stepped up their campaign.
STEVE 35-hour week.
During the three day week in the winter crisis of 1973/74 workers discovered something totally new It was not just the impact of the oil crisis, nor yet the revelation that workers could change governments through could mean to have four full bass or seisure in a working week.
busnite reduced wage nack. ets this came as a revelation to many. developed: and friendships made. The great eyents coie on could be discussed fully and nol meres for Uve moore: around the television Few workers actually enjoy their work process. In is either actively disliked or at best tolerated, This is not because poople are inherently lazy. The fact that many employ their leisure time in gardening. making music, Improving their homes which under other circumstances are people's jobs goes some way to showing this.
Itis not work which is alien, but the circumstances under which the mass of people are obliged to wark. produced and how produced is determined by the bosses drive Tot prolits.
Wage lahour is not satisfaction of a need, but ibe way in which we can find the wherewithal to satisty other THE POST Office engineers" fight for the 35-hour week is a life or death struggle to defend jobs in their industry. But that was not the only reason given by delegates at the POEU conference in June which High on the list was the need to harness new technology in the interests of the workers; to provide increased time for education, culture and polities.
POTTER continues our series on the food, and leisure. 'Living So the demand for the shortened working week withcut loss of pay can be more than a defensive tactic to save jobs. It can be part of a strueale Tor greater control over bow life is lived — challenging the which exercises over both work and SEISUTLE But this is not the only benefit. Much work is being LETE done to counter the effect on workers bealth and safety of modern industrial conditions.
If combined with a campaign to raise basic wages to curb overtime, the beneficial effect of the shorlened working week on health and safety can be more than proportional to the cut in hours.
In the carly days of the workers moverent the demant for theshortened working week was never moved purely from economic considerations. The object was as much that the working class could start to develop themscives as an acrive cultural and political force in society.
More time off from work it is means time to develop the and use the sense which work stifles LOE frustrares, time for more of l to organise for a saner society where the right ourselves is guaranteed the fight has to go on.
The Department of Employment has refused to release details of the document to date But its main lines are clear.
jected and instead rejected and hours conceded, but this will be in two stages. has to be within the terms of the Government's new clothing, to no cost to the Post Ultice must be involved and the deal must productivity agreements and more flexible working prac tices.
The most scandalous aspec of the package is a 'clawback" agreement. If the proposed dea does cost the Post Office capital money (they made profits of 10 Coy
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SAD WALLY REVOLUTION! and