Against the background of increasing discontent and struggle against the Social Contract, the courts have stepped in to reinforce the Labour Government's attack on wages and living standards as resistance to these policies grows.
Court orders have been used to legally enforce the wage controls which the Social Contract was supposed to have imposed purely on the basis of the collaboration of the trade union leaders. challenged. Court orders have also been issued to break NOW.
the actions of students and workers against cuts The Labour greater use of the courts through its Criminal Law Bill, which seeks to make occupations a criminal offence. The Government is flaunting the opposition to this measure, expressed by both the Labour Party and the TUC The bosses have never been reluctant to settle disputes with workers through the courts. reluctant to back up court decisions in their favour by using the police force, or even the army Strikers at Windscale nuclear plant ended their bitter seven week dispute over pay last week under the threat of the use of army and airforce, ready to lift supplies and scabs into the plant.
The responsibility for this lies not employers, but firmly in the hands Secretary.
CONTEMPT FOR DEMOCRACY Just as serious as organisations to rely on the Courts is similar actions by the right wing inside the labour movement. Calling out for "freedom', the right wing has shown complete contempt for any real democracy. Where they are unable to get their ideas accepted through democratic discussion, they call in the law.
Labour leadership intenterence still not held its meeting holiday leave to protest against cuts because of General Secretary Drain's instructions against strike action. each of these cases, the fundamental democracy of the workers movement is under challenge. Where court orders are complied with the ability movement to resist future use of the state is weakened The fight for workers democracy goes hand in hand with the task of organising a socialist opposition capable of leading the fightback against the Social Contract. Without a united and confident workers movement, the courts will continue to step in to play the role which the Labour bureaucrats are unable to do But the Pentonville 5 showed the real character of the law. In the midst of spreading strikes, it took the Law Lords less than a week to throw their writ to the wind, and free the cockers determines whether the law is enforced. It is time to turn the tide against the law which attempts to shackle the that collaboration is being Government is now laying the basis for only with the willingness of far-right has capitulated court The Newham North East Labour Party has Some NALGO workers took of the entire labour workine class which