THE FORD strike is in its eighth week and the Ford strikers have become the shock troops in the battle for free collective bargaining (pre-tax Since Monday, all Ford factories in Europe have been at a standstill or on short-fime working, thanks in part to the solidarity of dockers in Britain who nave stopped all rord smpuients.
OFFER The company was forced to double Colas its first offer of five per cent on basic rejected the so-called earlier this month, Ford replied that it was prepared to diseuss the unions' would opposition to the penalty clauses that were linked do the offer.
Ron Todd, negotiator, has replied that the unions are only prepared to negotiate on the full claim.
Yet just as the possibility of a strong united and generalised offensive on pay was emerging from other sectors workers, a silence has enveloped the Ford strike.
are The regular Tuesday shop stewards meeting at Dagenham was a very quiet arrair last week. minutes, the platform simply proposed some arrangemen to ugen up on picketing. whom The press and TV, which had tried to Said branch mobilise Ford wives against the strike, *Four and suggested the votes were lixed at the mass meetings, has become silent on Ford - turning their attention instead return io work Like the mass media, writes happening.
Al the Dagenham chiefs and embraced by the Communist *final offer' Despite left-wing chief union play the 'special case' card.
REWARD
Sid Harraway. put their The Ford Over in less than 45 drive to spread the Ford strike:
with workers already on strike. * In particular, to campaigning for the bread strikers to the union proposed eatersure wen aware or me dancer ol strikes spreading and they have done everyting m wei power to stop us next November mass meeting. basis argued for the pad claim on the COmpany S profits.
Presumably Transport Union members at Leyland shouldn't get wage rises because BL's profits are so small.
Certainly that is the thinking of the their sist Party.
articles in the Morning Star, party members at BI have been doing their best to contain action (see article on this page) and those at Ford have been concerned to Body plant chairperson at Dagenham, position in a full-page interview in the London best to our lads are looking for is a reward for the success of the company,' he argued. any decision Workers Group has consistently fought this 'special case negotiate pleading. What's needed now is a clear Sending flying pickets to workers with claims pending to encourage them concerned. to struggle alongside Ford workers.
joint demonstrations mobilising Ford
de FORu dente. 1967 Inge Lir pour fatal can all: gong they say it