Average is mythical | IMGpapers 1976

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argument reflected a still as '38. Now you are acquaintance be institutions the ruling class *the whole The dangers of blaming setbacks without misleadership which on workers politics is reduced to a working class Tuesdays. Contact Micky on 605052 NOKWICH socialist Challence sale marks and bookstal Thursdays at market and bookstall nursdays University of East Anglia COLCHESTER Socialist For details TOWER HAMLETS Socialist VALTHAM FOREST paper sales eve Effice. He St, Walthamstow. London STOVE HAMLETS Socialist Chal(phone 24 2717 for detairs, meets ever fortnight ENT supporters sell every Satu 30pm, at Kilburn Sq., Kilburn F tube. Balham Also on bookstalls outside Oval tube Herne Hill BR. and at Shepherds newsagents, Braganza St SOCIALIST CHALLENGE SCHOOL OU The trade unions and Eastern Europe Sun 18 Feb. 10-1: What policy for the yenn s Minnerup)

London N1. Adm. 50p IN your feature on the NUPE claim (18 January) you use the concept of the average wage to justify the claim. This is misconceived for two reasons Firstly, because it sets one group of workers against another — it's really another case of the special pleading which you rightly criticise. Secondly, it betrays an uncritical approach to official statistics, which we must remember are never ideologically neutral - for example they tend to lump community rather than clarifying class divisions.

For the statisticians it is never a question of workers and capitalists but of at least five distinct 'socio-economic groups. The idea of the average wage is particularly misleading because it hides the fact that, as there are a small number on very high pay and a large number on low pay, the average will always be higher than most people earn.

The left must justify the wages struggle on other grounds than comparisons with some mythical average. GEORGE GRIME (Uxbridge)

HACKNEY Saturday, 12-2pm SUDDOnerS in Kingsland Hi Daistor Sainsbury's.

HACKNEY Socialist Challenge supciosures in Hackney.

Jon Duveen (Hackney NUT).

LONDON Socialist Challenge benefit for the Fund Drive with Ox • MOrOnS. Tues 13 Feb T30-11.300M at North London Poly Ladoroke house annexe. monour W LONDON socialist Challena with speaker fron Movement: ue 6 Feb, 7.30pm, at St Anne's H (off lapham High St Nearest tube Clapham Comm PADDINGTON /N KENSINGTON Challenge group meeting bernacie, Talbot Ra. (Powis Sq.) reb, 8pm

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