BL women show the way

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THE Longbridge sewing room is not usually thought of as a militant area. But last week's strike there proved that women workers can be at least as militant and determined as men.

Having reluctantly agreed to a trial run of a new working arrangement which involves the loss of all grade 4 jobs (putting the increased work onto the grade 3 workers) the women then found themselves being abused by the foul-mouthed operations manager Tony Sargent and a side kick when they refused to start the trial without their stewards being present (there was a joint shop stewards meering on that day).

As usual • with this management, Sargent's message was 'Do it as we say or be sacked' - but not put so politely.

Not only did the women walk out, but they also picketed the gate - something that rarely happens these days.

Within hours of the walkmanagement were forced to apologise and admit they were in the wrong.

On Monday, a meeting of all the sewing room voted to return, but made it clear that they would be out again if there was any repetition of this behaviour from management.

Another mark of the rise in militancy at Longbridge was the resolution passed in support of the sewing room on Friday. This stated that if there was any further attack or harassment like that in the sewing room, the Works Committee would recommend a complete walkout of the plant.

Meetings of the rest of the plant have been held and overwhelmingly have supported the JSSC resolution.

Indeed in some areas the meetings have wanted to know why they weren't called out with the sewing room on Friday.

The sewing room women showed the way. We don't have to accept this management's arrogant bullying, and we can win if we unite and fight!

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DEBATE: Revolutionaries and the Labour Party. John O'Mahony, SO EB Hillel Ticktin [Critique EB 7.30pm, Thursday March 31, Clubroom, Block 40, Stirlingsauld Place, The Gorbals, Glasgow.

Nearest underground: Bridge Street.

Stop Witch-hunts. Labor Briefing Open Meeting. Ipm on Saturday 26 Mar at the Saracen's Head, Stone St., Dudley.

Speakers: Les Huckfield MP; Jack Turner, PPC, Selly Oak; Pete Bilson, PPC, Edgbaston; Peter Tatchell.

LABOUR democracy and local government: day con. ference for District Labour Parties, Saturday March 26, 10.30 to 4.30, at Manchester Poly Students' Union. Sponsored by Sheffield, Leeds and Manchest:

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