'FOR defence of a 100 per cent closed shop and for sanctions to be applied against any individuals breaking the closed shop' - - that's how point two in the Rank and File Code of Practice reads, and iwo local newspaper disputes currently taking London are giving a practical example of just how important the closed shop The first members of the National Union Journalists employed by the Stratford Express and the Greater London and Essex Newspapers Group (GLEN).
For some time journalists on the Stratford Express have enjoyed what are among the best pay and conditions in the local newspaper industry.
Earlier this seven-week strike against threatened •won a promise or a guaranteed staff level of 35.
Shortly. arterwaras ine war take sure or has and workers. conditions than their counterparts on the Express. Since the been remain unfilled.
to resign from the NUJ.
place house involves June union general relatively successful members.
takeover that if any and 'abusive the workforce will be sacked.
The crunch came when management started moving non-union staff into the Express and encouraged three senior members of the editorial staff notice.
These moves were a direct breach between the union and management, a clause of which guarantees the closed shop.
NUJ.
This clause has been described by secretary as major breakthrough', and there is no doubting the connection between this 1974.
closed shop agreement and the other good conditions Stratford Express workers in the past.
NUJ members employed by the Express and GLEN groups have been on 'official strike since 4 July. Eight union members have now been issued with High Court libel writs arising out of strike bulletins issued by the union Management has also threatened Corner strike vulctin entire unionised The other, London newspaper dispute involves the Camden anc Hornsey Journals whose staff have been given the go-ahead by the NUT executive to issue a 28-day strike Again the clash is over a threat to closed shop, caused decision of one journalist to leave the The individual question, Peter Brown, has a history of hostility to the union, having scabbed during a strike involving another newspaper in Hornsey Journal reporter Sue Landau told Socialist Challenge the issues involved: 'If we lose the closed shop we stand to lose money, jobs and everything trade unionism is about.
'Our chapel has not lost a single job in six years, and we were one of the first to take a stand against racism in the media - that's an indication of our strength, and that is what is now threatened.' From both disputes the message is the same: the union keeps us strong, and the closed shop stronger still.
1 so con the 72, For, Rank and File Code of Practice: 75p per 100, inc. postage, from Defend Our Unions, 265a Seven Sisters Road, London, N4.
THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE THIRTY YEARS ON you can't have it i you let them eat it NUJ is again celet col the union seven-week provincial so cott Canic! tutional'.
strike, the strike.
'as a On another crucial aspect of trade union strength, the right to strike, the being treated to foretaste of the Tories' policies - the Last week in the Appeal Court, was told that the strike by local and newspaper journalists this yea! 'unconstiThis ruling, by Lord Denning, is in defence of journalists in Coventry and Birmingham who scabbed on the who have since been disciplined by the union.
Denning, supported by two other appeal judges who sat with him, told the NUJ that according to its rule book a ballot should have preceded General secretary Ken Ashton said that the union regarded the decision threat the traditional democratic and hard-won right of all and their resort to strike action if necessary'.
Denning's thinking is, of course, in close record with the other Tories now in government.
HEALTH