["All of us feel that Alan Fraser has…]
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-09-22Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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"All of us feel that Alan Fraser has not only been victimised by the Post Office but that the top union officials have played a major role in our failure to get Alan reinstated. It appears to me that our union leadership have acted as policemen against us in this dispute (in other words, don't rock the boat).
G. Garret [postman].
"In offering Alan Fraser : cash settlement it proves to me the Post Office's real reason in dismissing Alan was because of his role as an effective Branch official. The lesson I have learned is that the local membership showed its solidarity in support of Alan, whilst the national leadership completely sold him out rather than taking on the fight." BRITAIN'S workers have entered the 8th week of their strike to reduce working. hours from 50 to 49.
Last Friday management refused to guarantee that no victimisations would take place when they finally return to work. The majority of workers are still solidly behind the strike.
13 people who were arrested for obstruction (one is charged with double assault) are due to go to court). Shop steward Mr Ali says that while most of the unionised drivers refuse to deliver to Britain's, private vans are being paid double rate to scab.
Donations to the strike fund should be sent c/o TGWU, 205 Fore St., Edmonton, London N18.
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2,500 members of NALGO employed by Labour-controlled Haringey council are out on an indefinite strike. The strikers demand the reinstatement of Les Butler who was summarily sacked in contravention of agreed procedures.
Les Butler is a probationary employee in PELAW (part of the council Public Works section). On Friday September 9 he was sacked, given a month's pay in lieu of notice and told to clear his desk and go. When Les's fellow workers heard this they walked out.
Les had received nothing in writing of the reasons for considering dismissal. Prior to his sacking he was invited to a disciplinary review on September 8 but was given no details of the allegations against him and therefore was not in a position to defend himself. A request to suspend the hearing was refused.
The Chief Personnel Officer admits the Code of Practice was not followed. But he said, "I see no grounds for reversing or suspending the decision"
The Labour Council have gone along with the decision to sack, supporting the Chief Personnel Officer against over .. 2,000 NALGO members.
The Council ignore the facts and condemn NALGO members for striking against such a 'good' Labour authority.
Some councillors, leftists among them, have said that NALGO isn't a proper union anyway, that we're all overpaid, lazy bureaucrats and that some jobs and services should be dispensed with. (Haringey NALGO)
This divisive and backward campaign to undermine the strike has been extended to Labour Party members and other Council unions.
Despite this, NALGO's members are strong for the strike. At a mass meeting on Monday 19 September the vote was 2-1 to continue. The fighting mood is unprecedented in the branch. But everyone is aware of the threat to jobs in the future and feeling is running high that if the employers can tear up one agreement, then they can tear up others also - and noone's job will be safe. The strike is official and members are to be given full strike pay, 60% of gross earnings.
tall left Cracks are beginning to appear in the ranks of the Council. Labour councillors who have to date not been involved or properly informed have called a special Labour Group meeting. At the Labour Party's Local Government Committee there is an emergency resolution in support of NALGO's demands.
Unfortunately the shop stewards have now agreed to the Council's request that ACAS be brought in, albeit with the proviso that their decision will not be binding: But there will inevitably be pressure from some sections to accept an ACAS decision and this could well break the unity that now exists.
We must now allow that to happen. We can and we must win this dispute and go forward strengthened, for the battle over cuts in services and job losses that is yet to be fought. 40... sultanisi urganıser no.147 September 22 1983 Page 15