weeks. * Local officials of the Iron and credibly there are 28 separate branches of the ISTC at the works) approached the craft unions for a joint approach to the British Steel Corporation to reopen the works without the Wisely, the craft unions rejecled the call, but nonetheless the ISTC went on to approach Frank Chapple, general secretary of the clectricians union, who hasrefused to recognise the strike, and the BSC to seek their approval.
The corporation must take some action to bring people back to their senses*, said Bill Sirs, General Secretary of the ISTC. And to make it perfectly dear that he did not mean the action from the BSC should be to meet the strikers' claim he added that he hoped the electricians would have thecourage to go back". * The British Steel Corporation itself issued a statement that: "the recently announced E835m The 560 electricians on strike at the Port Talbot steel works in South Wales have had the book thrown at them over the last development for the works had been postponed due to the i strike'.
Of course, any stoppage at the works would delay the development programme, but the BSC's hollow statement was used by local political pimps to get on the strike-breaking band* The TUC Steel Committee, suitably encouraged by Bill Sirs (again) also issued i strongly worded warning to go back to work. The strikers according to inese bureaucrats were nod "heroes" and banged out the same pro-boss warning that there would be repercussions throughout the industry if the BSC were to grant their ciaim. * Local media contributed their penny-worth leaturing thousands of tonnes of steel coil being imported from Europe to break the strike. (BSC have reputedly paid out over E40m for these imports).
CDC reporter major article on the effects on the local community — or to be and more precise local businesses. This blitz of strike-breaking propaganda has not been withSInE out effect on the strikers. Last week the strikers voted to invite Bernard "Back-Stabber" Clarke, the local EETPO official who withdrew all union support on the first day of the strike, to produced a address a mass meeting this Wednesday.
But the stewards committee STRIKE SHY - that is the only way you can describe the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation BISAKTA), the union to which the Greenwich steel workers belong.
Until the 1970's the union had been involved in no official strike of any significance since the General Strike.
Ever since its Jormation ar BISATA in 2919, through the firsion of 14 or so craft unions, extreme righr ming of the fadour movement. One of their two sponsored MPs was right-winger Eddie Gripaths, MP for Sheffield Brightside before he war thrown out by his constitwency party and replaced by has remained and bold tactics.
Joan Maynard the union. (formerly 1926 lazure of the remarkably strong in the face of the universal hostility they have encount ered from the union and BSC bosses. They have conducted the strike in an openly democratic way. Given that there bas not been a strike of electricians in the plant since the early 60s, SCB. they have put forward inventive The same mass meeting which The last General Secretary of Jai Devies, sade Sir Dai by labour lead Ted Heath for services to trade unionism. And today '3s general secretary, Bill Sirs, is described as the Yairest union leader o union.
The reasons for the bockHardnear af the ISTC le in the see halen tself — particularly the senior from the ity sportem. There is ло common rate of poy in the steel industry. sible Jobs through experience, and every job has its own rate.
This herarchy in the work place is carried through into the union structure, where branches based on shops or work processes leads ta branch offic als tending to be the more voted 1o hear Clarke also accepted a proposal for lying pickets of local steel works.
So this week coachloads of strikers werescheduled to picket the massive Lianwern plant near Newport, and the Trostre and Velindre works, west of Swan These aggressive tactics are the only way that the strike can remain solid. The active, if senior' workers Ar a consequence the right relied upon the privileges of the senior men to maintain their base in the union - thir and the lack of democracy in the One of the favourite methods of the union lender. ship for stifing ary opposition to its policles is the explusion of THRINTS ON WADI IVOLTS inion. Only she a soppage of work, and it has the power to ciose or suspend any brunch where it feels it "necessary or expedient in the Inzerests of the Confederation' And what of the "new jook" which But Sirs har brought the anion - for the first time in the ISTC's history an marinal conference has been won, but belated, participation of more and morestrikers is the best way of uniting the strike.
If this strike is defeated it will be a major step backward for all steel workers and those who have everything to lose by the continuation Contract policies of this Gorcrunent - and that means every worker.
delegates are on the benis of one per 1,000 members.
Sirs is quite happy to threaren unofficial strikers under the some ruies through which his predecessors expelled mem bers. And Sirs is guine intent on continuing the defence of the Social Contract which is or lacking fis members standards The only way any 'new loak' will be given to the /STC is through a campaign for demo cratic comral of the union by the membership, against Sir and Co's policies of The BSC wall strive to keep the sipe wis as they are -collaboraing with the bosses. The Greenwich oceuparion ha shown thor the Special Branch and Econorsic League are o too willing to help then pur.