Dhss Strikers Fight to Break Isolation
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-11-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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ivatisation SHUNDREDS of DHSS HINDIRANC of NICO workers in Birmingham and Oxford are on strike in a fight for jobs.
All eleven offices in Birmingham are now on atrike. Some have been out or ten weeks; while the action in Oxford is seven weeks old.
They must not be left to fight alone against a futhless employer. The government is fundamentilly opposed to creating hore jobs.
The rank and file memership have shown the yay. The Broad Left eadership in the CPSA aust be made to follow and rganise for victory.
The DHSS section Executive of the CPSA, the rgest civil service union, tready have a mandate for -l-out strike action against the cuts (see article by tod Bacon in SO 107).
Although the CPSA jadership have accepted e decision of those on rike to reject the return work deal that gave no ermanent jobs, they re still anxiously seeking a eal that can end the *spute and 'save the nion's resources for the 53 pay campaigo'.
There is no sign of them ing the mandate to give a trong lead to the memberhip to make this a national rike for jobs.
If there is no fight on bs now that offices are oking action, what chance * there for the pay camaign?
The Oxford •strike pommittee and most of the or Oxford strikers have decided that escalation is needed.
Other offices coming out would secure us media coverage - at the moment THP I government can pretend nothing is happening.
The Strike Committee in Oxford supported the suggback in the birmingham and Oxford strikes should be built on immediately.
Large contingents from the strikes should be encouraged to attend the forthcoming CPSA Broad Left conference in Leeds on November 27, and move emergency resolutions demanding that the SEC escalate the dispute: • Civil servants from other affirda chaild attand tho the conference and put similar pressure on the Broad Left leadership to make this a natiottal dispute and not falsely attempt to separate the fight on pay froin the fight on jobs.
The members on strike have shown the lead. Every job is under the Tory axe. It is time for a united fightback — and the union executives must be • forced to lead that fight.
How you can help:
•Send a resolution to the CPSA Executive from branches demanding they use the mandate on all out action.
•Invite speakers from tl Oxford and Birmingha strikes - preferably as joint delegation.
•Argue. for industri action in your office.
•Organise delegations the picket lines - in O ford mass pickets Monds and Friday 7 til 9, •Mirminenam Cherk TW/71 VERVIES 77 41 Regional Strike Committer For delegations aLr speakers ring: Region Strike Committee, 02 643 8191, ext. 2333.
Messages of support an donations to: (Birmingham) R. Horto: Strike Committee CPS Room 337, Fivewaj House, Islington Roar Birmingham. (Oxford) M. Robertsol CPSA, 24, Beechcroft Rd Snmmertnum Oxford OX2 TAZ Arlington House and at the London hotels owned by Rowtons: the Mount Pleasant, Calthorpe St; the Grand, Southampton Row; and the London Park, at the Elephant and Castle.
Contact: strike committee c/o Camden Labour Centre, 8.Camden Rd, London NW1.