NUJ solid for defiance
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-12-15Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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THE Executive of the National Union of Journalists voted unanimously at the weekend to defy a High Court injunction against the strike by 13 members at Dimbleby Newspapers, who are boycotting work to the scab T. Bailey Forman printers Nottingham.
The correct call for defiance, however, was not coupled with the necessary commitment to take additional industrial action if necessary to defend the Union and its assets against any further court action.
At present litigation has come to a "pause" while Dimbleby's owner, broadcaster David Dimbleby, ponders the consequences for his career should he return to court demanding measures which could result in the sequestration of the NUJ's total assets.
This weakness from the NEC was also reflected by the decision to call a Special Delegate Meeting of the Union on January 21. The meeting is unnecessary - since a clear Music, Dancing, vate Bar till late.
All proceeds will go to the Islington Advisory of the NGA. mandate for defiance of the Tory anti-union laws has been given by the last two regular Annual Delegate Meetings, and there is no evidence at all of a backlash in the union against the policy. Un the contrary, even the BBC TV news chapel has voted 2-1 to back the NEC stand, and 3-1 against a right wing motion to stay within the law.
The calling of the SDM -which is likely to provide strong support for the NEC, though in five week's time - will in the meantime create needless uncertainty, and further divert from the need to prepare for industrial action to defend the In any event the NUJ's firm stance in defiance of the Courts is a crucial rallying point in the struggle of the labour movement. Members must ensure that the motion adopted by the SDM spells out a fighting policy, including specific demands for support from the TUC.
Unwaged £1 allowed at least one scrutineer (all 14 were supporters of the right wing slate); that the number of people able to vote and the number of ballot papers be declared; that the ballot papers be consecutively numbered; and that the ballot boxes be kept in a secure place where they could not be interfered with.
Initially all these demands were rejected. Later, however, AS four groups the first time, £64.11.
That's the best week this month, but to go to reach our £3,000 target.
raffles and jumble sales.
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NIGH Florence Street, off Upper St, N1. £2.50g
By Bill Peters