Socialist Challenge No. 34, 2 March 1978
The scan: sc-n35-mar-2-1978.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.
Page 1 scan of this page
No 35. 2 March 1978 15p
Socialist Challenge
OPERATION STRONG
STATE IN ILFORD
303400 N00 04E
Sisters and Brothers.
AGHT
The decision to ban all marches in London for two months unpunis to an unprecaderned 18ск Do civi libarties it threatens a number of demonstrations aiready planned: *National Union of Studenis Demonstration ard March internationas womens Day March sin marg Movement 18th March
THE *Haringey Labour Movement Anti-Racist March 15th
April The right of the labour movement to organise and demonstrate is a basic right fought for over the years
two months. Furtherit is clear that if the precedent is set such a ban may well be used again in the future POC PAPIE the Notting Hit Carnival could be banned if the National Front threatened to march in that area and any other labour moverent marches
BAN We consider that the broadest possible campaign
against this attack on liberties.
SYD BIDWELL (Labour MP, Southall)
TOM LITTERICK (Labour MP. Selly Oak)
GWILYM ROBERTS (Labour MP, Cannock)
BARRY CLARK (National LP. Political Éducation
DAVE COOK (National Organiser, Communial Party)
MIKE GAPES (LP Student Organiser!
TERRY PARRY Fire Bricedes Union PAUL HOLBORROW and PETER HAIN (Anti Nazi
KEN LIVINGSTONE (Labour Councilior Hackney & Prospective Candidate for Hampstead TED KNIGHT (Labour Councillor for Narwood B rrospecta rantamentary concibare tor-riorsey.
ERNIE ROBERTS ( Prospective Labour Parliamentary Cardidate for Hackney North)
TARIQ ALI (Editor, Socielist Challenge)
DUNCAN HALLAS (Chairman, Sociallst Workers Party)
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2.20pm
Police start setting up a new series of road blocks three quarters of a mile distance from
school. Buses
north of Loudon Avenue LTUCTCECHCE tively anther road block on the
Fairlop school lo the north cast of Word County High C more often police hell the more often police copters pass over their heads. Groups of police are now placed at thirly yard intervals along streets like Horns Road. Even if you are in a wellstrung out group of people the police sland in front of you so you have ro go single file
2.30-3pm
The main picket assembles in Fremantle Road to the south of the school — which looks more like a fort. As well as standing
large grounds, surrounded by a brick wall surmounted by a spiked fence. Then there are the police.
Behind the police lines in Fairlop police horses. Two minutes trot away
PORCE police horsesare nibbling at the grass.
2.45pm
Anti-Fascists approaching the school from the south west are prevented from joining the pickec in Fremantle Road, The 300 pickets are ushered northwards Into Clayhull Avenue where they asserable behind the police cordon. More police from the City of London force ane brought up behind them. 3.00pm
Alter 15 mihutes confusion, the police bfficer in charge addresses the crowd thraugh a loudspeaker and them all to join the main picker
yards away the other side of a TUBESCUUL.
To do that he instructs them
total distance about
HOME NEWS
y 25 February... Ilford Saturday 25
OPERATIONS
The school where the NF met is at the centre of the map
three-quarters of a mile. The crowd decides not to move, A Socialist Challenge who takes the route encounters the
allowed through on presentation of a press card. 3.25pm IMG contrades: loudhailer to start a mecting on PICKCE representatives of all organisaHUH: present discussion
4.10pm A decision dispeise. National members are seen at a distance in Mossford Lane. surge forward but are stopped by a police cordon. Pickets then cisperse aithough this is apposed by some individaals. There is a further some Front members may have
3.15pm Meanwbile....
around 1500 anti-fascists are
speaks followed by Harris.
Harris says the bution of 10,000 leaflets is a great step forward. In the local elections in May Front standine candidates he argues we must
this so distribute 2/1 million
Scan Docherly speaks from Teachers Against the Nazis, AJl
Socialist Workers Party. Other
sponsors of the ANL appears to be present. iell
3.30pm While the continuing two once officers heard possibility of driving a police bas into the pickets.
Holborrow asks the crowd to moveto the pavements to make way for an ambulance. Some of the crowd are reluctant to do s0, feeling they messed about by the police.
discus, a police cordon at the back of the picket opens and City of London police charge
use
through throwing poople onto the pavements and
Fifty or more storm the Jerry OVer East London People's Front. who have been urgins people to attack the NF meeting, arrest most of those on board and taken
drive away the lorry Front No ambulance ever arrives.
Picket
3.30pm
individual fascists and directing Tear that TIE IT LAE ARE
Street Barkingside Fuiwell Avenue Lane into the side entrance Bf
back at the
3.30-3.50pm
HO SOMOW
Broad Anti-fascists Nigel
up behind them There are when the Grunwick
1,500
terms of what's going
that the police
allow a mass peaceful picket.
3.50pm
NF 45
The fascists' protectors greet pickets in Fremantle Road
meeting is still ten minutes,
discussing the
A few minutes later Paul buck peopk
the National Front
have been
Betore there is a chance to
4.00pm Over:
into other
police also of the Maoist
of Fremantle Road
Police are soen charting with
end of High down and Mossford
The crowds on the pavement are now pushed back into the
who bad moved down Trinity Road in reason they were response to police pressure find another police cordon coming Decause
jokes about canstituency. anti-fascist sandwiches, but the mood and
Pickets complain of the lack. of direction from ANE either in.
MacNce is happy despile the Fact are obviously agreement" to Adrian
Paul Holborrow announces pictures.
• NO NAZIS
IN LORD that we will picket for a further
There are some hail-bearted chants of Nazis
Never Again' Socialist Challenge supporters in Trinity Road sing the Internationale To
the No Bans, No Platform, Smast
the hun.
Bans on Anti-Fascises, Defend the Rightto Organise: The rest of the picket is almost silent the schools
AROUOHEICELITIS Harman (SWP) repcats claim that this is a victory. The pickei begins to disperse
NE members continued to be ferried into the meeting by bus until 4.30. The police charg the remaining anti-fascists out
picket.
PAUL
dav's
STARSE
The 1,000 fascists Inside thi school are in near hescerica mood. Webster tells them the
banned in THord and not an Lewisham is
Jewish money is League behind the Labour Party in thi
Relerences to the 'reds outsibe are greeted with shouts di Trotskyite scunt*, Webster says no bans can stop the NF.
He is happy. Commissioner
And the anti-lasciscs!
Our reporters at Ilford were
feeles, Jude Woodward, Geoffrey Sheridan, Mick Gosling and Richard Carver.
Graeme Cookson took the discussing
Ilford excremely
ban
Frost the event
How they
saw it
PETER HAIN, press officer of the Anti Nari League, sass he
Saturday's events. It was
which promised to be peuceful and with a lew mmor blemishes i was," he explains because of the direction of the League rather than the police.
*If you mobilise on a mass basis and the State reacts by imposing a han, that's a limited victory, What do we de demand they don't ban ibe
The hun does allow the police to protect the Front in a more controlled way, but clearly puts the Front on the defensive by preventing them marcong: am opposed to tal blanket ban, and when we have
Ilford operation mures will have to he mude ca
The thrust of the work bus to go back to the fuctory flier,
and the CALANCS rather than the Saturday shows
- alibough we should still have these when necessary."
the addressing the Laft: Paul Holborrow HOLBORROW, or-
tanisation secretary of Che Anti Nazi League, describes Satur the
EVen 13 000 35 8 uadoubted success' It was a
the Nazis marching. The ban
the Nazis questionably a victory for anti-
The motivating factor in the decision of the police and the
massive mobilisation by
and other antifascist forces. The depotations to the Home Secretary, by us and numerous SACES. PEO tors. duced absolutely nothing uniti
hey knew there would b 10.000 out against the NF
We reject completely the equation between the Nazis and
anti-Nazis, IT's quite possible under the police's powers to have a specific bau on Nazi organisations, attich is what we have been calling for. The Anci Nazi League will be
this week what action we should take against the ban on anti-fascists.
The whole operation
Was unquestionably successful Алиfascist pressure produced the
and stopped the WESTIN marching. They threatened to
streets, but in the the antiGAS DULls 50,000 leatles in 95 per cent of
"The action of the police was
We had an agreement will them to mount a picket acros: Fremantle Road close to the school. They broke i or trying to shove the anti-fascists on to the pavement. it created a great ancount of confusion, and it was only by pood direction and stewarding that we prevented
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 3
Pietere is bate the
'The press barrage in preceding days was aimed at stopping anti-fascists coming. but 2,500 did. Word was an example of drawing in new people to tbe campaign. It was the start The next focal point will he the May local clections, for which we've got 2ki million Icaflets on the stocks.
BRIAN GROGAN, National secretary of the International Marxist Group, sass that the ban under the Publie Order Ac was clearly aimed at the Left and anti-fuscist forces. undermined the mobilisation, and gave fo the
But the operation on the day itself — as it will be for the next two months, was essentially aimed ALLUSUCH
"The police as in Hyde. worked hand in glove with the Front. The anti-fascists were harussed and intimidated and finully prevented from holding • peuceful picket. It should som be abrivus that the has has operated to allow the fascist
freedom while concentrating the bigges repressive force for many a yes on the Left.
*A campalgo against the bea. linked with the fight to mobilise the labour movement to Impose "No Plutferin!, does not give the fuscists free reign. To Join in the call for a han does
*Itis only in this light that we could have heen prepared for their deal with the Anti Nuri League to allow a nass picket. It is true thut we were overwhelmingly the police. But with the eyes of the whole movement on lford,
League should have asserted its right to hold the mame for any putting the blame any violence that ensued on the police.
*If the police had moved in. we would have been able to mobilise the whole labour movement in our defence sed shown what it menes to rely on the Stale to do our job. In the event, the leudership of th League capitaluted all the wa down the line and thoroughis demoralised the demonstra
*Towards 4pm, we did begin to hold our ground in Trinity -H030 and the police backed off. This could have been done
word had police League had political darily. The nest step is for a mass campuign to organise broughout the labour move ment to get this ban lifted.
From a report by Godfrey Barker in Monday's Daily Telegraph: Front .con crived to distribute 35,000 leariets in Ilord on Saturday -*Join Britain's great new political party" as well as dominate the conversation on apparently everyone's lips.
I also had the sutisfaction of seeing Mr Rees commit 5.000 notice into the area to secure 21 arrests, al left-wingers successive speakers pointed out at the cothusiastic rally.
MARTIN WEBSTER, nation al activities organiser of the NI at Saturday's rally: "Of course we are opposed to the ban, but me have still scored a victory. We are meeting and the red houliguns have been kept away
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Socialist Unity gets all the press coverage
HOME NEWS
Middlesbrough
received in the run-up to the
POTTER. comment on the state of und The remarks a
in Middlesbrough. The Labour councillor who rentescotco tne ward In ine past did not attend enough council meetings to remain in words with the rightin
right-wing clique that runs the, Labour Group get short shrift.
Last week, five counciliors were expelled from the Group for daring to vote against a pleasure jaunt to British Columbia to commemorate the town's most famous
Middlesbrough is in the heart of Poulson country. The large local shopping centre stands as a tombstone 1o his memory. Unlike Tyneside, however, no charges against local dignatories.
MONEY being collecto
Swindon
Sapporters of Socialist Challenge and Socialist Worker in Swindon, together with independent left-wingers. have agreed to seek to build a broad-based socialist electoral front for council elections in May, reports ED WALLER.
This follows a recent letter
counter
NF
in
Wandsworth
"WE DON'T vote socialist. We vote Labour. That vote for a was the response one Socialist Unity canvasser
Ayresome Ward by-election in Teesside on March 9, reports STEVE
Poulson nevet did the repairs on the Whinneybanks Estate — SECURIES Thar would Bether than sinkies. Houses benefitted working with no gardens, windows, wrecked fences and gates bear testimony to decades of neglect by council bureaucrats.
Party do Notoriously dominated by a right wing "catholic mafia', the response of the local Labour Party leader, Shopland, so the decision of the Labour Party BALA abortion on demand was: It wasn't my party that decided it'
The working Tyneside vote Labour because of their hatred of the bosses and the Tory Party. I'm afraid I'd from SOCHISE supporters to Socialist Worker supporters argued: "We believe that it is in AL OUT ETCHES TO SOCK I DIS an open, united and democratic campaigning which can group us together on the
as many issues of agreement as possible *Or course. the continued, "this does not imply unprincipied compromises, or
School students
standing for Labour, lad' wa one response to a Socialist Unity canvasser last week. But the interests of the working
priorities of Labour's representatives once they close the have Town Hall door behind them.
Dely the candidate, Alan Theasby, has smashed declared that
nothing to do with the secrecy of council committee rooms. If elected, he will call regular mass meetings of the local workers' The crimes of the Labour organisations and community
groups to report on what is going on inside the council and put his policies before the meeting.
when it comes to the trade
TELE union bureaucrats on Teeside
The local paper featured a prominent advertisement troth the people of condemning the handling of a
pey dispute by their full-time official.
Redundancies acgotiated by
In line for election unity
submerging important political Canllenge differences. But in our view it
does mean allocating those TEACH differences a certain sense of
proportion, for there are many points of principled agreement also 1E0UT Alter discussion,
agreed to bold a meeting open to althose wishing to develop a united fight-back agninst the letter MOVCEHMCOE
class policies.
Poing sought for
FIFTY school students met in Wandsworth last Thursday to start 10 organise and counteract the Nationsi Infiltration of schools in this SW London ough, reports a school student Socialist lenge supporter.
Some of us had produced aleaflet attacking thi NF for the anti-racist picke demo held educational television centre. We went on to call an
abbit if it wa
than the nine per
one man in unemployed.
Some Socialist Unity
they will try will have
Front.
local anti-fascist the Front has kept
tremblins story doesn't change
anti-fascist recently clutching behind his back.
electricians
meeting. to be
the May cloction,
was and a candidate.
Challenge Sponsorship
this and democratic Wandsworth Front schools.
borthe meeting, ChaiStudents and worln Against Racism. already
the
for Ilford Jast Saturday
the steel union bosses will push ap unemployment even highe
present. In nearby Hartlepool
six campaign.
All this fuels the frustration and anger of local people. Satur Oners waist that stick betrayals
anything 10 Alternative' maintain living standards, For some that will mean Socialist Unity: for others, the National
Since the successful counterJenfleting in the ward by the
contittee Ita bead down. Only one NFer stood
witb outside his run-down counci speakers house to defeod his patch
committee, rounders" club
Only one campaign is getting any press coverage, and that is Socialist Unity. This is hardly surprising since only Socialist
TRON
CHE FASCIST lesder Webeter In Illord
struggles
Cranes,
held on 12 March, at which the main task will be to open up a discussion on the possibility of standing in
and what might be gained for the left as a growth ol wbole. A subsequent meeting wu occuto auce on a Manorm local
In the view of Jocal Socialist electoral
supporters, much could be achieved by an open
campaign. national scale.
all-Wand worth meeting put licising it through informa contacis and members of the Socialist Teacbers Alliance in take
socondary
Six socondary schools in the borough were represented at and
which heard speakers from the executive of fascism. the National Union of School We
from Wands
Everyone feit the need for 1408I8UUERS LICE TU
kind of action against racism petting and fascism: all were in tavour
of supporting the mobilisation
Taity is doing anything more
han fetching in the votes. Tw public abectiogs wit be held in the ward in the finn] week of the
The first, in the heart of the large council estate, will hear Alan Theasby on Labour's
The Socialist The meetine, an 8 March, will b beid in the part of the ward which is bome to the tow Asiar families that have become the butt of the NF campaign.
Entitled Workers United Against Racism and Fascism
speaker meeting will be Tarig Ali. Other presentative from the anti WEL
committee president of the local pol technic students union, which is presently fighting the racist quotasystem that will mean the expulsion of scores af overseas
On March 9, Ayresome will
AL1. lenge There have been many loca
often bitter and
protracted, such as those at
Planes, Carrads, and Jones
anti-racist area.
Donome and a campane
women's rights have recently been formed.
A socialist election campaign would serve to stimulate the
such campaigning bodies and help to unify the
struggles against the mutli-nationals. Socialist Chailenge will argue that ang local
unity will be tions
strengthenied if it agrees to link up with Socialist Unity on a
Discussion centred around organising support for local
cases of racism in individual schools, whether it comes from teachers or fellow
content; publicly students
will continbe this
discussion at our next meeting It was agrood to go back 1o
schools, and organise meetings
discuss the issues help from teachers Sone stuCOCALS debts hoped to get a school resolation agninsr NF leaflet-
BOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 4
Unity support for real socialist policies for Middlesbrough: for the desperately needed figh back against Labour's cabal al the town hall, and a shot in the arm for workers" denDeral
A vote for Labour will mean that once more the workers of Middlesbrough have assigned their interets to the never opened "pending file Shopland and his bureaucracy.
MIDDLESBROUGH
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Labour's hetrayale A Spenlist Allernalive:
ALA THEASBY. Socialist Candidate for Ayresome
2 March. 7.30pm at S Matthew's Church Hall (corne of Acklam Road and Whinney banks Road). -Workers Unite Against RacIse and Fascism'
Speakers include: TARIO
ChalALAN THEASBY. Soc
alist Unity-candidate, LEWIS DAVIES. President, Teeside Poly Students' Union (personal
MARTIN HAN SELL Committee, Invited: Communist Party and Labour Party candidates for Ayresome Ward, 8 March, 7.30pm Main Hull Newpor: Road Junice School (Greta Street near bus depot)
Socialist Unity Benefl
Saturday, 4 March, at RAOB Club. woodlands Road, 7.30pm.
Disco Late bar, Raffles. Admission 40p.
Brixton
THE DEATH Of Marcus Lipton, Labour MP for
by-election within the next lew months. Socialist Unity will be discussing its intervention and
Whether up can le
Brixton. will approaching other groups in the area and nationnily especially the Socialist Workers Рапу 10 discuss the possibilities af united electoral slate
The campaign could provide an important political focus for socialists and anti racists in the
The already announced that Its
wil make Ilord look like "tea-parly.
SOCIALIST UNITY
MESTING
LAMBETH CENTRAL To discuss whetherto stand an
whom. All left-wing organisa
and Independents
Thursday, 9 March, 7,30pm a1 Tate Central Library, Brixton
in The next all-wandsworth
nealing will take reports from
schools , and ser up a committee
apen to everyone to actend — to
argailise produce
Jeaflets, and so on.
The showed that
school students are both willing
and able to organise. We hope organisations wire semia that in otber similar
Because of the kelihood of
victimisation, the wather's
name has been withheld. Those interested in in the Wands-
worth meetings should contact
Socialist Chalienge
Page 5 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge SUPPLEMENT VOTE FOR BROAD LEFT
A retreat on wage claim
Fleet Street. face of the outery we can expect.
Flect Street's outpouring: next month once the ballot i underway will be hacked up by such notable employers" journais as Truemid, Iris Economic League. All hands will be joined in these cincles to ensure that Terry Duffy fares well. And it won't only be the usual treds under the beds" stories.
Support for Dufty will be centred on his approval Dalbour and orichael clasi solicies. and Edwardes — British Leyland's new hatchet man.
The only other alternative to Duffy in the second bailor i Bob Wright, the Broad Left candidate This whom militants in the AUEW must back. If Terry Duffy succeeds in the second bailot it would be a big blow for the working
Dark days would be in sight
NHDP 200042
TERRY Dutty
for rank and file militants in the ution. And It would be seen as a further indication of support for wage restraint and the 10 per cent limit.-Duffy's victory would cacourage the Labour
make further atracks on the living standards of the working class as a whole.
Bob Wright and the officials of the Совітитів dominated Broad Lelt grouping in the union have done linie to make SUIS elecied. In the first ballot the votes of all leit candidates Roy Fraser. Wilkins, lan Mortis, and Bob WY BETU galbed more votes than that of In the John Boyd page of the January edition of the
AUEW Journal, little ditty was quoted under "thought for the month":
*Think truly and thoughts
Shall the world's famine
feed.
Speak truly and each
word of thine Shall be a fruitful seed.*
The message apparently, was
'Dark days in sight' with Duffy
A TORRENT of support for Terry Duffy, the right-wing presidential candidate in the current elections of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, Is brewing among the gaffers" friends on
JOHN GRAHAM argues that the March postal ballot in the union will rouse journalists, Woodrow Wyatt of the Sunday Mirror, from their usual disinterest In the labour movement to stir up a patriotic fervour in support of the union's right wing. He explains what steps militants should take in the
the right wing. Duffy's voter W wete greater than Wright's, but only by a narrow margin.
Howevet promising and the first ballot votes might seem, Duffy has many cards still te play. The right winlg has the whole weitht of official union policy and Government pollcy pulline in its direction. And il can always count on the ready 'help" from the bosses" pundits for in the press.
The repord of the Broad Left since the September Teaves much to be desired. No strategy woRisoCYcI as boz advanced to involve CIDR against the employers and the Covernment The November conference of the Broad Lef called for a campaign around the nationa! CYGNE leading to a conferenco convenors and shop stewards was counterweight to the inevitable schi-out the right wing would atlemp But nophineha beti done Implement resolution Broad Lefi presidential candi Scanion - the last dare — cast the vote of the AUEW against the firefighters at the TUC without a murmur from the union. This spoke volumes of what Ikely to happen to the nationa claim which well above the 10 per cent limit if it was left in the hands of the right-wing officials who dominate the Confederation Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.
Dangerous lessons of this absence of struggle in the union have been drawn by sections of the Broad Left.
Broad figures responded by moving from a position of SEPi TaISL0 Party resist the right wing and the TADSUTLIONCTAITICELLO ACLIVEL co-operating with theit antigets MOTANE CAS DEALCES Derek Robinson convenor at Austin Longbridee and
Edwardes" chat workers don't need boring old things like wage rises to this Urcas soes Eroa buper market shelves, good thoughts SDL DOIES WUHS SIC STAMCT lotul empty beilles.
thy articie John Boyd did indeed speak honest words: "Toask fon E70 Skilled.. is not the extravagent claim which the Pressand Radio раня осие провать 'It represents an ipcrease in wage cosis of only 7.9 per these minimum and
like
these
BOB Wright Leyland, and has spent the las threc years policing ment's policies in the factory.
Jimme Arlie, Convenor trom poraE yards, was getting the order for the Polish shipbuilding contract accepted ECLTOE on the Clyde. This left workets
at Swan Hunters isolated, TECY THLS the dancies struggle The bulk of the rank and
in the Broad Left is not beading in this dire direction. Rather national is looking for a lead to built a
fightback against wing. But it's just not possible
claim, build such
when it is lead by working élass characters who
FOlC
was
was Prominent
FILTC AUEW
of the voted for FREDA Cruise, carve-up in
be justified.
But three weeks agp these 'honest words" produce the promised "fruitful
seat ted Bed ce e
Scanion of Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engincering for ditched the original claim of E70 and replaced it with one of 660, The original AUEW cleim bad also demanded a 35 hour week witbout loss of pay. The Confederation reducedthattoa claim to be implemented over a
manage-
another CP general. ship instrumental
and 110 Tedun- Toad.
file
Her it
movement, such antiof alteroarive
XEL
shop steward, Magnavox lo get round the Equal Pay Act. differentials makesenseand can tive year period, a capitulation
Wing Hayd failed 10 his article on the claim.
Employers
reduced claim.
rank
ENGINEERING
consistently act counter to the interests of their own members and those of the union's left in
If the result of the March election is uncertain today, it is because the Broad Left officials have steered a course which Takes its ranks down the wrons
To put the rank and file on a fighting road a socialist alternative in the union is vital. ALLACS Rvoveu lc ua for policies which can mobilise members in opposition to che betrayals of the right and the inactivity of the Broad Left leaders can help create this kind which was predictable consider-
had even mentioned the 35 bour week in
For its part the Engineering
Federation have upped theit offer to E57 and a meeting of the Confederation CAECULLLUNJEUELKL York decided to try and close the gap between this offer and the locally
The claim has been rewritten witbour any consultation watb
an0 fibe: The limit.
November National Committee
DESOVTTER
IS AVEMS
CRUNCK
SCANLON Greeled by pickete addressing women membors striking againat the grading system, used al called for a recall National Committee and special shop stewards quarterly in sli districts immedhately afler the reply to consider industrial action. No such district snop stewards meetings were beld.
Themos danteerogsasno O the emplovers" offer is thar it is made on condition that further DOLL
negotiated increases above the minimum ume rate must not push increases above the Covernment's 10 per cent
The traditional opposition in
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 5 the AUEW, the Broad Left appeared too concerned abour the coming election for the president of the AUEW 10 mobilise the rank and lle against the retreat from the E70 minimum. With their candidate Bob Wright velling for the moderile vore the messag seers to be — don't rock the
But by inself, Bob Wright sittioe in the presidential chair will no more maintain the standard of living of engineers than WElL Boyd's *Thoughrs for the month.
Page 6 scan of this page
ENGINEERING SUPPLEMENT The Broad Left road to stifling debate
LEFT-WING newspapers only
union, last gear.
'extending the union's democracy', of course!
at the union's divisional level. Is holds monthly meetings in London before the union's executive commitlee The only 'open face" it has is revulne mass meetings al the union's national conference.
In the "60v the grouping had fairly broad support, and was responsible for transforming the union from a small craft-based union with a right-wing leadership to today's 150,000strong union led by the Broad Left, with the Communist Party as the main politica: force.
Despite these advances in the
concentrated in recent years on fighting for changes union' structure which are
Under the banner "streamlining the union', 'more cifective. decision making' "cutting costs', and giving the executive committee "a national authority', the Broad Left has taken steps seriously curtail the control of rank and file members over the affairs of our union. Just take a few exariples.
* The executive committee has been cut by half, and its members are now elecied on u regional basis. Branches are represented on 26 divisional councils, but the exocutive.
Turning
into
actions
THE FIRST Divisional conference ever held by the Technical and Supervisory Staff section of the engineering union scheduled for 11 March. GRAHAM WILLIAMS from Leeds TASS argues it will be an opportunity to take stock of the union's policies.
And at least on two counts, he maintains, the anion has good policies: against wage restraint, and for women's right to abortion.
Whenever the union's executive has given a lead, the membership responded tremendously. When TASS fought a long and hard strike against victimisation at Hopkinson's firm in Huddersfield,
Socialist Challenge
CP view of democracy
confuse union members and should be banned at branch meetings and weekend conferences. So argued Broad Left members at a Manchester divisional council meeting of TASS, the white collar section of the engineering
DICK DAY writes that this kind of disregard for democracy continues unabated in the union, and the Broad Left has led this stack — all in the name of
The Broad Left in TASS is committee is based on 11
regions. And so the direct accountability of the EC to the branches disappears, This step has been taken despite the lack of support from conference delegates in 1975 which even the intense change * The Broad Left espelled members who tried to modily its proposals, so that exceutive committee would be more accountable membership. This happened in some of us in Manchester won a resolution along these lines at oar branch
* The executive committee last year made proposals to give divisional councils, rather than branches, the powers to ele conference delegates: of proposals from the EC these councils the right amend and select branches resolutions go to national conference.
Branches would thus be
resolutions direcrly TETCHEE INCI ailer discussion and debte on all resolutions, to With widespread rank and file opposition, the EC finally compromised, CATCTEALL reduced the power of branches, bur increased three-fold partici pation in decision making, in
policies
the EC was able to harness woo members Belund its call for boycott, collections, CLUE CULO
is The need to link up in active SODDHEY WIN OCOCE WOEKCTS 1S especially important returned to work la defeat. And
permanent wage restraiat imposed by tbe Goverment 1s yanchEns a political campaign aimed at educating and organising our memhers. Atthe endof Phase 2 this kind of step was taken, but much more needs to be done today.
From this year's conference we muse take our policies back Into the membership translate then into actions. We need GETABE leadership of the union call on
comparison to the original proposals. * The Broad Left opposes Implementing electing all officials. They selecled by exocutive members and appointed for life.
Furthermore, members are bound by rules
elections. The opposes the right of candidates to publish election addresses. Of course canvassing does take place, but with these policies if 1s ground wansane canal How does the Broad Left Broad Left lobbying could justify these measures?
argues that a modified TASS structure will bring un cioser to the engineering section of the Amalgamated and Union of the Engineering
belping along the process of 10- malgamation, But in reality, It
has been these undemocratic
right Wing engineering section have seized on to hold up the process Five years of negotiations
taken place between different The ear! sections of union leadership. gave The merits and deficiencies
to the Working Proposals which amalgamation have been more
than aired. The section losing because it has dragsed its feel send for so long to con- Other
Ike the vehicle hailders and thi boiler with the TERESTREL union and the Municipal Workers' and agreed to This has This entineenbe sechion to extend
an open hand. And none other than Frank Chapple of the electricians" union has grasped
Committee for the Defence of
national industrial
LTLE supported the LCDTU, Now is
organise a co-ordinated fight-
And the gains we have made in involving women in union over the past years will strengthen the fishthuck. have now introduced an equal pay campaign; our women's committees are regularly: women only have led to a much greater involvement of women at all levels of the union Much remains to be done especially because for she last three yeurs the rights of this group of members has been directly threatened by proposed restrictions on abortion rights This presents, us challenge. Can we defend our and members
entire membership behind this Light? If we are successful, we can be certain that it will lead to an even greater participation of today. our women members.
The continued growth of the National Abortion Campaign whose activities we have policy. continually
augers well for the future. But we need to promote the ideas and activities of the campaign amongst more than
tbe membership as a whole: in the factories and in the offices. The stakes have boen raised by the Government. We can only face them if our union is and prepare for a Fightback Che won lo policies
that tbe Conference on ll March will
give us the opportunity lo begin to organise to do just that.
full-time union
gT0 TBING
union
Broad
Under with plenty
Workers, thics for
engineering ground.
copineering wions, it! The
makers, have merged
workers General and Manoeuvres Union
prompled mernhers will
appeal for action
has always
the
Engineering functioning and meetings for
Pression Europe, HUGHES.
with
rights, and win
Czechoslovakia,
Charter T7
supported
branch which
case. Let's hope Boyd joins him soon.
undemocratic terins did involve therank and file. which Chapple will want to bold to in any amalgamation
and deals behind closed doors excluding
only make CEOMTTCEERE whole. Today's measures are a
TEETHE for amalgamation which really "What's Charter 77?
That, in effect, was the response of the executive council of TASS - the
Union's white collar section -when my branch called on it to take up the
Sive. campaign against rep-
in Eastern body passed writes JOHN
Towards the end of last year, the Manchester East branch of TASS (Technical and Supervisory Section, AUEW) con demped the suppression of human rights in Poland and
especially in relation to the signatories of
By raising these issues in the union, socialists can answer their critics who —quite rightly
claim that we campaign against repression under fascist regimes, without questioning Subscribe? Depression in the Eastern Bibe.
My branch's resolution instructed ibe No. 10 divisional couscil to contact sympathetic Name groups in the area with a view to Address setting up a local Charter 77 solidarity committee. And it called on the executive council to publicise the Charter aims in the union journal, and to protest to the Crech embassy.
The response of the executive
MUSEUM
A PERMANEN
SXHIBITION
DF MEMBERS
NVOLVEMEN
N INDUSTRY
SCANLON (lelt] and Boydat the opening of the AUEW musoum, Scanion will soon be put in a glass
An important way to ensure that the ALEW becomes a fully amalgamated and democratic ubion is by extending and developing joint shop stewards involving both staff and manual workers. conferences of shop stewards committee delegates
TASS branch backs
Czech dissidents
was amazing. It claimed it could take no action due lo lack of information on the subject matier". This despite the fact that anong the members of the executive is John Forrester, who happens also to be a member of the Labour Party's national execu-
In Jenuary 1977, the lamer
condemning the arrest and harassment by the police of the Crech citizens who signed Charler 77, Manchester East branch has now sent our execirlive a copy ot a strong speech by Eric Heifer, recently published in Labour Focus on
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SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 6 should neet to develop lactics for defending living standards, And TO Work Out 3 stratens Do strengthen their union through democratic Combine slewands committee could also become a powerful leverin the fight for democratic amalgamation national structures were developed. Fastern Enrope. We await its response.
Charter 77 is, of course, only one aspeci of represtion in E Europe. In Poland, there have been teprisals against those who organised strikes against tbe proposed increase in Tood prices. In Buntania, 4,000 miners were arrested or sacked when 90,000 miners went on strike against cuts in theit living standards, Just a few more exumples....
By building compaigns on such issues, und hy drawing in broader sections of the labour movement, we can demonstrate Weat we support all workers strugeles against repression.
Page 7 scan of this page
Squatters: the first test of
Women students launch Charter
Action
change. Unfortunately little else has changed.
and useless policies of the leadership,
bureaucracy.
Asa result of the orientation of its leadership the LPYS was totally inactive during Fire-fighters strike, other lightback against Giovernment's policies. one that leadership has hesitanily meted isell to -the Youth Campaign Against Unentployment — degencrated inta propaganda meeting, plus the
lobby Tribunites and applaud Eric Heffer.
A conference motion from Iw0 15 branches allacks the "passive propagandising of the campaien to date"
Itas not only the lack of any real campaigning perspective of those around the Militant paper that i criticised. The appailing policins on freland and on women's oppression
subject motiont 10 be discussed ESTELLDO years, there is
questions.
The LYS') present policy
Ireland equates Republican and Loyals paramilitary organisations, calling both "sectarian serrorists", and makes no distinction between the Army's attitude to Nationalist minority and the Loyalists, It calls for a trade union delence force to defeat all terrorism.
leadership's position capitulate to imperialism,
OVER OUR
DEAD
BODIES
BRAINE
"SAY NO to Braine damage!" "Women say: Off our back, Braine!" These were messnges from placard-waving demonstrators outside the House of Indepeadent
protest against yet another anti-abortion bill.
The latest restrictive bill, put
Tory MP Bernard Transe, Bernard furtber strengthens the control doctors over someo's bodies.
majority of only six votes, but is unilkely to get parliamentary time to become law.
The Mornithis sein in Stur prompted hy Parliament to sport a headline, "Mobilisation DE LES guards abortion rights'. This is mistaken. was
NEWS
Labour Party youth
needed!
On 25 March, the Labour Party Young Socialists conference will take place in Liandudno, for a
VINCENT MOSS, from Hemel Hempstead LPYS. reports on the growing opposition to the inactivity
incapable of any action that might disturb the left
others do attack these attitudes. One resolution
the for "the immediate
unconditional withdrawal
the British troops from Ireland as
of the right
the self determination for the Irish
people as a whole': adds: repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Others call for support Tor the international British Crimes in Ireland, The backwardness of the Young Socialists leadership on women's oppression in chal lenged by BIN BOEU uppon for the autonomous
demanding active involvement the National:
Campaign, The Labour Abortion Rights Campaign and che Working Women's:
These and other motions many
our the basis for an active campaigning perspective
be the YS in the coming year, but
co-ordinated left wing altern-
the -The Tribusiles
larushed by the inactivaly of the left MPs that they cannor be such an alsernative, while the divisions on the far left
the fatally hamper them in the
construction of such a curnent. Supporters of Challenge will he fighting 1o overcome these divisions, build a united opposition and a ConsolieniR Ys commeted 10 class struggie politics.
MAINE
mobilisation of MPs that safe guarded women's rights last Tucaday.
Ir was rather the consistent mobilisation WORICT - CARDISA MC CROTES of such groups as the National Abortion Campaign - whic! las forped the inoveinent and some viPs. lo support the right of women to
of control their own fertility.
The danger of Government backing to Braine's bill still remains and the Abortion Campaign is guard. Growing
was care NHS
facilities throughoul country will put the campaign sale- Dne step closer to NAC's goal
of winning a woman's right to choose.
A HUNDRED tricians on stand-by for work were sacked last week when recalled to the North Sea oil rigs, and informed
While on shore. hundred had been on the picket Mather (Alarms) in support of sacked last month following a s-in on une ries to anses! redundancies,
SUPPORT which is
The union involved - the EETPU recognise the officials claim that "procedure
calis in the dispute has not been
and ripidly adhered to"
of The firm is now trying 10 recruit scab labour in both ог Manchester and Hul. It has found the Another
exchunges at its disposal
strikers
War torefront of organising work-
the difficulty in winning support.
and
Abortion
Charter.
THE SOUTH Magistrates Court in Buttersen barker nd stades en workers and students on February in defence of Alan are Beddoe
arrested and charged under the criminal trespass law (Criminal Law Act).
Beddoe was charged with resisting eviction al a squal in Battersea on 9 December, and Socialist
month suspended for dite year,
Battersea Squatters Association and the London Squatters Union called
from all over London inchuding Battersea and Trades Council, Wandsworth NALGO, Hounsiow Council, Hounslow occupation.
MORE
National Students Women's Conference al Keele on 18 February. forward by women of the Broad Left in the NUS were rejected in favour of proposals suggested hy Caucus, reports PAMELA HOLMES.
In spite of national media
of
A PICKET of over 50 peopic
lahour assemhied outside the Mansion
House court last Thorsday For the trial of Jackie Plaster. She had been
National Evenine News vans, after the
paper's "exposuce' of lesbians support for asing artificial insemination bi abortion donor in order to have s calld
the •The nicicets raison the slogan: *Our bodies, our lives, our right decide', The filled to heur "technicully guilty, bal jasti-
elec-
they were
the one
Platt
Manchester, in
CATICN
still refuses to
strike. Union
pages of the local
problem
who are in the
is the
trespass law
WESTERN
travelled to the picket.
the first person
the demon-
mind'
Wandswerch Foritis Trades direct action.
Hospital
TGWU 5/909
THAN 200
attended the
-Union of
demagogy
Ideas put the
the Women's Left
They
Lesbians unite!
muke her irresponsible jourualism
arrested for reasous for irrelevant. on one of the London
the occupation newspaper secured
Juckie plead magarine
100 oil rig
on a a et electricians
sacked
MORALE is high, despite union refusal to back the strike. Rover Solihull, and Ballersea and Norwood Labour Party.
Supporters from Brighton also
The "exemplary sentence (as the magistrate described it) shows the state is not amused by those who have the audacity lo defend their homes. When
David Watkinson
of the tiespass law, the magi-
saying.
I should not, it 1 were dealing MES LE TORE TE BIC ES contemplatine maximum sentenes. 1, however vou invite me to delve deeply into the background 1 may change my
measures,
This new law is aimed at all
Vol occupations and Squatters are being, used as a testing ground. impooity. This makes ir imperalive to publicity for NUS president
sue Slipman's 'clean-up cam.
women were not pre parod to accept ter usual
the only contributions that
Icadership (including Slipman, member of the execulive committee of the Communist Party) made to the three hour perspectives discussion compromised on women's
proposed a return to
women's posts* withit the union; that women should get involved in smaller structures
fied." Butshe wasn't allowed to
statesment about
The court considered chat her
the action She was fined L30
offices. which a right of reply. A compluint against the has now heen laken ap by
NUI's brunch under the code of conduct.
have a concentrated campeign againsi this law, supporting all squatters threatened with its
Without such unity, the state will be ahle to use the low on
WILI
TUSERET BESTILET because general meetings arc too big; they even suggested that the existence of committed feminists within the union caused probiers.
But conference preferred the proposals of the Womens Lef
Caucus which incorporated елос deas from a group of Bronc Left momen dissidents fron Sussex Umversity:
This perspective recognised two maiar lases for Le NUS First, the right of wonien to self-organisation 125. prerequisite to playing a full role withie the mass organisation.
and
abortion -
skich кому пою?
SOUTH BANK POU
anarchot
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 7
Insade the Park Works factory the shopfloor Icaders shelter behind the fact the stike isunofficial.
Much more is ar scake than mercly a few i extra bob for electricians. The outcome cheir dispute will have big effect on
WADIC TELLIE BRALIE organisation on the Tiss.
A meeting is being organised For people and organisations prepared to help the strikers Efforts wil continue e support from inside factory. and pickets of local EETPU offices has begun.
CONTACT
The rest is up to the labou movement. Tradi unionists should demand official backing Tor the strikers, fora boycott ol
and For local CELESER SAHUIS! recruitment for those jobs on
Unions in the northwest should organise delegations to be on the picket line from 7.45am till 5pm from Monday to Friday. Money and message of support urgently needed: Vincent Fos, 12 Moorlands Jarrow, Tyne and Wear. Tel Holden 4417. pRige Agaiest A Criminal
Law, C/G 35 Wellingion St, London WC2 [01-289 3877]. Ballerses
Association collecting money to pay the COU CONS ENIORS 10 ZA Lalchmere Rd, London SWII (01-223 1450).
Second, to organise campaigns involving all sections of the membership on issues of warnen's oppression.
Proposals for a two-day women's aperegate and two day open campaigns conter
were overwhelmingly accepted. Integral to these structures was the decision to derclop a Student Women's Charler" to pur forwand che demands of women in the NS
All questions of access to
Tor women (including abortion,
MULACE facilities, and entrance qualifi cations), as well as content of education, job opportunities
participation activities, must be raised in the Charter if it is to unite women successfully against sexist dis crimination in education. The Women's Leff Cauces in a grosping of socialist women le the NUS Women's Campales. Formed in 1976 te tight the
executive's INTERCE fallure to implement decision,
-ENC THICH SCOD ferences. Further details sad copies of the caucus" resolu. tions to NUS conference from Puuline Roe, Birmiagham Paly Students Union. Tel 021-4545184
Page 8 scan of this page
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 pape 8
Strike ends
hangs over 3,000 workers.
The overwhelming desire of the meeting was to get back to work. When engineers convenor Michael Everett pul a motion lo the meeting which suggested a fight by any means against redundancies, he was shouled down by a large number of strikers. Everett was forced to postpone any stand on the closure until another mass meeting.
the il week lont sinke bevan when management arbitrarily tried to introduce new mannink level and track speeds allei 1e workforce had returned from a six week lay-off. But the press hysteria crealed against "lazy "workers" and hints of bandshake' if the closure went smoothly meant that the Speke workers have conceded on these original issues. When they return to the production track they will discover that many four person leams are being cut to three and DNEV UITI DEIDULEREDSUAO
This setback lies squarely at the feet of the shop stewards' committee who, since the strike began, called only one mass Consequentlv the maioritv of the workers were kept in the dark over the negotiations with
BRACICI LEW II TOUC EULEE AECM aIR
TV to tell the workers what was going or
Similarly only stewards were involved in picketing the factory. Although the threat of closure only became public on 1 January many stewards knew long befoce Christmas that tho shut dowe was the intended fate of the Speke No 2 plant. Peter Doherty, a former deputy convenor commented last week, knew for company's Intention to close down. We should have been on Ene ottensve
ll was not until 15 February that the Transpon and Genera Workers (mion mad the strike official. It was six days after this that Diani quecor C H Skinner a Jetter to Sneke's employees. It stated, 'We are forced to propose the closure of the No 2 factory and transfer the TR7 assembly to elsemiere". Skinner's reasoning was that the plant had too many assembly tracks, that the TR7 cost too much to make and that plans for a 2 plus 2 V8 engine bad been scrapped.
Between the sending of this letter and the ImASS TICCEE 0n24 геотЕУ Тле да Borked overtime to smear the workforce, Headlines MEICONCE LOE WOEKEUS militants* could pick up £10,000 in redun18DcY BOTULCE TLATELI promised "a very substantial ex-gratia payment from the company in addition to the statutory reduodancy payment'.
For many workers, isolated at home and knowing only what the media tells them, this is an offer chey find hard to refuse. And the compeny has inserted a final sentence in its statement which aims to divide those who want to fight and those who want to take the money.
On, am't wawry adad THiT, Clansyi It 11 just 9*
benul m the Hacks! or ae last sodre/
And now the
fight for jobs
WITH ONLY 20 workers voting against, a mass
meeting of 2000 workers at Leyland's threatened
Speke factory voted last Friday to return to work.
MARK TURNBULL reports from Merseyside on the meeting and shadow of the dole queue which now
This package', insists Leyland 'can mean ver lubstantial payments to those who we have to declare reundant, We cun package if the transfer of the moder is done soothly and we will be talking at once with the union to try and achieve this".
The response from the stewards' leadership to these carrot and stick tactics has been useless Lac EmyCRu Dave momi Wcom shopstewards commitlee at the nearby Garston bottle company until that closed down. Ever since Leyland issued redundancy hotices he has said nothing about how the workers were going golden to delend jobs. His opposite mumber in the
AUEW, Michael Everett said "We are trying to hostilities which poople in those areas frown upon".
CONTROL meeting.
Among those 'spheres of influence" is the Leyland combine shop stewards conubiftee and tatt how P on Miese dei dike o have shown very quickly thei "bostililies : meeting of crocutive held 3 days atter the closures were annonced agreed to organise a weekly while vioo-chairperson Eddie MeGarry said no work would be accepted at the Canley plan uniess tae Speke workers agree, In other words they will sit around and wait until there are no "everone
worker leit st tramler of the TR7 to Coveatry The Labour MPs have paralysod. Left MP Eddie Loyden, In whose constituency Speke lies, said "We inlend to meet the Leyland management and seck from them the evidence they have about the correctoess of Tis Lecision, At tue moment we aic far fron convinced that the closure of Speke will solve LE IU S PIODECEE Loyden then be happy Neither he nor the leadership of the shop stewards commitioe bave an answer to Leyland, PHO CAM profitability, that some Leyland plants need closing. Figures issued by Leyland tell bow the TR7 just haven' traken off.
Al full production the capacity of the number 2 plant is 100,000 cars per year, In 1973 cept were made. In 1976 the taper was 38,040 the target set was 17,550 of which only 65 of which 80 per cent were made, in 1977 when a double shift was introduosd 43,810 was the target and only 53 per cent were made. Thus in the first three years only 68,510 cars were made out of the tärget 89,400). 61,250 have been sold so far. After four mooths of total stoppage there are still 4,000 unsold TRIS COmI MIdS A local radio station news reporter who wen o America, where 80 per cent of all TR7s an sold, has described the situation: 'According to motor industry sources here the TR7 story is without precedent. Here's a car which captured the imapinacion of America bur which was left ar the starting gare by its Italian and Sapabese rivals. Twice Leyland recalled all the cars that were sole hecase ot minor toutes In desin, Cn top of that had workmanship irritated the LTOSSEU CORS JELLE Neitber factor represented major setbacks but 0000000 70104707601 02327 they did.
This raises the important question thar shop stewards oced to face in planning a figbr back to the closures. The TR7 is not selling beause of design faults and management's refusal to extend the range where there is demand (soft tops and four seaters). Michael Edwardes is attempting to streamine Leyland so that it oaly produces live or six models. models and unprofitable new ones will go —the Dolomite, MG and TR7. Te oppose Edwardes plan implies chat the workers at Speke and oLenaE beşlaa lco LO DE LABELLE DE I alternative workers" plan.
OFFICE
only DileT 1 the combine
levy
Speke and then accept the
been equally
Suppose it did. Would
wich the closure?
-CIBOLLT However only
ShOWrOOMs. labour movement.
TULCE CHE have all resulted in job losses:
Place the dole.
gradually been This means old
Liverpool's
growth area-the
dole queue
IF THE SPEKE plant is closed over 3,000 workers will join the Merseyside dole quene, boosting unemployment in the area from 11.5 to 12 per cent. The future can only look grim uniess a major fightback is launched by the
Recently there has been a spate of disputes agiost maubing levels and speed ups which
*The new teaching hospital is due ta be completed in the spring and without any new major start over 1,000 construction workers
SubLET
*The Tate & Lyle sugar relinery has
Drubbing down and will eventua y cose jo a dockland arce wher unemployment waries from 25 to 50 per cent.
*Al Birds Eye in Kirkby 456 women can
production workers were declared redundant
BRITISH
Employment Office
while they were laid off frou a strike involving 120 fitters. The compaoy has settled with the fitters but are now making acceptance Df the redundancies, plus nine outstanding points on productivity conditional for a return to work.
*Cuts of 6 million miles of bus routes a yea will mean less bus workers.
The list oould go on and on, bur the picrure is clear. Rationalisations and redundancies are going shead full stewm on Merseyside, and resistance to them is very uneven. Tradicionally well organised sections, like the dacks and the Ford Halewaod plant have bath won recen strikes over productivity and manning. Ti is al the smaller plants where the attacks are meeting
And very little is coning jo to replace the los jols. Metal Hox opened a major new plant in SPOKe reccOts 30 people Guiness has just dooe the same. The trend is for increasingy LEIDINI INTENSIVE INSCHACH
In such a situation the demand for work HATS RITO HIS OW-N MC OL DOC YaLL
unile employed and memplayed TOOU CIENF industry in Merseysid
Page 9 scan of this page
LEYLAND
Waiting
for God
APART FROM the usual attacks on strikers two other angles have been presented to the gossip merchants of Fleet Street. When they heard that one of the women was organising a petition to stop the Speke strike visions of Mrs Miller from Cowley sprang to mind.
The woman in Speke's case is Maureen Crooks who organised a lobby of parlament with seven other strikers" wives. Bur try as they might the media could not make her come out and denounce unions.
On the day of their lobby she said: We want the union to make the strike official with the TUC and we want the government to tell us where this factory stands.
She wasn't a supporter of the stike as such For her, making the strike official meant beil: lashefel ime ofiste o cn oe
when the closure plans were announced she immediately called for a teturn
witch-hunt
Transport and tonk the teneen by the national leadership orte form of disciplinary
TGWU.
Predictably, an attempt by one of the 11 — Frank Corti — to get a High Court injunction to stop the trials failed the day the hearings began. Bat as JOHHNY HAINE seports, the elesen's real strength lies in their rank and file support.
In March 1975, the JSSC launched a campen tor Levana to doco une company books. Parsons dissociated himself from the
Fi aler that venr evlang launchen a "quality offensive" on the Princess line, We JSSC countered by proving taat poor material rather than workers was responsible for low standards and organised a fightback. This led to a joint management/union enquiry which cleared the workers.
In December, 1975. Parsons was elected Senior Steward, Thornett and Corti werc elected chairperson and secretary ofthe TUWU 5/293 branch, which covers the Cowley assembily plant.
Six months later the battle lines becoming cleas. In April 1976, Jack Jones appointed David Buckle Cow ey Assembs Planl as welae Body Planl
In May, Thornest was elected chairperson of Parsons arbitrarily declared the JSSC "unofficial body", timing the declaration with a
statement thuar distribuling "anoffcial leaflets' disciplined.
The Hussain case in August 1976 showed moce of the character of worker was sacked for asking to have his job re-timed, and Buckle refused to support bim organise support, only to find four of them had lost their recognition by the company
A mass meeting voted to support the sacked warker but Parsons and Buckle refused to take the case up. In April of the touowing year, an inquiry into the casc by the Committer aliered that the four stewards were "working to undermine the nuthority of the SCOSCHATO
During 1977, as union collaborators were working out the dinastrous participation policy with Leyland management, Buckle attempes to recreanisc the structure of the TGWU Cowley, to undermine support for the lefl.
In October, an Oxford District Committee meeting broke up in chaos when chairperson Bill Roche simply refusod to allow discussion of various items of busioess. The committee set up an 'inquiry' to hear charges of disrupting ies meeting and of transmitting union business to unauthorised persons through the герои.
Vorkers at Cowley have themselves showr
hal theu lhiu đl Lic Ch 5 Domber Bo Fryer, a left winger was elected conreoor. Alan BOLILEE MUCULUEUdisciplinary charges, were elected deputies.
lb work.
The oiner story picket
Archbishop
strikers returned to work.
The Star save
meeting.
The snoo loor
workers:
bat the signs are thete.
Corti goes to the courts
Behind the Cowley
Trorskvie extremssts -
with" were
"supremo" of the
anyone found would be
Buckle, A black
then Senior. Steward,
Stewards began to
Regional
*For 8 national slewards. called by
Edwardes' plan
with no loss of pay
Speke
5/293 conterance
- Politicel Committen, DOEE ALTEOTUE
The press seized on this: "Wives" leader call O CBU DESEIAC Ru DuC HeadLI YY EaL Lau didn't say was that she lead nobody This was evident when Marueen Cooks called for wives to lobby the mass meeting. No-one turned up.
Ton by the press Arthbishope Dereki® Warlack. Carbolic
Derek His divine intervention came two days beiore the mass meeting. He declared his moral sepport for the campaign to save the factory — as long as the
prominent space to his leadership, perhaps soggesting that if God is on your side jobs wid drop from heaven.
However the real cherry in the pie came fromn the Liverpool Daily Post on the day of the mass
Ib front page featured a ranting worker who had quit doring the strike.
He saop obrans Cale han cheeroe
lis rife cominunism, Workers Revolutionary Party, Socialist Workers; the pamphlets of Big Flame abound. The production of the TR7 and otber cars are only secondary to these circles of
"They are a gutless lot, it takes a brave man to oppose the political causes of the power of the unions. The shop stewards are a cog in a big wheel: they take their orders trom above
It has not yet boen established whetber this Mr Callaghan is a relation of you-know-who,
Parsons. betore the clecton, in a leaflet diuributed ar work benches, said: Il appears now that our elections are here again, 1 am Bike Iot Bt my depunes Lbe subiecL OI UBSLDCO
socialist swill (really identified approximately 20
members and supporters work in this factory
Their object of course is to undermine the democratically elected leadership they disagree
Helostto Fryer by 200 votes.
FIGHTING BACK
conference
*Support those who demand the occupation of
Unge Liverpool Trades Council lo go ahead
WI TOIE LOaO Dran
International Marxisl Group
Afler the Edwardes meeting. sald thay waulc resist nant closures anc compulsory redundancles. But tha reaction to the Speke closures gave little hope that they would lead a fight, It is now clear that any fight against the attacke on Leyland workers means untiont on a a deadrats wtie-wing cou the
La d sastrous rioni-wirg course
In birmingnamn a sma group or carworkend from Longbridge and Rover have got together to launch a Leyland Gars Charter: This alms to UniRsai TOosO prepared Independent democratic BEIaT HS CIUCIE workers.
Below we reprint the proposed statement
paper.
The Leyland Cars Charter has boen started by a small group of shop stewards and shop foor
workers at Rover Solihull, Longbridge, Oxford, and Coventcy, Its aim is te fight agalest the rightward trend of the unions in Leyland Cars, The last few years has seen the development of participarion in Leyland which
has meant the surrender of the independence of the unions in Tavour of management bodics B EDISC implementing management decisions.
This process reached its worst stage yet when the Edwardes plan was unveiiled ar Kenilworth, when un ons nnd mannzement borelher voled
on a management proposal for massive job Josses and redundancies.
Our first position is therefore: for the Independence of the trade maions in Leyland,
end purticipation how.
Managemenr's proposals for Leyland mean anywhere between gone. The multiplier effect of chis in the
components industry means possibly 100,000
to 150,000 jobs. Leyland Charter says we must
fight this plan.
The workers are not responsible for the crisis
in Leyland. We ard not
over-production in the world car industry.
are not responsible for shrinkane markets. But
we are expected to pay for this situation with
declining living standards, harder work, and
unemployment.
What's
Left
MIDLANDS IMG
Bemingsam cemi nete n ene sertaien
Rank and file
paper launched
convenors Fight the Edwardes plan.
aiso Docurred via
1o Tignt Tol
trade unions and ALLECnL LOYInu
mundate and recall.
activists
белостасу, Joint union BEATASKM outlined above. 20,000 and 30,000 jobs
fighting
When union
responsible lor they We
TarODLSEIOT
Unity PIRATE EI wed8 wanch. Матя presents Wsd Wicke and tngiie treatre 16 Merchr Ahaar it Pristor TO POIECA
What ia the British @cvemment Irying io de in trelanc? Do the British Inooga The badge with the anti-racist slogan that no militant should
Btus Toul. Ortne: Drp Bach
Box Landon POrcheques should be made oul to J. Wilson
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 9
We say: no to redundancies, o to job loss,
Io the past few years management has made bug strides towares the sentransauon Leyland Cars. The most recent move in this has Doen lo ine meld nr nay oarcamalg. Dur Eus
participatien and such metisas toa a wor.
In the course of this leading union bodies have become more and more reinote from the shop floor. For example, the Joint Nepotiating Committee set up after the bailor is not directly answerable to any single body of Leyland workers. So it feels free to reach agreements on the Security of Earniogs plan, already been rejected ay the membership.
Wesny: defend trade union democrscy. All committees to be responsible to muss meetingi and shop stewards bodies, and to be sebject to
To achieve tbese policies Leyland Charter aims to build a broad alliance of trade uaion
throughout Leyland Cars. The Charter's function will be to fight for union
and systematically though union branches. shop stewards committees and mass mectings for the policies
The paper is open to all who are opposed l
he spineless policies being followed by th union leadership, and who are prepared to tight For trade union democracy, and against the altacks on Leyland workers.
The unions in Leyland have become based an the Cars Division as a whole. lo this proos they have become less democratic and more remote. li is esséntial ro provide a respons throughoul the Cars Division, Charter aias to
a Churier groups in everyrattme of
common democracy and defence of Leyland workers.
leaders voted at Kenilworth te accept the Edwardes pian With Its praposals for 20.00D to 30.000 Jobs lost in Ley and alone
continund the policy putting management demands before the members Interests. Since the Ryder Report tne unions
OGUOPLINE speed-ups, egreeing with Labaur's incomes policy.
BUILDING
BROADSIDE MOblE PICIkIER THANTIe roguires snsat e scculist musica cameni acling abiliy an adsantoge snite: Swi Phas e1-io azi!
IRISH PRISONERS DAY 1 Maro 157 LHIH Ton ran
Page 10 scan of this page
The demand grows: put Britain on trial
1. Add your name [or the name of your organisation] to the list of sponsors of the Tribunal. Executive, National Union of
IRELAND
The London-based planning
support.
Socialist Challenge
tribunal not just internationally but in unions, trade union
being prepared.
THE TRIBUNAL'S SPONSORS INCLUDE; Simone de Beauvoir Angela Davis Lord Anthony Gifford Herbert Marcase Jean Paul Sartre
In Ireland:
Dr Noel Browne — member of Irish parliament Cyril Cusack- actor Margaretta D'Arcy - play-
Fr Denis Faul — priest, civil berties campaigner Phil Flynn deputy general
and Public Services Union
director, Abbey Theatre, Dublin.
Bernadette McAliskey [Derlio] — tormer member, British Parlament Eddie MeAteer leader of the opposition in N Ireland parliament Matt Merrigan distric secretary, Amalgamated Tran sport and General Workers Union Please address all correspondence to International Officer Committee for the International Tribunal 182 Upper Street London N1 Britain
International Appeal launched
committee of the International Tribunal on British Crimes in Ireland this week launch an intemational appeal for support for the tribunal. The appeal is made at a time when support for the tribunal is growing: Herbert Marcuse and Jean Paul Sartre are the latest to give their
reprints the international appeal. It can be used to mobilise backing for the
student branches and elsewhere, although specific appeals for these areas are also
John Mulcaly editor, Hibernia, Irish weekly magaZine Michael Mullen - zeneral secretary, Irish Transport and General Workers Union Dr David Thoricy professor of political science, Trinity College, former member of Trish and European parliaments Association of Legul Justice,
Nutional Executive, Irish Transport and General WorkLES LIS
In Britaia:
Maureen Colquboun MP Dick Kelly MP Arthur Latham MP Tom Litterick MP
House of Commons in London, in mid-January 1978.
We list below i very limited number of these reports:
for his death.
the Army. c) Recent Reports of the Use of Torture:
Constabulary
d) The Prevention of Terrorism Act in Britain:
100 deported without charge or trial.
repercussions not only advisable, but necessary. It is hoped that such an enquiry will concern itseif with: • The role and activities of the British Army, Ireland
prisoners in British, including English, jails.
The operation of no-jury courts in Northern Ireland
Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.
and other jails.
THE FORM OF THE TRIBUNAL
labour movement organisations, acting as jurors.
review the evidence in its various forms. away, in addition to others over the course of this year. made out to The International Tribunal. Oscar Gregan International Officer
Shortly after the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on January 18, 1978 which found Britain guilty of contravening Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention by subjecting internees in Northern Ireland to inhuman and degrading treatment, the appeal for a Tribunal was launched at a press conference in the
Although the British Attorney General, Sam Silkin had given assurance at the European Court in February, 1977 that such practices had been discontinued and would not be repeated, there are still an alarming number of reports of torture, brutality and violation of the most elementary human rights by the British security forces in Northern Ireland.
a) The case of Leo Norney, aged 17 shot dead by the British soldiers near his home in Helfast in 1975: The British Army claimed that he was a gunman. In May 1977 the Northern Ireland High Court effectively quashed chat claim by awarding his mother £3,000 in compensation b) On March 13, 1977, the London newspaper, the Sunday Times, carried a report on The Army's secret war in Northern Ireland'. The article reporied that i) The Britsh Army were used in Northern Ireland to set off explosions merely to discredit the IRA in November 1974. ii) Prisoners were planted with evidence including ammunition. li) Statistics were falsified by
Members of the Police Surgeons Associarion — doctors employed by the Royal Lister
have recently protested at the brutal treatment of persons undergoing interrogation. They have moved to make public the contents of their case-books.
Much concern has been aroused by the operation in England and Ireland of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, first introduced in November 1974, and revised in 1976. Over 3000 men and women have been arrested under the Act, and over
WHY AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL ON BRITAIN'S PRESENCE IN IRELAND? As the above cases demonstrate, we believe that exercise of military, judicial and political control in the northern Six Counties of Ireland has disturbing implications for civil and human rights — in Britain as well as in Ireland. We consider that information so far available makes an open investigation into many aspects of the British presence and its
It is necessary for the British people because the government, acts in their name — therefore they have the right to know precisely how it operates.
It is necessary in the international sphere becuuse the world community has an absolute right to satisty itself than there is no torture, intimidation, discrimination, hunan rights in any shape or form as a result of Britain's presence in Ireland. It is necessary also because of the apparent absence of any determination on the part of the responsible authorities to deal with allegations of abuse of power.
- the Royal Uster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment. * Allegations of torture ar interrogation centres, and allegations of abuse and assault on Irish
* The operation of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) and the Prevention of Charges of discrimination in many fields levelled at the Northern Ireland authorities. * The treatment of Irish prisoners in the Maze Prison (Long Kesh), Armagh Women's Prison
The question of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Is the Government's influence being used to censor the flow of information and ideas?
Because it is the right and duty of the British people to uphold human rights and call for their own goverament to account in the event of any violations, the International Tribunal on Britain's Presence in Ireland will hold its major sessions before the largest and most representative possible body of delegates elected from trade unions and other bona fide
Because it is the right of the world community to monitor the development of a conflict such as that centring on Britain's presence in Ireland, the "jury" will be joined by a panel of figures of international repute, selected from the growing lists of sponsors of the Tribunal, to
The evidence will be taken from all relevant sources, regarding all relevant questions, the form of spoken and written testimony, film, slides and photographs. Those invited to make submissions will include both expert and lay witnesses, commentators, legal, medical and scientific professionals with relevant experience. The Committee for the International Tribunal is also issuing an invitation to Mr. Mason, and Mr. Merlyn Rees, Home Secretary. to appear or to appoint representatives to appear, or to make submissions to the Tribunal.
I am appealing on behalf of the London-based Committee for support from you or your organisation for this important initiative. We feel that international support can play a key role in broadening support for the Tribunal and strengthening its authority. In appealing for this support we would like you or your organisation to publicise the Tribunal in your own country. In particular there are a number of steps which can be taken right
2. Campaign for participation in the Tribunal from the widest spectrum of political. trade Sudents union, cultural, legal, academic individuals and organisations in your country. 3. Help finance the Tribunal. The cost of collecting evidence, bringing international judges to London, organising delegations to freland and hosting and poblicising the Tribunal will be high. Any financial help you can give directly, or organise in your country will he greatly appreciates. Donations should he made by International Money Order where possible and Barnet,
For denial of
and the British security forces in Northern
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 10
Joan Maynard MP
John Arden playwright
Pat Arrowsmith Peter Hain - anti-aparthes Edward Bond - playwright Kalph Milibund professor of polities, Leeds University Sheila Robothom — feminist Trades Counci Battersea and Wandsworth,
Coventry, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, beth, St Albans, Steppey and Bethna] Groen, Tameside.
Page 11 scan of this page
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Page 12 scan of this page
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
write RICSISSONS and PAM HURST.
Georges Marchais, leader of The Communist Cany Lr claimed that this separated LOSC THoug TeH Change -Fand those who just wanted to TETRT C LES CESS
All this was posturing No hanic differences separated the two parties on this issue. Both accept the Common Programme's demand for the nationalisation of only major companies. 85 per cent of industrial production wouid still remain in private hands.
THE assoule Is ovar now many of the nine's subsidiaries would be included. According to the PCF, 'scientifie criteria" in 1972 indicated 1450, On 15 September last yeur Marchais considered it to be 1008. COMPROMISE
A weck later, still applying LOC SCUR KICHHE -TATCETES the leader of the PCF had Leduccu inc numoer to 729.
Meanwhile, in the interests of tomnromise, the Socialist Party (PS) had increased its figure from 69.to.250. The gap had narrowed to such an extent as to onty include 150,000 workers or less than 0.2 per cent of ail French firms.
Neither the PCF nor PS see their policies of nationalisation. sociulan. ToMay 1977 the PCP opening declared "democratie
vere necemary to 'weaken the monopoof the right wing.
THE UNION of the Left may have broken up but the hosses are still jittery about election result. One symptom: the price of gold on the Paris market has shot up because of punic buying.
"Favourite parchases," sccording to Tune, include 'one-*kilo ingots [worth $5,738),
MICTUT LINIST maltresses, and the sock-sized S61 Napoleen d'Or and 546 demi-Napoleon colas."
For the past month opinion polls have showi a left lead of around 5l per pent to 44 per shaked a wider gap: 52 10 44 çent. more tecent per cent.
The right's failure to take
dvantaj ot the lent sput is a
eult of its owo polarisatio DOIL CUIE Gaulist Rally for the Republic (RPR) and the recently formed Union for French Democracy • bloc of Giscard d'Estaing's Independent Republicans, the Centrists and the Radicals.
DISSOLVE
The Giscard-Chirac erupted in March 1976 after major 1et1 gains in the cantonnl elections. Chirac, then Prime Minister, ureed biscard dissolve the National Assembiy
call carly CELERS reasoning that things would set WOI- OCEOTC LEE NEEHDTSIE that time was on the lefr's side.
Giscard disagreed and Chizac resigned. Bur that tactical SL C BESKU & UCVOLEu division within the ruling class
INTERNATIONAL
Nationalisation and the French elections
Different attitudes towards nationalisation were at the centre of the breakdown of the Union of the Left over the redrafting of the 1972 Common Programme,
conditions to pull the country CHIE OT EOC Csi TO PrOYDE BaC democratic authorities with a BOCCECETU DOO EO BELCIA and Obiectives or le Progranubes...in order establish democratic managemebt.
Neither is the market to be challenged or nine overthrown. The newly nation-
alised mine and their subsidiaries are to coexist with the capitalist marker.
The PS argues the natlonalised sector should operate according to the same criteria as the private sectoe, whie the PCF considers "ireplacable" upply and demanc YIOUCAEC KO SOSITSC the economy being nationalised the nine mercy of the market, Without BOYEnIDOCHE foreigu trade the economy would fall foiul of the world capitalist For example the motor industry is dominated by three giants. While Renault has been in state hands since 1945, Peugeot-Citroen and ChryslerSimca are in private hands, and are not among the mine listed TOE ANELDUSUSTIEM The PCF hasat various times
Peugeot-Citreon but now does However it the moto wAs TUCAECU does Common Programme take no
Divisions in the French 'majority'
Gilles Giacomin reports from Paris on the erisis
as to how to deal with the rising support for the telormist the workers parties.
The Giscard tendency ted to constructa liberal party that could extend a hand" to the Socialists (PS). Tho aim was to group the 'centre" and try to erode PS electoral support cheap reforms CONCHRU the the abortion and divorce and Ultimately if the ould be cut dowe to size, thert covernment, breaking tee could from its alliance with Communist Party.
Chirac's GauLlists favoured a head-on attack on the workers" movement, arguing chal "mini reforms", far from PS support, workers taste for In late 1976 Chirae founded the RPR and announoed his Cnaac tor maper 0i 2ar Installed In the hecty maniete March clestions, Chirac turned it into a base to challenge RPR slogans echo the classic Gaullist bid for the traditional pety bourgeoitie: Tor Tree enterprise" asid 'colectivisation'; Tor "natiobal Jodepenld ence to France against the "Uimiration
sovereigary" imposed NAID: agrinst the CosnDunis! danger'
BaLaR DEH ECH The Cliscardian are soft on CUMEDLEITA tone of an RPR rally of 60,000 LUTUELEL anti-Glscard propagan
social Common
-t0
capitalist the market
mBIbtRin
ALLNE
controlling
French
attitude to the economy upplier such
French Vhat plans do they have to Industry in tetans of pricinu. reorganisation range of models and quamtity?
How do they propose to control
producers who sell in France?
Nome 01 these
tackled.
Neither the PCF nor PS wants the unfortunate nine to 20 away. emoty handed be state nationalised firms
the COOLD E Marchas? party
Right up the creek
been stepped ap in recent weeks:
In carly Giscardiana issued their own election platform, the Prog ramme de Blois. It listed wan- DanCEUTCE grouped four chapter headings cypitying vapid American-styk liberal phrase-abonpering: protected citizens': "cconomic by progress in the employment'; service of social fustice', and 'raising UU.
Gaulüists anything the
continuation Centre-Left slan nursued by the Giscard-
PS Raymand Barre Goveroment Ebe
eating into
give the
MOTE:
Ciscard
*genuine
againar
the of
of the
sucD wai tht
bas
MARCHAIS: ready to lower the nutionalisation stakes in the intereste of compromise.
components compensation would
Ferodot
billion!
the sine companies
UCOnA
state
will Jent. the was a clever mhove.
Gaullists WEEC
under formally majority bloc. *free and
service their -Union *solidarity in the
French
OUHLEUSEMEE
RPR.
OOSE 3 Tactor bubon franes a venr for the nest 20 years. Mitterrand is more factory
He advocaled
Both parties advance worker parapaon bolincs 1o ran
These would be on two levels. Firstly administrative councils, com- of posed of one third workers,
consumers. These would elect TOSECSCSTHLIYO and the director and top manage- sociors
Secondly, there waukt ibe
suicidal
Thetoric, the President, The
Giscard for a year and a haif, with little WEEOCI
But launching the placform
Tor thie put the coopertle embarrassing position of not Prime Minister. being able to oppose it without
opting out of the
Ai the same time, bowever, the Giscardians rigged logetber
SETETHE Democracy (suspiciously bkı renta Democracy tore çontrary
They annoubced that they would field their own candidates in the first round, in competition with the per centl a year.
Chirac reacted angrily ("Tbe
Economic
POUR LA REPUBLIQUE/
RASSEMBLEMENT
committees which wowd discuss the olan tor thi
and working conditions, but would only have the right to veto decisions on hygiene and factory conditions
There would be no guarantee of employment and levels of
LACS. productivity must match those
BTEN8S -3541413
A govermment acting in the interests of the working class would nationaise all the key
the cconoDL plan without compensation. Within The factories, councils would be
anti-Gaullist front constitutes a
initiative for the majoriry') and escalated the
calling the Centrists and Radicals "courtesans' of
IWD camps further deagree abour what to do if the chan Sett wins. Chirac maintains thar
should resign SOmEn, Me ORTE against the left onto the streets, Ciscurd insisis that he wil remain in his posc and try to
WEATA Socialist
The righi's disarray reflects the failure of the ruling class to come up with an effective was of dealing with a worsening cconomic and social crisis. Cnemplosment remains over a àre milion, despite ciaims to the
by scandalousiv manipulated figures released by the goverament last week.
Inflation is still more than 11
A recent Organisation for
Cooperation and
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 12 established, composed of delegates TCBTCSCIHEIS the workers, who would be accountable and recailable to regular mass meetings.
All information would be available to the workforce. Iris
would dictate wark conditions and TEA UTE WOTE LO WOKE LUI.1 • real democracy the working week would be drastically cut:
Nationally there would be a
•LEE formulated through the centra •leseu Tascary cinicus.
Development atudy reported that the income gap beiween highei and lowest was greater than in any other advanced capitalist country. Basic wage cates for industrial workers are 10-15 per ceot lower in France
most corthern URCECUUAH.C
The ruling class has effective way to deal with this
This underlies the acrimonious division of the capitalist parties and the scurrilous character of their campaigns. Leading politicians - perhaps inchuding Giscurd have been implicaled in the falsification of baltobs 10 advance the SELISTES.
The right'scam paign slogans
grotesquely Independent Republican poster shows a DEe sao Ebaycscu oy a rainbou with the slogan: "The AOOO COOICE LOE PTRHES
The bosscs cannos face the • ETHEC WITCORTACALC matter who comes out sop on 19 Hlarch.
Page 13 scan of this page
SURPLUS VALUE
What's your own situation at the moment?
The Charter has described my situation in its letter of 12 December to Mr Strougal (President of the National Assembly) That Is that my fat is under round the clock surveillance by the police, VB (uniformed police) ageats are watching me and look at the identity papers of those who come to visit me and often prevent people from coming in, especially if they are from outside Prague,
This is what happened last Sunday to my father-in-law (Jan Sabata, a party official in 1968, sacked and imprisoned after the Prague Spring) who had come to visit my wife, his daughter, They also prevent people who are on the list from entering, and do not allow any more people in once there are three people hete.
Who is on the list?
Some friends of mine such as Julius Tomit. Vaclay Benda, Vavrinec Korcis, the Rum
Various. Mainly people who have been my acquaintances for a long time, in situations which the police regard as suspicious. For example, "Tive o"clock teas at which 10 to 15 people were present. At two of these "teas" there have been as many as 25 people present, in the first case for a lecture and the other time at my birthday.
In the first month - I started keeping count on 27 September after the first search — 70 people of all kinds came to see us; altogether perhaps 120 to 140 people have come.
It annoys them that so many people have come in, so they invent all kinds of limitations which are illegal and contrary to the penal code, but 1 am not in a position to compiain against these practices.
Have you reacted to what the authorities have been doing to you?
01 courses nave milea to procurator General Fejes, whose only reply has been a form letter telling me that the matter will be looked inte When did you send the letter?
A week later 1 wrote another letter and I have just complained to Zbynek Kieswetto, the chief military procurator, because one of his VB agents had committed a theft which is punishable by law,
In the corridor outside our fat this guy Jostled the son of my friend Julius Tomin, a boy of 14, and tore pages out of his hands including some of his father's personal correspondence. The police gave it back two SUITS LILI
Apart from this I have not done anything. 1 do not think that there has been sufficient reason.
At the moment Dr Kriegel and the Charter are taking up my defence. Perhaps this will bring results I don't know. I've been subjected to many repressive methods sance January 1977 (the launching of Charter 77), and they have continued to get worse.
1 have lost my driving licence, my rank in the army has been withdrawn, the telephone has been cut off, I have had problems at work, and recently 1 got a letter sacking me, which you must have.
Thave got it.
So you know already.
Have you asked your guards why they are keeping you under surveillance?
Yes, often. They Just invoke some order stating that it is necessary to take my protest to the commissariat in Peace Square.
Fellow citizens and friends have cried it and have been told that this is a simple administrative measure from their point of view, and that they have received an order from the Ministry ofthe Interior and it's all in the hands of some unknown "operative' (security agent) whom no-one knows and no-one call contact.
Leaving aside sour personai situation, what is
Taken as a whole, good, The Charter has become more active again, there are three spokespeople again, new people are signing and even giving their names publicly, there is a multitude of activities, and, very slowly, the barrier of fear is lifting.
For me, as a revolutionary Marxist, the
CICE the
Transitional Programme of the Fourth International. It contains demands which, in the
context of tbe prescot system, are parily realisable and partly unrealisable. They are
demands which get people moving.
It is true that there are tew demands
concerning the workers, the working class
strictly defined, but there are very few
"workers' in the narrow meaning of the word.
Nevertheless the Charler refers to two
"The barrier
of fear is
Interview
with Czechoslovak
of the Charter 77 human rights manifesto in Czecho-
subject to continual persecution. convictions international pacts which our country has signed, and also contains prescripcions which concern the workers, and which have to be
Although you say that the actinity of the Charter has expanded, we are receiving less news than we did at the beginning.
Thar's possible, fewer numbered documents are being issued; there have only been two recently, numbers 13 and 14. Have you heard about number 13?
Yes. It's about pop music.
That's right. This is very important for us because young people are interested in this.
There in a pressing, and often elementary need for cultural life.
Also, as far as 1 know, another document has been published containing abour 80 new signatures. That doesn't seem very many, but one has to bear in mind the repression which comes down on each signatory.
It is also important that most of the signatories are young and are often manual workers, This I find very positive:
Also there is intense activity around bolding meetings. At the start this was called the anti-university. NOw we use a more modest name; it's simply a question of lecture courses in philosophy or other apbetes which take place in Prague and Broo.
lifting'
oppositionist PETRUHL
PETR UHL is one of the most prominent advocates
slovakia - for which he has lost his job and been
This interview was carried out over the telephone by
an Austrian journalist sympathetic to the Austrian
Socialist Party. Petr Uhl gives his views on the state of the Charter, police repression and his own political
The Charter has also been successful in taking up the case of P. Landavsky who has been released from prison, and also that of Jarda Hutka, who still suffers persecution, but, it seems to me, of a less severe character than previously.
All this activity has been concretely expressed around the Ornest trial. The manner le which it was carried out, the fact that the verdict was fairly moderate, pernaps has something to do with the accivity of the Charter.
Do you think that the authorities are showing sigus of a certain tolerance towards the Charter, or perbaps one should showing more intelligence in their choice of methods in combatting it? 1am, of course, very critical of the way the authorities have been behaving, but I must say with satisfaction that che Charter has, all in all, becoite legal.
Both when I and other people have been interrogared we have been told, 'good, the Charler is okay, no-one can take legal action against you for that, that's quite legal, bur there's something eise...." And they try to establish tbe existence of certain political contacts, of political activity so-called, outside the Charter:
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 page 13
Naturally, it annoys them baving to proceed in this roundabout way. Except for certain situations where it preseots certain temporary problems, it is not possible to take legal action against someone who supports the Charter, who types out its documents and distributes them.
There is still a reluctance to do these things openly because cases of persecution, such as mine, tre known; they took two typewriters from me, and nothing further has come of that, nor, I am convinoed, will they attack me on that basis,
It wasn't so clear at the beginning. Before Vaclac Havel fone of the first Charter spokespoople) was released we thought that he was under attack explicitly for his Charter activity, But we found out afterwards that this
Sometimes there have been rumours going around that there was a group within the Churter which was planning terrorist aetions. Evidently this is an attempt to discredit the Charter...
That is quite possible. The police have dreamed up this group and these people. L don't bave information about this. But there have been interrogations about It.
Yes, but it hasn't been stated during the interrogations. According to the records, two questions on this subject bave been put to six people during Interrogations. Have they heard anything about kidnapping or ather outrages, and should they answer yes, are bey aware that they must denounce such acts?
Outside of the records, verbally, my name has been mentioned. Bur when 1 asked my 'friend' Jarda Basta (a policeman) if he and his mates were trying to establish a connection between me and this business, he said no, it had been badly expressed and so on.
All in all this particular police action was very half-hearted, only affected sis people and only lasted a month, Just before it started Dejmal and myself were beid for between 25 and 30 bours, my Nat was searcbed at the end of Sepiember, and after the search there was
confusion among the Charter concerning these rumours of terrorism.
It was put about that the police suspected us. It wasn't the case, and i dou't think it had any basis, but people were seized with a sort of panic.
It is false that the police had said to anyone that they had my flat bugsed, that they hau a recording saying that 1 was in contact with West German terrorists and was trying to get hold of arms. All this is untrue.
Unfortunately people living in atmosphere of fear sometimes begin to imagine things and start rumours, some of which even ger as far as Vienna..
You have expressed support for the Fourth International. Recently you sent a protest letter against the Berufsverbot in West Germany. Do sou see say difference between your situation and that of a sinte really menaced by terrorism, where the Berufsserbot might have quite a different character?
I signed a collective letter with six people. I don't want to get into an argument, but i do not think that the Herufsterbor is directed against terrorists
Of course not. But there are certainly people who work in the police or the cill and public services who defend principles which are opposed to those on which the stule is based. To he more concrete: It is difficult to employ people in the police force who are is farour of the destruction ef the system.
I'm sure it is. In aoy case I am not a supporter of the West Germany police. But l agree with you. However, according to what 1 have heard oue has to raise certain objections
Gc/bot. Especially with regard to teaching. My friends who have been atfected by this measure are essentially teachers. In this sense I have protested.
Don't you think that in stressing so strongly
the principles of the Fourti International and It Influence, you have reduced the effectiveness of the Charter in the eyes of western
public opinion"
When I refer to the Fourth International -
as an ideological current, but not on the organisational level — this is not for tactical CINDES
Is a matter of conviction, and as a
communist 1 tbink that in all circumstances
one must say what one thinks, and defend
publicly one's principles if only so that no-ope
can be deceived in the future.
My activics and the public defence of my
opinions simply GETTISHER that the
principles of the Charter and those on which
the Fourth International are based are in
agreement.
Page 14 scan of this page
COMMENT
Stop the
bombing
THE TROOPS OUT editorial (23 February) is completely inadequate: by simply stating that the La Mon hotel hombing was not the way to Fight British imperialism, you faul 1o place it in its proper context, and to draw the necessary conchisions.
The Provisional TRA is currently LavDiVCER military campaign; as part of that incendiary and explosive devices, number of hotels in rural arcas of the Six Counties: The La Mon bomb was DUC UCE CERC WUWCC (l am tempted to say criminally) wrong. Less than two weeks before the La Mon incident a huslond of schoolchildren marrowly escaped death and/or injury when a bomb fixed underneath their bus Tell off and exploded SOme ards away
river of the bus is a member of th UDR, and the bomb was part of a campaign to assasinate members of the UDR and RUC Reserve.
There are two points which it Bs necessary to understand about both incidents. First that, obviously, the
went wrong, technical failure or the inepitude of the volubleers LEVOISLE.
Secondly that they are more than simbiy reereitable aiures ors campaign against British imperialism: both incidents were campaign against "soft' targets, which has been embarked upon because other possibilities of military action have been closed by the successes of the British Army and the RUC.
To the extent that ineptitude and inexpericnce played a part in these two incidents, that also is a reflection of the sucoess of the securily forces in keeping experienced voluteers out of acnon, I onct worus toc-La Mon bombing was not a tragic accident, but present relationsbip of fonpes betweeo BLOCIE the Provisional IRA. and the armed forces of Imperialism. So long as the Drescni cabosen is contnued. especially if it is further escalated, we
as operations go wrondrawn lo the
1 am reluctantiy conclusion that the time has come when militants who have solidarised with the anti-imperialist strugele in the Six Counties, TOMIS DELENE 'Camrades mihlary campaign has failed to
Many concrete political results; a cease-fire under JUB-UC URAU OM 20IU of partial defeat, but it would allow other methods of struggle, especiaily over prisoners, to develop. For The sake of the struggie, have the courage to dump arms now,!
BOB PURDIF [(Wurwickshire]
Watch your
language
IN TWO RECENT isues of Socialist Challenge I have moticed the use of language reflecting reactionary maines.
In News from Nowbere February] Issue, you ask for steries
Socialist
Challenge
EVENTS
NORTH WEST
PRESTON Socielist Challenge grou
Cheilenge
Haleny Nodnesday 8p
abitatiecc (near Winlaliwis bus ant
WARNINGTON Socialiet Challange
regel nal
Jong-haired
CUHO S BORsDE
on. and not woied
the wond
Cacalanon or 1ls because it aiso means
"bent' perverted is what hemosesuals ure.
NEUNICS CHAS
NICK HEWLETT (Paris)
The
Jewish
fears
through a
BC-TONT
COCL OT
anti-fascist struggle Or course, aiso for the Jews again After the Second DULCOMC DIaC H
turned to Zionism
Europeali and
HUSEAU-SCEULEL
Jewish COSESLUHE
should say to the
SCL- ASOC
TEVULLLE
and deep fears that still Jewisi conununibes world,
Jewish Socialist Group]
READENS letters to the
Islington, LondonNi 12
BOUFE MANCHESTER
meels eo
-Rd. Hele between 11 30am and Tem
Infamalion fam 081-23
BARLINGION Hock MDOLESBORCUCH Challenge sareh side Boors at Clevoland Centr
GUnHAM Sastelle: Challenpe ous
Tros J Fox.
ing YORKSHIRE
HULL Socimilet Challenge arcup meeting, Wacoeadsy, 7 Mad
about 'a dalek in blue conversing with the computer afier stopping a
person, thes suggesting lat t could be eilher a mun ar g
stopped, hut the IODESTAIECI are unquestionably male; it is only men
for the bourgeoisie, the police und so
The other reactionary linguistic sip IH INUR C RASUR BE CAR gay rights 19 February], where he uses
'straight" SUUCSCEDI heterosexuals. 'Stralghr" Is used bg reactionaries do mean heterosexual
'morally respectable' and is the opposite of
which for them
By poluting this out, 1 de not mean
the content of either of the reactionary, DEL LISI revolutionaries must be careful not to sho inio reachomary awewisuc traps thus reinforcing reuctionary views. BOTH NATIONALEY and in many local areas it is becoming clear that the Jewish community is playing a major part in the anti-fascist movement. But intense criticism of Zionism on the part of the lelt over the past len years has alienated the Jewish community
accomodation between Zionism and Marxiem is out of the question. However, the left has shown a lack of genuine sympathy and understanding for the particular oppression suffered by the Jews, and Talled to realise that racism and fascismn raise the spectre of another bolocaust, bot only for blacks. but
DOW!
World War, the Jewish masses all over the world
largely as a ESPOI C IE LOWPIC BaLUrC DELOL
left to prevent the CEUDUROERUDENE CaS-LO provide an alternative in the fight
Henet LEFE understandable tendency in the
to identify anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, aod the initial reluctance to co-operate with the left in the anti-fascist scruggle - tbough the Jewish response to the Nazi threa! grows ever more militant.
Lf this situation is to be reversed, it ahout, densands a serious atlerapt on tao part of revolutionary socialista to produce a clear analysis of the Jewish question free from oversimplified slogans that
TENDIC complex historical and psychological factors
The socialist alternutive has to be seen in practice to tackle the problems
confront ALESULE the
CLIVE GILBERT (Bury Socialis Challenge Group and member of the
sbould send their editor, Socislist riddent
Challenge. 328/9 Lipper Street,
The sopialist altitude Caninom
dela a from Darü
Socialiet class
iSlring Cartie Barbican Pr surdaya curend
Sociailst on Baudiys SCOTLAND
CHSTT50RE
Destiny
hindered
anti fascist
movement'
I DISAGREE with your assessmenl of the television production
right through [not many, probably] might have ended up attracted rather than repelled by the NF. What comes ucross in the play is a fairly aftractive blend of strengih, confidence parpose HAU DUUSHUET ORHE OSOSI SUE This contrasts of course with the ulter
ness of the other parties. Take the scene where the lor eok 1o the Nation Forward offices to 'confront' them. His whimpering banalities aboet fuirness und decency. pathetic liberalism is met by the down to earth polities of the Cleaver's politics are bused on the "realitles" of the uncie swumped by blacks, the old lady with shit though the door, etc.
What's missing from the play. course is the genuine voice of the letl. Not the scheming cynical corrupt left, like the left labourites in the play. Bat the suthentic voice of the anti-lascis wrkers. The amiy people who could buve fitted the bill the striking workers. WCrE NELOISE One structure of the play, completely marona to lie main action. appearance of the white worker in the Labour Chub making the appeal for money and help, was belated, token and very very confusing. And he only reduced the unti-fascist question to solidarity on the picket line — and white anite and light.
The left in generni has welcomed this TV play as your revicwer did as R ascfel weapon In the anti-fascist strugsle. I think this moay he hased or # misconceptinn of hon we addres wur ideue to the duss. The ideus we present have to he related to the expericoces of the peppic we sr Talking to. Most of the revolutionury left press is related to the experiences only of the small circie of people close to the revolutionary left. Edgar's plas was only intended for an audience of people who wiready had a good understanding of what fascim & all
- Leain said that propaganda & many ideas to Sew people: agitation few Ideas to many people. If chis is so then Destiny was very sabtle propaganda directed to a few people in the know about fascism. If there was say effective agitation in the play it was expressed entirely hy the fuscists who were able, with u few key ideus, to olfer a seemingly plausible world outJook to workers looking for unswers. They spoke to the experiences of the working ciass, The class" understanding of those experiences was wonng of
What the left has to do to change this taise understanding is to stop congratulating ourselves on the excellence BEAIHS propaganda, stop talking in a jargon
secret inaguage •ArIE expressing ourselves in relation to the real experience of the class.
MICHAEL BRYANT [liverpool]
031-346 0468 Dpm Bald
Socialat Challenge activiies, SIT UN POS MUEE CUn..
Counsil. SOUTH EAST
MOTHET pub, COLCHESTER
Angleses Fo, Mivenhor
Sconl:
BRIGHTON
crsdars al Epir
-S.TOLE. CIm SOUTH WEST
butsice
CLAIMS
his
fascists.
The
The truth
about The
black
Spongers
1 LAKD Caldiner's view of The Spongers and the owya delnition bi socalel ar implied in bis letter (16 Februury). *The Spongers", says Gardiner, ends up reconstructing DoIS ToaLe Cno a Doarecols world viow" because the playwright's naturalism' "reality" and dors not alternalive to it, how to fight back cte. The moodof the play is pessimistic out ol which can spring the seeds of reaction.
It ia, bowever, hard to see how Tim Alen's work can be asimilated to naturalismt. Allen, I would suggest, is more in the realist mould than any naturaliain Naturalism turns the historical into the natural: the relations berwoen people have : preordained and dead Lentron ginaben sind donei. creation of men Naturalism deals with meticulously observed detail and surface phenomfeatures or what Tiet behind" coon. li does impressions, The writer is recinced to a mere observer" and not an active
start participant in history.
Jim Allen, on the contrary, by his very cholce of the tifle even, does not merely describe some reality, his is an active intervention
EDINBURGH Saciallat Challenge meetings every socond Wallnasch
12
SUCROELNi Intorssitn abcul
Tennyson Road:
Socialisi Chaiteng APoriher
MIDLANDS TOE oma C
Moscurces Dentiu, Nann
LONDON NEWHAM
WHy can't I come back ak two o'clock on
Wednes day? Because l'u be in the bloody bahamas
on my bloody yacht, that's why I can't come
back at two o'clock on Wednesday
circumstances OBJECTION tp Carl
Zanu reinforcing
expresia is Doarseons which merely reflects esentially judaing by CUBITU
CH OJBLIs
chow typical done. By capitalist
the cuts; intervention
'objective'
SCUTAANPTONSNOUE CAlls meeting - Womic ind with Judith Alkwtight of the stoming commitlee of tho Naticeal Abortiar
meetingg
SWANSEA Socialist Challenge ghut cats cey ailer Wedneade :30pm)/n St Hoens ian, Vincent St.
Comect the
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 2 March 1978 pago 14
D H.S.S
into an on-going political debate. He penetrates the accidental-seeming
and reveals typical 50Ci8 aMs al work - concerned wath unemployment, social security, the role of social workers, Labour councils, and so on from the paint of view of' a working class woman.
Allen argues theough his selection qi circunistances and characters against a prevaiting view of reality which seca, the large proportion. of working people on the dele as lazy or spongers T'has is a laise reality and therefore is ideological He implies quite expoeitly that royalty ae the spongers instead. It is hard to sce low this can reinfonce bourgecis realily
The deaths at the end of the play acre clearly not seen an inevitable. Alleo cleveriy unmasked all che debates and political decisions hased pn Ts cula u bocal goveroment. Obviously many people would think LW CADOUL HRTOTCauCCH loes if alternatives were put forwardin the form of the revolurionary left at a local level, IF Allen's play lad tho effect he desired. It seema very Likely that Allen did have sucoms with the play among the working class
the Sunduy Mall working class Labour supporting Scorrish paper) readers voting it top television viewing for that week.
A socialist art does not necessarily mean the depiction of what could b
showing the effects of policies, Allen surely bolsters the left in their fight against
paves the way foc of revolutionarics socialist solutions, with the effects of hourgeois ideologs dented just a little RON PRATT (Aherdeen]
GREENWICH/LEWISHAM Sucalis
Challange group
For desals ting Rer. 01-650 1:8;
WEST LONDON Soclufia
HARINOEY Spelallet Challange g'nurp
tube. Speaker Geolt Sheridas ten
HAMMERSMITH Socialist Challengs
Page 15 scan of this page
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Page 16 scan of this page
STUDENTS MARCH AGAINST RACISM
Registered with the Post Office as a newspaper, Published by Reigoerest Lid, for Sociulist Challenge, 328/9 L pper Street,, London NI.
quotas imposed on overseas students.
was led by Thames Polytechnic studentsanion. which has been
occupying the college for the
past tortnight.
The demonstration was in apposition to attempts by the Inner London Education Authority to student numbers through quotas oo admissions.
Thames' president John Ford was cheered when he pointed out that the days activities were not an end in themselves, but the first step lolsunching a national campaign against the quotas
Thames will be calling a further national day of action on 8 March in London. For
students union on 01-855 0618.
*Following the dictates ol
"Hammer' MeNee, the Metro-
OUR FUND DRIVE
Scandalous! Outrageoust Un-
have sunk so low? Only E16 canse in last week's post for the Emergency Fund.
We thought it was clear that we were relylag on the maturity and understanding of readers. We did not want wild, sensationalist appeals for money. Were we wrong? We hopenot.
Though we might have to resort to such devices if money does not come in over the next few weeks. We need £3000 by the time the national confer-
enore takes place on 17
supporters takes place May. That nicans we still need E2.800. Local supporters abould organise special drives to raise the money.
London on 22 February in opposition lo the racist
Nutonal chun or Stay the Pola Poled are the
executive demonstration on grants planned for Londonion 3 Merch
The decision without consaltation with the union. exocutive, despite requesta from executive members belonging Student Alliance for such a reeling.
Birmingham Arce NUS opposed the change of venue, t did the SSA and the National Organisation of Internationa Socialist Societies.
Calin Talbot, an SSA member on the union executive, says the Allance has called for "an all out mobiliation Tor Birminghams, but sorganising a massive intervention To expose
Money, money, money...
We need this money not just
most imporcantly to buy a small
weaknesses of the paper has been our failure to produce lots of leaflets, stickers and posters to advertise the fact that we have the best revolutionary paper in Britain.
Without our own pres the cost is probibitive. The money we have to date would hardly cover the cost of a month's
Socialist Challenge
switched
wan taken
for
Socialist
anti-
Nazi
really growth of the One of the support our emergency appeal.
The regular fund drive to
sastain the paper and paint the
Tatlin tower red received a
welcome boost bankers orders.
E138 per month and represent a teal commitment to the future of the paper.
Just over E30 of this total has been collected as port of the
LD journalist. If you want to give as a regular donatioo then fillin the form on this page and send it to Socialist Challenge.
This brings the total to date
in the Tarlin lower fund drive to E987.20. We are now over half way there, target. With the appeal and the fund drive running logether we urye our
supporters to make a special chort.
Our tbanks to the bankers order dobors and tbe following for the eergency appeal:
Nowham Socialis: Challenge Group R. Jones J. Pastors M. Mulvihill
Wellbe
meeting
THE FIRST natiomul Socialist Challenge conference will be an Saturday This -be sapporters of the paper.
Tess than one year ago sales have heen rising locutly and Socialist Challenge groups mushroom-
Journalists
censored
reports
first opportunity
experience.
paper then paper will be open AUDITTEE. comments
from request of These total supporters, regional regionsshould take note.
In Buy but still behind _emergency
LCUISEELE
the month at 25p. donations to che 12p postage.
Name -Address
27 May in Tandon. opes
by Nazis!
soin the.
deleting
Formal
withdrawn
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ing. This conference will be the
for these groups and supporten to meet nationally and debate ouf their
Aspartof the preparation for this conference the pages of the
our MAKE theis on the past and Tuture of Socialist Challenge The North West groups, at the
the Warrington are organising conference. Other
Fall details of the agenda on
conference will be annousced in the next weeks.
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THE SPORTS EDITOR of a North London group of newspapers has been told by management that his attacks on the National Front are 'too provocative', and he has been threatened with the sack, reports GEOFFREY SHERIDAN.
Ken Burgess, aports editor of the Isingion Gazette, Hornsey Joureal and Carden Journal. warned football fans prominent back page article on 20 January: 'Don't be conned
The following week, Burgess wrote a report on the decision of
Anti Nazi League Without any consultation with brilliant front Burgers, group editor Mike Pearce watered down the story,
references to Nazis andthel.eague'saddress
Pearce prompily issued a
warning to Burgess, which the National Union of Journalists both locally and Penree nationally 15 demanding be
The NUl chapel at the North
group has strongly
RUSSIAN
REVOLUTION
1917
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last year agreement on race reporting, including confirination of the union's own guidelines and a
For exposing racism.
Et warthe Hornsey Journal part of the groups which is owned by Heart of England Newspapers Limired which last April published a
page montage denouncine the Nazis.
"We believe there has been pressure from top managenient EVere Stee Father or te Clive Steele, father Islingion Crazette chapel.
'As far as we're conserend. censoring an accurate story on the Arsenal supporters, renderingitinaccurate. it now looks as if we're on the threshold of a major confrontation."
Socialist Challenge
← Socialist Challenge No. 33, 16 February 1978Socialist Challenge No. 36, 9 March 1978 →