THE DISPUTE at Lesneys in North eas London is, on one level, a straightforward conflict between workers and managemest. The company won't honour an agreemest to pay time and a third to electricians worki shifts. Electricians only working the worst day shift found themselves locked out.
Like most disputes, it is important to win, not just for the immediate monetary gains, bur also because that strengthens the workforce in the future. Nowhere is this more true than a Management have all too often played - and in the past they have This time management must have by ine unlly and When an Engineering Union member was work a machine repaired by a scab ASTMS supervisor, the foundry and fettling sections immediately came out. And they also took up the electricians demand for time and a third for all shift To get the AUEW back management have precedent *They have paid strikers their full money, and this includes shift premiums, to get them back to work. For a company to pay out so much for workers being on strike must mean they are in Senior Steward Management have not helped their case by this action. The AUEW will not work machines repaired by scab labour and eventually the machines will grind to a halt. And, of course, the electricians are now also demanding wages for the time they have been out. The transport drivers are refusing to cross picket lines and the only way management can get the factory fully functioning again is to talk dispute is vitally important for the whole Hackney area. Being one of the few large companies left with a history of weak union organisation, it is important that this dispute is labour NOVCHEERI has As Tony Fairey says: 'It's incredible, I've never yet in all my years come across such We've had support from Hackney and the socialist movement in Hackney. British Oxygen workers • to Lesneys), in particular Micky Boulter, TGWU Secretary, have been a 'Not only has Micky raised funds, but the amount of hours he has put in is tremendous. He has aised with the stewards all hours of the day and night. I can't give enough praise for the When you see the actions of BOC you know just what the labour And Micky Boulter, the convenor of BOC, committee, and the Hackney Trades Council, certainly do know what it's all about. It's about showing the bosses, not only at Lesney's, but everywhere, that the struggle working class is the Tony Fairey is under no illusion as to why they have received the support they have: It's because these people believe in the struggle of the workine class. It's realv as straichttorward as that. They are so involved with the struggles They support people who are fighting to pay the bill; to pay Hackney BOC are an example for the whole Whatever the outcome of this dispute at Lesneys (and the signs are thai the electricians are in a very strong position), with the strength of BOC workers and Hacknes Trades Council around them, they will live to fight another day. The days of management's 'divide and rule' are clearly numbered.
STOP PRESS: Victory at Lesneys on Tuesday morning. Management concede the end of nighi shift working and make ex gratia payment ol £1,500 to share between the electricians.
Socialist Challenge 18 October 1979 Page 9