Demand for solidaritv on Rowntree

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AND SOUTH WITH IN NAMIBIA Isolate ap ack trade unionists, too? TO FREEUVIN AFRICA!

ISOLATE

APARTHEID UnWI " Does that mear SWAPO! FORWARD TO FREEDON AND SOUTH AFRICA! CONTROVERSY over direct links with black unions in South Africa remains on the boil within Anti-Apartheid, as the AAM maintains its opposition to contact between unions here and unions in South Africa.

The largest non-racial trade union body in South Africa, FOSATU, has made its position unequivocally clear: namely that it favours contacts. A recently circulated statement by three of its affiliated unions declares:

"We strongly favour fraternal contact between workers in South Africa and workers in other countries, at all levels, provided that this is guided by the interests and requirements of the workers... Visits should involve not only top officials but also plant based worker representatives ... Several visits to and from our unions have already taken place... this contact has been valuable and will be encouraged in the future."

The consequence of AntiApartheid's dogmatic hostility to such contacts is clearly spelt out in their failure to offer any real support for SAAWU, the black union on strike at Rowntrees in South Africa.

The strike has been going on for over a year now, SAAWU has been refused recognition, its members fired, its leaders gaoled or placed under psychiatric "care' , scab labour has been introduced into the factory and a phony company union, the Sweetworkers' Union set up.

SAAWU's situation is clearly dire. Pressure here on Rowntrees is vital if anything is to be salvaged out of this bitter dispute.

Rowntrees workers and their unions here hold the key. But the unions have been slow to move and workers are confused by the company's claims that they recognise a democratic, non-racial union the Sweetworkers).

SAAWU has appealed through the International Union of Foodworkers for a fact-finding delegation to go over to South Africa, to see the situation for themselves, and to report back to their British comrades. The TGWU, to whom this invitation finally went, refused to go on the grounds that such a visit would violate the AAM's boycott policy on South Africa.

As if boycott refers to black workers as well as the apartheid state! A crucial opportunity was lost.

Now a resolution from an AUEW branch in Leicester has been endorsed by the AUEW Executive and passed on to the TUC, calling for a conference in solidarity with SAAWU, to include all the unions at all levels involved with Rowntrees here (i.e. TGWU, GMWU, _ USDAW and AUEW), and for a SAĄWU representative to be invited to this conference.

Brian Bolton of the TGWU said at an AAM Rowntrees support meeting on Saturday April 25 that he supported the resolution, but apparently the TGWU has done nothing.

Bolton; Chris Child of the AAM trade union committee and Sollie Smith of the ANC all muttered on about the logistical difficulties of a SAAWU rep coming over. But what about the trade union movement here fighting for the right of a SAAWU rep to raise support in this country?

There were plans also mentioned for a Week of Action over Rowntrees m mid-June, culminating in a demonstration ending up outside Rowntrees in York.

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11, and go to Battersea Park for the national Women's Festival and Rally "amunar grurren s restival and Mally organised by the Labour Party. There'll be women's bands, stalls, theatre, open-air discussion forums, a rally with national and international speakers, plus food, kids' entertainment. & creche, and lots more. n0.83