MASSEYS VOTE TO BLACK POLISH PARTS TUC against action on Tebbit law
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would make union funds unionists must raise the cal liable for damages for much for trade unions and thi Exactly what industrial and organise for such actios action would put trade now - before the TUC fixe union funds at risk depends its policy as one of passive on the judges' interpretat- and powerless protest. WORKERS at the Massey Ferguson plant in Coventry have voted unanimously to black all componénts coming from Poland.
The recommendation was put by the Joint Shop Stewards' Committee to mass meetings of three thousand on the day shift and several hundred on the night shift.
The meetings were addressed by Piotr Kozlowski, who was Solidarnose convenor in the maintenance section of the giant Ursus tractor plant outside Warsaw. Kozlowski is a member. of the London-based Solidarity Trade Union working group, a group of Solidarnose members forced to remain in Britain by repression in The press release put out by the Massey Ferguson shop stewards states that: 'We are not prepared to fit or handle components that come at the point of a gun".
Although no deadline has been established to start the blacking, negotiations are now to begin with the management to force them to find alternative sources of supply.
This is the type of direct action and class solidarity contrasting with the hypocritical and warmongering sanctions of Reagan - which is needed to help our brothers and sisters in Poland.
It is a lead which should be followed in the entire British labour movement.
The Polish experience has shown that the working class in the Stalinist states, given half a chance, will bolt at breakneck speed out of the state-controlled unions which are supposed to represent their interests. The brutal military takeover has also shaken previous ideas and prejudices about the 'socialist' nature of the Stalinist states.
Rather than offer moral support and credibility to the police-state unions, our solidarity must be for the working class and the resistance to the military regime in Poland.
The British TUC has finally announced that it will break off relations with the East German "TUC' whose craven support for Jaruzelski was too shocking even for Ien Murray. This must be repeated with the other Stalinist states.
We must press the TUC to take the example of the Massey Ferguson workers as the basis for a nationwide - and Europe-wide - labour movement boycott and isolation of the Jaruzelski dictatorship, in solidarity with the Polish workers.
Solidarity groups for Solidarnose throughout Europe are also planning a day of action on January 30. Details in next week's Socialist Organiser. COORDINATED • trade union action acioss whole industries if a single employer sues a union for damages; TUC withdrawal from the NEDC.
Not ultra-militant - but these proposals from the GMWU and : the TGWU would at least give a start from which to fight for a policy of TUC non-collaboration with the Tories and strike action to defeat the Tebbit Bill.
Yet while the Tories press ahead, expecting to have the Bill drafted in a week or so, and law by midsummer, Len Murray's staff are trying to hold back the unions even trom the GMWU and TGWU proposals. A publicity campaign is all they want.
The TUC employment, policy and organisation committee is meeting this Wednesday, 20th, as we go to press, to decide. Then there will be a conference of union executives in March.
SOGAT is also proposing that the TUC take powers to instruct unions to act in defence of unions attacked under the Tebbit Law, and that a central fund be set up to help them financially.
SOGAT leader Bill Keys told the Observer: "We shall be mobilising the whole movement in opposition to these laws and we should be prepared to defy the law"
But AUEW leader Terry Duffy is calling for... a joint campaign with employers against the Bill! "We feel that they have a bigger infl uence than we have in urging the Government to change from a course that will undoubtedly lead to confrontation" , said Dutiy.
The Tebbit Bill in fact reflects closely the wishes and interests of the employers. As well as attacking the closed shop, reducing legal protection against victimisations, and outlawing 'union labour only contracts, it industrial action.
Thomas ions. But for sure a grea deal of routine, normal trad union action could lead ti injunctions and then com cases and crippling fines.
And the real or pretend ed fear of such legal actio leaders to use ever Aunte the struggles and protests o the rank and file.
Rank and file • trach TUC to break collaboratior :27- :247