Typists go back to work

Scan page 15

LIVERPOOL City Council typists are now back at work after six months on strike for a regrading claim, positive discrimination in admin jobs, the right for time off to study for qualifications, and an end to the lack of career opportunities for them.

Some weeks ago a decision to go for arbitration was gratefully accepted by the Liberal Council.

The final sticking point for a settlement was a demand by the Liberal Council that there be no disciplinary action taken against scabs.

But the NALGO branch officers seem to have given way on this, and the typists are now back at work.

Meanwhile, however, the AGM of Liverpool NALGO has thrown out the leftwing branch officers and allowed the right wing to take over. It looks like the left-wing officers' failure to argue a clear opposition to arbitration did little to enthuse or rally their leftwing supporters, and the membership as a whole was left bewildered and exasperated.

CHRIS ERSWELL

Scan page 16

A few initial instalments, but only a traction 1982 may start with big struggles by the of the £1150 we need this month on top of Ford workers and the miners, and will certainthe regular standing orders has come in. ly see a furious fight to defend democratic With the holiday period coming up, many rights in the Labour Party. Make sure Socialsupporters may feel inclined to let the ist Organiser can start the year prepared and oraanıser problem of fund-raising slip to the back of with the resources we need to help the their minds for a couple of weeks. But none of our creditors is likely to go in for such Send contributions to Socialist Organiser, THE resounding victory of pay claim of 23 per cent.

Arthur Scargill in the Nat- the Executive of the NUM ional Union of Mineworkers decisively rejected a Coal presidential elections was a Board offer of 10.5 per cent real kick in the teeth for the for those with long service, Coal Board (whose officials by a majority of 20 to 5. to work for the right wing would have given the surtmellow forgetfulness. -FUND " 28 Middle Lane, London N8. THE resounding victory of Arthur Scargill in the National Union of Mineworkers presidential elections was a real kick in the teeth for the Coal Board (whose officials had connived in some areas had connived in some areas to work for the right wing candidates), for the Tories, and for the Fleet Street gutter press who had pulled out all the stops to prevent Scargill's election' 70 per cent of the miners said decisively that they had had enough of Joe Gormley's conciliation and grovelling to the NCB. Scargill's programme and his dynamic campaign clearly struck a chord in the coalfields.

His opponents could not pay claim of 23 per cent. the Executive of the NUM decisively rejected a Coal Board offer of 10.5 per cent for those with long service, by a majority of 20 to 5.

The new 'revised' offer The new 'revised' offer would have given the surface workers a rise of £6.95 before tax! This is nothing less than an insult to the industry's *forgotten legion' • many of whom work on the surface due to old age or injuries received while underground.

Watershed

The Executive decided instead to call a special delegate conference on decides to do this, which it probably will, the ballot will be held on January 14 A 55 per cent majority is needed for strike action. If this is obtained, a strike could commence late in January or early in February:

Miners need the full claim to make up for all the ground we've lost since the last rise of just over 9 per cent - anything less • Ford workers have now voted overwhelmingly for all-out strike from January 5th. They have rejected the company's offer of 7.4 per cent with extremely tight strings, and are demanding £20.

Ford busses have responded, tight-lipped, by saying they will not bother to open the factories on January 4th after holidays.

Despite the Gener Secretaries' sell-out of B a united wage offensit by important sections the working class is st possible this winter. Rat and file mineworkers ar Ford workers should mal contact.

And miners should ali organise to make a reali of the "Triple Alliance' railworkers and ster

----- pull-quotes -----

After Scargill's victory Miners and Ford set for pay battles