No Back Room Deal

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«THE credibility of our movement is at stake, Derek Batison, GWe convert "It's no good other utility workers being sat on their backsides - they've got to come in with us. We don't want arbitration or an inquiry - we want action. We'll be going round the power and gas workers to get their support, and to show them "If we all came out we'd give Thatcher the coup de grace. But if we lose this one it won't be due to the strength of the Tories - it'll be because of the weakness of From all evidence, the water strike is beginning to bite seriously. The Financial Times, which has no reason to exaggerate the strike's effects, reports (February "There is growing concern that if the current peace bid fails a rapid decline in supply will force shut-downs and lay-offs. The Association of British Chambers of Commerce, which has been monitoring reports from the regions, said last night that AT. the last Labour Party National Executive Committee, a resolution supporting companies were using all their ingenuity to preserve stocks and maintain produc- the water workers got left on the table because GMBU general secretary David tion. The association said: 'No one is screaming yet. But at the same time there is Yet Labour front-benchers have certainly been 'involved' - not in rallying supAnd water workers are starting to think more and more seriously about spread- port, but in engineering a sell-out. Environment spokesperson Gerald Kaufman told «When we first came out we thought it would last a week, but now we just don't know. Maybe calling out the gas and power workers is the only way to budge Many local Labour Parties have supported the water workers strike actively and energetically. But why is the Labour Party allowing our leaders to get away with And why aren't the main figures of the Labour Left, like Tony Benn, speaking *Fixed terms of reference without making them public to anyone, let alone the rank and file; *In the person of GMI or at Audenshaw water works, Manchester, told us. honour on accepting the i *In the person of GME not be consulted before a There is no sign that th how our claim is linked to theirs. 15% rise. It may give som what will these be worth with the abolition of the I our leaders." The rank and file push ised the action, manned t decide now. 16):

an undercurrent of serious worry? * ing the action. Leicester GMBU shop steward Dave Renwick told us:

AVERAGE Thatcher. Yes, a general strike.' IR The top union leaders have chosen precisely this time to opposition to arbitration. They have:

*Agreed to an inquiry set up by ACAS;

RIGH

THAL ERS UNION!

inquiry result; U negotiator Eddie Newall, said that the membership will return to work. le inquiry will give anything worthwhile on the claim for a le vague promises about comparability for the future, but when all national agreements are due to be scrapped soon National Water Council? led the top union leaders into this strike. They have organhe picket lines, and gone out to get support. They should Basnett phoned in to say he did not want the Labour Party to 'get involved'.

the House of Commons on Monday that he had!

• spoken in the past few hours to all the parties involved. I believe that with goodwill it will be possible to resolve this dispute."

this?

out more for the water workers? ISLINGTON Council Workers' Joint Trade Union Committee: March to support the water workers.

Thursday February 17, assemble 12 noon at Town Hall to march to New River Head.

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Organiser no.120 February Page

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FICIAL TRIKE

FICIAL TRIKE BU general secretary David Basnett, 'staked their personal