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their current role as the spearhead of file strike committees not controlled by the Roach Ranch For an independent public enquiry! End the police intimidation and mass arrests Saturday February 12 at 1pm Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street London E8 Hackney's racist cops - see page 7 WITH the water workers' strike in its WITH the water workers' strike in its third week, gas workers' unions have rejected week, gas workers' unions have rejected a pay offer of 42% and power workers have rejec- offer of 42% and power workers have ted 4 to 42%.

GMBU official John Edmonds spoke of the prospect of simultaneous strikes in all three industries; "the Government is backing itself into an argument with the three public utilities"

The EETPU has told members not to cooperate with moves to use alternative water supplies at power stations. In uncharacteristic style EETU leader Frank Chapple declared that if power station workers were suspended, "it would result in action by our members"

Craft workers in the water industry are also set to strike, having rejected an offer similar to the one presented to the bulk of the workThe possibility of a joint water/power/gas stike is there. But we could wait a long time if it is left to the top union leaders.

GMBU general secretary David Basnett has not even called out the union's water worker members in Scotland, despite a GMBU decision authorising him to to.

The unions in the power industry have no plans to do anything on their pay claim before new talks on February 22.

Not a word When Len Murray and Michael Foot got TV time on the new unemployment figures and the TUC Economic Review, they said not a word about the water workers.

And the Labour Left leaders - instead of going publicly to the picket lines as they did with ASLEF - have mostly been silent, all but a statement to Socialist Organiser from Tony Benn at the start of the strike.

The rank and file can and should take the initiative with delegations from the water workers to power stations and gasworks.

Already strikers have responded to management abuse of emergency cover, and the threat of the use of troops, by occupying water supply and sewage plants.

This strike can shake the Tories. They are visibly dissatisfied with the National Water Council management who, softened up over years of class collaboration, are hardly up to Radio PEACE then THATCHER Thatcherism.

The NW's Dumbing declaration nat tneir 7.3% offer was "really" 8.5% can have done nothing but strengthen the strike.

Thames Water Authority have sent letters to every striker's home urging a return to work. In London police have tried to impose the Tebbit law strictly to prevent flying pickets, but elsewhere pickets are largely ignoring the Tory laws.

Two major steps are needed now to push the Tories into outright defeat:

*The election, and linking-up,

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DIVE full-timers. These committees should control ama and unanica nintatina dala emergency cover anu vigamse pencuig, ucie gations, and links with the power and gas workers. They should also link up with local support committees, which can be launched by trades councils and Labour Parties, bringing in other trade unionists (especially gas and power) and unemployed.

*From the base provided by such committees, maximum pressure on the union leaders to put their words into action and to call an all-out strike in water, gas and power.

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Organiser no.119 February 1983 Page

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