Tax workers vote to accept new tr

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different approaches to the for Labour to work for socialist question: wait-until-the- advance within the EEC and a next-Labour-government Luthian Regional Labour Party approach, (Carrick, Cumnock resolution putting forward the and Doon Valley, and Dunferm- traditional demand for "withline West CLPs), the all-good- drawal from the EEC within the Scots-unite-for-a-Scottish lifetime of the first term of the issembly (NUM and next Labour government." stirling CLP), and the supposed- The current issue of 'strathly socialist case for a Scotish clyde Labour Briefing" backs Assembly (Muir Society). Women's rights and the policy of Europe-wide socialList action. It remains to be seen rights get only one resolution whether the conference will each lother than motions on agree, or remain ensnared withwomen's organisation and in "little Britain" /"little representation within the Scotland" approach to the EEC. INLAND Revenue Staff Federation members have voted in office ballots by a 2-1 majority to accept a New Technology Agreement. The voting - by 23,984 to 10,703 - means an end to the eight week long dispute at the 14 West Midlands offices involved in the computerisation of PAYE (COP) project.

The agreement had been vigorously opposed by the left in the short time available, but the odds were always stacked against them. Members were given three days in which to read and digest a complex 15 page document which will govern the conditions of employment for most of us for the rest of our working lives.

The Executive Committee was dock labou of course, that the dockers are still a formidable opponent -they were at the forefront of the fight against the Industrial Relations Act - and that an attempt to implement their new plans could lead to a national dock strike.

The National Association of so anxious to railroad the package through that the constitutional position that only the Delegate Conference can change policy was ignored. Indeed, even the ballot itself was only to be advisory and not binding.

Most disturbing of all, is the fact that we have won nothing on the maior issue of no compulsory scheme Port Employers has therefore attempted to persuade the transport union to abolish "restrictive practices" voluntarily. So far they have been unsuccessful. They. will not be successful in the future if the dockworkers use their strength to prevent them. pumps being built locally and nationally and backing from Darwen's factory in Sheffield (a sister firm who supply castings) is being sought.

A rally at 12.30 in Wellingborough on Saturday March 10, has been organised but if mass picketing or supporting industrial action is not worked for in the support campaign, it could be a long haul with no guarantee of success.

If your firm uses LaBour pumps (widely used in petrochemical plants), or supplies components then contact the strike committer All donations for this official dispute should be sent to LaBour The Links, Wellingborough, Northants. chnology redundancies that we did not have before the suspensions took place.

An agreement which states that the management "aim avoid" compulsory redundancies gives our members no protection at all.

Other IRSF demands, including a shorter working week and (nO . changes without agreement, have been cast aside. Another paragraph leaves the path open for the introduction of shift work. Measures to redeploy staff displaced by the VDUs sound fine on paper, untl you realise that every other major government department is introducing computers with similar effects on staff numbers - there will be nowhere to redeploy anyone.

General secretary Tony Christopher, and the executive committee have said that the agreement is a good one and that the matter has been taken as far as is humanly possible" • Yet the 430 in the COP districts have not even been called out on strike. The battle has not been started!

Having put its faith in the courts and lost, the executive committee have no stomach for a fight and chose the first opportunity to quit.

Unfortunately it is the lower grade clerical workers who will suffer the consequences of such cowardly leadership. It is they who will be receiving redundancy notices, not the executive committee members who are predominantly management grades.

Overall, a 10,700 vote against is a good opposition vote in a union not noted for going against its leadership's recommendations. The lesson of relying on legal wrangling in the court room rather than on rank and file activity is here for all to see - it spells defeat.

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Pump Strike Fund, Treasurer, TC Puckerin, 6 Palmer Close,