women unemployment.
weeks ago, says the same thing. lose.* STEVE POTTER MARY ROCHE and | The modern pD Centre factory was opened only 18 months ago. Owned by Swiss-based company factories in Israel, Italy Switzerland, it was to manufac ture clothing for Marks and Spencer's retail outlets.
closing before workers become eligible for statutory redundancy payments under -TOLELLIN Act's two-year rule.
Mennwhie of course. the firm has taken advantage of grants to the tune of E20 a week and do bei cent of the cost of the £400,000 TWO HUNDRED workers at the Fashion Design Centre clothing factory in Knowsley are occupying against closure. While labour leaders in Liverpool dither, these workers — the overwhelming majority have struck a decisive blow against Everyone in the occupation, which began three 'We have nothing to The workers occupied three ago Stop machinery being off pay company s numerous ors. The workers are Cemanding that, however it is done, all and Jobs are saved in the plant Ward include at a fr Possible demands taking over, which is what they would prefer, or the formation of a workers" co-operative The closure came after a number of lay-offs. A phone call the day the plant was closed was all the notice which the workers received. Afler a mass meeting which unanimously decided to occupy. attended a meeting called by the liquidator in the factory.
The occupation is run strict democratic lines.
FDC struggle: "young women have been the backbone of the occupation:
A ONE-DAY Merseyside general strike on 9 May and women and two men reports back meetings, arranged to allow the pardon. Up to 12 ot the 200 workers attend the meetings Involvement or women with children has been during ine school hoboals as the factory is difficult to reach.
LOLS
moved the undertaken four-hour shifts in credit- bringing their children with Young women have been tbe backbone of the occupation. Many of them volubteer for the 1 Firm night shift.
CRIED While the few young male workers have been to tbe fore in representing the strikers' case outside the factory, they are well aware of the problems.
There is a danger that the workers women might start to see me as La boss', says John chairperson of the occupation committee.
The have to be active themselves. occupation committee of 10| He invited the Liverpoo WELLING LIESS the women occupiers.
difficult CANALS have sometimes a lot of attitudes, 1 heard about would be fine."
security chieis, Who are single NIEVANS *That's why they occupation.
Women's Action Group to visit the occupation to discuss with dale ation committee member, is in no doubt as to how the struggle Harold Wilson. began. "It was what happene at Leyland and Birds Eye whic ACTION gave us a kick forward,' he *We knew we had to take a action.
"The occupation has changed The adds. *Everybody has good points to raise over what we should do.
It's changed my attitude, When unemployment.
the ciosure don't mind telling you that cried. 24 years old, and I cried.' their determined Support for the strike has been mixed. The workers have had sympathy from everyone could car sympathy we the plant Finance is the main problem.
Alter a battle with local social the occupiers SHITE supplementary benefit. Hut not the married women, of course DonationMoney is needed for food and Knowsley bring women workers into the Knowses. Jol McNally speat his own travelling London to see the MP for the Huyton constituency in whichi Now the occupiers want to.see North, Plentiful support has come from stewards at the Massey Ferguson faciory and other plants nearby. the However, others have prefer red to ignore the fight against While the occupiers admit inexperience, they Weare staying for as long as it takes, say chroe young women on the occupation day shill. They bad been in 9am, were leaving al Spin. back shortly before midnight.
It seems a long time ago that managersent used to organise Miss FD' competitions!
FD [Liverpool. Randels Road, Estate, fright Corr Teachers' Elections THE RESULTS of the recent National Union of Teachers executive elections show just why a united, democrtic socialist opposition is needed the present union leaders. WrITES KEN JONES, The far represented solely by Socialist Workers Party member Dick from Inner London. Why is this?
The main reasons stem tom setbacks teachers suffered, and the executive?: Be to mobile natonal Fragmentation of the CIT a0os TO CEL problem.
In Inner London, three left positions: in Outer London, si seals were jus: thrown away bo Although it was clear this kind of result was on the cards as long as there were no united candidates. the Rank and File grouping in the union - led by the SWP: persistently refused to organise a joint election slate with the Socialist Teachers' Alliance.
Dick North, in last week's Socialist Worker, openly knowledged that the Socials: Teachers Alliance Important vanguard force. This new stance could heip create future united action.
Inner London: North (Rank and ELo1623 Richardson wing), 1594; Fisher Teachers 1.376)
Regan (Socialist Alliancel, 732. Leum (Rank and File). 332, Outer London: det: results only) Finch (STA). 259; Foulds (STA), 215; Gerald (RAF). 202 (R&F). Haveock (Workers" Power). 148; Hulborow 188Fl. 136 Manchester Cop Out OPPOSITION is mounting in Manchester to the reactionary campaign being waged by the police under evangelist James Anderton The force's Chief Constable. MARTIN COLLINS reports Anderton's moral crusade says and women who rave the merse to demand aborcion facilities extends to all areas of comccenics life From the pious closure of wil tight chias ut midnight before Good Friday, Anderion's activities extend to