Jeans Scotts on Monday August 24 Black Black Snipe
Socialist Organiser1981 1981-08-27Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 16 →
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Published by the Socialist Organiser Alliance, 28 Middle Lane. London N8. and printed by last lind OfFALy Revisored asa newspaper at the CRO. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the SOr •STAN CROUKE windows deme suasce anu only a few months ago was Vanity Fair's director of operations for Britain and Northern Ireland.
Charters and his consortium are setting up a new company called Inver Jeans, producing denim jeans and skirts. Wright will not have any share of ownership in the factory, but has guaranteed an order for 10,000 pairs of jeans a week.
Shop stewards' convenor Helen Monaghan commented "It has been a long hard fight and sometimes we have despaired - but now it is all worth it"
And Jimmy Milne, the do-nothing general secretary of the STUC, hypocriticaily Joined in the celebrations, "l think Helen Monaghan and her colleagues are to be commended on the stand they took. Time has proved them right".
Production at the factory is expected to resume at the end of september, and all members of the sit-in have been promised a job with the factory's new owner.
Full report in next week's Socialist Organiser, STAN CROOKE THE campaign to stop £3 million orders still in the Laurence Scotts factory, Manchester, from leaving will continue from outside on the pavement. 500 people were present and local Labour MP Charles Morris spoke, at a mass demonstration outside the plant on Sunday 23 August.
After the workers sitting in to save jobs were evicted on 18 August the stewards issued a statement to the press saying "The manner in which the factory was repos-: sessed will make the workers even more determined to pursue their fight from the streets outside."
Armed with sledgehammers, axes and pickhandles, a force of fifty thugs smashed their way into the factory in the early hours.
Shop steward Phil Penning said:
"At about a quarter to three there was suddenly one almighty rumpus. We heard windows being smashed and we knew the bailiffs were getting in through the jib and back room drawing office.
«They approached the people on the sit in who were absolutely terrified. It was obvious that if we did not get off the site they would do something about it.
"Suddenly the wall collapsed into the canteen and we saw what looked like 50 men with pick-axe handles, axes and sledgehammers.
"They didn't actually say anything - but what's the use of carrying these things if your're not going to use them?"
The national campaign of support involving over 30 Labour MPs has got into full swing - but unfortunately the need to concentrate resources at home has resulted in the lifting of the picketing of Snipe's Doncaster factory.
The real set-back to the success of the occupation came not from lack of willpower of the members or Snipe's tactical brilliance - but quite simply the withdrawal of official support by the AUEW executive.
The local officials of the union have been arguing for recall of the AUEW National Committee where it would be expected the occupation would have been reendorsed and the Executive's decision overturned.
Rule
However, when Duffy was confronted with the fact that he was "out of rule" and that it is up to the AUEW District concerned to decide on the acceptability of any return-to-work formula he replied by saying "You are absolutely right -but there's nothing you can do about it."
So what can be done" Every AUEW branch in the country has been circulated with the stewards case for continuing official barking. They should also be asked to pass resolutions demanding an emergency National Committer.
But as tor 1hc 4 orher in Manchester godson.