ROY Mason and the British Army last week took on a new role for themselves in the North of Ireland - strike-breakers.
On Thursday, after declaring a state of emereeney. Mason massive scabbing operation in an attempt to destroy the petrol drivers' strike. The previous day the 900 drivers had voted to reject the employers' offer.
Mason invoked the Emer. gency Powers Act, first used during the 1926 General Strike, and in explaining his action the Northern Secretary used words similar to strike-breaking goverment of 1926.
"The action of the tanker drivers is an exercise in cutting our own unroats, vason said. *But it is my duty to ensure that as far as possible the essential province maintained.' Although the argued mal only people and services absolutely essential to community WIll fuel', it soon became clear that Mason's orders were not just to maintain 'essential services' but represented a comprehensive strike-breaking operation. SUPPLIED Thus, those supplied included not just the fire service and hospitals, but all governLICHL CHESTUECS what their job was — as well as all Dus and airport workers. 'those on consular duties' and even broadcasters and journalists'.
These wide-ranging Tures proved enough to force the tanker drivers back to work and at the weekend they voted by a two to one majority to call off gOvernment But if the defeat of receive drivers is one of successes Roy Mason has had, it has further discredited him all but "loyalist' minded people.
Not surprisingly the Official Unionists declaration of emergency but reaction from other quarters who were to was angry.
petrol Seamus Mallon reformist Social Democratic and Labour Party summed up no matter the feeling of many when he said, allowed right-wing Loyalists in 1974 to topple the administration is now using the industrial stoppage' Mallon added, has extended attitudes industrial relations'. the The emergency the few was also THOSE the 'welcomed" the "acted precipitately.
ALLIES TGWU refused to Labour government John power-sharing drivers' break a genuine them to return to work.
KN21 British troops engaged in scabbing operation Socialist Challenge 18 January 1979 page 7