The unofficial strike of 5,200 Times employces in Dundee is over after three weeks. The workers voted to go back and await the result of talks with the management on their E10 wage claim-equivalent to the AUEW national claim -after a returnto-work instruction by the AUEW National Executive.
The strike started when the management responded to this claim by offering a miserable £2.50 across the board. This offer-the maximum under Phase 3-involved the downtrading of skilled men. The impetus for the strike came from the 4,000 women workers who refused to accept this downgrading.
Few Timex wancers ase happy with the outcome of the strike, particularly tance no real gains in terms of money have been made, But aT SCEst the shop Hoos organisation in the too Dundee plants is still solal, and the Timex management has agreed to negotiate on a clam it Tacly refused one month apo These sains have boon won in the face of resistance by the company and ALEW omaab Alter the tirst week of the strike the management threatened to close the two factories unless there was an immedi ate return to work. Faced with this redundancy threat, the workers discusser an occupation of the factories.
The management eventually withdrew these tacats, but only atter they had unco te wilm cooperption of th AUFW at national level, in the shape of a ferter, signed on helsit of Hugh Scantom by right-wing BC member John Boyd. This instructed the All-Winembers to go back, despite the sapport for the strike by the lost ALTM sranch Joyou Royale, the Strike Concuittee Convenor, sud. The 70 shop stewards warted the strike to continue. but we beciuse of the instraction by re ALEW: National Executive, which we arsepted reluctants. We shall continue to ncht 1ris memoured that Scanor cook this action because be is about so do a derl, song with ta: TUC, to bal act the Labour Govertent by actaining Pause 3 forse montle Sunlon syritied at the thouge that forces of Muse 2 e te Funer workers cold become! torn tor odber settiemonts Never let it be said that the Labour