La liar.
The firefighters" dispute is a decisive test for Labour Government. The Liberal Party -has indicated that if the Cravernment gives way on the 10 per cent guacime toea sne aas bruc Loo Lah pact are numbered. however much the 'special case' argument is used over the Geblers the Cabuet knows that a defeat for them at the hands of the COWA WIL HING IHE NEUE HUIL EET other workers to push ahead with TEI CIHUS WITA CEreT EEc ay guidelines.
Local government manani workers will see anything gained by the firefighters which is over 10 per cent as the go-ahend for cheir demand for a E50 minimum wage The ambulance workers are preparing their claim for December and will likewise be looking to the FBU outcome. Most decisive of all would be the impact of a victory oo the miners E135 claim, now oo the table with the rejection of the productivity ballot.
Merlyn Lhe wizard 8s Stratheylde firefighters call him, realises what is involved. Which is why - while admitting the FBU has a strong case — he is willing to make an example of them, and to And saaction death and arson in the fireAVOID CONFRONTATION To date the Governtent has been forced by wichin the labour movement to try to avod oren contronesciot wil the firefighters. While hints have been dropped he has appeals from some Tories for an nil-out assault on FBU picker lines But the political importanoe of the strike, as well as the industrial properly under threat of fire, has not ruled our such- possibeliries Already, Roes has added to 11,000 troops deplayed, by calling up 132 specialiste, These new scabs into 13 cities throaghour the Indicates that Rees isn't and breaking of strikes.
was hoping to avoid.
INTEN Tilbury B power ADTESTEE had disappeared.
LOSLT recantions ngainst suc there are reporls scene of fires meredy concerned with property, and thar mery arm of the State is gaining experience in both the supervision Invitaby these State forces have caused the type of conflicts Rees Last week CALTOS the station fire daiming that 12 FBU emberi were trapped in the flames. When the pickets returned a foam tender power Some fire scations have taken raids. overthrow wenty-four haur pickets ba been mounted at fire stations, anc Vol The disappearance of such essential parts come of fire engines as steering wheel and batteries. But by tbemscive the pickets carnot be expected to maintain an effective defenc. The best way to guard against raids by Ihe State Jonces is cbe occupations
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 24 November 1977, pages
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Merlyn Rees- said on television last week that the Government is after 'neither victories nor defeats'. He is