STRIKE

Sulkers reseth mead A meeung or 1ou irans By John Spencer and General shop stewards in This. and Thursday's Edinburgh i deal: They cle and baked rISE ofter union's Smith Square head- local deals. Only five hands were raised quarters T'riday voted Voraison acceptand Frank down a proposal to accept luctivity

FROM JACK GALE

В.-P. EIGHTY THOUSAND Yorkshire

SWINDOR BY ELECTION

concede the ful camed To

FRANK WILLIS

workers miners are on strike over surface strike men's hours demanding an

CANDIDATE

CENTRAL COMMETTEE ROOMS

eight-hour day, instead of the 83 after hours worked up to now. sackings The strike decision was taken by 100 delegates at

DUILEAMANCKS

the Yorkshire area council of the National Union of sie red on str Mineworkers held at Barnsley on Saturday.

480 Two hundred skilled underground workers lobbied this meeting. The lobbyists came from 12 south Yorkshire open necte not in the pils aircauy on suike over the marker mens pay dispute which began at Cadeby Main colliery.

attempts

ALL TRADES

vinced that we ares eectine Two weeks to blatant

UNIONS

ULSTER

ALLIANCE

said tand • October cle car dions

MEETINGS

Swindon whatever

HUNT REPORT

iours. work his avans le to

SWINDON

signed in 196

STRENGTHENS

are trades in the cent by-election on to to me a conc

REACTION

Speaker: Frank Willis of a labour ses tage. Young Socialists candidate When theyh were o Young in the parliamentary INTENSIFICATION of British military rule, tighter

PRANK

WILLIS.

welcomed at the central ATUA meeting in the committee Socialist candidate rooms sa mil by-election Westminster police control and re-organization of B ton Road, Swindon, phone Unemployment special elements under another name-these are the and the his Friday, October 17 lessons of GEC-English changes that lie behind the much-vaunted Hunt Report At the soo general elec. Electric' on the Ulster police force.

rooms with a group of sup tion, the result was: ° D. Advert porters. Swindon Town Hall

LIVERPOOL

§ about a Far from F. Noel-Baker (Lab.) writ was ex- risk belordy told us ine elecuon 25,966 Sunday, October 19 The reform, Lord Hunts com by our belast correspondent Thursday, October 23 pected last nigal and ca Reece (Tory) 7.30 p.m. mittee, estabilsnea control to the enera date almost certain

ON GUARD

sible and Home Secretary be uctober 3u. the C. in fact re- Pinehurst Common Room James Callaghan, a Frenchern The hw-election folow. commends a tightening south to the hands t right- of "security' the wing Labour Francis Turin Irish working class. British in the ol shit and he go Noel-Baker Greek colonelso te of the orders sime. By doctorate sation: strikers state against arme efforts Royal Ulter Consulat: of the posed He impatience was under

RUC

and communist rares оссиру- Report TrOMA indicate Interest Fiat workers tor i Dracon Socialist policies on which no on the con abulary factories Norse and sillace wat workeris vitally int election, but the two weeks by a toreign corresponden ITALY's strike wave move crucal. Disassociate lo a new cumas and Canvassers othe Strike hits will Vast workers election riat complex in turi. Motor Show Friday, striking

ATUA MEETING

blocking himset from the

COVENTRY

strike resolution Wednsday, October 15 was stared Mate mine of code et 7.30 p.m. Monday opening of the Motor the hands of men who suppor berore SnOW bay, Num seneral secretar day marched A sho

THE BROAD

general secretar scene of a series of big doll For this issue does not only wage agreet

FRONT' IN ACTION

industry agreed will le Back the OUR READERS will not be surprised to learn that the backdated tom enemies or ine workers rress are on the lob as usua remains for Mrs

• PAGE 4 COL. 6 -

Septen rue enough. they have to apron to seen in since received set-hack T.U.C. chief's attack most of them predicted that on an earlier demonstraton crowd arouna lne our actory gate PA nore than a week. Indeed, Vauxhall proposals are encourages bosses they state a Socialism, ho actories and go hom

TUC

By an industrial correspondent Moon to intered s months unacceptable

GENERAL SECRE-

ent in my latest remissing, o Big danger Victor Feather's sity det

TARY

Their trike-breaking attack last week on Mersey- Him be disten to te who demanded the By David Maude TUC for help in unite behir to the Iread: income Act. 1968 Fice meet thi their tried to da mantals a discret she e Needless blacklegs e ine enters of the unions to realmo me current sunke work fit. the industry. biggest postore d on dis one An at angline tause Tay by Standa pill it would UnionS Alliance way by a the spect see no * PAGE a COL. Ploy to dive decision to inst in Friday's Financial Times Bers conference on November Ponding of the since the

• PAGE 4 COL. 2 -

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER

EDITORIAL

French economy in trouble raise

THESSON

bank rate in France the unprecedentedly trouble leep the economy is drifting. down prete presen. th The measures valuation have carried little convicuon. The spending spree now goir order e books, but at ra high price. rench peopie nave so nl money tast as there are down durable corenodities. ich i al Spend and those shem baconto trans. throughout the ervices and private s try. statements simply cut no ice. ten aravation Despite cakest European currency. hues other monies strikes Thing conome is clearly drie.

spending out nosts continue to ris to press foss cancel the highe workers press

PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY

NUMBER 12

Demand for eight-hour day

80,000 YORKS.

MINERS STRIKE

FROM JACK GALE

EIGHTY THOUSAND Yorkshire

BYELECTON

SWINDON

WILLIS

FRANK

miners are on strike over surface demanding men's hours an

YOUNE SOCALISTS

ITTEE ROOMS

eight-hour day, instead of the 87

CENTRAL COMMI

hours worked up to now. The strike decision was taken by 100 delegates at the Yorkshire area council of the National Union of Mineworkers held at Barnsley on Saturday.

Two hundred skilled underground workers lobbied unis meeung, ine loooyists came from i south yorkshire pils already on suike over me market men's Dav eisoute winch began al wadedy wan colnery.

Many laceworkers were con- Two weeks to vinced that the

ULSTER

threatening Swindon surface men's question

HUNT REPORT

STRENGTHENS

by-election

REACTION

ney were coming

FRANK

WILLIS,

Young welcomed at the central beery their INTENSIFICATION of British military rule, tighter 5a Mil- Doclalist cancidalt Westminster police control and re-organization of B- •windon by-election hoad, swindon, baont strike. special elements another name-these are the under seen above centrel. out changes that lie behind the much-vaunted Hunt Report side his central committer tion, the result veneral elec.

At the 1966 rooms with a group of sup- on the Ulster police force.

Advert Far from F. (Lab.) 25,966 el-Baker Ted last on swer and ex- reform, Lord By our Belfast correspondent pected last night 15,23 Reece (Tory) bet to sermost certain abour sculelais I. Gradwell (CP) 838 James Callaghan, in fact re by-election follows Freeland. commenas ugalening the fine on ste security controls MP Turin Francis it he die Win: Labour Machine alleged that averaged smar -Special chugs now Irish working class. supporter Noel-baker. The military to take or the reek colones re. standable in strikers gime. she Hunter The YS candidate is op ubt be posed by candidates : from Royal Ulste explain wh Liberal nd Communist Parties ster as a they were getting limited gathering intelli оссиру- Reports from Swindon interest from Fiat for the Young boclalist ponces on wnci Willis Is campaignla: factories Ine have consis. tentv in swindon since de.

Workers and surface ware our nest the bes ciding to contest the kers. By a lorean correspondent ITALY's strike wave moves Disassociate and "wilther Canvassers election workers shire accond Post the ork real content of hire NUM Pineil fom York

ATUA

MEETING

zation the

COVENTRY

strike resolution. Wednsday, October 15 1.JU m Cone Burgers

THE BROAD

son or a see of bis dad For this issue does not only

FRONT' IN ACTION

country. Will the work, or will it back OUK KEADERS Will not be surprised to learn that the to The raised ast time enemies of the Workers' Press are on the job as usual.

• PAGE 4 COL. 6 →

• as pos- True enough, they T.U.C. chief's attack received sel-back since most or inem precicted tnat DaDer wouldn't more than a week. encourages bosses it god Is striker when factories and go home morons GENERAL SECRE- By an industrial correspondent 1UU univer Big danger creater s Their strike-breaking *We are disappointed attack last week on Mersey.

ployers, workers side has enconr. aged car manufacturers one behind look to the TUC for help in attack ramme " discret silen now lefeating the current strike work firm action stated, know who e Stanists openly their friends arers especially since the

• PAGE 4 COL. 6 →

PAGE 4 COL. L-

Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League

DAY, OCTOBER 14, 1969

PRICE Bd.

JAN 3: 1370

DUSTMEN and other council strikers in most of the London boroughs, in Man- chester and in a number of other provincial towns are staying out for the full claim, despite recommendations from two of their three unions to return to work.

A meeting of 150 Trans- Sulkers Press ate the meed.

told By John Spencer port and General Workers' Union shop stewards and Thursday's Edinburgh half- branch offer, and negotiate secretanes ar une rise union's Smith Square head- ocal deas. applies quarters Friday voted five refuse Only hands were raised OnLy CO• of acceptance. down a proposal to accept ICCLOrS LOndOn Care bonus Frank already some sit wall scheme. For broducavity some manual workers it would mean a 2495฿ meet- workers forced to hall ime. claim strike got unle atter a week, what would ther one sive us alter a montr after asked. from the Man v custmen National Union of Public Em- General and Municipal Work- Union complete are their unions' decision to accept the

BOILERMAKERS

building Petroleum offer. site, Grangemouth, have been have up their LOrd union and lomned Toe They feel shop stewards arter a alsoute Darticu. men were 481 larly unat walle the proposed dust- sacred aeal gives something to declared th have men, other sections have been Calluls the site shamefully neglected. The dustmen not in the least worried by attempts

ALL TRADES

particularly blatant

UNIONS

supply boilermakers work. in the Lon- occurred

ALLIANCE

Officials of

PTU

and Standard' Ine

IOI

CEU

the October

MEETINGS

nave salle Tael 1U. members Will whatever carlons TOlS work is available to them. papel carmes prominent headed Big split over arucie the agreement signed in deal for dustmen'. down the news t however carried Speaker: Frank Willis the creat Sutton turned to work oi a labour shortage. Young Socialists candidate shere area borough on strike. in the parliamentary ATUA meeting by-election -when became that the 'split' Unemployment and the carried lyland Friday, October 17 lessons of GEC-English There anolner story KuDoISh: a nsk to heath'. 8 p.m. Electric' dustman commented : One

LIVERPOOL

We handle rubbish every and told us about a Sunday, October 19 risk before'. Thursday, October 23 7.30 p.m. 8 p.m.

ON GUARD

Museum Lecture Hall Pinehurst Common Room But despite their willam brown street still nee nece dustmen much guard. General ransport and Workers Dreading constitutional' proudes. sul to wake the sunke oncial important, Ana, more will un. sulkeDred no enorts intensified next few days. Lambeth, a large force used Irom terfering scab lavour rubbish Brixton break strike tion not oed ot only, LuC unted acuor not but of all other tue austmen, workers Every worker is vitally in- this important vo ved struggle against low wages and incomes policy. Strike hits Motor Show

ONE - DAY

guerrilla being staged at strike Was Earls Court, London, Monday-two days before the opening of the Motor Show. shop steward said this vould be the lines of those held during over a weeks Dast tiree wage agreement dispute. On NetonA exhibi- Joint Counel for the nates for craftsmen agreed new Thon 1ls. and for labourers of back-dated September 8. for Mrs 1U W Barbara Castle. secretary I0r employment and rroductivity, Fiat workers on an earlier demonstration crowd around the to approve the agreement.

(PA) factory gates. VAUXHALL carworkers will this week consider the com- pany's of its proposals for a pay-and-penal- From the outset, the new clauses deal. By David Maude draft agreement stresses At Ellesmere Port, the ever unese increases ave resulted in the the Amalgamated Union a ready Deed Welli and Foundrywork- company laying them oil for terms of the 1968 Prices and district committee call- two-and-a-half weeks. Incomes Act. members of the ing York discussions And, although in a different ItS with officials mass meeting. anion auhali clauses

B8ST

The Al sinte Their decision work Thursday, are remised still there. protest the increase offer In an obvious ploy to drive betweere ad. and fod. an hour.

deal

• PAGE 4 COL. 7 .

previous wording of the

PAGE TWO

ENORMOUS advances in the mechanics and methods of handling cargoes of all types are of their bursting out national capitalist limi- tations and highlighting the necessity of estab- lishing a single stan- dardized docks and shipping system throughout the world. For a socialist society rid of private ownership of the means of production and purged of cut-throat competi- tion, of the profit motive and of the class that lived by these methods, such techni- cal achievements would pre- sent unlimited possibilities of co-ordination, simplifica- tion and planning of the col- lection and distribution of goods and materials on an in- ternational basis. Such developments would bring a stupendous rise in productivity of labour to all ship and port workers con- cerned. Brought under the immedi- ate control of the workers themselves they would im- mediately create an easier, cleaner, healthier, safer more and interesting more secure working environment for all.

However, for the capitalist system these modern develop- ments can present a terrifying prospect. If the world-wide container system is on the cards, then which of the biggest container hire firms will the corner major transportation markets?

How far will freight rates be slashed to attract customers?

Which firms will control which routes, and which coun tries will be first to develop the deep-water, fully-equipped ports to deal with containers, roll-on-roll-off bulk carriers unit loads? and The costs are phenomenal.

Sixty feet of water is needed before the building starts to accommodate the big ships.

HUGE COSTS

Tilbury cost £26 million to modernize, Liverpool £90 mil- lion. One gantry crane costs £250,000 as opposed to a nor- mal crane at £18,000. One straddle carrier costs £40,000, against the fork lift truck's £4,000. One container costs £1,300. Competition is further in- tensified by the fact that the number of ships will inevitably drop. Nine container ships will transport cargoes carried at present by 80 vessels on the Australian section, while the consultants McKinsey and Co.

claim that 25 container ships will handle the entire US- European general cargo trade.

The big firms, then, face huge costs for capital invest- ment, a freight-rate battle and a container war. And for the small firms? Thousands of them throughout the world can only go out of business. 'New Scientist' article A quoted a McKinsey and Co. survey on the number of hands through which a cargo might pass under the old have to conditions. A possible 16 firms and government departments were listed (customs, road hauliers, ships' stevedores, shore steve- packaging, etc.). dores, The new system can be covered by one firm of shippers. Small countries which fail to develop the ports, or are unable to dredge out channels deep enough, will be by-passed altogether. A recent 'Economist' survey called 'Moving Goods in the 1970s' commented on the problems for the Australian trade: 'By 1970 the continental and British shipowners operating the Australian and Continental trade will have spent over £100 millions containers, on ships' terminals, depots and transport equipment over three-year period. With that size of investment at stake, it is not surprising that the ship- ping industry is increasingly anxious to drag its customers, of them kicking and many screaming, into the container even that kind of age. But investment does not guarantee container operators a place in the sun. New companies with- fleets to out vast shipping write off are likely to seize A1: TANTOs "dOW Dockers still fighting for better conditic

WORKERS' PRESS

Tuesday. October 14, 1969 particularly The first aim of all employers is a reduction of all port- workers in every country. For the bosses, the only way of offsetting the enormous costs of new docks and machinery running regularly between New Orleans and Rotterdam is to save on labour costs-one more worker on the books The development of over the minimum, even for a few hours, is too many.

an economic alter native to sean traver In this situation, thing that the world's ports ana Inat is wov the bullaine o modern docks means new hours indus of working a new system and shifts comple- week-ends nentea witn a ume specie being see call at all times In fact, the first aim of all empiovers is a reaucuon ol a port workers In every count.

costs machinery is to save on labour costs-one worker more book! for a yer hours, is to minimum the reductions ports 90 the cent. How Cuts

TILBURY DOCKS ON THE THAMES

Country

TIR

0263235

BOSSES METHODS

methods inge from employers' range outright cutting egisters in places where the have the direct the bods in pad, in places where strength aclude : through earl retirement, opportunities cost millions to buv and instal paid for e ain replace- serves rapidly become almost obsolete withir recruitment rule (no with the traditiona ment waen a wOrKer leaves alcot lennicardevelon. ship owners.! re-deployment The same survey also capital s themselves on having in prided urms who Condition Franks in the cases they inem to the varas to be modl the traditional shipping nati nea to carry al least some con- Already scientists have pro- epor Organize own abou to bulla one milion ton bulk orking of th 250,000-tont reed turf era describes organization which aims at th hese would be collaboration of governments, with more and would oment. fo ships as are only lust about dictate what Assabit of shall be from day to They are not labour the being se ping This ports at the present time sus at festor am ree changes surve whichement will and in the reserve their trade between With santa mere on 1. 215 doth set sare peat ones major Changes does not three helpers orland trees also torn ste moned off. 13 mean 'consideratior Canc ned to te being giver watchman retirement from to eariler this require. secure the necessary reduction gangs capacity which could hater all. after that ok Ner biggest firms where Alter all regularly and attempt to reach the promises ancy some agreement rates and bound astic prices with these nrs and • tse custion ment, as far and various types cere a agree small firms loun ma sens reductions, aockers or fo and the open a meso transportarese markets handli

GANG SIZES

then dations Report also i have most eed to refuel only once ever employers and trade unions in treat. Here the sisic asg oa nands out cause of social justice' basic gang wa hauliers like a sort ternational prices and incomes 17 men for load- fact, its real are toe Last modern methods a coming and these exporters experiments ing. board. carried ailable men in each case • force is no use aboard ship) tech- Road hauliers will stili' be ships in busi- This involves ticularly hard hit, being faced ness as far as containers are carrying specially aesignea IOI labour produces a time-and-motion, reductions in casual attitude barges the signed with restrictions and increased manning, and so on). further designed problem taxes push employers regain dustries is monas railways The tropped exists Stand of gangs along outlets indisted and to menalt on industries cot highly mobile Pirater this, New Comicalls York nat new system shits and gangs men in 1966 men and one foreman on call curls ul Findse anta ned to recog on New York docks "In Britain was still give priority ployers must This has been managed with- four or five, sons of dockers, while 10a ta, a close order out dismissals introduction of fork-lift trucks • They are so thickly packed near the doorway that often a man dockers exists and pallets cut tour men on e who is entitled to pass in has to be pulled through by his in the fellows... sometimes the line of the shape* is broken, and the whole of 13 was pore all normal mass surges forward. The gateman is handed a stout switch work' Parallel wit the port el with which he attempts to strike the men over their arive comes faces... if the rod fails, then the hose is turned on, even in winter. " docks with 70,000 nana, Japan s і ье- rationa work much headway workers alt ILO quoting 'New York Survey' seckonte. but, the repor ador reckoned some detail drive , regulation hited Nation's and rade has been expanding.

In Ruenos

FOI

* 'shape-up' queue for dock work of gang sizes is 'adapted to the United better conditions in New York today.

Tuesday, October 14, 1969 quoted as claiming that 75 per cent of a ship's time in port could be eliminated if the 24- hour day, 7-day week were adopted. has They note that this 'social disadvantages' but say that if the economic advan- important enough, tages are then social sacrifice has to be accepted. A few examples of shift work are given. Rotter- dam has a 44-hour night shift worked between 5.30 p.m. and with a half-hour 3.30 a.m. break. Buenos Aires works six-hour shifts, which four start at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Hamburg is given as having 60 per cent of the men on the day shift, 30 per cent on the late afternoon and 10 per cent on the night shift. Further aspects of the efficiency plans include reduc- tion of absenteeism, which, says the Report, can be re- duced by ending the registra- tion of the regular offender.

A port where full flexibility working 1s operated is of defined as that where there is no obstacle to shifting men from hatch to hatch, from one ship to another, from ship to shore and from job to job.

examines 'un- The report as time in which dockers are being employed and are during being remunerated, which time no cargo is being loaded or discharged. The im- plication of 'unproductive time' is that during this period dockers are not really working at all - this works out at equivalent to standing idle.

Thus, in New Zealand, with work on the overseas ships, the claim is made that total unproductive time in 1966 amounted to 56.3 per cent of paid time. This so-called 'unproductive time' included the following : i. working time other than cargo work, including the time taken in the re- and replacement of moval hatches, rigging gear, clean- preparing holds, and 1ng re - stowing shifting and cargo, ii. time taken on non- contract work such as mails, luggage, livestock, etc., iii. weather delays, trav- elling time, smoke periods, time awaiting trucks, break- machinery, down of or shortage of mechanical equipment. Port managements are es- pecially anxious to pronounce as much of the work as pos- sible 'unproductive' when pay- ment-by-results schemes oper- ate so as to cut extra payments to the minimum. Employers are also reluctant to admit the for recognized rest need periods. At the most they would pre- staggered fer system of breaks. The Report comments: 'From the point of view of the ship, there would appear to be every advantage in not having fixed breaks, but to enable the work to carry on, giving the satisfy dockers enough to physical needs and to obtain refreshments.' '... however, there is the fear that any attempt to regard any period in aer ise rat ease as unpe du- tive" and to be eliminated may well defeat its own object. It will create resentment and the workers concerned are more likely to protect themselves by down the pace of Slowing work.

WORK STUDY

Under this heading the ILO Report says: 'Improvement in the co-ordin- of the movement of ation cargo-can often result in the application of work study handling. methods to cargo This has been practised to an in many' increasing degree ports.' This heading mainly covers work study, which is the exam- ination of dock layout and the ways men work and time study which times every move- ment made to the hundredth of a minute. For example, it examines 'What portion of the time during which it could be used is the hook idle and unloaded?

Are slings or pallets not loaded quickly enough? If why? sO, For how much of the time is the load kept hanging on the hook waiting to be received 2.

What prevented quicker clear- ance under the hook?'

MASPERO

IT HAS recently come to our notice that François Maspero, the leading left-wing publisher, to im- has been sentenced prisonment in France for dis- the international tributing revolutionary journal "Tri- is pub- continental', which lished in Havana. As the English distributors of this journal we wish to appeal to British socialists of all persuasions to join us in protesting vigorously most against this shocking act of repression by the French gov- ernment. Ken Coates, Chris Farley, Ken Fleet. Containerization is well under way at Tilbury. Above a container is lifted on to a lorry. The Report refers to the fact that plans are in operation in Britain to train all new dock supervisors, and between a third and a half of all existing supervisors, in industrial re- communications, port lations, economics, and work study.

WORLD

CONDITIONS

The Report makes points about what ought to be. Such and such conditions of work- ing 'should' exist. As regards safe working and hygiene, employers themselves are not slow to outline the correct methods of working.

They do not particularly want the hold-ups and inconveni- ence of accidents but the work itself and the supervision negates the principle. ILO quotes a Belgian The Labour Inspector's report of 1954: 'From the many accident in- quiries I have had to carry out in the port, I can without the fear of the facts contra- affirm dicting that the great majority of accidents are by primarily caused haste, over-zealousness, and excessive in the execution of the speed work' A strange contrast indeed to the theories of 'unproduc- tive work' and the drive for greater efficiency which always imply that before these methods were introduced dockers did nothing but stand about all day. Some further comments on safety and hygiene: 'Surprising as it may seem, in ports sanitary a great many blocks are either virtually non- existent, or much too far apart.

Maintenance has to be pro- vided if they are to be kept in clean and decent order." and "The drinking provision of water is obvioușly a difficulty, yet when work is so strenuous it should be provided. In other where piped water is areas used for other purposes, it is not safe to drink. Clear notices, understandable to even the illiterate are needed to distinguish the taps' and again 'Suitable and adequate washing be provided facilities should for all dockers at places readily accessible to them.'

and • showers • should be regarded as absolutely essential where dockers are handling cargo liable to expose them to skin contamination, and should in such cases, be compulsory rooms should be ... changing for provided with lockers for dry- clothes and facilities ing wet clothing... A few remarks in the Re- port do give a hint-and only a hint-of some of the real conditions of dockers through- out the world: that many dockers have to eat meals they bring with them in the holds of ships or in warehouses, or 'sheltering in the shade of a railway truck': that in the Middle East, dockers may re- ceive one free meal a day, not of course out of any feelings of charity, but because : • In some cases, the customary diet of the docker is so poor especially in proteins and fresh vitamin ingredients, quite apart from having inadequate an energy value, that it impairs his health and his ability to carry out strenuous work.'

Singapore, one of the world's six biggest ports, handling 35 million tons of cargo a year, is also given as an example of a port where a free meals service is operated. In spite of all the 'shoulds', in only a very few countries such as the Nether- lands, are the welfare obliga- required in ports laid tions down in special legislation.

In most countries dockers have had to fight for many years to guarantee themselves the most elementary even amenities. Continued tomorrow

BEHIND THE BBC

television strike lies con- uncertainty. siderable This uncertainty will en- danger future struggles unless important issues are taced in time. Two major unions are in- volved, the Association of Broadcasting Staff (ABS) and the Association of Cinema- tograph, Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT). ABS, which rejected a 4 per cent pay offer accepted by NAKTE and the ETU, represents between 6,000 and 8,000 BBC workers in various jobs in both radio and television. This is approx- imately one-third of all BBC employees. ABS also has some mem- bers in commercial television, but is specially strong there amongst the crucial section of workers who run the trans- mitters and relay stations.

ABS is officially recognised by the BBC and for many years its leadership has been very close to management. At one period up to about the mid-1950s this closeness came naturally from a predomi- nantly middle-class member- ship, or at very least a mem- bership almost completey suf- fused with middle-class ideas about their status and role.

Gradually, however, the the industry have workers in changed. Whole new layers of tech- nicians had to be recruited for the studios, the film de- partments, the recording suites. Even the producers directors, traditionally and the bulwark of safe respect- ability, began to change.

Expansion Working-class people pulled out of their class and pushed through the educational sys- tem came more and more into the industry as it expanded. But contradictorily the re- process of edu- conditioning cation didn't just produce do- cile technicians. These changes, in conjunc- tion with the pressures for more and more productivity and from the rapidly rising cost of living, have led to a crisis within the ABS. This crisis reached a crucial stage earlier this year when membership the passed a vote of no confidence in the then general secretary Mr Leslie Littlewood. This action resulted from a wide feeling that the leader- ship was pursuing the not membership interests of the with sufficient militancy and it was followed by Mr Little- being pushed upstairs wood to the union presidency and to the TUC General even Council. In his place came Mr G. T.

Rhys, assistant previously general secretary and at the front of the present dispute.

Whether he will turn out to be a really satisfactory alter- native will be tested in the next week or two. During the last few days, in the crucial preparations for the strike, members of ABS in the BBC complained constantly that they were not kept properly informed by the leadership. Some say they heard more often from director general Mr Charles Curran represent- ing management than from their union. This situation is often ex- acerbated by lack of even the TR simplest facilities. Said to be very short of funds the ABS is far from being in touch with its members. One large section of work- ers, for example, does not even have easy access to an notice board. There is

ABS

also little sign of the neces- concerted action which sary could bring out ITV members in support. The other major union in- volved in the stoppage, the ACTT, has something over 2,000 members in the BBC, but despite years of negotia- tions and a recommendation in its favour by the Pilkington Committee it is still not re- cognised by the BBC. Representing majority the of in commercial workers television and the film indus- try, ACTT has won many important manning and pay victories for its members over the years. The BBC has always known that once ACTT got a foot- hold inside, conditions of work and rates of pay would come under very close scru- tiny and strong attack from workers previously tied to the more compliant ABS. Even now it is attempting to buy off ABS members by threatening to include back- 4 per cent rise dated in monthly pay cheques anyway.

A cynical act which workers will know how to deal with.

And the BBC's determina- tion to keep out the ACTT has resulted in some most un- Denied all gentlemanly acts. facilities, ACTT shop stew- ards once left copies of the union journal in the BBC club.

These were removed and, it is strongly rumoured, burnt.

They disappeared certainly without a trace. Worse future Already in deep financial trouble and despite planning big cut-backs in radio during the 1970s, the BBC predicts an even worse situation for itself in the future. It literally cannot afford to continue its present output, let alone meet plans for ex- pansion without both more money i.e. bigger license fees and more productivity from its workers. Refused recognition, but with membership, an expanding ACTT has another advantage.

Negotiations to merge with ABS have continued for some years and in recent months members of ABS have pressed more and more strongly for such a move. In the present strike ACTI has given complete support to the ABS and instructed all its members to black any BBC work for the period involved.

WORKERS' PRESS

Dear Comrades, The Workers' Internationalist League, Greek section of the International Committee of the 4th International, extends its warmest greetings to you on the tremendous achievement of publishing the first daily Trotskyist paper in the world. The timely appearance of the WORKERS' PRESS, at the end of a 5-year period of betrayal by the Wilson clique, is not only a great gain for the British working class and the struggle to build the revolutionary party in Britain; it is, first and foremost, a great victory for the international working class. It could not have been possible without the ceaseless conscious struggle for Marxism in the international workers' movement, carried out by the forces of the IC with the Socialist Labour League and 'The Newsletter' in the forefront, against all the sell-outs of Stalinism, social-democracy and their revisionist hangers-on. In its turn, the WORKERS' PRESS will undoubtedly bring a new qualitative gain to this struggle. leadership. It is vital to fight principled differences the VUl involved and to get a broad unity around these principles.

Secondly, illusions about their class interests. These are often heightened because many with technicians work closely individual producers and direc- tors and feel a divided loyalty between their own proper class interest and their desire not to wreck programmes in which they are deeply involved.

The only of this resolution particular split is for producers and directors (often members of the same unions) to under- stand where their own interest lies. Notions of creative freedom and individual liberty are non- sensical in the present system.

The price for such illusions choice and project pace, within very carefully defined limits, and for being able to work without an overseer, they give themselves completely, This includes laboratory wor- kers and others crucial for the 'and not through fear but normal running of television.

through conscientiousness. As a result, these people- The merger proceedings will brain workers like doctors, probably be strengthened but lawyers, are still writers. tele- reckoned he vision producers don't least a year and probably 18 want to see and cannot see months from completion. that their professional frock- ABS is successful in this dis- coat is nothing but a prison- pute, it could also have the ers' uniform effect by of better cut opposite deluding ordinary'. than (Trotsky : members with a show of mili- • The Intelligentsia and tancy. Socialism'.) R The most important dangers facing television workers in They must understand that the an di coming present the present crisis is not limited struggles are similar to those to television. It is the crisis of by workers in other in- met the whole of world capitalism dustries. itself in expressing their in- Firstly, divisions in their dustry as in others. own ranks, both within Programme makers, broad- unions, between unions and casters and technicians will between members and the face important tests in the For Schools and a.m.12.23 p.m. Colleges. and Bob Yn Dri. 1.30. Watch With Mother. 1.35- 1.45, 2.5- News and Weather. 2.35, For Schools and Colleges. 3.45. Muggeridge Asks Malcolm The Why. 4.20, Play Question School. 4.40, Jackanory. 4.55. Wacky Races and Space Kidettes.

Music Mash. 5.44, 5.15, Monster News and Babar. 5950, National Weather. London -Nationwide: news, 6.00, Northern Ireland: 6.0-6.45 features, opinions. p.m., Scene Around Six: Northern 6.45, Z Cars. Ireland News Weather, 7.05, Tomorrow's World. Nationwide. 10.0-10.30, Speak Your Mind: discussion 7.30, Professional on Boxing: The Heavyweight Championship Northern Ireland Affairs.

11.37, Northern Ireland News Head- of Great Britain, Jack lines, Weather. Bodelly, Carl Gizzl. 8.00, Tuesday At Elght: Theatre Wales: 5.15-5.44 Telewele. Date, The Crunch. 6.0-6.45, Wales Today, Weather, Nationwide. 6.45-7.05. Heddiw. 8.50, The Main and News Of Weather. One The Family. 8.25-8.50, Cadw Cwmni. 10.0- 9.10, The Colour Line: a film 10.20, Cars. 10.20-10.30, about dilemma New O'R Newydd. South Africans neither white nor black. South and West: 6.0-6.45 p.m., 10.00, Who's Killing The Car?

Points West, South Today, 10.30, 24 Hours The including Spotlight South West, Weather, Moon Men. Nationwide. 10.0-10.30, The Party's Over: look at the Party 11.05, Viewpoint: Don Salvador Conferences. South and de Madariage. 11.37.1 West Headlines, Weather. 11.35, Weatherman. 10.00-10.30 (Rowbridge, Brighton) The Party's Over: review of the Party Conferences. All regions as BBC-1 except at the following times: 11.00-11.20 Midlands and East a.m., Play School. Anglla: 6.0- 1.15-1.45 Medicine 6.45 Midlands p.m., Today, Weather. Today. Look East, Nation- 7.00, This Question Of Pres. wide. 11.37, News Summary and Weather for the Midlands sures: part 2. Newsroom 7.30, and Weather. and East Anglia. 8.00, Floodlit Rugby League: Wigan v. Hull. North of England: 6.0-6.45 p.m. Jazz Scene at the Ronnie 8.45, Look North, 11.37 Nationwide. Scott Club. Northern News Headlines, 9.10, Premiere: 'See How They weather. Run'. 6.0-6.45 Report- 10.45, Europa. Scotland: p.m., 11.20, News Summary and ng Scotland, Nationwide. 11.37, Weather. Epilogue, Scottish News Head- 11.25, Line-Up. lines.

PAGE THREE

The WORKERS' PRESS is a living inspiration and source of confidence for us in our own struggles for a fortnightly 'Ora Tis Allaghis' as a first step towards forging a powerful communist press-indispensable to the fight to build the revolutionary party in Greece.

In this period of the deepening crisis of imperialism the achievement of the SLL and the YS demonstrates clearly that only the forces of Trotskyism can face the enormous class battles ahead, confident of the triumph of the world proletarian revolution under the Trotskyist banner!

LONG LIVE THE WORKERS' PRESS!

LONG LIVE THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL!

Fraternally yours, Thanasis Lanaras, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Workers' Internationalist League of Greece. coming period. They should Such reformist requests for not forget the roles played by participation are lethal to the their Czech and French coun- revolutionary, real, interests of the class. terparts. create wor cong They They too will have to take confusion. sides. The man tries to who The present dispute is only walk in the middle of the road a warm-up to what is round is run over from both direc- the corner. tions. Although effective, Satur- Finally, the greatest danger day's stoppage did not require workers of all. No television / all members to show solidarity should think that mere eco- since many were not at work that day anyway. nomic struggles can bring real The test of changes. united strength is still to come.

Both union leaderships are It is clear from Mr Rhys' reformist, one slightly more so letter to "The Times' (October than the other. and the by the reply director-general of the

BBC

More militant (October 9) that this battle is really being fought against the The ACTT is undoubtedly economic and incomes policy more militant than the ABS, of the Labour government. The but that is not saying a great latter provides barricade, deal. Its conduct of the strike albeit weak and much breached, for the BBC to shel- in commercial television last year was described by ter behind. And besieged it is.

one steward as 'a mess' and the But to take on governments of its leadership attitude requires real organization !

the recent upheavals in Since its conference no one Weekend London Television can now have illusions any (LWT) was totally inadequate.

about the Tories' intentions for It was only the strength of anti - union legislation.

LWT

There's the shop which help to be pre- got there. What does that leave to vented a head office motion dismissing the dispute workers in struggle ? as managerial dog-fight. It failed The only serious possibility completely to appreciate the is to join the struggle for re- depth of the and its volutionary consciousness; crisis to meaning for the future of wor- join the struggle to build the kers in industry. mass revolutionary party.

As well as a number of old- Join the struggle to over- Stalinists, it contains a throw this that system can liberal-radical group who only prolong its own decay at were responsible for ACTT's the expense of other people resolution to this year's

TUC.

whose labour all creates its wealth. To join the All Trades It called for 'those authori- Unions Alliance and to work ties responsible for the man- with the Socialist Labour. agement i and of government League. broadcasting services to enable through their trade employees, Programme to Note: unions, to participate in the policy decision of those auth- "The Colour Line', BBC-1, Tues- orities'. day October 14, 9.10 p.m.

Westward 11.0 a.m.-12 Schools. noon. 1.45-2.53. Schools. 4.01, Paulus. 4.13. Westward News Headlines. 4.15, Castle Haven. 4.41, The Gus Honeybun Show. 4.55, The Paper Bag Players. 5.20, Magpie. 5.50, National 6.0, News. West- ward Diary. 6.35, Crossroads. 7.0, Star Movie: 'Hot Spell' starring 8.30, The Dust in Shirley Booth 8.30, Dusthinmen Who- Dun-It? 10.0, News At Ten. 10.30, The Pugnacious Pacifist: Count Carl Rosen. 11.30, Katie von Stewart Cooks. 12 midnight, Faith

THAMES

For Life. 12.06 a.m., Weather.

Yorkshire a.m.-2.53 77.0 Schools. 3.25, Mad Movies. 3.15, Habatales. 3.55, Face Of The Earth. 4.15, 11.0 Schools. News a.m., 4.11 Headlines. 4.17. Paulus. p.m., News Headlines. 4.55, The Paper 4.13, The Tingha 4.30, Crossroads. and Tucker Club. 4.25, Katie Bag Players. 5.20, Magpie. 5.50. Stewart News from ITN. Cooks. 4.55, The Paper Bag Players. 5.20, Magpie. 6.03, Today. 5.50, News. 6.0. Caping Tigere Weather. 6.30, The Rifleman. 'The 7.05. 6.55, Sleeping The Tuesday Flim: 'Riding star- ring Dirk Bogarde Shotgun' starring Randolph and Alexis Smith. 8.30, The Dustbinmen.

9.0. Scott. Hadleigh. 10.0, News At Ten, 8.30. The Dustbinmen. Who-Dun-lt. Weather. 10.30, The Pugnacious 9.00, Pacifist: Count Carl 10.00, News At Ten. Gustav Von Rosen. 11.30. Half-Hour Story. 10.30, The Pugnacious Pacifist: 12 midnight, Late Weather. Count Carl von Rosen. How About You? 11.30, 12.00, The Church And Its Border TV Wealth. 1.45-2.55 Schools. 4.0. p.m., Border News Headlines. 4.02, Houseparty. 4.15, Castle Haven. 4.40, Diane's Magic Theatre. 4.55, The Paper Bag Players. 5.20, 11.0 a.m.-2.55 Schools. p.m., 4.09, North East Newsroom.

Magpie. 5.50, National News.

6.0. 4.55, Border The Paper Bag Players. 5.20. News and Lookaround. Crossroads. Feature 5.50. Today 6.35, 7.0. Magpie. News. 6.0. 6.30, Where The Film: 'Devil's Doorway' At Six Jobs starring Are. 6.35, Castle Haven. 7.0. The Robert Taylor. 8.30, The Dustbin- Tuesday Film: The Foreman men. 9.0. Who-Dun-It? 10.0. News Went To France' 8.30, The Dust- At Ten and Weather. 10.30, Alan 9.0. Who-Dun-It? 10.0. Whicker and the binmen. Pugnacious Pacifist: News At Ten. 10.30, The Pug- an Interview wIth CArI nacious Pacifist: Count Carl von Gustav Rosen. 11.30, How von Rosen. 11.30, News Extra. About You? 11.55. Border News Late Summary and Weather. 11.45, Whose Responsibility.

PAGE FOUR

Workers' Press reporter BRITISH-LEYLAND got its fingers severely burned on Thursday afternoon when Oxford's BMC Service workers voted to fight the com- pany's plans to transfer work out of the factory.

After two walk-outs in two days, the management was forced to pay workers for their time attending a mass meeting outside the plant. Stewards reported the management's intention to move 26 men's work out of the plant-and the meeting voted to strike if one man's work was touched. Some time ago the com- pany made bonus concessions to the men which meant that they could £4 a week earn more. Then it started cutting back on the work done in the fac- tory, moving work to outside firms preventing men earning the top rate. It will do nothing now pending discussions with stewards. Pattern But this is part of a devel- oping pattern in the combine.

On Wednesday, British- Leyland's combine shop stew- ards' decided executive to launch a campaign against the Tariq Ali, editor of 'Black Dwarf' speal short-time and redundancies Both papers have recently carried attac disturbing after hearing re- the Workers' Press. ports from several areas.

In the light of these reports -of cutbacks in production, short-time working, moves to farm work outside it and a closure threat-the committee decided to call one-day stewards' conference in discuss the month's time to situation. Conference Proposals for token strikes in the combine's plant unless

• FROM PAGE ONE

British-Leyland withdraws its plans, will be put to the con- one of Cliff's hangers- erence. most lucid speaker on as Pressed-Steel Fisher's Cov- down at Brighton'. entry and Birmingham plants are threatened with closure- Different tone the Coventry plant, which em- ploys about 1,200 workers, by Naturally. "Tribune' editor, April 1970. Mr Clements, employs Other factories, like Albion different tone when it comes Motors, are threatened with to commenting the dem- big cutbacks in production.

organized onstration by the Socialist Labour League to celebrate the of the occasion Guard moves first of Workers' issue the Press. to suppress 'On the Sunday immedi- ately before the conference,' Chicago riot he writes, 'Socialist Labour League demonstrators-

AFTER

night's respite, there seemed to me to be fighting broke out again on only 500 or so, but some- the streets Chicago be- of body told 5,000 me tween police and the showed their faith'. ultra-left 'Weathermen', an splinter group from the 'Stud- We trust that Clements ents for a Democratic Society'.

does not have the same diffi- The culty totting up the of demonstrations began sales in connection with the second "Tribune' as he does have with of Che Guevara's our demonstration. anniversary death at the hands of the way out of the difficulte.

But cheer there is a Bolivian army. As the demonstrations grew A 22-minute 16 mm film is in size, 2,500 National about to be released which Guardsmen moved InTO will enable 'Tribune' to view Chicago to assist the police, the demonstration and rally who suffered more casualties West afterwards at the Pier. than the students. There have so far been more The number neither was than 90 arrests. 5,000 nor 500 but 1,500. Workers' Press correspondent Smithfield workers must re- ject this entire report. The PIB is a wage-cutting THE Prices and Incomes body, set up to assist the Board (PIB) has called for modernize and employers to sweeping changes in the streamline the economy at the expense of the working class.

organization of London's The chaotic conditions the Smithfield Market in a re- Board infers Smith- exist at field- -which is owned by the port published at the end of Corporation of the City of last week. London--can only be ended once the workers on the job Its follows the report have full control of the run- shopmen's November meat ning and finances of the market. 4, 1968 one-day strike in support of a claim for im- proved pay and conditions.

Subsequently average weekly increased be. earnings were tween 4 and 54 per cent. The PIB the setting urges up of a board to 'streamline' and conditions for the pay 2,000 Smithfield workers and calls for greater flexibility and A DISPUTE between em- mobility of labour. ployers broke out at the end Reject report of last week over the handling of the new LASH Any pay improvements will (lighter aboard ship) vessel, depend contraction in on the 'Acadia Forest'. the labour force and further The 43,000-ton ship, due to improvements in productivity, Thames arrive in estuary warns the Board. in a month's time, carries her cargo stowed in barges which with the

GPO

Registered are lifted off at port or canal Workers' newspaper. High Press, 186a Clapham Street, entrances to be towed away W.4 for unloading elsewhere. Plough Press Ltd. (TU), The dispute over who is to High 180b Clapham Street. do the S. W.4. work arose because a mo The broad front' Boomerang niping is oincials members uy the Workers which policy or the paper each day. readers to buy tee turne Prepare it with the Workers said that the it should communist selective about its wards "Trotskyists'. he store Bosses Taria All aGrou journal Vicious letter Mie You Socials tie Letter Alackb Lecteus towards the eS. We believe it is worthwhil 'Dear Black Dwarf, Young. to David "Party,mand iDay рІo-

DOCK BOSSES SQUABBLE

OVER UNLOADING RIGHTS

Medwas Sorts load in the "and discharge e to do *Dock approved

WORKERS' PRESS

Tuesday, October 14, 1968 Czech writers Europe gripped purged as by financial border closes chaos THE FRENCH bank rate rise to a THE KREMLIN-BACKED Husak regime record 8 per cent and the German struck two new blows last week against the Czech working class. Following its purge of the suspension of their 4 per cent By Peter Jefferies trade unions, the bureaucracy expelled three border tax shows that all sem- prominent anti-Stalinist writers from the Com- blance of capitalist co-operation munist Party. Record Ine three. rave Konout. in regulating the growing money AntonIn Lienm and LudVik U.S.-Soviet firm's crisis is now ending. Vaculik, were all prominent in the fight for press free The Bonn cabinet's decision has added to the dom, while Vaculik was on talks on record liberal hans the already great contusion in world currency markets where manifesto, the Mid-East there is considerable fear of a franc and lira devalu- '2,000 words. aton, a Dutch gulder revaluation and continuing un- were an certainty about the mark.

nced on Thurs

UNITED

the impact of the tax and the higher German mark price age deal' on the Arabs nad brougnt an enective I per cent revaluation which Taki Assistant endangered German export prices in "Secretary wore markets. new restrictions without any by recent up- Ine rrench franc nas been worst nit + Ambassador in wash heavals in money markets tollowing the bonn decision to

UNFAVOURABLE

ington, Anatoly Dobrynin.

'float' the mark. September

MORE

Ild

OVER

BUSINESS

3 MILLION

reloping ravour not been de- the country pite rigid exchange contro

UNEMPLOYED

FAILURES

dietly fectedo people are Below value thatter the Bank's declaration

IN U.S.

Philippines egime ha

AS CREDIT

ourists ar

WITH

SEPTEMBER

unrest before

SQUEEZE

markets election The Stalinists French tiers or s Taganst the wore pror to devaluatem believe that it may have to

TIGHTENS

rise to near the five million

FIFTY

thousand Philippine main Illation brought under control British Roa

MANY LEFT

workers Press correspondent vel se ten highest cent of the Sociali Min That RECORD high interest rates sionsent increases their pen- Sashed ct another severe nitted Biana Dra recognize itselt ana severe bank credit re 50,000 severe producing only 40 strictions are General Elections onl choo as THE party. Substitute 257 stater ce th cheir ry, suspend the export can a to 'acceptable'. laws more Recession & the philip Conome situater as Milton Friedman, 25 р.с. ир Spee importance or s comprom with easi tres is not an French idol ycal Prince Will Tall Germany Vauxhall proposals nely beei none one undo L french very ye ich Yanatics ped trang methods, layouts e United State reession or Port each them anity of the lef Several much looming Europe. power hungry etion no level in an exit unlod economy ATUA meeting better chance of destroying personnel

• FROM PAGE ONE

S.E. LONDON

pred of for tors Yours in solidarity, , forced Wednesday, October 15 authori Jump separate dispute for stressed • Game, is waviour in the 1 tose 36, the ob Kerfield Tavern wings. monthly jump in a Camberwell Green there meaty mouthed here! l he aura ot discredit Wide front base actor in Working-class Measured-Day Tess in the to all and Work Job times the situation. during the coming course estab fight already seen account cuanges maculae Seen end now Tate ATUA meeting The tate workers press be deaded alien buropean capitalsin

LEICESTER

We have been warned. they begin. Turin unemploy- Wages battle. ment and Workers' Press'

WORKERS WARY

Inursday, Uctober Ls.

• FROM PAGE ONE

Oner 8 p.m. Reen Sorel

OF LUCAS DEAL

eat wess in class MANY workers at Lucas Gas Turbine's Spring Road, Birmingham, factory are having second thoughts about Trades Unions

ORDER THE

LT's new productivity deal, accepted in a secret ballot following a mass meeting last Monday.

DAILY

Allance The deal. which demands implementation and elimination 'non- Measured-Day Work producuive cline. job-evaluatior conterence the whole movementational Immediate Los TIse ln ex

NOW

labour force, down of t change. Motoil cat, ca conference occupation is without a strategy for notical ponent components anc delivery For ai

MINERS

you select) Worker. OR are Invited ét for threa monthe 10 a

STRIKE

motor workers' I would like to subacribe to Workers' Pross for conlerence Digbeth Civic Hall,

• FROM PAGE ONE

Casual reference Digbeth Name Emphasis *s of the Birmingham strike money Saturday November 8 Addross. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Write for credentials to: Path, Caph am Cig dear, London, i L: 01-72020009 immediate workers under attack! Conference fee: 3s. a person queston.