Socialist Challenge No. 265, 15 October 1982
The scan: sc-no265.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
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No. 265 15 October 1982 25p Unemployed and strikers 10p
Socialist Labour against the
witch-hunt
30 October Conference of delegate: Country Hall, London Challenge from CLPs, unions, LPYS branches, LP branches, Contact: Labour against
the witch-hunt women's sactions 107 Nevill Rd, London N16.
ten Rosbergh, Chris Smith, Jim Orp AS WE go to press, the Lenin shipyards in Gdansk are on strike again, demanding the withdrawal of the anti-Solidarnose law and the release of political prisoners. Unconfirmed reports say that the workers of the Szczecin yards have joined the strike.
On Monday night, supporters of Solidarnosc, the only organisation which represents the Polish workers, built street barricades in Gdansk in fighting with the riot police.
The strike shows once again that Solidarnosc alive and fighting - and that it has the sup. port of the workers.
Last months street demonstra tions on the anniversary of the Gdansk mobilised hundreds of thousands of people against martial law. In response the Jaruzelski martial law regime has decided to finally outlaw the Solidarnosc union.
The law, passed last wook by the Polish parliament, dissolve 'all praviously existing unions' including the state unions. But the real target is Solidarnosc: the state unions had anyway becorne hollow shalls with no following.
Martial law struck a cruel blow against the many advances which the Polish workers had won since the heady days of the occupation
ALVE AND of the Lenin shipyard in 1980. But
despite the brutal repression despite the internment without trial many the Polish workers' leaders, including Lech Walesa. Solidarnose refuses to die.
The underground leaders of the union had called for demonstrations on 10 November the anniversary of the official registration of Solidarnosc, as a protest against the banning of the union. Their statement, signed by Zbigniew Bujak (Warsaw), Bogdan Lis (Gdansk) and others,
FIGHTING calls on the Polish workers to
boycott plant-level unions which the authorities want to set up.
It calls for the creation of secret committees in every fac tory to organise the struggle.
But the Polish workers have not waited. They have decided to act immediately. IL SBOWS HIKEE that the authorities will try to crush the strikes with more brutality. But in the words of the statement by the leaders of the
'Solidarnosc AXISTA. will continue to, whether they like it or not
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Weighellings and dealings—
THE MESSAGE from the Tory conference was totally unambiguous. Despite Thatcher's embarrassment at the leak of the Think Tank' report, and despite Michael Heseltine's annual appeal on behalf of the inner city poor, Thatcher's Tory party is set on a brutal right wing course.
options' are still open in relation to privatisation of the health service, and the destruction of the free education system. Instead of passing sweeping laws, the Tories will encourage pilot schemes in the localities.
Tebbit put the blame for unemployment on the unions, and made clear the determination of the •Tones to pursue incur ar tacks on trade union rights. in other words. the Tory onslaught continues.
I hatener's authority as leader remains unchallenged. The Falklands factor is still operating strongly in the opinion polis the Tories still have well over 40 percent of the intended vote.
Thatcher's own
the "wets' who want a softer approach has completely successful.
With a few exceptions, the wets have been cowed into silence.
At a superficial glance, all this should add up to plain sailing for Thatcher and a grim time for the rest of us. With such a high rating in the opinion polls, a cical programme, Lord domination of the party, and the SOP in decline, everything should be fair for a storming run up to the general clection. But things are not so simple.
In the first place, the dizzying Tory success over the Falklands does not assure them of being per manently able to avoid other political issues. The Falkland war came at an extremely fortunate time for the Tories — the much vaunted tur-
By Mary Jacobs
'A GREAT LOSS tO
the railway industry
which he has served
as a dedicated and
wise trade union
leader. He has always
had the wider vision
to consider the long-
term interests of the
industry and will be
greatly missed.
Unfortunately Sir
Peter Parker's eulogy
of Mr Sid Weighell
cannot yet be read as
an obituary.
But it is certainly a tellWeighell's treachery to his indictment
members
the Labour Party con-
ference only differed from
his past and possible
Socialist Challenge 15 October 1982 page 2
Right wing
hysteria,
brutal reality s
Keith Joseph has made it clear that 'all the
naround" on the economic
1EHCU materialise. Despite the
for Thatcher from the business the economy has not ceased its nose dive, and unemployment can only go upwards.
The Tory standing in the opinion polis has begun to decline slightly. History may wel conchude that Thatcher made
general election in the immediate wake of the war victory. By next summer much the
WUSL Falklands glow will have disappeared
Deceptive
Second, about the situation in the Tory mavoe deceptive. Tory conferences are notoriously stage-managed. In general well-known opponents of the regime in power do not manage to catch the eye of the chair
But in the fringe meetings the bitterness of the wets has been unmistakeable. lan Gilmour accused the government of swindling the unemployed Peter Walker denounced "19th century liberalism' Marxism, just a lew days being as irrelevant
John Nott had described himself and Thatcher as old-fashioned
future ones in that he was SOON OU
Weighell's behaviour shows the utter contempt he has for the working Class in general and hi OWIl members in particular. On the sunday before Labour Party conference the NUR delegation met to discuss all the
and mandates already been decided at on the union's CACCULTO.
Eric: Clarke, the
candidate for the Labour Party's NEC, had already been endorsed by the NUR's leadership.
When Weighell cast his vote on the Monday, he did not inform his delegation that he had not sup-
19th century liberals.
In the Tory party, of tice and succece are al! powerful. The new Thatcherite dominate so long as it is successful in purely clectoral terms, But Peter Walker's theme - that the Tories should be a party of compassion, of one na
20018 economic reflation -privately held by many of the Tory leaders.
The the Thatcherites, there is no alternative forward on their present deflationary course. But in the medium term the con ditions are still being created for the utter col lapse and shipwreck
The electoral arithmetic
WOENINg against the present Tory leadership but so is the logic of the class struggle Tory domestic policies are hugely unpopular. А recent opinion poll showed LEHE public support the health workers claim.
Irrespective of whether
strike, winter is likely to be one of bitter industrial dispute. By the spring the basic issues of welfare cuts and uncmployment will have re-asserted themselves.
The big losers from the "Falklands factor' were the SDP-Liberal Alliance. Within the alliance it has been the SDP who have slumped popularity much more than the Liberals. This reflects the fact that the SDP have, despite intentions, been a bigger threat to the Tories than to Labour
Once Tory fortunes start to decline, the attrac tion of the SDP-Liberal alliance will continue for middle class voters. The Weighell ported the NUM салdidate. When the results of the ballot were announced on Tuesday, Weighell remained silent
Only late on Wednesday, after his shenanigans
-News
Thatcher spells out her regardless.
The Tory faithful here worship Thatcher. idea that the SDP-Liberal alliance finished is Toolish. On the economic
ront the Tory project ha
alled and will continue to fail. Even within capitalist framework very different policies are needed to the elfects of the world recessIon.
The Conservative con-
did he inform his delegation that he had "abstaind This was a he. Weighell had cast his vote for the right. wing electricians union candidate.
Even his "resignation statement skirts around this when he states that " decided not to vote for the NUM candidate.
Weighell tries to de fend his position by arguing that the NUM did not confirm that they would support the NUR's can-
This was a lie.
Weighell was sitting onl 20 feet from Scargi. ference. The NUM had in throughout TACE WEECH the rail union to inform them that it was unconstitutional for them to give written
massage - press or ference, if only at the fringe meetings, showed that the Tory party is still very divided
Again, it is hardly like ly that the wets' will jus continue comination and resist the
temptation of some sort of link up, albeit informal with the regrouping forces of the centre.
pledge of how they would vote. But implicit in such a ete for thistley ek would vote for Russell which they did.
Weighell knew all this.
alish temeny he press ed
statement to ccutive rather than face the condemnation was rightly his due. He now has the upper hand He is prepared to abide b:
sion the Specia General Meeting mav take
this reichell does get the
support from the SGM which tends to be to the right of the membership. he will go on the offensive. He will regard such endorsement as a green light
sell a lousy wage dea and 20,000 jobs. He wil
RESOLUTE
Underneath ine sur-
British
that there will be three major party blocs in the new parliament. It is by no means excluded that Labour will be the bigges of the three. The Alliance is still likeiv to have a ma-
work hand in glove with the British Rail Board and the Tories to implement the McCarthy терог against the wishes of his members.
He will find it difficult to give full hearted support to the health workers while selling his own members down the river and finally he will do his utmost to destroy the Tri ple Alliance and undermine Arthur Scargill.
If this happens Scargill himself will be paying the price for allowing such wheeling and dealing to go on the first place.
Whatever happens this
Tessons are clear: workers want leaders they can trust
for role in trying to put
together a coalition.
The fight for a Labour
Victory a po ebi too
swoopme away unis
government still very
much And this
Gov a Labour Party
fighting on the socialis
gains of the last three
ycars conferences.
act in their interests. Weighell's manoeuvres cannot he allowed 10 demoralise the growing tide of opposition to the Tories and the right wing labour movement leaders. The best way to get rid of the likes of Weighell will
massive strength in support of the health the
WULACES miners, the steel workers and all other workers movine into struggie, including the railworkers themselves.
The he
weight Alliance behind struggles will give Scargill and Cothe best opportuniweek to Sid Weighell, the ty to make amends for their own wheelings and dealings.
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WITCH-HUNT
The Labour Party's National Executive Committee is likely to be lobbied when it meets in November to discuss action under the new register of non-affiliated organisations.
organisations of the steering "Labour Parties against the witch-hunt*, which was established ference in London convened by Hackney North Labour Party.
The commitice preparing for a founding conference against the
be held at County Hall, London, on 30 October. At its meeting this weekend, 9 October, the committee decided to propose to the conference that it establish a national organisation to prevent expulsions.
proposed stateInent-of aims, which will be put to the conference, calls for action to:
prevent expulsions or disaffiliations under the NECs proposed register of organisations, and defend the unity of the Labour movement, and the rights
all Labour Party
of members against any
members against any witch-hunt under its provi-
Proposals for action, which are to be circulated to delegates before con-
include model resolutions seeking: &LPs not to expel, nor commitment from recognise the expulsion of,
disciplinary action against, any Labour Party member group. members, or the disaffiliation of any CLP or constiten arEason Col nection with the NECS register. • A parallel campaign in unions and other affiliated organisations calling for support to CLPS taking sucn a stand, and a commitment to 'maintain affiliations to any disbanded CLPs and boycott
LPs by the NEC
LONDON SOUTH CENTRAL branch of the Post Office Engineering Union have backed the 30 Oc. tober conference against the witch-hunt in County Hall, London. The branch have also circulated all other POR branches in Britain with their resolution and a call for similar action.
A clause in the union COIISLILULIOHE branch the right to circulate other branches in
30 October
Conference
forges ahead
committee
on 4 September at a con-
Healey, after the deputy leadership vote. He now commands a majority on Labour's NEC. • National campaigns in SUBDUII of any expellec member or disaffiliated Labour Party.
Further detailed questions for action are to be
and the proposed agenda TUSCO!
Invitations to attend and address CUT-
Tee Young Socialists and
Socialists and WATERTON Indications are that the Militant, and the steering committee set up the September Wembley conterence defend Militant, will bo responding positively. At their press conference last week the steerine commit tee indicated they would be supporting the 30 October conference.
Post Office workers oppose witch-hunt
this way.
Campaigners against the witch-hunt should ensure that the item comes up under COTrespondence branch meetings and ask for the branch to contact all ConSHEECH to which they are aftinated to trv and obtam speakers on the witch-hunt
the witch-hunt is won, to ensure that the CLP is informed of the branch's position.
Nicholl
Jeremy
Support for the 30 October conference, whose sponsors held fringe meeting attended by 250 delegates on Thursday night at the Labour Party's Blackpool conference,
extremely good. The steering committer has issued a financial appeal because the expenses arising from the organisation of such a large conference greatly exceed the resources of the initial sponsors.
Delegates' credentials, further nformatio and donations: Labour Partie against the Witch-hunt, c/o 107 Nevill Road, London N16 OSU.
We hope other trade unionists will be able to emulate this initiative, although not every union possesses such a clause.
We also suggest that stewards committees and trades councils take
on the witchhunt and, if a commitment
the witch-hunt is secured, circulate labour movement bodies with which they are associated to inform them.
News.
By Bob Pennington OXFORDSHIRE Regional Health Authority is not bothering to wait for the Tory 'think tank proposals to get the official nod. After discussions with Geoffrey minister for health they have announced radical reduction of services."
The proposais aim t
ave E12 million each yea
call for ending altogether some services and having cheaper provision for others. One of the more horrendous suggestions is that people settling Buckinghamshire Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Northamtonshire the four counties covered by the authority - will be barred from getting treatment on the NHS, in emergencies. until they have fullfilled special qualifying residential period
Reductions will be made in the comprehensive accident and emergency service, and at best nine accident and emergency
will have to cover all the four counties.
The private sector will be rubbing its hands with glee at the authorities proposal to hand over to them a number of services like varicose viens and hernia operations. All the mental-
il be closed and some
closed and some wards for the mentally ill will also close without
HEALTH STRIKE
THE SOUTH WALES
day of action in support gettin Large pickets
widespread backing. are expected at all main hospitals as well as rallies in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.
But South Glamorgan County Council are in danger
strike DILERINE.
Labour-controlled council.
Stewards angry
with TUC
population took some form of strike action.
Since this tremendous SUCCESS.
Association of Health Service Unions have asked the TUC to cancel the 'day of
called region on 20 October. If it does go ahead they will not be asking other unions to strike.
The leaders of GAHSU claim that the last of time and the shop
time and the shop stewards want the TUC to set a date for an indefinate general strike to force the government to pay the 10 OCLUCILL
Jim Kiddie the GAHSU chairperson says *the TUC have shown no leadership during iatie the dispute.'
Challenge can sympathise with the stewards' scorn over the way the TUC has organised this struggle. On 22 September the massive turnout in Aberdeen was largely the work of the GAHSU stewards WATE built the response by leafleting and organising workplace meetings.
However Socialist
Breaking up the NHS
Finsberg, the junior
'a
waiting for local authority •provisions.
Maternity care will be reduced 24-hour delivery Transport, laundry. food and personal service wil be transferred volunteers or a charge will be introduced for staying in hospital. For people who get involved in road accidents and hospital care a charge will be introduced and it is also proposed that
PRITCHARD IS
thay know who will reap the benefits.
South Wales moves into action
By Helen Slyomovics, Cardiff North CLP
which has must decided to name streets after South African and Polish revolutionaries and is its nuclear banker due to fire risk. is sabotaging the health SOLLE
NUPE workers were planning to close down the South Glamorgan Heade era
have ON 22 SEPTEMBER 15,000 people marched in Aberdeen and about a quarter of the working
Challenge thinks that the stewards suggestion it the
day of action goes ahead, of scaling it down to 'speakers corner' in the town, and giving support to any action taken by the telecommunication
against privatisation of British
CLEONE wilhave the reverse results to what they want
What has made the TUC take what action it has done is because health workers, like those stewards in GAHSU, have mobilised their own workforce and other symapthetic workers to come out in defence of the
NHS and for the wage claim. if that action stops then the pressure is taken TUC SInC EOVETAMEHT
and some of the more timid health union leaders. This will not lead to a zencral strike but to the end of the fight for the claim.
The Aberdeen health workers up to now have done a great job. Socialist Challenge urges them to keep it up.
1.U3 should be health employed on a workers
part-time basis
These proposals under-
mine ine chare principle
that health care should be
who need
which is a principle that
sane civilised
Bot try insist
But Britain is no
sane and i civilised. It is a
society where human
needs run a very poor se-
cond to protit.
Once again we see the around the and why importance the fight
the labour movement has
to rally to the cause of the
health workers. What is at
-up pic
PRITCHARD SERVICES GI
CHRID CAN SHE BEE
HS..
E400,000,000
VING WANDSWORTH COUNCIL E2.37 mill
Private medicine advertises at Tory Conference -
renominated defiance of NUPE KEYNOIECES Monic
Walsh, of steward and
DISTIC
NUPE branch. is one of thi
must woman porers in weist
local authorities She told
Socialist Challenge Tve been I out six times
support the
workers. But this time went
HOUSES ODORE A Headi
workers: we're going into
Victimisation
not reinstated.
union organisation
particularly during the present dispute.
goes we will be next.
Miners to resist
hospital
closedown
health workers' demonstration in Aberdare.
where the secretary
Nicholas Edwards, will be
close Rhydlafar hospital.
many miners and the South Wales NUM.
stake is not just a 12 percent claim although that is a vital issue, but the very existence of the NHS The Tories want to sel health care to the highest bidder and turn pain, sickness and inite / into other item up for sale. OXIf the health workers are crush• ed, then that will be the think tank everywhere light for operation It is he hit by hel people who will be hit proposals. It is their health and their lives which are at Catal why the labour movement has to SUrE the health workers win. dispute ourselves. With mass County Hall. We expect this we will clos of the Tories — not our own We've canvassed fo I now our own abour counciliors are strike VISHALS
Mass support is expecte Cardiff labou HUNDREDS of health workers in Aberdeen staged an impromptu sit-in at various hospitals last week. Furthermore the city could face a total walk-out if Jim Kiddie, the chairperson of the Grampian Association of health workers is
The workers see this provocative action by management as an attempt to break up the
and curb union activity,
As the secretary of GAMSU says 'They have picked on the chairman of GAMSU first. If he TYRONE O'SULLIVAN, secretary of Power Lodge, told Socialist Challenge that a number of South Wales Lodges will be supporting a
In the afternoon they will join a picket outside a meeting at the Weish office in Cardiff
of state for Wales, pushing plans to This hospital treats
page 3
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Fascinated by uniforms and authority. By Bob Pennington IF SIR KENNETH NEWMAN, the metropolitan police, identi-kit copper, then you would have to invent him.
by uniforms and authority. At 16 he joined the RAF through its There the young cadets were taught to do as they were told, until they got on top, then they could kick the lower orders around
From the RAF- he graduated to the Palestine police where he learned about the use of firearms and riot control. After 8 MOHIS He was promoted those job was to keep the the Special Branch uppity natives' their place by the use of "sus acts and belting them around the cells. An experience like that could not but help an aspiring lad eventually going to Ireland.
also learned in Palestine how volatile the
thnic popuiation can be.
laybe this is why he tol
SOCIALISM
below
Name..
Address
Age
Union/CLP (if any).........
50. London N1 2XP
Sir Kenneth-
identi-kit copper
the new boss of did not exist as an
From his early days he has been fascinated
Cranwell training college.
Bruce Porter, a journalist for the American Police Magazine: you have people who are constitutionally disorderly it's simply in their make- up They are constitutionally disposed to be anti-authority.
Unfortunately for Sir Kenneth, Britain's days in Palestine were numbered and the army had to escort the police out, otherwise hey would have been lynched by the locals. Wher he got home, he joined the metropolitan police. Then time came with the anti-Vietnam demonstra........... JOIN THE FIGHT FOR
If you would like to be put in touch with Socialist Challenge supporters in your area or would like more information fill in the form Send to: Socialist Challenge, PO Box
POLITAN
tions. As demonstrators poured Grovesnor Square in their
FOOSCO the police on a scale never seen before.
Soon the police would be organising the Special
increasing their armoury. Community policing began to take on a new meaning as the police swept into the community battoning sense into its head! Merlyn Reces, then secretary of state lor Northern Ireland sent Newman off to ireland in
In his reign as the RUC chief constable the beating up of suspects took a dramatic rise. Complaints of police brutality rose from 180 in 1975 to 671 in 1977.
Injury
Doctors reported serious injuries suffered by suspects. Newman's reply to this was there was no proof of wide-scale violence at the Castleragh, the interrogation centre. He even claimed
many of the injuries were
self-inflicted. Presumably themselves on with plastic prisoners beat
spoons causing "traumatic
Irum" and inflicting abra
sions and bruises on their by hitting themselves wits backs and buttocks their toothbrusnes devious and acrobatic lot are the IRA.
You can never accuse Sir kenneth of not being
prepared to learn his
esson. As ne watched the plastic bullets fly, saw the
soldiers not in lne
Bogside and presided over
future. He explained that
News
going to Northern Ireland was useful, because social problems made it a kind of police laboratory for the rest of the UK. So noW we know. The Catholics of the six counties are the guinea pigs for experiments the
style con a me popolitar
metropolitan police force which Operation Countryman exposed as a bunch of thieves and extortionists which naturally boasts the lowest crime clear-up rate in Britain and with a police chief like Sir Kenneth we have nothing to fear.
FUND DRIVE '82
La week's wages
Stall order thousand magnificently.
pensioners
who contributed.
total of E14,045
cdes
JUST TWO WEEKS to
the new Labour left, and much morel
be booked in advance.
the order form below for yourtickets.
Kingsway Princeton College Saturday 23 October
9.30-10 Registration 10-1
Lunch Break 1-2pm 2-4 Workshops
EnouT CarE
Break 4-4.30pm 4.30-7
Sunday 24 October 9.30-10 Registration 10-12
Lunch Break 12-1pm 1-3 Workshops
3-5
Socialism weekend.
creche.
Name
N1 2XP.
Off to a flying start
TWELVE and a half thousand pounds that's how much our appeal for a week's wages from our supporters raised.
When we appealed in the summer for
to help meet escalating costs, we knew it would be a
to achieve more than pounds. But you responded We had unemployed readers sending us their giros, old age
their weekly pittance and others dipping into their slender savings.
Particular thanks to our supporters in the Brent area who raised more than twelve hundrad pounds. And our thanks to everybody
Our quarterly fund drive reached a fina
two and a half thousand pounds short of our target. Not bad for the summer months, with the week's campaign running at the same time.
This quarter's fund drive got off to a flying start with the proceeds from our East London
banquet celebrating the revolutions in the Caribbean and Central America, as we reported in last week's Socialist Challenge
And the Birmingham Red Trotter, Steve Faulkner, is still collecting in the sponsorship cash from his fundraising marathon. The final total is expected to top £300
Inspired by Steve's example Des Tierney. a Socialist Challenge supporter in Glasgow, is
DEBATING SOCIALISM
23-24 October
Socialism weekend. You can hear Ernest Mandel on the interna tional monetary crisis, a debate between Bea Campbell and Valerie Coultas on women's liberation, Ken Livingstone on the lessons of Labour's GLC, Frances Morell and Alan Freeman on
This weekend event, packed with discussions gramme for the British crisis, will be held on 23/24 October at Kingsway Princeton College, near Kings Cross in London. Fo just £4 you canattend all the sessions, or spend 2.50 to attend for one day. Snacks will be available, and a creche which must
This is an educational event you can't afford to miss. Fill in
Plenary session in main hall Ernest Mandel on the international monetary crisis John Ross on the British political crisis
La) Ken Livingstone, Hilary Wainwright & Tessa van Gelderen on the lessons of Labour's GLC b) Bernadette McAliskey on the Irish revolution c) John Ross & Duncan Hallas debate entrism and the d) Mike Davies on Exterminism and the Cold War
Plenary session in main hall Francess Morrell, Labour Briefing & Alan Freeman discuss the new Labour left
Plenary session in main hall Ernest Mandel on Poland and workers' self-management
La) Pat Hickey, Alan Thornett & John Deason on the tasks for socialists in the unions b) John Harrison on the British economic disaster c) Paul Gilroy on black crime and law and order d) Julian Atkinson on Labour's youth movements Plenary session in main hall Bea Campbell & Valerie Coultas discuss Sweet Freedom and women's liberation
Please send me .... tickets for the International Debating
I enclose £.... for the tickets. Please reserve .... places in the
..Address
Make cheques etc payable to: International, PO Box 50, London
Challenge and October heroic our Challenge office in London.
Our big
hope to raise a bumper collection.
Meanwhile. our
were as follows:
West London
wages North London South London STORT Birmingham Manchester South Wales South West Oxford Scotland North seei East Midlands West Midland:
North West TOTAL
go to the international Debating
on a proSocialist Revolution Youth, our sister efforts to Socialist priority for raising funds for ten / Socialist Challenge over the next few weeks is the national rally celebrating the 65th niverserv of the Russian Revolution on Frida 22 October at County Hall in London. Hun dreds of Socialist Challenge supporters from round the country are coming to hear Ernest Mandel and Bernadette McAliskey, and we
thanks to all those who contributed to the Week's Wages. campaign around the country. The final figures per area
E1062 707 88: 343 180 190 E12.509
Socialist Challenge 15 October 1982 page 11
Page 5 scan of this page
Privatisation -what it means
AT THE END of July the government
Telecoms (BT) would be sold to private buyers by 1984. Now valued at E5 billion,
industry. Under the guise of best' industry is to be re-structured and rationalised. Fewer workers are to produce more profits through a worsening of conditions, and redundancies. This is the asking price for new technology.
transform industry and the microchip industry will transform economic, and political life. It compares with the role played by railway development in the industrial revolution. Ripe pickings exist for the private speculator hovering
Selling off our assets is an important feature of Thatcher's attempt to solve the crisis of the British economy at our
dismantling the welfare state. tionalisations and the welfare state were gains of the labour movement which even previous Tory governments have not felt able to reverse. To generally introduce such proposals would require a decisive weakening of the strength of
This is how the bosses magazine the Economist explained things at the end of July: 'British unions are cowed but not
the public sector monopolies. effective way to reduce public sector union power is to end this state monopoly or near monopoly in the service they
British Telecoms is the biggest and richest prize in this sale of the century. In the process of privatisation the 'service' aspect of the industry will be dropped. Services will be cut in the 'unprofitable' rural areas and investment concentrated in city business areas. sumer will be discriminated against in favour of big business. This is what they mean by making BT more efficient.
thrown on the dole. agreement BT has with the 'conditional'. The condition is that BT is not subject to pressure 'outside its control'. Putting the Board under the control of the shareholders is the sort of 'outside control' they will use to scrap the job
slowness in providing new lines, new
blamed by the Tories on nationalisation. This is outrageous. All these things stem from the conscious starving of funds to BT and the subjecting of BT to the laws of 'profitability. the last two financial years had to be funded solely out of internal sources as opposed to private industry which can raise money from change or the banks. time it has to make a five percent return on capital and repay E45m in loans to the government.
The telecommunications revolution can be a tremendous force for bettering the lives of ordinary people. It cries out for an integrated system. This means planning, not the anarchy of a system based on profitability. workers control in order to ensure that the bureaucratic functioning of today is overcome and to allow the industry to be run in the interests of the workers and not the city sharks. This has to be our message and our demand on any future Labour government as we fight to defend our industry.
• Socialist Challenge - 15 October 1962
the biggest share issue ever
The union grip is strongest in
The job security BTs f2bn investment in
the stock exYet at the same It requires Page 4
THE ONE DAY of strike action of the POEU was a good start to the Campaign against Privatisation of British Telecoms - the fact is that the fight has to go on if we are to win. We don't just want token stoppages and protests. to retire into the background to wait for a return of a Labour government.
The campaign has to
but and that best
best organised by taking tion. Already the signs of a
are mounting in the mies and sice mousy alongside the tenaciou!
of the healti
The POEU and other BT unions should link their action to these blows against the Tories - one out, all out. The POEU should organise its tional Stoppages to coinCIaC the action of other unions. The POEU blacking Project Mercury. already committed
Selective action
This is an essential part of a national strategy. can only be seriously organised through tional levy. Profit centres and big business can be hit
JOCK CAMPBELL is the secretary of London City POEU branch. He helped to organise the 35 hour week campaign at the base of the union and is now actively involved in preparing for the campaign against privatisation. Challenge spoke to him about the lessons of the 35 hour week campaign
the background to the 35 hour week campaign?
The demand for a campaign around the 35 hour
conference Policy for 12 years but the
did nothing organise it. Eventually LNCI took industrial action on the issue. London ENCt and in branch supported
order to put
pressure on the executive
lacker Post Office buildings. This action plus the support from other branches forced the NEC to call for national industrial action.
What form did that actior
City branch took selective action asainst ine banks
did nOt SOUL PBAX's into service in the banks and we completely blacked the stock
By Denny Fizpatrick Department of Industry CONFIDENTIAL aper forecasts the ax Britich Telecom (BT) 15,000 jobs in words one in four in the next 5 years Guardian 14 Sept). report, prepared by BTs
Mr Adam Scott. will go before the BT board In January. management's own 15.000 to be axed over s natural wastage ar of the 13,000 over six-
Trade Unions-
After the Day's Strike
What next?
only
by selected action in the bien intentions lo hose with shares.
Party have committed themselves against
backing tuency Parties should
distribute Telecom Unions public leaflets
filiated with
box only.
We Labour BOSCHICA what it MPs and
Privatisation: how to fight it
Socialist
change
This resulted the Bank of Illinois appearing on television to undermine the union's action. Together WIEn tae stoch exchange the banks went to the then Prime Minister James Callaghan.
This coincided with the
mass rally in Hyde Pare
There Bryan Stanley an nounced to the whole membership that he was committed to fight to the end for the 35 hour week.
The next day he went Callaghan and sold out. The POEU settled for the 374 hour week.
What lessons can we learn from the 35 hour week campaign?
have to change the NEC The present NEC still think we are in the civil
service. They are politically yesterday's men.
Don't let the Tories take your job
tie Plans for the Eastern
Recion to increase pro
Include the lapsing of
1.000-1.500 by 1985 the Scotland
Region the plan
spend less on capital accounts 82/83 includes reducing 5 percent -in March 1983
order book being reduced by ovartime recruitment. They want to cut 929 jobs in the
countable. That's why we can't be indifferent to the witch-hunt.
The POEU
John
ed to order. It's high time that the POEU memberSOO-ARE TECTE HEEL! decide on Labour Party affairs.
The struggle for an accountable NEG. and the fight for changes rules revisions of 1984 conference is part of our tasks.
Special Conference The POEU executive have ducked tem responsibility Having talked out any mo-
For policy at annual HUES conference this June, they now oppose the call for a special conterence put out
by City Bos oh brabhes.
lots ol branches.
Such a conference would enable us to map out a real strategy: • of rolling industrial action in conjunction with other workers against the Tories • blacking of Project Mercury and other companies intending to buy shares • for a National Levy for
Wet organise dere
ship organise membership in this period. It is campaigns like the one against privatisation that will assist and build the political pressure in the branches for the removal of the present NEC and the election of an NEC prepared to defend the union membership now. Is the demand for the 35 hour week still relevant in the union?
No. Now we must demand the 32 hour 4 day woek This is the way we wil maintain posts.
During the next period there will be pressure for us to sell jobs. As a union not only should we not contribute to a large dole
but we should also fight for a better life for our membership.
Ana compete indon
campaign London City is calling a special meeting. What do vou see its purpose as?
We called special meeting to inform and
up our membership SCLE and to put pressure on the
This pressure has
Op in For one an it
ministration. This is the leAd into a turther 1,530 of the combined ser.
vices by March 1984
When Patrick
said House f Commons
speech announcing the tal the way 5i sale of BT 1 Jefferson and his board
are transforming what
as not so long ago a
Government SHELL a commer
business he was prais ing the threat to our
• for a 35 hour week now
no job losses. No
redundancies
Every branch must back
the call for a special con-
already resulted in the call-
ing of a one day national
strike.
The special meeting
will also show the NEC we
are serious in our cam-
paign to have a special
conference
Why do we need a special
conference?
If our demands are to be
won we need a nationa
We know
that this struggle is not go-
ine to be won quickly or
easily, therefore it must be
planned
The one day strike is
vital in uniting the
membership for the strug.
gle ahead. But following
that the first thing that
convinces the members
that something is going to
be done is a national levy.
Because cash is essential te
be able to win.
What action do you think
the Specia Conference
should plan?
The action has to be selec-
tive and we ere in an in
dustry where could
paralyse business by
selective stoppages.
What is the role of the
Broad Left?
Job The
point about privatisation is that it allows for the introduc
TheM POEU officials estimate that Wit lose 50, 000 7 101 in the next decade. At tacks like this can only
math
with o RAKENSE HATO Tebbit law only aids their plans work.
Implementing 35
hours now with plans to BETHEL introduce union policy
HANDS OFF
TELEPHONES!
ference and circulate others for their suppor Two thirds of the 270 odd branches are needed. Make sure your branch backs it.
The Broad Left must bring the issues to the member ship and show that the
policies but we need to change the NEC toa leadership that will carry them our Is there any point that you would like to make!
The Labour Party conference showed the impor tance of the block vote in the fight for control of the party. We need democratic control of the block vote by the grass rootS That means we need to fight in the unions for the block vote to be mandated
so this means one it T
CLPs and should orientate to the unions and push a campaign based on democracy and policies For exampic, the only policy the POEU branches had a say in was the deputy leadership election, should look at the rules so we can allocate time to the discussion of politica issues.
of a 32 hour four-da week is what we need
At the same time the union should cut over HERE TAUBS
not the
union
made record E458 million profits).
ma demand
cheaper
demand rather than civing ar meone the right -to
Without sorts of policies the jo
be challenged.
Page 6 scan of this page
Stop Steel jobs massacre
THE TORIES are planning to close two major
and Not East me tiny place for and
closures, will be catastrophic.
scrap heap in the last three years. shot up beyond European standards. This has been achieved exclusively by workers working harder. They have received no wage increase for two years. boss lan MacGregor as a 'survival plan'. All the Tory press is now lamenting how poor old MacGregor has seen his hopes for maintaining 14.4m tonnes of production dashed. What we are asked to believe is that everything was going fine and dandy until all of a sudden things turned sour at the begining of the summer. simply the second phase of the MacGregor plan. And there will be unless a stand is taken
ports. because the home catastrophically because of the recession. It is Tory policies, not foreign imports that need attacking.
Michaal Foot has that BSC capacity should revert to the 25m ton level. But this will need the stimulation of the economy to increase demand - not on the basis of a forlorn hope that the bosses will do their 'patriotic duty and respond. The that idea. No. blooded socialist measures which takes the running of the economy out of the bosses hands. This is the sort of perspective the Clydebridge workers need as they move to occupy their threatened plant. framework. But by itself one day action can waste the potential militancy which is developing. Bernard Connelly, convenor of BSC South Yorkshire crafts, explains the situation to Socialist Challenge. Bernard Connelly, convenor of South Yorks craftworkers.
Britain's miners vote on 28 October to give powers to their union Executive Committee to call strike action against pit closures and the insulting 8.2% pay otter trom the National Coal Board.
To get the required 55% vote, NUM leaders throughout the country will need to campaign hard
Here we print two reports from militant areas, which indicate how the campaign is unfolding.
likely
British Steel has thrown 100,000 workers onto the
Productivity has
This horrific record has bean prevented by BSC
This is a nonsense. What we are seeing now is
more cutbacks and job losses
Bill Sirs has blamed the problem on foreign im-
But BSC sales have shrank massively more
has shrunk
made the excellent proposal
French situation shows the silliness not want societing a tol
A 24 hour strike is a good first step within such a
Miners Campaign Under way
Des Dutfield.
ANOTHER 16,000 jobs under threat and Bill Sirs and company can give on-
hours tor a conference organise fighthack it's pathetic. We weren't allowed to put resolutions from the floor. All we got was a 4 point plan of inaction.
The conference started 10.30am and finished at 12.30am.
SITS TOIL nothing new. 16.000 iob: were under threat, which Macgregor had already an-
at the EETPU steel trades conference. Ravenscraig and Redcar plants were the ones most affected had already been leaked to the press. When it came
Sirs 'multi-union pilot scheme turned out to be a Pontius Pilate scheme — a washing of hands.
Bill Sirs gave a very polished. performance, weeping and wailing over the diabolical plans that Macgregor has for the industry. It should be a,
Consett, Warrington, Corby, Shot-
CHEL COOO! Bilston London Works, Hillside
He reminded me of the professional mourners who used at funerals in Ircland.
Sirs said that any plant opposing redundancies would be supported, just as he's said before. But he
said that the TUC the SICCI COmMIICE ISTC would support any plant fighting redundancies by calling the whole industry like the miners came out over pit closures.
did SITS 124 hourtoker top an
Detober as a warning shot! over closures.
With over 150,000 jobs lost in stcel since nationalisation — 100,000 in the last three years Bill
Sirs just wants a warning shot'. I can see the look of terror on Thatcher's face! But that's not all.
We are going withdraw from all com.
mittees, and the worker
directors of BSC are going
to be withdrawn! In other
words a heavy sulk. That'll stop BSC management in their tracks.
Trade Unions
We now have to go to our members and convince them of the need to support the 24-hour strike and
to build on it it w don't, Sirs will turn round and say: Well, we gave a lead, but the membership weren't prepared to fight.
Sirs didn't galvanise any reaction in the con bies from despite the lob-
Clyde bridge and River Don, who are in
front line of the jobs fight.
There was much talk
the members and winning
psychological With their *leadership we'll nave educated and most defeated workforce in the world! Gavin Laird, the new general secretary of
more concerned that the WOESPITEL demonstration outsic might damage the AUEW building in which we were meeting.
Rejected
But the spirit to fight is there. Clydesbridge workers are proposing to
over jobs there BSC River Don Cliff Wright. the AUEW convenor has said that the plan to copy French and DELICISCE. taking to the streets
recently held meeting of all BSC craft
South Yorkshire to re-affirm our position: no redundancies. defence of the rota system, detence of the contractors
shop stewards, and if BSC
we close all South Yorkshire plants. This voted
Wth. unanimously with a man date for strike action.
Policies нкс Inese ger results. We haven't been able stop redundancies, but whilst OVeral redundancies South Yorkshire gone from 17,000 to 5,000 the number of craftsmen
hoo. ye me from do the
apprentice intake and got a job for every one. This is the sort of thing we need nationally.
Vice President South Wales Area NUM
We've ATCH meeting and we've started our
campaign
and against pi closures, We ve got a pian o
Port on Monday 18
October. will Whole area in the final eitht together miners
organise pit head meetings
the coal field.
There is a national Icaflet be
ing produced may
consider producing our owr
own poster
We've learned our lesson
from before. We have to cam-
paign in the pits to get
right vote. but it's no good
peaking too carly
I'm not sure what the pic
ture is in the other areas, but it
In 1981 saw that you
from pit closures
bought in the 1980 pay claim
Sirs
TEESIDE
By Dave Carter
Pallister, Boilermakers
Trades Councils
industry.
built around steelmaking. The closure of the Redcar anc Lackenby, plants, which is Lions, would devastate the of McGregor's area, which already has the highest level of unemployment of any country in briam, vicuregor is com ing to Teesside on 22 Oc
of the plants. warm
for him by trade unionists in the area.
Twelve thousand jobs have gone in the Teesside steel industry in the last 2 years — that's more than the total lost when Consett
with pit closures. We resisted last time and we're not going
them do this again haven't considered SQUE
trating on our pits campaign. Obviously we will try to work clions in the Triple Allance
Challenge last ycar. - The Tri-
Allianc could
wonderful instrument ple went into it sincercly. But 25 1 S00 COMICY Sirs and Weighell reminded me of the three stooges at the pictures in Treorchy when I was a boy.
One of these stooges has the and antherit Bil
out Sirs doesn't instil any confidence
my scene de nas take place and I don't want to
There are a lo
goog people in rail and
the problem the leadership. Thope we can look to the Triple Alliance in the future.
SAYS Corby workers prepared to fight, but sold out. At the steelworkers' conference reminded me of the professional mourners who used to weep at funerals
McGregor is playing Russian roulette with the five steel complexes in Britain, said John
convenor at BSC Lackenby plant on Teesside. He was speaking at a meeting called by Cleveland Association of
organise opposition to BSC's plan to destroy 20,000 more jobs in the
works closed. I moved a successful resolution at the Northern Regional TUC meeting Carlisie last week pledging opposition to any more ciosures in the TOILET has to be put into practice Cleveland ASSOCIADIOT Trades Councils has called for a mass picket to greet MeGregor as a first the campaign Thousands of leaflets are be distributed throughout labour movement, and on the estates by the steel plants, build suppo WE ECUTOI tan, an architect of That'We can't afford not to
strike'
John Chambers Markham Main Armthorpe, near Doncaster ALTHOUGH there is no support for Thatcher's policies among Donminers and certainly no love lost batand the government, stil face a hard fight to win a 'Yes vote in the ballot on jobs and pay the unity when was our main strength in 1972 and 1974 ha: een eroded by bonus created big differences in ear-
between pits in the same arca The board and the Torie want to head arcas like yorkshire and Not
Scotland and S. Wales.
cher's plans to slash na-
will
visits his constitueneye he
called on the Cleveland County Council to set up a conference to organise fight against closures in Cleveland
The Regional TUC has Deen asked up meetings with other TOM OCOLS where steel plants are threatened SO that McGregor pick us off one by one
The rank and file on Teecside have started the ball rolling in total opposi tion to Metregor's later plans tor cut back steel
1nc livelihoods not only of steel workers but of tens of thousands of others steel communities depend on that fight being successful. Will the full-time union ficials be prepared to back us?
we have gol a lot of ground to make i he shin over our case
war because the union hasn'
campaigner
We cannot afford not t she board . A 'No" vote would
the
close more pits and claw hack INe CaInS WC naVe DEISCO ITOn Them. It would strenginen th Tories position at the same to the chances of a tha dealing by the working class. It would
ос мест на вле досоріапос ру
Tone won one gover ment's monetarist policie
We can't afford to be sular. send delegate out to every other branch of
are fighting for and win sup.
. Even now with a stron and the support o
other trade we win not just the fight agains
the Tories. Socialist Challenge 15 October 1982 page 5
Page 7 scan of this page
The Crisis of Strategy The strategy of a ons-sided 'war of position' put forward by some Solidarnosc activists, especially in the Warsaw region, has been shown to be inadequate and contrary to the dynamic of the movement. Instead of confining themseives to building the structures of a clandestine society, as dictated by the basic lines of this strategy, the working masses came onto the streets in impressive demonstrations. These actions very quickly led to street confrontations.
The elements of a war of movement had accompanied the forms of a 'war of position'
in the form of strikes -after 1 May. But now these elements began to come to the forefront. However, all this happened in a spontaneous way. The street battles were fought without any knowledge of the tactics of this form of struggle.
On the other hand, the workers are ready for actions of strategic scope, battles that would be at least decisive it not final, which could concentrate all the energy of the working class and the other oppressed sections of society rallied around it. battles that could lead to decisive gains, actions that, in other words, would oblige the bureaucracy if not to withdraw from the scene, at least to yield considerable ground.
The call for a general strike -that is, the carrying of a war of movement into the factories and fighting it there -mation of the basically proletarian character of the resistance to the military dictatorship.
From the outset, since the summer of 1980, this has been the character of the Polish revolution, not only because of its working class social content and the leading role that the working class has played in it but also because working class Torms or struggle - economic and political mass strikes - have been the main form of struggle for the mass movement as a whole.
in taking the decision to prepare for a general strike, we
lave to realise what a momentous decision this is for the leadership of the mass movement, how great a rasponsibility it involves, and the fact that it has a historic importance. We have to realise the character that any real general strike would have and what conditions are necessary for it to lead to success. In fact, general strikes are governed by certain laws that have to be strictly observed. Socialist Challenge 15.October 1982 page 6
In the first place, it has to be understood that a general strike is a large-scale revolutionary action ov the messes ov the entire mass movement; that it means we are moving into an openly revolutionary situation. wrote, in this regard: '... the general Strike is not possible except under the condition of extreme political tension, and that is why it is always the incontestable expression of the revolutionary character of the situation (2).
From this it follows that the launching of such a strike must reflect the fact that the masses are ready for a revolutionary action, and that all the component parts of the Solidarnose network are prepared to engage in such a struggle.
In the writings of the Solidarnosc leaders, two tendencies can be perceived now, which, if thay persist, could reduce the chances for the victory of a general strike. One is represanted, for example, by Zbigniew Bujak, who wrote a letter dated Friday. May 21, to Bogdan Lis, commenting on the attitude of the workers in the big plants in Gdansk who were expressing their support for a
Exo ein to them that because of the character of this strike (active self-defencel. it would amount to a revolution (overthrowal of the govern-
Bujak was right. The entire working class has to realise that this is a revolutionary action of great scope, and that it means taking the road that leads to over-throwing the bureaucratic regime.
But, contrary to what Bujak says, a general strike will not necessarily end in either the defeat of the movement or the overthrow of the bureaucracy.
As we will show further on in this article, it is possible to envisage a partial deteat for the bureaucracy and a correspondingly partial victory for the mass movement.
The general strike and the question Every large-scale revolutionary struggle, and therefore any general strike, has to be armed with an action programme. In building a general strike, such a programme has to be put forward. Its precise formulation and popularisation play a dual role. First, only this programme being taken up by the broad masses, by the whole mass movement. makes it possible to determine when the latter is really ready for a general strike. Secondly, the
MILICJA
programme makes it possible to advance the consciousness and combativity of the masses, and this plays a fundamental role in the preparation of the strike itself.
Trotsky The demands of such a programme can be divided into two categories -be met within the limits of the military dictatorship and those that can be met within the tramework Or ine bureaucratic dictatorship in general (military dictatorship being only one of the possible forms of the bureaucratic regime). prisoners is conceivable, although not very likely. within the framework of the military dictatorship. The military government, feeling its grip slipping. might agree to this in order to maintain its rule.
two demands presently being put forward by the movement -rescinding of the state of siege and reestablishment of trade union rights achieved through the overthrow (or forced resignation) of the military dictatorship, However, winning them does not require overthrowing the bureaucratic regime right away but only being able to force it to make conces-
included in Solidarnosc programme for building the general strike. Not only are they not too ambitious but, they are insufficient for such a strike. Nothing can be on a higher plane than the general strike. except the armed insurrection. The entire history of the working class movement proves that every strike, whatever may be the slogans under which it occurs. has an internal tandency to transform itself into an open revolutionary clash. struggle for power (3).
This is sort of a 'law of movement of general strikes. of the general strike, indepen dent of the partial successes
of power not provide, lies in the fact that a revolutionary manner. ting down the factories. transport, and in general all the
stations, etc., the proletariat by this very act paralyses not only production but also the govern ment. The state power remains suspended in midair. It must either subjugate the proletariat by famine and force and constrain it to set the apparatus of
letariat. '(4)
we must not forget certain The bureaucracy can resist ter than the bourgeoisie
is not a class integrated into the
parasitic layer. As a result, a general strike would have to be
danger of famine, therefore, is greater. necessary to envisage going from a passive general strike to an active strike in more and more plants as the strike con-
Italian factories in 1920. Trotsky stressed that such an action meant in reality establishing workers power ... ai that was
draw from it all the necessary conclusions'. (5)
active strike while it was
tories occupied and run by the workers are, not be constrained by the force of historical development to federate and to
demands that can
The release of all the political
On the other hand, the other
can only be
All these demands must be
into direct
The fundamental importance
which it may and then again may
it poses tne quoston or power t
By shut-
means of communication, power
(6)
the bourgeois state once again in motion, or retreat before the pro.
These statements also hold for bursaucratic states, although
special features of such regimes. generalised work stoppages bet-
because, unlike the capitalists, it
strike. (7) process of production but only a
long to break its resistance. The
If only for this reason, it is
tinues. With respect to the active strike affecting most of the north
lacking was to organise it, and to
In fact, an active strike poses the question of power still more forcefully than e passive occupation strike. Commenting on this spreading. Antonio Gramsci asked: Will not all these proletarian republics, which is what the fac-
ship.
SOLDA
THE FORMAL announcement of a law dissolving the Polish workers movement, Solidarnosc, is likely to lead to more conflict on the streets of Poland. At the present time an intense debate is taking place among the activists in Solidarnosc about what strategy to adopt for the union. Some people, most notably the Warsaw leaders around Zbigniew Bujak have been arguing for a long 'war of position' - building up Solidarnosc's underground strength, and avoiding frontal confrontations with the state authorities. Others like Bogan Lis and the Gdansk leaders are arguing for a move towards a general strike. This is also backed by Jacek Kuron.
Here we publish excerpts from a much longer article from the Polish language Inprekor, which has also been published in Veto, the journal of Poznan Committee for Social Self-Defence, arguing the position of Polish supporters of the Fourth International.
organise in a united way to counterpose their own cantra power to the bourgeois power?
What are the conclusions to be drawn from all this? Let us go tions on the general strike: "The leaders of the proletariat must understand this internal logic of the general strike, unless they are not leaders but dilettantes and adventurers. Politically this implies that from now on tha leaders will continue to pose before the proletariat the task of the revolutionary conquest of power. If not they must not venture to speak of the general
The question of power in the action programme The first damand that has to be included in the action programme is for the release of all the activists of Solidarnose and other independent organisations whether sentenced after being tried or interned without trial.
'In every war', as Zbigniew Romaszewski has correctly pointed out, even in a war wag ed by a government against its own people, one principle is observed- the question of prisoners has to be discussed before there can be any talk about agreements. otherwise. any accord would be only a capitulation, capitulation all the more grave because it would weaken our most important weapon - our solidarity
The second point of the pro gramme has to be the demand for ending the state of war anc therefore the military dictator-
Finally, the progamme has to include the demand for the
What strat
reestablishment of trade union and democratic rights in general that were won between August 1980 and Decambar 1381. In particular, this means fully restoring the freedom of action of the independent self-managed union Solidarnosc, with its present statutes, all its democratic elected leaderships, its organisational structures, and the pro grammatic resolution adopted at its First National Congress of Delegates chosen by the masses.
However, these are only immediate demands. Along with them, soldamoses accon pro gramme must include more advanced demands representing the elements of a transitional programme. In fact, those demands that can be won under bureaucratic rule cannot be severed from the goal proclaimed in the political resolution of the First National Congress of Solidarnose, the building of a self-managed republic.
Such demands cannot be isolated from the strategic aim that the Polish working class adopted after August 1980, when it took up the struggle for ge nuine socialism - that is. a democratic system run tor the workers by the workers. And in this struggle, the Polish pro letariat linked workers democracy and republican democracy with a genuine socialisation of the major means of production. The pre-condition for achieving this goal is overthrowing the rule of the bureaucracy. The demands that. when achieved, will make it possible to open up the road leading to this goal must, therefore, have a place in the ac tion programme
We think that partial gains in 1 the realm of political democracy.
Page 8 scan of this page
egy for
NOSC
such as the achievement of the immediate demands already mentioned, must be com plemented by at least some limited gains that will provide a basis for protecting the society from the dangers that imperil its material existence. These are gains that will make it possible to shield the society from the affects of the economic crisis and will open up the way for waging an effective struggle against this crisis.
A social (working class) programme for combating the crisis
for combating the spectre of famine, poverty, massive unemployment, and more generally the final collapse of our national economy - has to be, theretore, an intagral part or Solidarnosc's action programme.
There are two social priorities today - assuring full employment for all workers and guaranteeing te socially necessary minimum living standard for all citizens. The schievement of these objectives must be the goal of social and economic
This means that it will often be necessary to maintain production in one or another plant or to start it up even when the costs of such production are higher than the average costs in a given industry. However, the real costs of production in all enterprises have to be clear. The society must know how much it pays' and why, and at the same time the total subsidies cannot exceed the sum of the income gained by the other enterprises.
The establishment of workers control over production and distribution (including over rationing, and in fact such a check was established in the fall of 1981 • by Solidarnose in the Lodz
region), workers control over all the enterprises, has to be the axis of a programme for fighting the crisis. Therefore, it should be the main demand in this part of Solidarnosc's action programme.
In 1932, Trotsky wrote: In contemporary Germany, under the conditions of the present crisis, control over industry signifies control not only over the operating but also over the partly operating and shut-down industries. This pre-supposes participation in control by those workers who worked in those industries prior to their dismissal. The task must consist of setting the dead industries into motion, under the leadership of factory committees on ine basis or an economic plan.' (8)
Let us be specific about the sort of plans involved: If it anpears that in a given enterprise stopping production would benefit the society more than continuing, the workers concerned must be given the time to draw up an alternative plan. In this time, the workers, under the leadership of their council and with the involvement of the union, must develop a plan for a new kind of socially useful production, on the basis of the available machines and raw materials, so that the enterprise can resume operations and maintain the present level of employment. (9)
It is necessary, therefore, to demand the reestablishment of freely elected workers councils. Such councils should have the status of workers control. At the same time, since any tactical compromise is only a preide to new struggles, they must be means for organising the fight for self-management. They have to prepare the workers to take
power in the plants and the working class as a whole to establish a system of self management throughout industry and in commerce and all
volves building up a vertical structure, coordination, and cooperation, and thus democratically centralising the self-management bodies.
Workers control is a form
The setting up of such workers
situation of dual power in inthe economy as a whole, since the system of workers control has a contradictory character,
terregnum'. (10)
The bureaucracy will no longer hold total and exclusive
tion and, likewise its monopoly
into.
It is impossible to foresee what the relationship of forces between the regime and the society will be at the moment a general strike proves victorious.
a strike will overthrow the rule
excluded that the new relation-
a large-scale situation of dual power. It is also possible that economic power
a large number of plants
ing class and may be institu-
Self-Management Chamber or
Diet, while at the same time political power remains in the hands of the bureaucracy. It is possible at the first only at the economic level through the growth of workers and social control in this sphere.
should seek in undertaking a general strike, that is in posing should fight for such control
determination, the same assurance as it fights for the release of its activists, and for
rights.
ing the strike. But there is no reason why more advanced demands could not grow out of the strike itself. They could go
to calling for the immediate institution of workers and territorial self-management. Self-defence, agitation in the army and police forces, and the active strike Let us now consider, apart from
ding to the laws of the general are for the success of such a
regional leaders in Warsaw, Gdansk, and other places have correctly stressed, during a
plants. to the strike, the organisation of the workers guards should take a simple form; at least, that is what is indicated by the experience of the workers movement. This means small groups of three, five, or ten persons under the orders of a guard leader for the factory or neighbourhood and of a special cell of the Solidarnose regional or inter-enterprise committees.
Setting up company-size
detachments (250 persons) will not as a general rule be possible before the strike if clandestinity is to be maintained. What is meant by clandestinity here, of course, is simply that the com position and technical aspects of the worker: guards will remain SOCIOLI
other economic activity. This intransitional to self-management.
control in the present conditions would mean the burgeoning of a
dustry and in the state sactor of
strike. presenting a sort of economic in-
powar over une means or produc
of power in the state will be cut It cannot be excluded that such strike
of the bureaucracy. Nor can it be
ship of forces will be reflected in
following the development of active strikes in
pass into the hands of the work-
tionalised in the framework of a
Socio-Economic Chamber of the
labour.
That is the minimum that we
the question of power. Solidarity
with the same energy, the same
the reestablishing of trade union
We stress that this is the programme necessary for undertak-
beyond the call for workers and social control over the economy an action programme correspon-
strike, what the other conditions
First of all, as the Solidarnosc
general strike it will be necessary to organise self-defence in all the
During the period preparatory
At the start, the workers guards will be armed in a makeshift or even primitive way. But even such crude forms of ar mament will be a means for ac quiring real weapons when confrontation occurs with the repressive forces.
During the active defense of the enterprises that took place in some Silesian mines in December 1981, axes, swords, and pikes were made in the forges: the workers armed themselves with picks and clubs. Some of the ZOMO were killed because the workers used fire extinguishers that propelled
metal spears to defend the
The precondition for forming and arming workers guards is that the mass movement be ready to resort to force if necessary. Mass violence must not be confused with individual terrorism or the actions of small groups operating on the fringes of the mass movement or trying to substitute themselves for it. The international impact of the Polish general
At the time of the general strike, consciousness of the international character of the Polish revolution will be more necessary than ever. In fact, such a strike will be a dramatic call to awaken the workers and the societies as a whole that are subject to the same totalitarian rule in the other East European countries and in the USSR, and it will become the model for the workers in the capitalist coun tries in their struggle to liberate
Instead of hiding our heads in the sand, we must answer the question of whether the totalitarian bureaucracy of the USSR will decide to rescue the totalitarian bureaucracy in Poland if it finds itself facing a formidable adversary. What can neutralise or at least limit the threat of Soviet intervention?
Can this threat be warded off by a Solidarnose that is powerful but has to take refugee in passive resistance? Or can this be accomplished by a Solidarnosc that would be still more powerful because it would be 24-5 prepared to occupy the factories in a coordinated and organised
Anna Walentinowicz
(above/ and Jacek Kuron (right) two of the most in-
fluential voices of the Polish resistance. Both are now detained without trial
by the Polish authorities
Socialist Challenge
way and to fight in the streets under the leadership of an armed workers guard, and prepared finally to mount a sustained campaign of intense agitation among the Soviet soldiers, who would have nothing to gain from such a war?
The more favourable relationship of forces Solidarity achieves in the general strike, the more supporters it has in the workers movements of other countries -today in the West, tomorrow aiso in une Cast - the more the bureaucratic regimes in the USSR will hesitate before sending their armies against the mass movement in Poland. If Solidarnose had been ready to defend itself actively in December 1981 and to use force, as the bulletin we quoted above says, 'the regime would have had to think twice before making a frontal attack on the union."
Today, it is possible to make the totalitarian regimes in the USSR and East Europe think twice before deciding to invade Poland. This can be done by improving the relationship of forces for Solidarnosc, by a general strike and by assembling all the preconditions to assure the success of such a strike, by appealing to the workers in the West to support the strike in Poland ac tively and the workers in the East to follow its axample. Fac ing the sort of enemy these regimes represent, force is the most effective means of persuasion.
Footnotes
2) Wither France, Leon Trotsky on France, p. 94 3) Wither France, Leon Trotsky on France, pp 93-4 4) Wither France, Leon Trotsky on France, p. 100 5) Leon Trotsky, The Struggle Against Fascism in Germany p 189 6) Antonio Gramsci, Ecrits Politique P 385 7) Wither France, Leon Trotsky on France, p 100 8) Struggle Against Fascism in Germany p. 242 9) Zbigniew Kowalewski, Solidarnose and the struggle for workers self-management, Lodz 1982, pp 10) Struggle Against Fascism in Germany p. 77
15 October 1982 page 7
Page 9 scan of this page
Dear comrades, THREE years ago the International Marxist Group, a leading force in establishing Socialist Challenge, approached you with a proposal to form a united revolutionary socialist organisation. You rejected this.
Since then Socialist Challenge and Socialist Worker have gone their separate ways, and have had many differences: Of these the most important surrounded the attitude which socialists should take to the Labour Party. Socialist Challenge argued that the democracy struggle in the Labour Party, the Benn Deputy leadership campaign, and other struggles in the Labour Party were so important that it was not enough for socialists to support them passively from the outside.
We said that they had to take part, side by side with Labour Party activists and trade unionists who did notwant to create a new party but did want to struggle for socialist policies, did want engage in extraparliamentary activity to achieve them, did want to challenge the right wing leaders of the Labour Party and unions, and centred their aspirations on the person of Tony Benn.
We said so for two reasons: first, because we thought that what they were fighting for would advance the socialist cause; and second because we knew that the ideas of revolutionary socialism would not get a hearing unless we threw ourselves actively into their struggle.
Socialist Worker took the opposite view.
Now, you have addressed an open letter to Labour Party members which Socialist Challenge supporters calling on them to withdraw and Join your organisation.
What has happened since you rejected fusion three years ago? Let us take the major issues which socialists have had to face up to.
Emphasis
There have been many differences of emphasis. But we both supported the rebirth of CND and the movement against cruise mies are i ported the Salvador against American British imperialism, and Joined together to build mass action against Reagan's visit. We both supported the Argentinian people against Thatcher's mad war. You saw our large contingents containing Labour Party activists.
We both support the struggle of the Irish people for a united Ireland and against British troops. We both supported the PLO against Zionism
agents. We both backed Solidarnose against Jaruzelski; we both support the health workers to the hilt.
There SCULOUS ferences: we don't for example, share your judgement on what's happening in Nicaragua. But then, neither do many of your own members. So we think you must accept that you have no grounds for claiming that on any major issue of world polities, we have crossed class lines, abandoned revolutionary politics, or ceased to campaign actively for them.
Nor are you justified in claiming. that the Labour left as a whole has moved rightward. You can't Benn, or the Militant, as proof of what politics is like inside the Labour rarty win any than we could cite Roger Rosewall or the Communist Party as proof of what happens outside.
And in fact the Labour left has differentiated: one section has gone rightward with Michael Foot. another section in our opinion Socialist Challenge 15 October 1982
to and
Groups to purify the party. much larger -many the Malvinas war, did oppose the war
in Ireland (and warmly applauded Bernadette when she addressed her first Tribune rally last week), did back the Palestinians against does support the Salvadoreans and wants to get out of NATO and has taken active part in extraparliamentary actions.
The question we should therefore dif- ask is this: has there been a greater
radicalisation inside the orbit, or outside the orbit, of Tony Benn? And would you have been more effective raising your policies inside, or outside, this layer of people?
You have not grown you have wound up your rank organisations claiming they have no base in the working class because the stewards have degenerated - in the middle of a giant wave. of health strikes. You have not been more efTective in getting action around your cite
demands. And when massive struggies around democracy leadership of the Labour Party gripped both the Labour Party and the unions, your only role was to vote Benn when it came to the crunch." What you have done, comrades, is precisery wnat you accuse une maintani But and the Labour left of doing: giving
up and running away from a real,
page 8
An open letter
SWP's Tony Cliff, his response to declining influence was to wind up Women's Voice and Rank and File
did stand up against mass struggle. Your approach is very
close to abstention:
Maynard reminded Neil Kinnock last week, in a struggle an abstention is a vote against.
Zionism,
Party over: on the fiercest part is just beginning. new left in the Labour Party, at the base of the constituencies and unions doesn't want to be saddled with this new NEC, doesn't want the purge, and does want to see a government that will carry out the new policies which Labour has voted for.
this leadership, possible to stop the witch-hunt, and possible to force a and file Labour government to carry out these
policies: provided, ourselves both understands that independent mass action will be needed to impose these policies on an cabinet. and the it help socialism if the socialists are ex-
Spelled from the Labour Party? Would they then devote building a real socialist party? We don't think so. You know, and we know, that it will be a tremendous defeat: and the effect of every defeat is always to weaken the left. Every socialist knows this, and that is why
the Socialist
Workers Party
and as Joan
unions.
Nor is the struggle in the Labour but help lead them? contrary, the The Morcover, it is possible to unseat union bureaucracy.
as you and agree, the left ing WOTTS
unwilling Labour
So let's ask a simple question: will side the
themselves to
the seventics
sent much Party. the witch-hunt is being resisted so fiercely. There is going to be a big fight, and the fight will spill into the
Why aren't you putting yourselves in a place where you can not just wait for such developments
Nor can you pretend that the unions are some kind of safe haven in which the Labour Party does not intrude. Why, after three years of selling out strikes, does Sid face his most serious challenge over his behaviour at Labour Party conference? This fact alone shows the fundamental flaw in your argument about the
You see, it is very double edged: you say, and we agree, that the union caders are a 'conservative layer in British society, committed to improv-
COOTERS framework of capitalism'. But may we remind you that the union leaders do also play some role in the unions? Are you proposing to organise out-
unions? You can't judge whether or not to conduct a fight in an organisation simply because it is dominated by bureaucrats.
The problem is this: how will we assemblethe forces that can mount a effective challenge to the leadershir of the right wing? The experience o
shows that only
political challenge can hope to suc ceed: and that means, given the pre-
level of working class consciousness, a chailenge to the right wing's role in the Labour Party.
And it is not a realistic perspective to tell workers who want to defeat this leadership now, that they should wait until the SWP is big enough to present an alternative to the Labour Party!
The problem, comrades, is that the union leaders operate on two fronts: in the unions and in the Labour Party. Trade unionists all see the Labour Party as the party of the unions'. On the other hand this makes
much caster for the . union bureaucrats to hide hehind the excuses about waiting for a Labour government.
But on the other hand it makes it
harder for them to stop socialists inside the Labour Party from organising to defeat them.
Whenever in the past they have succeeded in driving socialists out of the party it has never been because they managed to foist mass expulsions
me party: i nas because the socialist themselves backed up and ran away.
That is why Lenin, for example, proposed affiliation to the Labour Party. He recognised that as a purels parliamentary party, it was forced to allow great freedom to its members to organise or it would lose its claim to represent all working class opinion He wanted to ensure that the com
took advantage of this freedom help Labour Party members fight the union leaders both in the unions and in the Labour Shock
And that was the importance of the Deputy Leader You see. it is true that the Campan or constitutional reform 'did not set out to alter the fundamental character of the Labour Party'. It could not have done so and we have never claimed it would. But we do think that the reforms weakened the bureaucracy's grip, not just on the Labour Party but on the unions too. For what did the campaign do? It shook the leaders to their roots!
It forced them to confront their members and explain why they support allegedly left wing" policies and vote for Labour leaders who oppose them. It gave the trade union rank and file the opportunity to take on their leaders and call them to account for their politics
Now, of course, because the campaign was led by reformists the controntation was limited and when it was over it was wound up. But didn't it make it rather casier to wind it up for the fact that you weren't in it?
Nor is this the only trade union development which is conditioned by whaLers pere the block vore. The
Let's take the block vote. most bizarre thing about your attitude, comrades, that vourselves cannot deal with the block vote because for you it is a non-issue You take the left to task for failing to deal with it — but how will you deal with it? What do you think the unions should do — affiliate to the SWP? For our part we have some very concrete proposals that we shall be taking up over the next few months. For example, how about a campaign to en sure that the block vote is cast for unilateralist candidates in the NEC elections? It will be rather easier to keep track of these votes now that the Labour Party has agreed to a recorded vote - but perhaps you didn' notice
Or how about a campaign for a split block vote according to votes at union conference for different positions? These kinds of ideas, which understand the relations between the
bureaucracy and the Labour Party but try to use it against them, to fight for accountability, are impossi ble unless you are part of the struggle in the Labour Party.
But comrades you are not no because you have been witch-hunted out, but because you ran away before the fight began.
Page 10 scan of this page
WHAT DO NATO's General Rogers. Healey. the Financial Times and Michael Foot have in common? Answer: they all understand that Britain cannot get rid of nuclear weapons unless it leaves NATO.
Denis Healey was quite explicit at the Labour Party conference. You are living in a dreamworld, he said, if you imagine that you can be part of a transatlantic alliance with nuclear strategy, get rid of your own nuclear weapons, and tell your partners in the allance to remove their nuclear weapons from your soil
The next day the Financial Times reported a *sane and sober contribufrom General HOTE the discussion
Bernard Rogers, NATO's top general in Europe, WELL had his statement ready before delegates had even
homeward.
NATO, you may recall. has not been asked to
Labour's NEC.
ICHNICE Rogers "sane and sober argument was that NATO could not commit itself to a no first use policy in other words it had to be
By Tessa van Gelderen
So writes a Scottish
divisional officer of the
National Union
Railwaymen in the Scot-
tish Miner. And he goes on
to say that every miner
steel worker and
railwayman has a vital in-
terest in the future well-
being of all three in-
dustries. That is the reason
for the existence of the Triple Alliance.
The Triple Alliance is between three unions: the NUR, the National Union of Mineworkers and the Iron and Trades Confederation. The "reason for its existence may have ostensibly been to. support and defend workers in all three industries but the situation
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
This year, next
year, sometime
NEVER?
Denis
able to start a nucicar war wanted NATO'S uclear strategy would b 'non-viable' i nuclear i stallations were removed from British soil. Concludes the Financial Times (which to lester bee asked register), Labour Party's policy might force Washington to reconsider the viability of whole commitment to NATO. Such a policy is merely vapid and simple-minded; positively dangerous.'
No wonder Michael Foot, PUSH conference meanderings, has been more than vague about when Party would actually do the deed and get rid of the bomb. He strangely reluctant to take on the combined extraparliamentary opposition of the Pentagon's NATO generals (whom he has 'EVERY CUT-BACK, every job lost in the steel industry, threatens and causes cut-back and job loss in the mining and railway industries.
in England and to a certain extent Wales is vastly different from that Scotland.
Sirs /STC Sirs came to a deal with British Steel management that redundancies. could occur provided the *big five' steel works were not touched. Now. of course, MacGregor, BSC chair-
and Healey will decide. decided not to break from), the banks (which he has decided not to -OTESE and Labour's right wing (to whom he has
control 385 | Labour's NEC).
How can we help poo Michael? Well, first we
LENC seriously the Labour Party conference decision to build a giant demonstration Cruise in 190 and sust
to make sure it happens let's ask CND to take the lead organising TRIPLE ALLIANCE
man, is planning to shut
down at least one if not
more of the main plants.
The steel unions have
called a one day strike and in broken off all redundancy
negotiations with BSC
Never has the need for the
Triple Alliance been more
vital. Not only are steel
workers facing further
mass redundancies but
facing a fight for their
jobs.
Now is the time to
follow the lead taken by
the Scottish unions involv-
ed in the Triple Alliance.
There, miners' leaders
Mick McGahey and Eric
Clarke have taken the
Alliance into the ranks.
They are organising a lob-
by to 10 Downing Street
on Tuesday 26 October to
tell Thatcher that 'no more
News-
By Alan Freeman Michael Foot: Will he, want ne, ban the bomb?..
Second, we can ensure that
year decide to nationalise the
and get NATO And finally we can mobilise in every corner of the Labour movement to stop Michacl's sordid witch-hunt and clean out Healey's stooges from the NEC next vear
This cause Michael some problems. It may even read as a challenge to his *leadership'
But then, there isn't much left to challenge, is there?
Join up!
Scargill NUM
butchery of the basic Scot-
tish industries will
TO LaCE A
Organising at the base
is what Weighell and Sirs
fear most. And now that
Gormley has found his
way to the House of Lords
they are even more wor-
ried. Arthur Scargill does
want to evoke the Triple
Alliance involving the
whole membership.
In fact he wants to go
further: he wants to bring
LEBANON
wingers is continuing.
house-to-house searches for arms, and 'aliens without papers.
450 people were ar-
Tunis round whom had been DAS-TOECU their own shirts, and led away in trucks. 2000 people have been arrested so far in this type of operation
The victims of the whole security operation in West Beirut are the
into the Triple Alliance all those unions directly involved in the three inBUSTECS that the engineers, the train drivers and so on. What a powerful instrument that would be: not just against Thatcher but against these right wing leaders of the labour movement who are not prepared to confront this Tory government.
The Tories want to decimate the unions in the steel, coal and rail Inustries. Ency were on tac
way to doing that with the
co-operation of Weighell,
Gormley and Sirs. But
given the right leadership,
the membershi
than willing to fight. After the betrayals of the steel
workers and the train drivers, the Triple Alliance
led -by Scargill and
Onslaught against
Palestinians continues
UNDER THE protective umbrella of the threenation peace keeping force, the huge round-up of Palestinians and suspected Lebanese left-
Last Tuesday, Lebanese and French troops together sealed off the entire area of central West Beirut with tanks and armoured person nel carriers. As commercial activity in the area was paralysed, the Lebanese troops carried out
criminals
Palestinians and those suspected of helping the Lebanese left. The operation is located entirely in West Beirut. No action whatever has been taken against the Phalangist which are still controlling their own The Phalangists still monitor who enters and
Buckton could be a vital nail in the Tories" coffin.
Weighell NUR?
The rank and file need the confidence that they This means the backing of all sections of the labour movement including the Labour Party - and the Labour Teft should fight to ensure they
leaves Lebanon through
the port of Jounich which
control. Phalangist
radio stations still operate
and check-points are stil
manned by Phalangist
troops.
Among the people ar-
rested so far include Arabs
from other countries who
WeTt fighting with the
Palestinians, Kurds and
TOTETUNETS! The
Italian army also
assisica ne bcoanese army
these operations
Despite the fact that the
Italian army surrounds the
refugee camps, there is no
guarantce whatever that
the Lehanese army troops
winner be alowed inte
them.
get it. It's also important to give strikers the confidence that Labour wills tand by its promises if elected to government in the Tories stead.
Yet there's a problem: the Labour Party NEC elected with Triple Alliance votes doesn't exactly inspire this confidence. The right wing have to be cleaned out of InC Labour Party and unions if this struggle is to succeed; and Scargill did not help matters by trading votes with Sidney Weighell and voting for the NUR's Russell Tuck.
To prepare victory, the NUM and Labour left should join hands to build a fighting left wing that commits itself to struggle. and vores for singeic across the board.
Socialist Challenge 15 October.1982, PPg9.9
Page 11 scan of this page
Khomeini defends Iranian capitalism
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Neil Williamson
Friend, comrade and
revolutionary-
from his friends
shows that despite the anti-capitalist aspirations of the masses, the Khomeini regime serves the interests of the capitalist class IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OVERTHROW OF THE SHAH in the insurrection of February 1979 the workers.
Iran won a right to organise and made social gains sucn as tney nao never nao pefore. task of the Iranian capitalist class in this new situaBUI JUBAGJO DUE SUIBD 8S0U1 ABM8 0X81 01 S8M U01 Iranian working class and peasantry asserting their own independent class goals.
meini ECUIIS. It alone
prbuiid toe steverely damaged capialis sate
severely apparatus.
This policy of the KhoTICII доволени however ran into ICaE ESOOPOSTOl This started inevitably with the Obpressed tionalities who make up 60 per cent of the population of Iran.
The problems the Wete WEN going to en counter were immediately SROWIE by maSve boycott of the March 1979
the *Islamic Republic" which took place Kurdistan because of the refusal to
ve any pledge on the rights of oppressed nationalities.
NESHIS DE WOMCI WCEC taken away. and in June 1979 thrce Blenders of Workers Council of the Petroleum Industry, which had formed backbone of struggle against the Shah, were arrested. In the next wecks members of the lett-wing Fedayeen movement were execureo, and tne suroisa Democratic Party banned.
TTOM TUTY SORWETOS massive military offensive against Kurdisn arcas the country was started. Calls
Thesc repressive actions of the regime however Deean IUICC mass opposition and undercut its political support. The offensive in Kurdistan was defeated. A mass acmonstranon, wilh an estimated 200,000 parlcipating, BLOS 1 place mn Tehran against the banning of the opposition journal Ayandagan
Most significantly the new Constitutional Referendum called at the end of 1979 resuited in an abstention rate of up to 50 percent and lar higher in many areas. The regime
LOSLE рониса prestige and with this its
rebuild the -DIVEI capitalist state apparatus.
As a response to this situation the Khomeini regime seized the Us embassy in Tehran in late
This move was greeted with Overwncinag спthusiasm in Iran which was the whoie ooiect of the exercise. The Iranian people had suffered
aHIOSI unimaginable crimes under the Shah's regime which had been organised directly in collaboration with the United States. To seize the 'nest of spies" in Tehran, to dety for a year
In his educational series on Trotskyism, John Ross
peasants and oppressed nationalities
The crucial role in this, inevitably fell to the Khopossessed the political
capitalist
tne Do government, greeted not in Iran but among the oppressec of the world as a great triumph.
But while the workers and peasants saW seizure of the embassy as simply part of a consistent
against imperialism the regime did it
different reasons, After an initial period in which a certain *relaxation' took place, because of the upsurge around embassy seizure, the regime again stepped up the repression. The war against the Kurdish people was intensified
systematic actions started to break up the independent working class organisations
The Shora (council) movement IRCC. particular atrack The Polytechnic COOrOHa TOl in Tehran, which was a regroupment of up to 200 Shora's in Tehran and which possessed a central newspaper Shora was broken up through a combination of repression anc the creation of an alternative government dominated •Workers House' The WONKCR leaders of the strike at Pars electric in Tehran were ex-
regime systematically began tacking the independent organisations of the working class.
When the imperialist backed Iragi invasion of Iran started in 1980 this
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Repressive war waged against Kurds needed a total mobilisaноп or tne peopie of lrat against the invasion. Instead for a vear the regime claimed political credit for waging the war tinued to intensify its internal repression A major part of the army was still used to coninue the repressive wa gainst the Kurds and no measures against the press fight New were started nt sprong started spring 1981. Svsremanic torture on a wide scale was reintroduced in the OPLOIIS Only after it felt it had crushed the possibility of any independent working
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class opposition did the government allow the war against Iraq to be waged with full force finally driving out the invaders in spring 1982
The systematic and in-
ereasiny pre one
Khomeini regime is rincidental or sin cong
tradiction
capitalist nature. It is prepared to take certain actions against imperialism. But above all it was, and is, determined to crush any independent organisation JEBUESSPOAIENONAEEIEL allies which enable them to
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fiat for workers als.
workers and
peasants of Iran still have
major gains achieved
through the revolution
compared to the Shah's not mainaned Bne
maintained
regime but on the contrary
come into increasing con
flict with it
Particular actions may
be engaged in with the Ira
nian government against
imperialism. But the
strategic way forward for
the working class in Iran,
including the fight
against imperialism. lies
not in alliance with the
Khomeini resHnC oUT 1
their overthrowing it. LAN FREEMAN
THE BENN
HERESY
Page 12 scan of this page
LPYS march
NORMAN TEBBIT DECLARED WAR on youth and the unions at this year's Tory Party conference. ovation from his colleagues. Our de Pace, With march and retrik outh our defence, Against the Tories, End Cheap Labour, Jobs for Youthl'.
Tebbit and the Torie have put million youth on the dole.
If he away with smashing the unions then the chances of getting decent jobs will be gone for
didate in
celebrate the 65th anniversary of the
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION with
•ERNEST MANDEL
• BERNADETTE MCALISKEY
Friday 22nd October
7pm County Hall Waterloo
Registered as a nowspaper with ino Post OTTIC!
Published by Cardinal Enterprises, PO Box 50, Landan Nt.
Socialist
Challenge
JOBS FOR
YOUTH
SACK THE
TORIES
Not surprisingly he got a standing On Saturday 16 October in Liverpool, the
with a march and rally:
many years. At the same time the government spending billions of pounds "democratic right" to the poverty and homelessness.
London and home counties readers
of Socialist Challenge are urged to go to
work for the return of the Labour can-
the Peckham by-election.
Volunteers should report to Lansbury
House, 41 Camberwell Grove, Peckham.
The by-election headquarters will be Socialist Challenge
1917
Richard Rozanski, Hackney North LPYS
The 'Youth Against the Tories' march will show that are prepared to do what Len Murray and nis chums will not: wage real fight against the Tories.
Revolution and Socialist Challenge porters will be par. ticipating in a 'Jobs
ELSE Bombs' contingent, volving local of Youth CND.
We want to fully commit the LPYS actively building Youth CND, and staffed seven days a week.
Midland readers Challenge are also urged to go to work for Labour in Birmingham, Northfield
Let's make sure Labour is returned with two thumping majorities.
REVOLUTION
at the same time convince Youth CND activists that they must take their fight into the LPYS alongside all those committed to fighting the Tories, oppos
wing's witch-hunt, and in favour 01 a abouT Government committed to socialist policies.
This is a march not just
of Socialist
P *
*
Norman Tebbit the man who should get on his bike and get last. for those fighting youth unemployment, but for all those in the mining, steel, rail, and post office industries fighting to save their jobs.
It is for the militant health workers, desperately fighting for a decent livng wage and to save the National Health Service. It is also for the activists in
Northern Irish elections
ONE YEAR after the Republican hunger strike ended. British im perialism is once again seeking to impose
and undemocratic solution in the North of Ireland.
British secretary of state, James Prior, wants a six counties assembly with a built-in loyalist majority, with ACTICI guarantees nor concessions to the national majority in Ircland as whole. All anti-imperialist agree that this assembly is an attempt to restore the hated Stormont regime in the British occupied six coun ties.
PD has been to the
dangeont in exposinione
dangers Prior's assembly. Their manifesto says:
The key question in this election
the disarmament move-
turn labour
into action against the
coming in 1983
It is for all those in the Labour Party and unions who expuisions
430839 and are Labour government which fighting
Irish socialists for unity
against new Stormont
Building again the united strength confidence that brought down the old Stormont make this new version unworkable.
leved could have been
achieved all antiunionist parties had sun. ported total boycott. PD TOWER ITS and touch
hardest get pla
adopted sigence of the SDLP leadership and their thusiasm to play politics with the future unity of Ireland prevented policy from being follow ed
*In this situation a partial boycott would be inetfective. People's Democracy is standing in this election to help rebuild anti-imperialist unity and new mass struggle which can bring this new Stormont crashing down."
Ce
won't sell us out like that led by Wilson, Callaghan and Healey
Help bulld the Labour Party. Young Socialists as fighting force against the Tories. Join the 'Youth Against the Tories' march.
PD candidates are:
John MeAnulty. D coun cillor for fast.
CORELLE APPOSE
• Fergus O'Hare, Belfast
election candidate for North Belfast
PD is fighting for a united with Sinn Fein, the other antimperansr parg are
twelve candidates but reject the proposal for a
Scam paign PD is fighting to bulle
rallies: лесс True a for a ten, or un own. campaign but to
return 10
Nations to: PD accoun 70. 00019123 FISH HORR 5-00 Ange sonstown Road. Belfast BTI/ 9DU: PD Connolly Bookshor 6 Avoca Park, Belfast 11
← Socialist Challenge No. 264, 9 October 1982Socialist Challenge No. 266, 22 October 1982 →