Philips
Socialist Organiser1984 1984-02-16Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
Reader report 26 Oct 2026: the machine split had opened this page with the last paragraphs of 'Ranks must take over' and run on into the end of Stan Crooke's 'No fight from leaders' and the head of the next page. This is the short unsigned report printed under the headline Philips on page 15, transcribed from the scan; the two other articles now have their own pages.
Proofed text: read against the scan word by word; spelling, punctuation and wording are as printed.
Scan page 15
LAST Wednesday, 8 February, the 103 workers at Philips Rubber in Manchester were officially sacked. Management are refusing to talk. They are hoping that as time goes by hardship and fear of losing their jobs will force the strikers back to work.
The reply must be to step up the action and mobilise the local labour movement in support of the struggle.
Mass pickets need to become a regular feature of the dispute. Such mass action will put greater pressure on the management and prevent the isolation and consequent demoralisation of the strikers.
Inside the factory management have been trying to get the small number of engineers to do the strikers jobs. Those who have refused have been threatened with the sack.
The strike needs to be extended and the engineers called out in support of the TGWU strikers. Some strikers have expressed fears that if they return to work defeated they could lose more than their pay claim.
Management could well use the opportunity to get rid of the union and victimise active militants.
The strike, for an increase on the £48 basic wage needs more support. After six weeks, the strikers, who are on £12 a week strike pay, need financial support. Management have settled for a waiting game. Financial and active support for the struggle must be built.