Workers at the Crompton Parkinson factory in Newport are now on strike following new efforts by management to break up the hard-won unity of the Arab, Pakistani and white workforce. It has taken constant battles over the last twenty years to get organisation, recognition, and unity in this factory. Now management have thrown down the gauntlet again; by manipulating the shift system in one department from three into two, they have produced a surplus pool of labour which can be laid off at any time. The workers" immediate response to this was to hold a mass meeting at which it was agreed to go for immediate strike action. Pickets have been successfully organised, with Arab and Pakistani workers taking their place in the front line with their fellow white In an interview with The Red Mole, R Ahsan, T&GWU factory convenor, had this to say:
A. First of all we would like to thank the International Marxist Group for producing collection sheets at no charge, and helping to distribute them.
I see this struggle as an attempt by management to smash the gains we have made in the organisation of the workforce, particularly in the last three years ... The products of these gains can be seen on the united and militant picket lines today. The way to consolidate this unity is to base it on the fullest democratic control of the rank and The Red Mole 31 March 1973 Page 2 From PAUL SMITH in Newport file leadership by the membership. When the strike was first called, the whole stewards committee including myself resigned so that we could elect a proper strike committee. A further mass meeting will be held in the next few days to spell out the role of the strike committee. - What do you see as the main role of the strike committee?
A. The strike committee should have two main roles. First, it should organise all of the workforce to get them involved in the strike. We should, for instance, call an early meeting of the strikers wives. Also we should organise flying squads to do a publicity campaign around the other local factories. Another thing we are thinking of producing is a strike bulletin to keep all of our membership involved and informed. We should hold the strike committee meetings openly so that any worker on strike can come along to put his point of view The second main thing the strike committee should do is campaign in the town for support trom other workers, and allies of the workers" movement. This means a series of public meetings in the town, mass leafleting of the estates, and perhaps a local demonstration ... We should call for any support that can be given ... colleges and tenants" associations and other groups should set up support committees. - How do you see this struggle in relation to the struggle against the Freeze and to bring down the Tories?
Personally speaking, I see it as vitally important to unite all sections of the labour movement in a struggle to organise a general strike to do this. In this area we have got the big steel redundancies. Many thousands of workers face unemployment. We must fight on this issue but also try to get these workers together for a general push in every worker's interests, In some areas I see that local conferences of workers, tenants, housewives, etc. against the Freeze and against the Tory government have been set up. This is just what we need at this stage ... it has to be done on a national scale.
Already the strike at Crompton Parkinson's has been discussed at the meeting of the new Hawker-Siddeley combine committee (of which it is part) last weekend. It will require a big effort to win on the issues raised in the strike and to defend the unity so far achieved. Rush all donations and motions of solidarity to: K. AHSAN, 4 ADELINE STREET, NEWPORT, MON.
STOP PRESS The management are now calling the Crompton's strike an "unfair industrial practice". This implies that they may be intending to go to the NIRC. Further news in our next issue. ent the following motion to the conference: *1. This conference is taking place at a time of rising struggle. The Tory Government, especially through its present pay laws, threatens the living standards of the working class, attempts to undermine the trade union movement, and prepares the way for further attacks. in order to fight for unity in struggle against the Tory Government and its policies, this conference calls for Trades Councils and other suitable bodies of the labour movement to set up Action Committees in every area, open to all organisations prepared to struggle against the present Government and its policies, in particular against the Freeze, the Housing Finance Act, cuts in education, etc. "2. The first act of such committees should be to build for the central all-London rally against the Freeze scheduled for May Day, and to take up immediately the defence and solidarity with all struggles against the Freeze and unemployment, especially in support of the teachers, hospital workers, and the Briant's workers. "3. In the present period of intense struggle it may be necessary to rapidly recall this conference. There should be elected, theretore, a smail standing com mittee which shall establish communication between the various action groups to ensure rapid recall as the need arises."
The conference takes place at the Fellowship Room in the Central Hall, Westminster at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 14 April. It will be open to anyone who wishes to attend, and tickets are available in advance price 25p, but only delegates will have voting rights. Meetings to mobilise for the conference are already arranged for Tottenham and Dartford, with others planned for different parts of London. If anyone requires a speaker about the conference at their trade union branch or any other meeting, or for information on tickets, delegate forms, posters and leaflets, please contact Jon Duveen, 14 Alpha Road, Croydon, Surre (688 0750; 278 2616).