Socialist Challenge No. 67, 12 October 1978
The scan: sc-n67-oct-12-1978.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge NOW LET'S PAY POLICY
Ford
and British Oxygen
smash
5% norm Photo: G.M. COOKSON Socialist Challenge
GIVE
KILL THE
Langley Assembly Plant
No.67 12October 1978 15p CONG
Page 2 scan of this page
government has
OUR POLICIES 2
EDITORIAL
Sitoriat 0-359 8180/9. DistribUtion/ Aerising 07-309 Challenge,
Callaghan in
Wonderland
THE DECISION of the managements at Ford and British Oxygen to disregard the government's 5 per cent norm reflects the change in the political situation in Britain as more and more workers reject ine austery Donces or canana.
even partial victories at Ford and BOC could open the floodgates. Will Callaghan and Healey proceed to smash public sector strikes, as they defeated the Fire Brigades Union last winter? This is certainly what Healey threatened in a TV interview. Callaghan promised further unemployment. are not piddling little firms. Sanctions against BOC would be unacceptable to the British capitalist class as a whole because of the effect on the economy. sanctions imposed by the Labour government have been against employers breaching pay guidelines. Contrast this with the lax approach Zimbabwe! will ensure Labour's defeat at the polls. So the Labour leaders contront a severe dilemma. Iney reanse tar capitanst mterests will be damaged without a pay policy. The only way of inflicting one, nowever, is to unleasn a trontal assault on the trade unions. This will lead to certain defeat at the polls.
But they cannot totally disregard feelings at the base. Moss Evans government has theirs. ' What this means is: we have to defend our
standards and the unemployment, cuts in social expenditure, etc. And never the twain shall meet? today cannot simply be confined to demanding higher wages. It has to involve a struggle against the overall priorities of capitalism. The TUC will not do this, however. It regards itself as a pillar of the system.
possible alliance of class struggle forces in the trade unions. Here lies the urgent necessity to convoke an emergency joint conference of the Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions and the Rank and File Organising Committee to discuss the way forward for the working class today. The vote against the 5 per cent policy at the recent Labour Party conference lays the basis for involving the Labour Party on every level in such a conference. important time for the British working class. For four years we had experienced a number or dereats and demoransing sen-outs. the Ford insurrection has laid the basis for transforming the situation. claims of public sector employees to demonstrate that its iron fist
a crucial task.
Hua in London
though a meeting with Thatcher is likely.
Street and the Foreign Office are concerned.
ask questions which no Fleet Street paper would have posed:
Why is Pinochet due to visit China later this month? Chinese cities?
How many going to be publicly tried?
large groups of Chinese merchants?
Tory government? and other questions can be posed.
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Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page 2
What will the Labour leader do now? All the indications are that
Of course Labour could impose sanctions. But Ford and BOC
. It is worth recalling that the only real
to sanctions against the white settler regime in
What is beyond dispute is that a repeat of the FBU performance
The trade union leaders will naturally help as much as they can. tries to soften the blow by saying: We have our job to do and the
government has to introduce
The whole point is that defending the interests of trade unionists
How can we shake this pillar? By organising the broadest
The struggle of the Ford workers has come at a crucially
It is quite likely that the government will try and smash the has not gone rusty. Thus a joint LCDTU/R&F conference to launch a fight in the labour movement against the reactionary social and economic policies of the Labour government is now
THE CHINESE Foreign Minister, Huang Hua, is in Britain this week. Rumours that he will be attending the Tory Party conference in Brighton have been strenuously denied by the Chinese Embassy,
The main reason for Hua's visit is to cement links with capitalist Europe, develop further trade links, encourage tourism, etc. The cold warriors in Britain will be delighted by the visit, and we doubt whether the cause of Chinese dissidents and 'human rights' will feature prominently in the British press. For the Chinese support NATO, and that makes them immune from criticism as far as Fleet
It would appear that no press conference is being organised by the Chinese Embassy or the Foreign Office for the distinguished visitor from China. We were certainly intending to go in order to
Are executions of oppositionists still continuing in a number of
political prisoners are there in China? Are the Chinese Trotskyists and a number of former Red Guard leaders
Why has the Chinese government been defending the rights of expropriated Chinese capitalists in Southern Vietnam? Does it think these expropriations were 'unfair"? If so, why did it not protest when its Cambodian comrades-in-arms simply butchered
Does the Chinese government still believe that Britain needs a
We will now have to wait for another opportunity before these
Socialist
said No
WHEN the government and the TUC get together for chummy little talks, they will deeply the 'problem' of the low paid.
Public Employees' representing the local govenment manual workers, whose present basic pay is £42.80.
The National Union OT Public Employees set out its policy in a document passed at
conference called *Union Wages Strategy 197879'. It outlines in detail the problem of low pay for NUPE members.
Since 1970 the gap between the average earnings for local authoritv manual workers and those of all workers has increased from £5.60 to €12.06.
The report points out that previous attempts to get rid of low pay through productivity schemes, particularly as champoined by the 1960s Prices and Incomes Board, has failed to
Causs. principal cause of this low paid position is the existence of low basic rates' says the report, and concludes that the only solution is a decent basic minimum wage - ol t00 35 HOURS
Secondly, it argues that a 35hour week, without loss of pay, is 'essential it the trend of losses in job opportunities in the public SCIVICCS be reversed'.
These two planks of NUPE's wages strategy have now been incorporated into a joint claim With the and T&GWU.
Fourteen pages of detailed analysis are needed to arrive at this conclusion. Onlv on its final page does the report outline the campaign'
This comes down to three
One, building mass support. amongst NUPE's membership for the campaign, through leaflets, posters, and a series of mass meetings prior negotiations.
SUPPORT
Two, building support in the
wider labour movement, and getting motions to TUC and Labour Party conterence
class.
revolutionary socialists are
* To build broad-based class
Such an organisation should be based on the understanding that:
necessary means the power of the capitalist state.
FORD WEEK THREE
Public employees' wage claim
Now that the
doubtless consider
RICH PALSER looks at the wages strategy of the
Union, the major union
in support of the campaign.
Three, building support among pubnic anG linking the elimination of low Davto me arternalive cconome strategy supported by NUPE.
ACTION
Anese steos are or course essential preparation But preparation for what? Having got the membership fully behind the claim, what are they being called upon to do? Having got through branches and stewards committees workers in other industries, what else are they being asked to do? When it comes to the crunch ane une governmen refuses to meet the claim, what
This is not answered in the document, mainly because the union leadership hoped that it would never come to the crunch Carnivalcutnumberstolittlemorethanahundred.
Capitalism is in crisis. The leaders of the Labour Party and the trades unions offer solutions that are in the interests, not of the workers, but of the capitalist Socialist Challenge believes that the two vital tasks confronting
struggle tendencies in opposition t class-collaborationism in the labour movement. These should be non-exclusive in character grouping together militants holding a wide range of political views. * To begin to fight for the creation of a unified and democratic revolutionary socialist organisation which can, through an application of united front tactics, begin to be seen as an alternative by thousands of workers engaged in struggles.
The struggle for socialism seeks to unite the fight of the workers against the bosses with that of other oppressed layers of society black people, gays — struggling for their liberation. This socialism can only be achieved by creating new organs of power and defeating with all
- that the government would
persuaded to 'change Now that it is clear COUrSC they will not, the union leadership has asked area and divisional committees to draw up contingency plans.
So what should those plans contain?
Firstly, it's clear that the local authority manual workers' claim sets the pattern for ancillaries, nurses, Walel workers and the various other claims pending in the pudic sector.
United action bv all those workers behind the local authority claim is the best way to win a decent settlement for
Secondly, it's clear that even Ford workers need the so learly or omner workers to win, and for the public sector that is doublv the case. hal support will not be won unless pubne sector workers are veng seen to be taking strike action on their own behalf.
SOLIDARITY
But having taken that action, members need to go out in flying pickets win NUPE Low Pay Rally in London on 24 September was hardly built at all, and the clash of dates with th in the eyes of the millions of workers throughout the world. We are opposed to them and will offer full support to all those fighting for socialist democracy.
3
imperialist regimes in the West and the brutal dictatorships they sustain in Latin America, Africa and Asia. from Ireland and letting the Irish people determine their own future
4
are more favourable than over the preceding three decades. But such parties car only he built by rejecting sectarianism and seeing internal democracs not as a luxury but as a vital necessity. This means the right to organise faction and tendencies
solidarity action from other workers.
When the nurses last went on strike they were able to win solidarity action from -DOn caster busworkers, Liverpool ana Manchester dockers, Midlands engineering workers, and the South Wales miners.
Thirdly, the nurses were able to do this because they were organised so as to involve the whole of the rank membership during the strike.
ACHON •countees ing members of all the unions in one area were able to organise teams of flying pickets, and all ship was put to good effect in finding better tactics to win the strike.
Pay Action Committees are needed now in every area, made of all up of representalves workers affected by the claim.
Without these steps all the Posters and all be waste becausethey willinot be Pay Rallies turned into an aclIve fight against low pay and against the government. OEH
JSSC Our socialism will be infinitely more democratic than what exists in
o not take up arms against the socialist state. The Stalinist models 'socialism" in the USSR and Eastern Europe have discredited socialism
The interests of workers and capitalists are irreconcilable on a world scale. Capitalism has not only created a world market, it has created world politics. Thus we fight for working class unity on an international scale. This unity will in the long run be decisive in defeating both the
In Britain it implies demanding the immediate withdrawal of British troop
The Communist Parties in Europe are in crisis. either th •Euro-communist nor the pro-Moscow wings have any meaninglul strategy for the overthrow of the capitalist state. New revolutionary socialist parties are more necessary than ever before. Conditions today
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'I say I'm employed by Ford - they pay every week'
6 Coin ar sik o doce
hardship for the families. ГТОВ
woman's point of view, my first
reaction was one of fear
knowing what was going to
happen or how long it will go on
for. But my attitude is that we
sufffer a bit now to get what we
wan, nor just give up as times
are hard.
Once we've claimed off the
DHSS we'll have £36.95 to live
on, with three kids to care for.
But I don't think that the men
should even consider striking
unless they are going to stay out
until they win.
My
started over a year ago when the
mcu al Lanzicy wercae or
joined the picket line then,
which was demanding 80 per
cent lay off pay - that's still
part of the current claim.
We set up the Ford Langley
Action Committee, but we ran
into trouble almost straight
away.
DERROUND
The union said it would kick Chal out anyone who was in
body that wasn't part of the COOKSON [Socialis union. And as Langley closed shop that would have meant the sack. So then we had to so unacreroune
There was an incident on the picket line then. I was up there with one or two of the men and
the shop steward said I had to leave as I wasn't a Ford worker.
I said that I was and when he laughed and asked me where in the plant I worked | just polnica out unal 1 work al home, cooking, cleaning and working reay Ford, in my opinion.
At that time they tried to say that wasn t really ine wile or anyone working at Ford. They Bur some or te orner wives up there with a leaflet saying: 'Beware of SInC univers ity" wives on the picket line'
COMMITTEE
Alex got up union meeting and said that 1 was his wile, which put a stoo to that.
They were really scared by having even one wife up there. If masses of us women came
FORD WEEK
Ford worker's wife
JULIE ALEXANDER is determined that the wives of Ford workers should be actively supporting the strike.
The car bosses and the press barons are fond of playing on the hardship strikes cause to families. Julie is quite clear who causes the hardship in her family.
Bingley really ally
Is a out and marched to Downing for Street in support of the strike then they'd De terrified.
You see. Ford government are hoping that the men will be forced back to work by the wives - it's happened before. want to set up a wives committee. I approached the stewards about it, but all they say is wait until next week. But I'm not interested in next week - there'll be no money by then.
There's no money now.
My hardest job is through to the men. approach the wives directly; 1
my wages
Assembly Plant
don't know where they are. All 1 know is that thev are there absolutely behind all the men.
In our leaflets we say that and une wives are invited. We hope that
the men will leave the leaflets lying around at home and the women will see inat
There aren't many wives on the picket line at Langley. But I know that many of them are enthusiastic and supportne strike. 1 gave up my job when the strike started so l could devote all my time tc
getting supporting the strike.
One of the problems is tha many of the workers at Langley
Her husband, Alex, has worked on the assembly line at Langley in Buckinghamshire for 2½ years. Both are active in the Ford [UK] Workers Combine.
Julie spoke to JUDE WOODWARD.
they are of thing.
Last
want They've still
good here either.
him.
person's
oenencary ChesT week sick pay.
And no management tacted him
are Asian. A friend of ours, a veron and right chind the millant person in the strike, when I suggested to him that his wife came along he was quite shocked and said No.
He's Asian and he thinks that
year we went to Amsterdam and met a Ford family. They get better wages -- which go up al the time lay off pay, better holidays.
there, like health and safety which is very bad. But it's not The
Alex has been nearly killed
twice at work. Once when an
enormous truck tonnled ove
off the line —almost on top of
Six thousands pounds
that's the value they put on a
Elle in there It's
nothing, and you only get it if
the man signs the bit of paper
saying his wife should be the
Lots of them don't because
they feel that it's a bit jinxed.
Lots of the women are really
concerned about and
safety. Ford doesn't care at all.
Many of the young men get
infections and the
management doesn't even try
ana nina out why
I know a bloke who's worked
for Ford for 20 years and he's been off now for nine months dying of cancer. He gets f12 a
one from Ford has even con-
getting on. That's gratitude for sce now nec Aid. you after 20 years work
It's hard work at Ford. They blackmail you. If you don't do overtime when they ask you -because your wife's just had a baby or something - then they . never ask you again.
PERMANENT
Most of the men are on permanent shifts. One of the
complaints | hear from the wives that I know
- including myself - is that union the men sleep all evening.
Since the strike, at least Alex is awake in the evenings - we have conversations and argue aboul boles ourmars berte than him just going to sleep.
Pare suffering because of Ford. When the men come un que evenine mose o
the wives get a battering. I think
that's Ford's fault.
Many of the women don' don admiting it iừs women
common. I know what it's all
about. It's happened to
Derore
I'm involved in Women's
Aid. I help run a refuge for
battered wives in Slough. It
opened six months ago. • MILITANT
I've always been a very militant person, when there's something to fight about. I was
militant at school. Once I even brought the school out on strike
you gel older, being married, settled down and at
have to go out and find others who think and feel the same as you do. That's what I've done now - at Ford and at Women's
Finally, on the strike, I think that next week or the week after the unions are going to start talking again When this happens the women have really got to come out in force and show that they want their men lo slay ouL onsuKe
They're depending on the
work. But we'll show them that we're right behind the strike.
We can't depend on the
For the stewards stewards are right behind the
strike as such.
l've said to the men on the picket line, "It's up to you, you're the ones who pay your
ire represen out 5 dues every week. You
I just represent you
Socialist Chalienge 12 October 1978 Page 3
Page 4 scan of this page
PRODUCTIVITY NO TA DEALS FUN
in mind
to the government's pay norm.
ignored.
But Socialist Challenge
apply to staff workers at Ford.
A month ago Ford management and the unions represent-ing stall memoers signca a ten point agreement
-ICH nology.
A clause in the agreement stated that improved efficiency would reflected company's offer in the new round of wage negotiations. In other words, a straight simple productivity deal.
The unions involved are on the Joint Staff National
Why Ford
changed its
mind
DESPITE speed up, attacks on discipline and productivity of the British Ford
workers has not increased at the
rate of Ford workers in other
The Select Committee report on the British motor industry published in 9lo identinea
lack of investment as the chief
cause producuvity
believed that
investment substantially
reases the capital
productivity the British
motor industry will not be able
to equal productivity abroad.'
A report produced by the
Government's "Think-Tank',
the Central Policy
Staff, looked to other causes of
low productivity
particular, work practices and
discipline.
Moreover, the report con-
cluded that if the industry is to
viable there
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page4
FORD WEEK THREE
Ford's prod deal
what they have
UNION LEADERS involved in the Ford strike have publicly stated that there will be no talks in the dispute until management agree to negotiate without reference
By this they mean they will not enter into talks on productivity until, but only until, the 5 per cent law is
can reveal that union leaders have already reached agreement in principle with Ford on one aspect of productivity - how it will
Negotiating Committee. These white-collar unions include the TASS section of the Engineerthe ing Union, tech- ACTSS seculon Transport Union.
JOBLOSS the The agreement these unions have signed reveals the nature and productivity deals massive job loss reduction in the working week.
At first sight the proposals alternative but to cut capacity by at least 400,000 units', at the same time 'overmanning in the British car the industry'.
Taken together, these reports give real insight into what Ford management productivity deal. *A deal based on national targets with local targets to be worked out accordingly. Local line speeds determined on this basis with less rank-and-file 'until CORIOL *Introduction of new tech-
stock, nology, including Bridgend plant being built in South Wales, introduction OE cessing, especially on the staff side.
Review *A major assault absenteeism, action, and union prerogatives; tightening of discipline.
The result: harder greater health hazards, weaker union organisation and no loss.
seem like something out of the
TAPES They come under the heading of the 'electric office', in which there will be no paper work, all intormaton will be storca on tapes, communication between offices will be by visual display units (which means a keyboard and TV screen in each office) and the 'word processing' of the ines will do away with a colossal
amount of secretarial On-line computers will introduced. In time these will be capable of being extended to monitor everything, flow of performance WISE COnLOL.
Computer-aided
equipment will herald in an era
Thepricethe Germanspay FORD love to drone on about the higher German worKers. price do the German workers pay? polnting The following is the accident
rate TOI - ГОГО compared to Ford UK:
Accidents per are after in their worked
Ford Year Germany 1977 23.8 1976 27.1 32.5
DESPITE the appalling safety the new record of the
HOUS industry, and
other companies.
The number accidents per 10,000 employee: that resulted in the employee
against unofficial strike being off-work for at least one
day in 1974 were as follows:
Chrysler [UK]
work,
British Leyland [off for 3 days] job Ford Motor Company
EXCLUSIVE
EXPOSURE
machof technical work.
including agreement sanctioned stock, labour and quality •TO CHUCEs
design redundancy proposals, productivity of But what
last Thursday.
Germany
million SHOUTS
Ford UK 10.9 this category. 14.3 11.0 floor workers Indeed, the Labour
whole British Ford were a unfavourably with the
of industrial Phase 3 norm.
sure *self-financing
110 if they are exactly that.
228
drawing by age'.
Such new technology could Drovision lor if used correctly, benefit the entire Ford workforce. But the machinery
by the unions envisages few benefits In short,
It is true that there is a no . benefit
clause' the but
this time
JOHN MILLER, a national negotiating officer of the Transport and General Workers Union, blew the gaff
Speaking on Thames Television, he admitted that many of the productivity deals he had negotiated in the past pay round were 'phoney', designed to do no more than get around the government's 10 percent limit.
Miller claimed that deals negotiated by the giant BP and ICI companies were among those which fell into
Miller was confirming what many trade unionists and shop
govern ment was aiso periccuy aware that many productivity deals CAL ON
complete sham They designed to save the face of the productivity government and its 10 per cent,
That is why the government will be doing all it can to make
this time around possible productivity be reduced. deals' will only win its approva
enterprise.
This is obvious from the government's secret guidelines on the 5 per cent pay policy, 1 alone
week. нога agreement on 'natural
. Similarly, while there is retraining and upgrading of staff on the new
, there is to be no 1972. reduction in the working week.
the 'new tech- and nology will be of no lasting
to the unions concerned. Eventually 50 to 60 per centofstaff jobswillgo.
They won't be phoney
cent:
that | circulated to civil servants and recently exposed in The Times.
These guidelines are not only
Or the document puts it, a
of last year's rules. stress 1021 whet is increased the extra profits should not all go to those who are responsible for the increased production shopfloor workers: *so far as any
unit should …a reasonable share of the benefits must go to the
The document continues by saying that increased profits
- as al rora
KAL
Need this necessarily be the case. Certainly not
If applied correctly, new technology can be of immense benefit to working people. It can emmate borne. cocuuve work, it can cut the working
But this is not what the unions at Ford have fought for Instead they have agreed to a productivity deal which will amount to a massive reduction
available jobs; and inevitably - more profits for Ford Motor Company.
Productivity Kills 'EVERY day in the US 65 carworkers drop dead at their jobs on COOR reports the CIS Anti Report on
*On average some 16,000 of them die in the plants every year, of whom half have had heart attacks.
"These figures do not include the results of accidents at work on these lines. Added to which are the 63,000 workers with
diseases 1,700,000 with lost or impaired hearing..
•In May 1972, a worker at a Ford engine plant in Ohio fell
death through root. He was the fourth worker killed at tha plant during the first half of
The US Occupation, Safety
Health ruled that the company was at fault in three of the four deaths
Ford was fined $200 for the fourth worker's death.'
justification for a rise over 5 per
*Financial indicators,
such as added value of profits,
or intermediate indicators are
not an acceptable basis for a
(productivity) scheme.
Another gulacine suresse.
promise to increase
productivity by itself
insufficient to qualify for a
wage increase, and that only
after any increase in producti-
will payment be sanct
ioned:
*It must be demonstrated to
be self-financing before any
are made, and
payments should continue only
if regular checks confirm that it
is self-financing.'
In other words, hand in hand
with productivity deals will go a
significant increase in manage
ment policing of workload, in
speed, time-keeping, etc.
The message, then, is one of
government determination that
significant increase 11
workers wages will not come
from the bosses' profits but the
workers sweat.
This time there will be no
phoney productivity deals.
Which is why this time they
must be resisted
Page 5 scan of this page
'honest brokers' to win
Ford-New Zealand style
workers.
be trusted?
The most famous
coined by Henry Ford 1
SLOT Is Ounk. remaos unt
founder of Ford
Company said that because he
didn't want workers to learn
from their history and the past
experience of their struggles.
Workers in Ford UK today
have a lot to learn — especially
about their union leadership -
from the 1971 Ford strike.
MILITANT
Then, as now, the strike was
precipitated by a militant rank-
and-file walk out in response to
an insulting oller irom the
bosses.
neTe was enthusiastic
support for the strike right the
way up to the end of the ninth
week.
But then in stepped the union leadership, shape of
Hugh Scanlon and Jack Jones Above the head of the National Joint Negotiating Committee they agreed to settle for an extra 9p an hour
cement had offered 8p an hour. Nine weeks on strike for a
The NJNC backed the deal after an initial wrangle. Part of this was an unprecedented use than set ballot in hich lese than CCHIL workforce voted.
The result was that the deal was accepted. Yet just one week before, workers at Basildon -one of the weakest plants had voted overwhelmingly to stay out. factories and operations worldGRAEME COOKSON worked in the Seaview plant in New Zealand. He describes what it was like.
The plant 1s situated Petone, a working class district on the north side of Wellington harbour. Built during depression, it is New Zealand's oldest car assembly plant.
wangs strike you on entering the plant: the constant noise and the greyness.
LINE
I was put on the trim line with the job of putting on the pedals.
It my line can be taken as an average, the workforce made up of about 70 per cent Maori and Pacific Islanders. Out of the total about 40 per cent were women.
On Mondays and Tuesdays we had compulsory overtime, which meant working 8am to 8pm, with half hour
FORD WEEK THREE
Remember1971
THE DECISION of the Ford bosses to negotiate without specific reference to the 5 per cent limit gives the victory in the first battle of the Ford war to the
But the eventual outcome of the war is still undecided. The spotlight now falls on the union leaderships. The million dollar question is — can they
ontase The mass meeting had ended
is with Cher negotatol Evans being carried shoulder Motor high by the workers.
So why the apparent change of feeling within a week? There are explanations: involves the union leadership, the other the way the strike was organised. role that leaderships set one of 'negotiation', whether in 1971, 1951, or 1978. Today the union leaderships at Ford have already won all they really ever
negotiate freely.
For compromise and conces sion are the stock in trade of the union leadership. really challenge the status quo, because in a sense they are part of the status quo, capitalist order of things.
They see themselves as the 'honest brokers' workers on the shop floor and management, occasions uke today a unira interest is thrown in -ZOUVCELICHLS In 1971 the union leadership could, in their own terms, point to a victory". Even though that vory was no more man up, l was still a victory because it had been obtained, as they saw it, through 'negotiation'. 1971 the Ford workers were position to resist this deal. was the great strike.
Sane workers
involved in the struggle. Only at Ine last minute cia tne best or rank-and-file These were the only times that we saw the outside.
To save on lighting the roof was made Hallly During the long, hot summer this turned the line into
in greenhouse. Temperatures rose
into the eighties, and tempers oseToO
the Ford management just saw
the workforce as something to be beaten into shape.
The gap between workers and management mous, and deliberately emphasised. The general didn't walk through the plant — he travelled round in a bright yellow electric golf cart.
June 1974 the negotiations were ove union demands were rejected,
was and WC slowed
production. This was followed by meetings, further rejections and further cuts in production. By late August it was clear that Ford was out to break the union. few weeks dismissal notices were issued. On the assembly lines
Don't trust the
MOSS
one
union themselves
the right to
They never
part of the
between the
and
the
realise the problem.
mass meetings was too late. The workers, sitting at home away from their brothers and sisters, had already been 'got at' by the rank-and-file mass media.
in
'stay at home' BALLOT
-were The calling
ballot by the union leadership sealed the fate of the struggle.
leadersnip The discussion on the merits
discussed what to do. agreed to stop work and reject the dismissals. mass tearing up of the notices.
or glass Next morning
LOcked our The management hoped that there would witch-hunt against would pened if chance.
The prime minister died at the same ume and so the rord was enor- lock-out
news.
manager
INTACT wage Three weeks later we were ne back wage hadn't advanced much but at COWT least the union was still intact. The union had to be strong and very militant, not just for the sake of wages and better conditions, but because its own CAISICHCe was
to exploit al y •We destroy the union completely.
MOSS EVANS—snatched defeat from jaws of victory in 1971
But by then the calling of
strike was never held.
A repeat of
the rank-and-file should have been.
secret We
There was a
WC were
be press us. which have hapit hadn't been for
became second rate
negotiations
threatened by
weakness
THE received Ital ITE John workers. of the offer which would have been possible had there been mass meetings throughout the
to halt this 1971 can be avoided today. It is true that so far in this strike there has not been the active involvement of
that there
For instance, Ford workers who are not part of the 'official picket are turned away at the Dagenham picket line. There have been no mass meetings
Convenor scandal
How not
a strike
FUKU workers have SOME magnificent support from the trade union out the country are refusing to handle Ford cars, and many workplaces are already taking collections for the strikers.
Millions of workers know that victory in the Ford strike would be a victory for the entire workers movement. It would bury the 5 per cent law.
But apparently one leading Ford striker does not see things
Davis convenor at the Dagenham plant. He says he is solidly
behind the claim for £20 now
But Davis is also a Barking Councillor, and when he wears that hat he is not so fond of representing workers' interests.
He is currently opposing a bonus claim by council building
The claim would amount to a maximum of £10 a week, but the figure would be lower for many workers and some woulan t benent al all.
The building workers are now on strike in support of their
since the strike began.
But it is bv no means too late
process. Whatever Evans and Duffy 'negotiate' rank-and-file workers at Ford need to insist that it is they who will decide, and it is they who will direct the struggle.
CONFERENCE
After all, whatever Evans and Duffy agree to won't make one iota of difference to their Tongan workers - Islander community is mass cheap labour reserve for firms like Ford
demands, and John Davis, as vice-chairperson of the build
WOrKS committee, has placed himself firmly on the wrong side of the picket line
SCABS
He has gone on record as opposing any concession to the strikers, and there is a suspicion that Barking council has even brought scab labour to undertake repairs.
The only defence Davis has offered is that 'you can't compare a giant multi-national company with Barking Coun "True
-or not, you compare building workers with Ford workers both have suffered a decline in real wages in the last couple of years, and both are right to struggle to reverse that.
John Davis should do the building workers and the Ford workers a favour - and decide which side of the class divide he wants to stand.
pay!
Specifically, as far as the present dispute is concerned the Coventry stewards conference should be recalled
The conference in June • wich ormulated Ine claim provided for its recall to discuss
PrOTO make. The stewards would then be in a plant by plant mass meetings.
This time the union bosses must not be allowed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page5
Page 6 scan of this page
FORD WEEK THREE/HOME NEWS Come and join us"
Win new sales for us!
some of the strikers' problems.
Even now, some two weeks
UNC SUTIAC started, haven't been able to bring out the printers at Oxlow Lane. We should be out 100 per cent and not 99.9 per cent.
This is an illustration of the need for maximum unity on the Ford claim.
WAR
Supervisor grades, example, have said that they'!! wait for 14 days before deciding what to do over their claim, wmen is on sillar unes to ours.
They should be taking action alongside us. The Ford strike is only the first bubble in the war against the 5 per cent.
This goes for others who have submitted claims, British Oxygen, NUPE, Vauxhall and Leyland workers.
They shouldn't be waiting to see how we get shouldn't be left on our own. new readers to the paper.
explains, it looks like it'll be a success.
Enthusiasm for the campaign nas been consider able in many areas. Cardiff, Leamington, Hull, Merseyside, Manchester, Bolton, Oldham, ane erecton nave ancreased their orders a week in advance.
week uney nave joined by Glasgow, York, Huddersfield, Bath, Islington, and Newham.
In many cases an increase would have come with the return of students to campuses. But the sales drive prompted supporters to crease their orders that little bit THUIC.
In some areas the campaign has already started. Supporters
WHAT'S LEFT
Soche earth Display at per our
publication. Payment in advance.
London N1 2XP stating Bernational desperately looking for intemational desperately looking accommodation London
The Other Bookshop. Tel:
AN INFORMAL for thos
terested in finding ou
.. Wed 25 Oct. 7.300m. Drill Space), Chenies fro SERA, 9 Poland St, London W1. 014030145 CONNECTONS: Britain and Southern Atrica — a one day conterence Tor
ade unionist and youth. Sponsore
One worn west Tur Chaired Barnett (Sec
Venue: Centre, Crumpsal. Manchester.
Manchester rence rom
Socialist Challenge 12 October 1978 Page6
Dagenham steward says
'BRITISH OXYGEN, NUPE and the others with claims in shouldn't be waiting to see how we get on.' BARRY GRAHAM, a shop steward at the Ford body plant, Dagenham, explains why — and examines
We're fighting the government well as management defeated it's a defeat for the whole working class.
Events like mass cemons rator show unal Ford strikers can make a direct approach to other workers for support action.
They also provide us with an opportunity to bring families for and friends out. support, ensuring that there is
and which could be plaved on by the press That applies to strikers, too!
If they're idle, sitting at home with money pressures building up, they'll be liable to accept less than what we're out for. like Social security is important, which ine government Is wel aware of. The DHSS has gone OUL OLIES We difficult for Dagenham work'SOCIALIST CHALLENGE' supporters will be out in force on the streets this Saturday in an effort to win
Saturday is the first National Sales Day organised by the paper, and, as STEVE BRIGNULL
sales have been even more celer mined to sell their papers on the picket line at Ford's, example.
Last Thursday there were over 100 buyers Dagenham plant. The headline, been "Callaghan go, HIUSL down very well.
But this Saturday will give supporters an opportunity to get the paper to many more new readers, including: *workers who are looking at has the Ford strike in light of their in- own upcoming pay struggles;
*militants involved in antiracist and anti-fascist activity; *activists in the women's
SOCIALIST FEMINIST planning meeting to finalise theme and structure of the National conference in March 1979. Sat 21 October at 11am, 14 ricadily, manchester Inrougn o aort ol, round tre connel hi woner are
WORKERS' POWER public
Any
who owns it?, Women in Scotland, Class Capital and NationRacism and immigration. Venue:
Music Hall, Union St, Aberdeen meetings St,
ZIONISM - what it is and how to fight it. Zines pay photon here on it combat it in Britain. 25p plus 5p p&p orders tor over tu post tree. matzpen - Ine
£2.50 for 12 issues. Both from Mashrac Book Club, Box 95 c/o Rising Free 182 Upper St, London N1.
Anti-
Revision at Central London Poly on 21
our
Wednesday's acuve
the local offices not to accept ne cam orms anu to cance. them by post to a central office in Hollowav. liberation movement and the National Abortion Campaign; *students coming attack with increased fees and ever other education cutbacks;
WOrKInE Cass jected to the 'law and order' CanDals!
for POLICIES
These are only some of the people we want to reach,
the
discuss the paper's went with, and to work with in the
factories, in the schools, and in the communities.
That's why the first 'Socialis Challenge National Sales Day needs to be as big as possible. We urge every contact their loca Challenge group and get out on SureeLS hand - this Saturday. t vou Saturday don't worry. Contact
conference I SOCIALIST
To racism and Metnocist Church Hall. Lancaster H London wil. sun cy oct. 10.Juam to 6pm, Imperialism educational. Sat 11 racism educational.
Goleve The Noth London Black
Racism
Women s aroup and women involved in struggles various Adm. days
accommodation so
papers. celans tom. vaner naciey Lynton Court, Horn Lane, London W3 ICKET GARNERS: Mai
Whitcombe St. (Leicester Sq.). Mass
israell
62p Intervention.
London ove
BARRYGRAHAM [centre] at Holloway DHSSoffice—' wemustn't takeno forananswer'
Here chance to state
right to interviews. under
vouth sub November
Labour
Westminster Bank, 12.30-2pm.
DUNDEE:
St.), 11am-2pm GLASGOW: policies
the Tollowing Archway.
NORWICH: supporter s.W. LONDON: following TUDe with paper
can't make it this
FEMINIST educational
same Veran, Laceter.
rercy ol, London vy!
•ІПНО
); 40-41 Haymarket; 56
Red Lion Sq, London WC1.
illustrations by Oscar Zarate esthe len as a ration re
Da D) 539 Battersea Park Rd.
claimants nave case that it had clearly, as we're denied the
When I your local group anyway, and get involved with next month's National Sales Day. Preparations must be made now for the next concerted enrort onl
BATH:
This Saturday paper sellers will be at the following places: BIRKENHCAD
BRIGHTON:
DEWSBURY: in Westgate at Nat
boots (corner or metorn
CARDIFF
HUDDESFIELD: The Piazza, 11am-
ISLINGTON: Fri. 13 Oct, 4.30pm-6pm
tube stations LEAMINGTON:
Highbury • & Islingtor
11am-1 pm the Brixton, South
Street outside Wool- University
LEICESTER National Abortion Cam- WOMEN,
Sat 4 Nov 2pm,
COMMUNAL VILLAGES in Mozam
at Mozambique Information Centre, 34
NOEL JENKINSON Memorial meeting
- public meeting in Conway Hal
School, two First in a series of RCG public
FATLIPS', leading playwright Arno
Vesker's first children's story, wi
2.92 win. Availatis Availabl sain i Loon i. Fall is reall 328/9
орн. нат.
went up to the office, the first thing I saw was a sign saying
been closed last March and transferred else where. The office is now used solely tor postal claims
This is clearly a delaying
hardship on the strikers and an attempt to weaken the strike
The way to counter this is for strikers to organise themselves into groups to besiege their local benefit offices and not take no for an answer.
Fisheries, outsidt Precinct, snoopin outside WH Smith shop,
Open Market,
Outside Boots Queens street rrecinct, Tram onwards
HULL: The Bridge, Whitefriar Gate
at the Coventry
AREA
loss College of Further Educatic
Trattore collec oT runne Education, University of Mancheste
THE FAMILY AND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT
A series of meetings organised by Tyneside Socialist Centre
Mon zs oct one mans leisure -
for house work Housework
labour force, future labour movement? speakers: Brian haadow. ex lyna
involved in alternative forms of
7.30pm at Tyneside Cinema (room:
ipstairs), 10/12 Pilgrim S 'WHYGLASGOW Trades Council
Octob 64 Queen St
outing communis
CHARTER NEWSPAPER: ning meeting to prepare the launch o
pm. Transpor Hous
Hartshead St. Sheffield. Furthe Felicity Jones, tel. Sheffield 307421 WORCES ER ANE SOCIa
50p (25p wageless and
If Ford strikers set precedent, it will also make it much easier for other workers with claims pending.
This is particularly impor tant in view of the decision of the executive of the Civil Servants Union, CPSA, support our strike and urge
fully with us
It's not the counter clerks who are our enemies, but the faceless bureaucrats in ine DHSS hierarchy.
READING: Broad SOUTHAMP: Post Oice, Bar-
ate, 10am-1 p
ARRINGTON: Min Street, 11ai
Wonder Centercotien Ego, 1am
Glasgow
women
'reclaim
the night
WOMEN'S GROUPS in Glasgow, where violence against women is increasingly a feature of daily life, organised a highly successful week action against rape from 1 to 7 October.
Among the events organised by Glasgow Women's Liberation, Glasgow Rape Crisis centre, Glasgow Women's Voice, and Scottish Cooperative Women's Guild were a public meeting attended by 80 people and a reclaim the night march.
The latter was preceded by a full day's leafleting together with an exhibition in the main shopping precinct in the town centre.
Several women who stopped
joined the 100-strong torchlight march me irst ever women only march in this violent city, 210 One WIC DOODOE real feeling of solidarity and sisterhood amons me women present.
Page 7 scan of this page
For a united youth organisation!
Putting abortion policy into practice
HOME NEWS
THE FOLLOWING letter has
Workers
Workers Socialist League, munist League,
The success of Carnival 2 clearly demonstrated that tens ol thousands of voung people are prepared to take part in the struggle against
racisH! fascism.
Furthermore, the marked interest in the various political events at the Carnival Sals newspapers and mar-
indicates that thousands of youth, through their involvement in the ANL, wen as their experience al work, on the dole, at college or at school, want to go further and take part in building a revoluhonary alternative to the policies of the Labour government.
A small example increasing interest in revolutionary politics was the sales of the new youth paper Revolution. Three thousand copies were sold at and going to and trom ine carnival. in addition the entire print run of 5,500 was sold out within five days!
BROADER
Revolution a papci launched by the IMG. believe that its success demon strates that the influence of revolutionary ideas amongst the youth is far broader than the influence of any particular aner organisation.
Our aim in launching Revo-
revolutionary yout oreanisalion, mnacoen dent because we are convinced that the best wav for the vouth have an early, safe abortion close to home.
against the next attack on the Abortion Act.
Fine words. But - wha
A trade union delegate conference on abortion will be held on 25 November to work out how to put the TUC policy into practice.
Delegates will be looking at action proposals for the coming
Photo: G.M. COOKSON [Socialist Challenge
Saturday sponsored by the Transport Union.
in, making nine
Appeal to all revolutionaries
been International Marxist Group to Rebel', the Socialist
Party, the Socialist Youth League, the the International Comand Big Flame. The text is being circulated to all 'Revolution' supporters groups.
ism is through their own experiences, in their own organisaHON.
In other words, we believe and that the building of such a youth organisation and respect for its independent character is the most practical way to con- the vince thousands of revolution. ary-minded youth of the necessity of joining and building a revolutionary Marxist party as as political alternative reformism.
OBSTACLE In our view historical experience has further demonstrated that such a Marxist party will not be built simply through individual recruitment, but, on the contrary, through a process or spills and lusions in the organisations above all, the mass reformist In Britain today the fragmentation of the 'far left" is, in our view, a major obstacle to building such a Marxist party. For this reason the IMG has consisWe tently fought, over the past two years, for the unity of revolunonaries into a single organisa tion on the basis of a clear revolutionary programme and a democratic centralist system of organisation.
Within such an organisation we would, of course, continue to argue for all of our nolitical positions and affiliation to the Fourth International.
Amongst the youth, we beto grasp revolutionary Marxi- | lieve that the necessity and Trade union conference
THE TUC conference a month ago passed an excellent resolution on abortion, calling for a massive increase in health service out-patient clinics, where women can
It also endorsed the call for a TUC demonstration
year, planning new campaigns, and sharing expenence in special Workshops.
The conference, called by the National Abortion Campaign and the Labour Rights Campaign, _has sponsored by five MASS pickets of Garners branches in Whitcomb Street and the Haymarket followed a rally last Pickets linked arms at Whitcomb Street and shouted mass pickets every night' before police moved
strike committee A conference is also being planned, and further mass pickets wil be called.
sent by the
and,
possibility of creating a single revolutonary pole is all the more immediate. occause or une possibility or now winning Yours DCODIC to revoluonary Marxism and thoroughly healthy hostility to all varieties of sectarianism.
Thus we think it both possible, and necessary, for
the building of a united revolufionary vouth amongst our highest practical priorities. unions, twelve trades councils, and many union branches. ne National Public Employees, which has a percentage or women members, including nurses and hospital workers. is of those OLIC sponsored the conterence at
and national level. Alan Fisher, the
union's general secretary, will be among the speakers.
Ironically enough, the conAbortion ference has caused a row in one
of the unions that played a vital been role in the early formulation of national the new TUC policy. is to set defence
capacity This political vance along thousands of
the youth's
lutionary youth paper
organisation
trol regular Journalists has an UnIon
sponsor the many
that have
FURIOUS
Pious.
CaCaO Working Party insisted announced by the needs of industry.
It is
introduce Coventry chosen
called Worthy
fund.
In order to test out our
to reach principled agreement, and adthis road WC propose collaboration of our tic structures. respective young members and Without supporters in producing a revo-
whose explicit aim would be the construction of such a unified
We would propose that the
paper's independent characte be guaranteed by editorial con
being in the hands meetings/conferences
CHICC
chapels
meetings.
Union of ne excellent policy - on paper. But when its nauona execuuve was askea to
conference, they turned it down - by one vote. originally
ference
men s The me bership articles
spate articles all the stops appeared condemning the NEC decision. for standing NUJ policy on its
executive Equality that branches and chapels should be Having circulated about the confer-
PLANS to hold city-wide exams for all secondary school students in the first and third year have been
Coventry local education authority.
WILLIAM THOMPSON reports.
This announcement, the first by a major LEA, comes in the wake of discussions started by oral inausires the setting up of the Assessment
Performance Unit (APÚ).
The idea is to put pressure on or progressive teaching activities, about attitude to promote streaming, and to gear education more closely to
ironic that Coventry snould be me mIst LEA lO
'blanket' testing Was dISG previously for sluuy oy somcone into *the third form level. educational needs of industry
This veered between unbelievably detailed lists of every item that could possibly be required by any branch of industry and a
of its supporters, starting with a
national meeting, in December
to regularise the paper and
establish policies and democra
prejudicing this
meeting's decisions we give
notice that we would propose
the platform printed in Revo-
lution No 1 as an initial basis
Or scusSon anea structure 3. A
based on equal representation
ol national political organisa tions and regional representa-
ton ol supporters groups
In summary, we therefore
Sixteen NUJ branches and
al Ci now delegates to the conference. cent and three branches are sending representatives to the planning
white union ASTMS was another involved
formulaling TUC
Women Contree an
their NEC decided /not sponsor the November con-
The ASTMS National Wo-
AOVISOR committee were outraged, and pulled out
reverse the They won, and an member will be among the conference speak-
paper policy on be "women's issues' is no longer
Industry comes to school
totally banal attempt to distil out the collective requirements
So the problem for industry is not really one of "standards
curricular content it is
The scheme involves rounds of exams, of which the second will actually be set by a board including local industrialists. It's supposed to be some sort of proficiency test.
In olner woras, the rat race between kids to avoid the dole queue is now brought down to
The introduction of this scheme must be vigorously opposed. he executive meeting of the National Union of Teachers on 23/24 September
propose:
1. Discussion of these points
and any others you may wish
between now and December
2. To give equal space to the
views of our respective organi-
sations (as well as local groups)
on questions of policies and structure in the December issue
of Revolution
period of joint work between our respective organ-
Rebel, Revolution between now and December.
enouon. Nearly million women are trade union memors now. Inals Ju per
of the trade union And thea their interests to be fought for.
The conference looks like being a great success. Make sure your union branch or
council sending delegates.
INFORMATION
You can get delegate forms and more detailed information, as well as speakers kits on abortion, from the Conference Organising Committee, NAC, 374 Gray's Inn Road London WC1 (please note the new daaress. Cneques should
made payable *Trade Union Conference Fund'
declared its determination to TeSTSE CIC WOOS LOOd externally determined curriculum in schools and deplored the lack of proper consultation by the authority with the Coventry Teachers Association'.
The only way this can mean anything is if a policy of strict non-cooperation is adopted But the fight against the scheme
development of alternative educational oblectives WHICH express the interests of the working class.
The Socialist Teachers Alliance AGM this weekend Will ne an opportunity discuss some of the problems involved.
STA conference: 14/15 October al Starcross School Risinghill St., London NI. Non-members welcome.
Socialist Challenge 12 October 1978 Page
Page 8 scan of this page
RACISM
IT WAS IN February 1976 that I told my friends in Sparkhill that 1 had applied for a job at Rover. "You must be joking',
"They don'i recruit they said.
DaCKS Aa rDO nEraulLionally, car workers mn une WG anes enOy standard of living than workers
CONDONCHI SUDUI Y industry, and the majority of black workers are in the supply industry.
Among blacks in Birmingham, Leyland widely regarded as a racist employer. Richard Dobson, the former company chairperson, whose comments about WOOSWCIC exposed by Socialist Challenge, wash i aione. AE COngonaLt until last year, black workers were barrea irom better-paid jobs by a wiring test, and the CaSIC DrOmWICH DidHl been refusing to employ black WOLACIS
The Commission for Racial Equality is currently investigating a complaint about this discrimination, and the connivanceO Une CnSNCCE2 Union in carrying it out. Rumours have also spread in the black community that to get a job at the Washwood Heath plant, you must pay a hundred or two hundred pounds local trade union official. But 1
the wanl to conccuualc Uu Rover, where I was one of the few blacks who did manage to get a job.
The Rover plant was ser up after the war, in Solihull, suburban area known tor its conservatism. The wages are high, second only to Jazudi throughout Kritich Leyland. The plant is divided into three parts KOVer Rover and Range - Rover. cosee shoD oDeae. ane une largest union is the Transport ane enera.
Some of the blacks working there still remember the '50s and '60s, when they were no more than a handful. Ken, a west nolan was Taken Or 1957 as a conveyor hand.
ANTI RACIST
OUTNEXTWEEK!
Kingand Adrian Yeeles.
Includes 12 poster-size prints on historical,
contemporary anti-fascist and anti-racist themes.
Order your copies now! Only €1.50 per copy
more copies,
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page8
ANTI-RACIST NEWS
Lloyd, also a West Indian, was TeCrMeO aS ZUCKCEYN Both were doing 'indirect' jobs, and so were paid less than those working directly assembly liné. Ten years ago, a direct worker earned about E25 a week — £14 more than a conveyor hand. By the early *70s more than half of the conveyor hands and truckers
ANTI FASCIST
ANTI NAZI CALENDAR
Anti-Racist, Anti-Fascist, Anti-Nazi Calendar designed by David
international, and
/ [plus 50p postage & packing] Or, for bulk orders from Socialist Challenge Groups of 10 or
only f1 each and post free. .Rush orders to S.C. Calendars, PO Box 50, London N1 2XP. Cheques to "The Week'.
'At first they called me "black cunt" or "black bastard" and
often make jokes about blacks. I explained that these jokes
"They respected this, but for a time the breaks got very boring
as they didn't know any other jokes... "There was a mass meeting of 2,000 workers at Rover over our pay claim. In opposition to the convenor, I moved a
were black; there were hardly any on assembly. ngune stewards
on the Tne DOSSIOIC
conveyor hands and truckers to the track (assembly line). motion was defeated. After wards some of the stewards remarked that opposed the motion they wanted to keep blacks off the track. ene company programme of expansion for une new Kover an 1y0. uc labour force
increased 1OHI thousand to 4,000.
Relations KaCC through parliament, black workers were recruited.
There was considerable bitterness in the black against tne forwarded to the company the names of those wanting jobs. and passed on a relatively lower proportion of the blacks who applied.
I started work in March 1976 on a drilling machine in the old KOvel plant; prehensively. person I met was a friendiy gut - the branch secretary, later found out was in the CP On the second day, my mate -was from the panel shop who said: 'We're giving jobs to foreigners when our own unemployed'
It so happened my friend's mother • is Italian.
Gea. Norto ak ike uat u future'. That afternoon, when I
1979 weno wast Bv Banussaw
the same bloke in the washing rOOn WEs de Such Kay Sandom. the Birmingham NF. His son worked in the Land Rover, also an active Front member who has stood in elections.
A few weeks later handed a ballot paper tor the election of a health and safety representative candidates was Ray and an od hand said that he was a good bloke and we must
AT WORK
AGAINST
IOInL SAOI debatec working class, transfer ine Nazis The But the
they had because and safety.
started
•Was under to be discovered In the
With the means the Act going growing. some
community to a newcomel TGWU, which T1OU19 30.. spread his poison.
white
Not inis myself. somewniat ap But the first
who i
approached by a bloke
people are
He respon- blacks or Irish They
NF badge on was my introduction to jokes!
chairperson of
frightened 1 was
Sandom, informed my
vote for him. I argued that he was a fascist, that fascists are against the trade unions and the
exo ancd the connection of the NF with
old hands were insistent that he was a good bloke. It seems that Sandom used to talk a lot about health
Sandom wasn't elected, but the Front used the campaignto widen their support and build their credibility.
over
tollowing weeks by wnal .oure fascists were sandomuseeo sel NF badges, pens with nude pictures, and pants with 'NF' on them. His opening remarks back.
used to be. 'Have you heard about blacks
and go on to Rover-based
The constant joking that put
brancn -down blacks and reinforced the the
workers' notion of superiority made Sandom's job the easier. I had experienced some
narmess joking
At lunch and tea I used to sit at our pitch with seven of my workmates, all of them white At first they used to call m black cunt' or 'black bastard and often made jokes abou strike in blacks. I explained to them thai these comments were racist They laughed, and said they
the senior were only telling jokes. I tolc them I didn't like to listen t
any racist jokes, either abou
respected this and stopped making racist comment in my presence, but for a time the breaks got very boring as they didn't know any other
important
were
My job was at a fair distance from the track, where 1 was meetings
because the inevitable racist abuse. Sandom started coming regularly to m shop and talked about black with one of the old hand When I couldn't stand it an longer, I threatened him and
foreman that I wouldn't work if Sandom came
with
resolution for action.
"The next speaker attacked my speech, sa and could afford to stay on the dole. My fri
RAGHIB AHSAN, a shop steward at the Solihull, describes his encounters and confr racists and fascists at work.
to my shop in future. I couldn't | had got three stewards elected get much joy from the shop steward, but all my workmates supported me and the foreman stopped Sandom. That was the nirsE encourasine SiCD lOr HC
1 got elected shop steward The older hands moved out and my workmates, all aged under 30, stopped making racist joke! and turned their wit on the fascists instead.
That summer there was a mass meeting of 2,000 workers opposilion to ane convenor, 1 our clalm movea a resoluuon loi acuul As 1 left the platform, the next speaker attacked my speech by saying I had six wives and could but afford to stay on the dole!
My friends had to hold me
It is not surprising that at the end of'75, the fascists had been able to win total control or un
TGWU 5/909 - despite the fact tha joint shop stewards COmmtlee was controlled by
CP and the Militant tendency, and that a leaflet had been distributed by the joint shop stewards confed against the National Front.
Prior to the branch elections there had been an unofficial
Rover against the carrying out of a time study.
The handling of the strike by
stewards and the eventual defeat created apathy among the rank and file. The hront nac nastee nal exploit this apathy on the shop Toor ane oooos ne lorees bur up virtually no resistance.
•W d.
As a recul ane ascss wor
union positions, though as it turned out they
unable to bring their people to the regular branch
and soon lost practical control. Transe red to came ew sbi turn came
plant, and I was given a job or line 2. Immediately I heard talk
Wa. going on about the activity of the fascists on line I, where they were building up support and
One day
came do
the ne
adorned
NF stickı
Not long after 1 was again elected shop steward, basis of being a good trade unionist and despite, taulic than because of being black Still, 1 did represent 60 whites as well as 10 blacks and I could sense a feeling of identity among the blacks. meetings 1 found that a few At SRO0 stewards shop stewards were wearing NF badges. Another sign of their activity were the fascist posters. mostly mosund line ilor a me ar anti-black, on line 2 were coming down the track with NF stickers on them,
the black workers said they would refuse handle these cars and it quickly stopped.
a nad OCCH continually approaching all the progressive elements for a joint campaign against the fascists which would take up these shop floor issues, but nothing effective was organised.
The branch and SBOE stewards committees did consistently support anu-racis. demonstrations, and buy anti-racist leaflets to distribute on the shop floor, and both bodies organised special meetings with outside speakers. Bu only the converted responded
In the absence of links with shop floor struggles, leaflets usually straight in the dustbin and meetings are ignored
In the tin smith area the Front had established a cell that
meeting regularly at lunchtimes to listen NF music and speeches, and in the final lines area they were gomg
round openly wearing NF badges and stickers.
However as the NF= Nazis message began to get home and the Anti Nazi League was gaining ground people became
reluctant to identify too closely
with the NF. The blacks were feeling more secure and the NF
the verge of being
isolated from popular opinion.
It was these developments in the national situation that laid
Page 9 scan of this page
cars
Wn
ers'
ying I had six wives nds had to hold me
Rover car plant in ontations with
basis tor the first breakthrough tor the antifascist forces in Rover.
One day one of my Indian friends, Kime tood me that looked depressed. there was a sticker sayıng 'Hang the blacks' underneath track 3. The white workers who stay near the sticker refused to let it be GOWn foreman said he couldn't do anything. This happened a few days after the first ANL carnival.
A handful of white workers were angry about the sticker, ana unis encouragea une black workers who were ready cave meir oos and remove une sticker themselves; but this would have the let the shop stewards committee off the hook.
All the black shop stewards,
six of attended
US,
lunch-time meeting - the first
seeds of unity among the
blacks. We proposed that the
executive committee of the
shop stewards should immedi-
ately remove all fascist
racist merature and suckers,
and that any worker
astributing unese should be
warned and subsequently
anscipunea, up to expulsion
Trom the union. We also
warned that. it necessary, the
black workers were prepared to
take action themselves
For the first time, I heard real
fighting peeches against
fascism. The senior shop
steward put an end to the
argument That all extremisI
literature should be banned by
explaining that the lett always
supports the working
while the fascists will betrav it
The resolution was carried
unanimously.
anteroon.
stewards reported back,
faseists grew rightened and all
the racist stickers suddenly
disappeared - and have not
been This
SHICCA
forward for the anti-racist fight
was only made possible by the
allon or the hack workers
when they took the initiative at
the shop stewards committee,
and also by the effect of the national anti-fascist sations, which had made both blacks and whites feel that the NF had to be opposed.
In the past few months I have
thefollowing incidents.
*Vic, West Indian, transferred to a job where he was working as part of a team of four. The three other white workers started a work to rule, without giving any reason, and forced Vic to move to another job. The shop steward did not intervene, although ne asked to.
*Nawaz, a Pakistani, complained to me that his shop steward was not giving him his fair share of overtime. In Rover the management decides how many should work, and the steward decides who should work. Fearing racism, he felt unable to confront his steward or to take me maner to me stewards' executive. I saw the deputy senior steward and he brought the steward into line.
*One morning Jahangir, Pakistani, came to see me and said that he had been sacked. Apparently he had working for a month in the Land Rover on the night shift. His mates, all white, had told nim not to give tull production for the first month of training, and it is usual to follow the advice of older hands.
But Jahangir had been told by the foreman and supervisor that he was sacked doing enough work. His shop steward refused to help him and his workmates would not back him. The normal practice in Kover Is mat ll a new worke cannot fully cope with the job aller MORLE. training period is extended to up to the three months and then given a different job to try.
I sent Jahangir to see a senior steware wnois a memper or lnt Militant tendency; this steward 20l nim reinstated drop in his wages of £14 a week This would never have been accepted for a white worker
*A Pakistani, working in Land Rover. sacked for being two weeks late returning from a trip home, even though he had sent a sick note rom rakistan to coverts absence. to At a meeting with the senior steward, management tained its stand but offered the man a job starting two weeks later in SDI, and they advised him accept Mohammed did so, and lost the four months' service, weeks' wages and was put on a different job. No white worker would have been sacked while on sick leave, and no shop steward would have accepted it. and
seen When i found out took it up with the same senior steward as before, but over the past five
months he has made headway in getting Mohammed his rights.
The fascists in SDI are on the run because of action by the shop stewards committee. But in Land Rover and
Rover their posters and stickers
are still openly displayed.
Our stewards was pushed by a threat from the blacks and by the class radicalisation nanonally. how ever, black workers are meete win asm or a day-
to-day basis, from the shop stewares as we as Tom ne management. Recently, the well-known fascist has been elected shop steward in the tin
smith area, and the left leaders have kept quiet.
My experience shows how step deep racism runs in the white
working class, even among the
more radical elements, and how
real progress in the anti-racist
struggle will only be made when
Blacks unite.
mobili-
*TWENTY YEARS ago only little boys used badges... 'Considering the CP's role in the fight against Mosley in the
wds '30s, it was likethe pot calling the
The Ken Lever.
Civil and Public
He
was been
not
CHAPEL STREET Market in Islingion second major
and their writes LOnUOR ATHERTON.
Mohammed,
Last Saturday,
was fascists were present. They left
at noon. Almost immediately after their departure, 50 Nazi thugs occupied the area around the few fascists were physically assaulmain-
'Ullo, 'ullo
this offer.
FASCISTS in the police force?
two That's what Renee Short, MP
-TOT Wolverhamptor east, said in her speech at the Labour Party conference last week.
Anti-fascists in Tameside have been side CARF following experiences. *3 October. through the
little supporter with an anti-semitic
Cleaner pastea to l. une ponce say that since caused was less than f20 they are unlikely to take action.
Range Sorry, ref
committee
THIRTY COVENTRY general
Nazi League supporters ical leted the Coventry City football
still
against Saturday, writes
Nearly 300 badges were sold, and 5,000 leaflets distributed.
The responses trom the youth on the terraces was really good. Comments 'It's about time something was done here'
group Against the Nazis up in Coventry as a result of
Only little boy....
members wear
profound thoughts of
Services continued to with
becoming SIne
front in the
opponents mile away.
70 anti-
arriving Angel selling their wares. Steak House pickets. remaining anti- Inthe
campaign NorthHO0LD2
the pitch.
Two wondering. Tamecatalogues the
A brick sails refuse to intervene
windoW
are arrested and face charges the damage arrested, in spite of Anti Saturday's events *GEOFF
Hasi ANNA no longer alc references
at Highbury.
included: the referee
of Arsenal Young.
Sky Blues will be set
Holloway unemployment benefit office in case une rront North London who had been Lever told by management to stop general wearing certain AN badges Graham and to remove anti-NF posters members from the union noticeboard. general
he peneti onlice worker were warned on 4 October that they would be suspended if they
display any the ANL.
Inser menone nean 'We'llget TheOtherBookshop', National Frontmemberschantedat Chapel Street market last weekend
Front opens second front
ted to chants of: We'll get The Other Bookshop'. The bookshop, in the same building as Socialist Challenge, is a quarter
the
After a quick phone around to Islington Campaign Against Racism and Fascism and ANL
of supporters, a new group anti-fascists arrived, considerably aided by 20 SWP members
Line •Garners
SCuTTles. an antifascist was arrested and a picket
September. In its Stop NF
playing in the Hyde and District
ameside CARF organises a march on to action.
The campaign supporters fully are kicked to the ground b Front members in the presence of police officers. The latter police
TasCIsts.
Two officers of the campaign
serious dropping No fascists are pnoto
graphs showing them in action.
*3 and 10 September. Twc
THE BELL, MYRA
TREVELYAN, and MARTIN
METEYARD add: Unpopular
decisions by football referees
greeted by Supporter ine Tereree s alleged parentage at least not
At the game between Arsenal
and Aston Villa last Saturday,
was too
popular when he took the name
player Willie
The chant from the crowd
was: 'You're a Nazi referee..
of a political party - in this
and CPSA deputy secretar told local branch unal unions purposes committee wouu recommenu mar mer should be no for
SUUUUrE anvone suspended
The CPSA officially backs
toe Ted Ball of Upper Street police station was mounted to demand his
anti-fascists had been arrested Last Sunday (wo members ol
Islington Labour Party were physically attacked near Angel tube station after police had refused to let them sell near Chapel Street Market itself.
The local AN and ICARF have appealed for the biggest possible turnout next Saturday an unday snowie be noret that the fascists are coming in
Tameside CARF members are assaulted. One of the assailants
identified by dozen witnesses. The police take no
campaign says: We endorse SEne views expressed at the Labour Party conterence mat at too ollen une
are siding with the
It adds: 'We demand the
Not charges against
officers of this campaign and
demand police
against the real perpetrators of
violence, the NF Nazis.
No deportations
BRADFORD Asian Youth Movement has called a demonstration against deportanon and the racist immigra tion laws. They are calling on
UNTOUCHOU! country to make this a national
The demo will take place on Saturday 21 October. It will
Wolverhampton Anti-Racist Defence Campaign MASS PICKET of COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS Friday, 20 Oct, 10am Wolverhampton Town Hall Drop the charges against the four arrested on anti-racist demo!
NF in
blood
MAN described psychopath led a gang of fou
orgy of violence which involved Aires and vagrants, the Old more Bailey wastoldon Monday.
One vagrant, Alfred Shaf-
was murdered. had bottles thrown at him and was kicked, before his killers dropped a heavy gas cylinder
This face. completely unrecognisable.
The words "National Front' were then scrawled on a wall with a piece of cloth that had been soaked in his blood.
The gang leader, Frederick Challis, was security hospital without limit of time'. Carl Palmer, 19, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Palmer told the court: thought Pakistanis should not be in this country.'
No NF
copy
at the
Guardian
CLERICAL workers at the Guardian have voted to retuse
handle editorial or advertising material from tarright GEOFFREY SHERIDAN organisations, I COUL
The decision, taken at a meeting of the newspaper's NATSOPA clerical chapel, will mean that secretaries, messenBoys oil any poone calls or mail -ane copy TaKers Will from Nanola British Movement, or the
This has strong backing from the chapel, which voted 60 for the decision, 2 against, with 5
As Bevonne Trust, mother of the chapel, said at the meeting: 'It's a way of saying to people "You've affiliated to the ANI
now put yourself on the line"? having critical coverage of the fascists', she added. 'but we want to make it as ditticult a.
possible for them to get through'
A similar decision has been taken by copy takers at the Press Association. Their job is to type out press statements and articles arre phone. through.
*Thirty workers at London Weekend Television attended a meeting to an LWT branch of the Anti Nazi League.
start at 2pm from Salt Street Carlisle Road [off Liberty Chena! Bradford and will march to the town centre.
coach will be leaving London at 7.45am. turther
info from the Black Socialist
Alliance c/o Box 24, 182 Upper
Street, London N1.
Socialist Challenge 12 October 1978 page
Page 10 scan of this page
Marching stronger than ever
RELAND
IT'S AGES since I've written. I've told vou betore how one
gets in here at times, but I'll not
DULC YUU with ally excuses.
My form isn't that bad, reminds me of the notes on an accordion high and low; altnougn aia nave a good summer, relatively speaking.
DOTCUOR! about
biggest snag in here. After so iong cveryuning seems playea out, and once enjoyable OcCupaLIOIs and wavs passing the time are no longer such.
The result is that for long periods you get totally browned off. It is indeed a hard slog
especially for a moaner and complamer uke mysei.
PREDICTION
A lot has happened since I last wrote. Old Henry Heaney died. I wrote often about him in Socialisi enalenge predictions inevitably came Lue. ney Were Caus for ulcers in the stomach while l was realy canicer.
But then, what do you expect
LONE Kesh; suffering, torture and keys take priority over health. lustice. freedom and people.
There is a growing air of success in relation to H Block. Doubters like myself who once thought people wouldn't rally to the cause of the prisoners nave been a aery orover wrong
The volume of protest and suDoorL Irom une ocosic na: completely overawed and particularly those in the block. We never expected it to be so successtul. and that success has given us great hope and heart for the future, for our aims and ideals.
The years 1976-1978 were crucial years. The struggle for national liberation was GCC - had lost sight ot the ultimate goal and was generally misdirected Inrougn things as elitism and sectarianISIH.
ROOTS
Now the grass TOOLsare involved again on the streets and sectarianism is no longer an issue.
The numbers at the Relatives ACBON Committee protests and marches is very heartening, and people who were always sympathetic are no longer afraid to air their opinions by @tending marches and protests
• ceso te ure severe narass ment by the RUC and the Bri
For too long we in prison relied exclusively on purely military achievements to give us hope and bolster morale, but now we think in terms military potential and volume of protest. Both are in a healthy state at present.
Last might markea the second anniversary of Kieran Nugent's
LIC blanket' protest. Although the H Block is about
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page 10
Long Kesh Letter
"We're
full of
fight
nall a mile irom us in the polical stalus cages, we neara constant noise from the block HUIC all day.
At 8pm last night the five cages ol Kebuolicans status climbed onto the roofs and acknowledged the anniver sary and actions DUSOnCIS 11 the singing and making a great
noise towards them.
of SOLACE
It must surely have brought comior ane solace Lo tosc who have been isolated for so JOng. WnO Musi Have CADCIl enced great loneliness and who have had no contact with the outside world.
In previous letters 1 have mentioned how those 'on the blanket' are regularly moved •TOM DOCK O DOCK. OF WYLI wing, for "security" my regularly searched. The OrISOnCES
the form of being tipped upside down and a close inspection of sunc anus So much for the TV and paper adverts for officers:, I'm husband and he nen •V V wife wouldn't be proud of me if I spent my time inspecting anuses and cleaning up after tortured men ana women.
ROUTINE I often wonder if the screws ever tell their wives and families us,
of their true daily Somehow I doubt if they do. Only last week a girl up seeing her boyfriend in here was refused entry because wouldn't take off her sanitary towel for inspection.
This harassment of visitors 'win- must also be
Says - 'essential for a better community', or maybe even, as it also says, 'a job to be proud such
1 think ordinarv humar beings could find something better to be proud of. But then would asall, human being take a job all
prison service in the North of Ireland?
During these last few days I have been privy to a few letters IOln BIOCK, political status altel escaping or atempung to 1 had imagined they'd have telt verv ow morale-wise to my surprise they were full of fight and their morale was a lot greater than it was when they were in the cages.
In fact, they seemed more concerned about our situation than their own, and throughout their letters it was easy to detect of an ar OT hope of
success. It left me doubt that they wil! continue their protests to the bitter end. asell determination faultless.
Yours Tiofaudh Ar La
ARD ADL ARS with
the H Block by
dISU This takes
THE TENTH anniversary of DIISO the birth of proud of my struggle in the North of Ireland needs your was commemmorated in ways
certainly which show that life gets harder
for British imperialism. nerry merone ome original 400-strong march was followed INHIS demonstration and a further 5.000 walking along the pavement, making it oneor uneiarcest licccht ycais and confirming the new which
roullnc. CAISES
movement in the ghettoes.
Ian Paisley's much publicised 'religious service', which was also designed memorate the tactics of the
as the advert
ordinary Over 90
successful Socialist Unity rally on 26 September in support of political status political prisoners.
Chris Bambery of Socialist from Unity pomica our that men caught would be standing
Oueens Park constituencv Glasgow in the general election But to break the 'wall of silence on Ireland'.
Edinburgh
Two known officers invaded public meeting in Edinburgh on 27 September. which attracted over 50 people,
eventual was orcanised ov with little Irish Solidarity Campaign and
SOCa 1C1 Unity political status.
I he Special Branch made a noisy entrance, took notes, and made all departure.
CRAIGAVON
R R C
SMASHHRL OCK
Ten years on
the civil rights
15
that the
of 10-15,000
for the torture of life the street Miners Union.
march sympathetically, Counter-moDisalonDv comSwansea people attended a
held Irish
the and attracted 30 people. -O T agreed to Prisoners
Special Branch
peaceful WIlUSC
meeting, series Edinburgh actions. ine
CalE SO I
Plaid Cymru,
equally noisy expected to be debated
- LIAM
12 YEARS
reactionary forces in the early the days, by contrast, lasted only United
ano paled into ment's protest. insignificance in comparison.
A uay carner, as many as oou SENE end pey le lasonh chestuency to Barnsley and raised the demand Mason's constituenev in ground
'NUM kick OUI Mason'; a reference to the fact of the that the Minister responsible
imprisonment and Irish people still sponsored as an MP by the
Local people received the
and a CINE National Front crawled away Palelaly ien ice Will altogether
Solidarity news
A one day conference on "self-determination for Ireland' was
Swansea on 30 all the September. It was organised by members of the United Troops including Out Movement and Cyfeillion Iwerddon (Friends of Ireland)
The conference unanimously
nule for the Aid Committee aemonstranon in London on zo November and to build support for the internationa Tribuna on Britain's presence in Ireland
SUICH preliminary hearing due to take place next month The meeting also agreed to plan September
of anti-recruitment Scanlon, organising committee will be organising a meeting at the forthcoming conference of Block.
which detailed motion on Ireland is IRSP
Included in this motion is a
WHELAN TAr
- KIERAN
unexpected size of the TrOOD Out Move-
That demonstration won't be
Roy MASONS embarrassment on his 'home
Brendan Gallagher, father of whue une now Tamous vicam
Diplock Courts, announced at ne wOlld standing against Mason in the General Election and WOUIU harry him at every Labour Party meeting about his son and about Ireland generally.
The growth of the opposition to Britain's presence in Ireland was also confirmed by another,
surprising source call for political status, an end to censorship on Ireland, and The une convening or talks wnere
people of Northern Tre and should be represented
Irish Republicans, Wih a view lo ue Humnculale withdrawal of British troops'.
IRSPappeal The London Support Group of the Irish Republican Socialist
navt appealed witnesses to the arrest of three
•LIIC all-party rally against racialism
•Trata gat ocuare on
The three accused, Jimmy
Tony McNeill, and Corn Powell, were carrying a banner on the conditions in H
Will anyone who saw these arrests please contact the
at Box 6, 182 Upper Street, London N1.
O. HAGAN
18 YEARS
this weekened.
Peace
-Evel People elected ex-Faulknerite OHO SE CeeVA02E leader at their conference, they simultaneously
urceu -Ene British government to recon sider its attitude to the status of the 370 Republican 'blanket' prisorers, and heard - tron Conor Cruise O Brien that they urgently needed to turn their anetOn public opinion because of growing trenas towards une prematur and ill thought-out solution of L TOOIS OUL All in all it was a very bad
weekend for Mr. Roy Mason. May he have many more like it. Filmtour
anti-recruitment film Home Soldier Home will be showing in the Midlands from
October. Dates include: 12 October, Worcester Labour Club
• worcester. oom: 1:
Social Development Finch 1, Lozells, 4.30pm and riends Bull Blackhorse P7:30mm Stratford
Oct
students union. uni
Bordesley St, B'ham 5, 8pm; 17
8pm; 19 Onlon. Tome atptpla o Students
Place Communit
Students
Page 11 scan of this page
Zimbabwe-don't let the racists
Bulgaria-the umbrella
politics, writes GROUP.
There will be a debate as to
British LTOOD: political 'advisers' should be sent in as part of a United Nations force to supervise the transition to 'majority rule"
The Labour leadership the Tory Party are likely to say yes. Foreign Secretary Owen has promised British troops for a UN 'peace-keeping' force.
RACISTS
Thatcher has given indication of her views by attacking Labour over Zaire tor standing Dy wale omner powers intervened to protect European lives and property.
An equally terrifying prospect is tnat une Limoaowe issuc will be exploited by racist forces in Britain
Both the Tories and the Labour leadership will justify intervention in Zimbabwe on the basis of protecting white
liv the media will pour forth a
stream of atrocity stories aimed at discrediting the freedom fighters. The National Front will mount a massive campaign
solidarity with its racist co-thinkers.
The danger is that the impact of the Zimbabwean crisis British society will benefit the NF and Tories
Worse that the war will come home with murders, as Nazis attempt to avenge their defeated racial comrades'
All this has implications for those working in solidarity with the southern African struggle. aware of what has hit them.
RICHARD CARVER reports.
Bulgaria is perhaps the least familiar the European countries. All most British people can remember
Scargill's comment after a holiday there: If this is socialism, you can keep it'.
They might also remember that it was Bulgaria which cooperated with the West German state in tracking down lent-wing German oppositionists earlier unis vear
But now the cloak umbrella operations of secret police have propelled this remote Black Sea country into the headlines.
Georgi Markov, the dead oppositionist, was a former friend of Bulgarian party chief and head state orOe Jivkov. The whisper is that Markov stalesortne peccaalios of the Sofia bureaucracy which entertained une masses courtesy of the BBC - didn't exactly go down a bomb in official circles.
If the overseas operations of
INTERNATIONAL
WITHIN the next six months the Smith regime in Zimbabwe will collapse, starting a social upheaval which will have a tremendous impact on British the AFRICA IN STRUGGLE
We have urgently to build a and movement of massive militant opposition intervention of imperialist, and especially British, Zimbabwe. and Ine briusn army woma do l Zimbabwe what it does every dav in une norm or reand. sel out to murder, maim, torture and ponncally cereal anti-imperialists. And OLICI countries would an ditterent.
We must defend the right of the Zimbabwean people decide their *own. without imperialist troops and politicians sitting backs.
A first step towards that will be to build the demonstration called by ine Anu-Aparteic Movement for 21 (1.30, Hyde Park, London). On that demo Socialist Challenge supporters will be calling for a contingent in opposition 311DCHaIS INCICHOL Zimbabwe.
CONTACT
Anti Nazi League anti-racist groups are going to have to start taking up on racists' on •VICWS Africa. important for them to make
racist are spontaneously identifying
struggle.
We need anti-racist literature to take up Zimbabwe; to give pattorms to the Zimbabwean liberation MOVCHCHLS,
of repression
GEORGI Markov was murdered with such finesse that they still don't know how it was done. The thousands in Bulgaria's political prisons are only too
the Bulgarian state would tax East the imagination of a Borgia or an lan Fleming, its domestic image is more mundane.
According to a 1977 report Amnesty International says it can hardly even guess at the extent of internal repression: in labour camps, psychiatric hospitals.
A pamphlet recently pub. ished in Paris suggests that Bulgaria has a higher number of political prisoners per head and of the population than any Eastthe European country other inar the USSR.
GULAG The extent of the Bulgarian Gulag can be judged by the facilities available for those who are less than enthusiastic about life under 'socialism' about a dozen prisons and well over twice camps, and us. in a country with a population same caler condon s.
But a ruling caste which has
African socialists call for solidarity
have the last word
organise Rock Against Racism gigs explaining what's going on in southern Africa; and to raise money for fighters. the mercenary film and now on general release, are a good chance to explain the links to -all)
octween racism in balain and Southern Africa. forces
We must DUL positive alternative racists a campaign says "Solidarity with all those fighting racism and imperialism'
UnC the SUPPORT CaDilalist
At present that means despite our many criticisms of them - unconditional support to for the nationalist movements
future
ZANU and ZAPU for as long as they continue
their imperialist struggle. We have to
campaign solidarity and material aid for
these organisations.
Building a solidarity camOctober paign confronts militants with
the problem of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. On the one hand it takes the right side on to the major questions in southern Africa, has tremendous labour movement support and contains most militants active on southern Africa.
On the other hand it has a and number of which its Communist the leadership is southern pressure politics especially rather than national campaigns
to build mass action; bureaucratic structure: sectarian bia in favour of
African ANC
organisations closest to the Moscow line These errors insuperable and to should work in the AAM. But it The tiny poisoned ball that killed prisons, and
GeorgiMarkov
to resort to such measures can never be a Communist Party. has its internal problems divided between the uncritical friends of the Kremlin those who are worried by possible annexation country to become the 16th 'Soviet Socialist Republic'
And then, in March, came the first coherent expression of opposition, when interectuals 'Declaration 78'. sugard many labour anything like Charter 77 but, as
about the document was modelled on the
Czechoslovak example. But it went far further politically.
the freedom
pro-white Wild Geese,
forward the which the anti-
energetically drawbacks, for
Party
responsible:
approach Africa.
ZAPU and (South Africa) - the taken
anti-racist, student organisations. are not militants The six points in all the daily papers.
Discontent
discontent attempts to impose stable one. The system of wage payment.
apparatus
and there are resurgence the country healthy atheist tradition
public
published crimes of has never seen bureaucrats.
this
Whitemercenary lordsitoverlocalpopulationinZimbabwe is also clear that the AAM cannot respond rapidly and activity effectively to events in southern against the
occupation
So work in the AAM should be combined with a big push for actions on southern Africa to
by trade union, women's and to be taken up. ICL
We have to bear in mind that in the long run the struggle in South Africa will be decisive
women's initiate oppression
imminent member
of the declaration relate to basic civil rights; the right of freedom of movement; the establishment of a better relationship between prices and wages and a rise in state benefits; the creation of independent trade unions; the abolition of privilege; and the publication of the declaration
spread other sections of society. In summer 1977 miners at Pernik went on strike and reports later tered out of working class
at bureaucratic
Not all the manifestations of opposition to bureaucratic rule are so positive. For example
reports COl of religion (and pro-monarchist sentiments) ir
with a long anc
Whatever its more dramatic aspects, Markov's death may yet rebound if it makes workers in the West more aware of the
the Bulgarian
The important thing now is to make sure that it is not the right wing which makes the running, but the defenders of the bulgard works css
for the whole continent,
Zimbabwe and South African 0T Namina WIl have to be combined with work on South Africa.
Here there is a range of issues
. The struggles of the and British Leyland workers against their companies' economic links with South Africa must be supported by the trade union movement; the
movement could aciviLes ove the of women southern Africa.
The trial of the Soweto
Headers and the hanging of ANC Solomon Mahlangu need to be fought, especially by
INTERNATIONAL
ANTI-APARTHEID
YEAR 1978-9
DEMONSTRATE
SAT.21CTOBER
ASSEMBLE 130PM. SPOKERS CORNER
MARCH TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE
students and youth.
There needs to be a campaign to defend the South Africa War Resisters, South African military refugees seeking political asylum in britain
For Socialist Challenge supporters the next steps will be
AAM demo and then the North West TUC-sponsored conterence 'Connections Britain and Southern Africa' in Manchester on 11 November.
Anv tvpe of organisation cat send delegates to this conference, which will address a wide range of issues: work in the trade unions; youth and Soweto; women in South Africa; media etc.
from Manchester AAM. 59 Tintern Ave., Manchester.
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page 11
Page 12 scan of this page
THE CRISIS in Iran shows few signs of abating. Last week four more students were shot dead in a street demonstration. They had been solidarising with the
The following interview with Iranian Trotskyists provides further background to the events which are shaking the throne of the murderer who governs the
country.
What is the situation in Iran since the imposition of martial law? Has the mass movement suffered a serious defeat or simply back?
The imposition of martial law has not been a serious deteat tor the mass movement but a temporary from which the masses will without any doubt recover very quickly. There are two important reasons for this.
First, the crisis facing the Shah's regime is much deeper than any it has had to face before, and the imposition of martial law has neither solved nor even opened the way to a solution to this crisis.
Secondly, the regime did not launch its counter-attack at a time when the masser were mnemse ves disillusioned and demoralised, but on une .contrar wher movement was on the upsurge and the masses were oecomlg radicalised and beginning to see their enormous sucaeun.
Thus the violent massacres 'Black Friday' on 8 September, which left several thousand demonstrators •cau. did -LOL bring demoralisation but
and hatred of the masses AlECI towards the regime.
The situation has, of course, been calmer since the declaration martial law, but that is only because the masses have made a lacuca retreat to consider how they can deal with the new situation. It is also very important to note haven't ceased altogether
Despite threats from the army, the Tuneral ol tnose kanee OT Friday turned into a demonstration against the Shah.
There have been demonstrations and clashes with the police and army, particularly in towns where martial law nasTu imposed. And there has sidespread wave particularly among public employees.
The regime's attitude is also very Seun Canl. It has been laving carrot-and-stick game. It has brought soldiers onto the streets and made undisguised threats, but at the same time it has had to claim that it intends to carry on with its Drostamllic
The regime has even made the Socialist Challenge 12 October 1978 Page 12
INTERNATIONAL
impose martial law
alemborary ser
crisis?
set back
scrous colone cass on une
other.
The present
on une eru becoming
MaSS and inefficiency of the regime.
The crisis has InCreaS Ig inherent structural
In oll revenues of vated the situation.
dUUl deepened the
industrialisations.
imperialism, which has that struggles lisation of semi-colonial Black 40,000-strong But industrialisation which occured in Iran other important
Development of industries been means of production, which been SUIKCS. sector home market
As a result,
production and falling profits.
"liberalisation'
Manv previously
Anniversary of the Fourth International
RALLY
Speakers include:
Ernest Mandel (United Secretariat Fourth International) Willie Mae Reid (leading black woman militant of American SWP)
Stalls, exhibitions, speakers on Zimbabwe, Ireland, Iran, Latin America, international youth struggles.
Friday 24 November, Camden Town Hall, London.
teachers strike which is currently taking place.
ridiculous claim that it has had to
in order safeguard its "liberalisation' plans!
You mentioned the crisis facing the regime. What is the nature of this
What makes the present situation paruculany grave tor lne regime 1s that it is simultaneously faced with a
one hand, and an unprecedented political crisis and mass radicalisation on the
economic decline began about two years ago. Contrary
mace bourgeois economists and frequently repeated
June basic Cause or une present crisis is neither the decline in real oil revenues nor the incompetence
BILS roots in the problems of Iranian capitalism. Of course, the fall
and government incompetence have greatly aggra-
In the 20 years which preceded the present crisis, and particularly since the mid-1960s, the Iranian economy went through a period of almost uninterrupted expansion. A series of classes economic reforms, notably the land reforms, were carried out to enable capilanst aevelopment ana partal
These reforms were fully backed by
increasingly had to encourage partial industria-
countries, such as Iran. in order to satisfv its own need to export means of production.
UluCL has serious Imitations. It is heavıly concentrated in the production of consumer goods.
producing played such a major role in the development of capitalism and expansion of the
in the advanced capitalist countries, was insignificant.
there were serious limitations on the extent to which the home market could be developed, and nausues were soon racea wiln over-
Iranian capitalsm has been faced with such a crisis in the past two years.
nighiy prontable industries have either ceased to be
profitable or have experienced a rapid decline in profits.
For example. out of severa car assembly firms which experienced rapid expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s only the largest,
National, is making a profit at the moment and the rest are almost on the verge of bankruptcy.
Private investment has now almost ceased completely and there has beer a steady flight of capital abroad. The situation in the agricultural sector has been even worse and much of the land has even been abandoned by the peasantry
Oil revenues could have delayed the crisis, but in practice they created as
problems as they inflation soared. • COTTUDOn wastage reached astronomical figure and thev generally duaca to country's economic chaos.
Now oil revenues are declining in real terms and - given the regime's heavy commitment to
Luis cape
iture and the fact that it will l forced to increase social expenditure in an attempt to ease mass discontent
the possibilities of bailing out -neustries are severe vimited
The regime attempted to solvé the crisis Dy allacking une working class, the petit-bourgeoisie and the middle
An austerity plan was introduced: anti-working class plans, such as a code of discipline for workers and worker identity cards, WEIC DrOU l in to limit the strength of the working class, which despite the lack of all elementary democratic rights had been able to win major economic demands; and the attacks on the petit-bourgeoisie were stepped up mide e-class salaries were imitee These plans failed to solve
economie crisis. Insteac provoked a fight back by these vanous social grouos
Behind these developments was the widespread alle growing popular discontent in the country, which had built up over years to create a highly CaDOS vCsLuaLO
Years of brutal political repression; a growing gap between rich and poor; obscene manifestations of corruption and decadence; and problems such as shortages housing, essential necessities, schools and hospitals about which the government didn't even seem to care - contributed to bringing about this explosive mixture.
The oil boom helped to aggravate the situation, because the influx money into the country Shah's extravagant promises of a expectations watch the reg ne eo td (rea! Civilisation'
Iran
HOL USU.
How has the developed over the past year?
The development of the mass opposition to the regime in the past year can be divided into three phases The first began in the 1977, when various intellectual and professional groups solved: demands for greater freedom through and open letters.
This led to the organisation of a number of public meetings by the writers. the following autumn and then a series of student demonstrations and strikes. Once the regime saw that these protests were going beyond open letters and leading to widespread protests in une universiues il began a crackdown.
The next phase began in January. when the protests extended beyond intellectual circles. This was sparked off by a massacre of demonstrators in onl al unc ocelnnne oruus vedi What followed was 40-day cycle of protests.
The characteristic of this phase was widespread street involving a wide range groups: workers, students, the urban and to some extent the rural poor, and the petit-bourgeoisie.
The third phase came in the later part of the summer, after a period of and relauve This
mobilisations were much larger and sine better organised. The aim of the Inel demos had become much more clearly
directed at the overthrow of the Shah The masses became confident of their strength and were prepared to directly take regime's forces in street battles. For the first time, Tehran, Iran's capital, became the HUY CHuCHL
What social forces were involved in these struggles?
Large sections ot almost oppressed social society have been drawn into struggle
01 different and the
gave rise
cratic rights.
-Hass movenel
regime
summer of
began making
attack. have emerged?
HITSI
TTON the famous
demonstrations
of social
The
time the opposition
far more mas. on the
bankruptcy centre of the mass bourgeois
every ution of 1906. group Iranian
Interview witl
The
are
over the past year. They all have
motivations for thei involvement, but what has united them is that thev have all beer confronted with the same problem in their struggles to defend their particular interests: lack of demo-
Large sections of the masses have gone beyond this and understood that they will have to overthrow the Shah's
if they are secure acmocranc rignis and ll they are to be able to defend their interests
sne sociaaver wuch gastaken une lead in these struggles and dominated unc movement ponncany is tne peut bourgeoisie. In recent years the petitDour eculse las ocen unuer constan!
It was in a far more favorable position to fight back than other social groups because of its close links to the religious establishment and so it has taken the lead drawing other social layers behind it.
What are the political forces which
number of bourgeois opposition groupings. These range
•LOG extreme right-wing Pan-Iranist Party, through to various bourgeois noeral groups
None of thes groups amounts to more unan smal caques al present None has any significant support in the ruling class. They do not have any mass support and totally lack any kind of political organisation.
most significant bourgeois liberal group is the National Front. It has often been presented as a major
group •DI CSS probably because of its historical link to Mossadegh's National Front.
But the present-day National Front is nothing more than a caricature of
organisation which Mossadegh led in the early 1950s. It bears the worst characteristics of the
and cowardice of liberal currents semi-colonial countries.
It is territied of the masses and places all its hopes in Jimmy Carter eventually coming to its aid. Its policy can be summed up in one phrase: adherence to the bourgeois Constit-
It has raised a number of important demands, such as the release of
Page 13 scan of this page
dictator's days numbered
h Iranian Trotskyists
political prisoners, abolition
SAVAK, and even trade union rights
workers. KIlT has absolutely nothing to mobilise around unese cemanes
The left in Iran is still extremely wcak. both organisationally politically. It is very difficult to assess. the strength of the left organisations because of their clandestinity, but it seems that the organisation which has made une greatest gains on une lent 1s the Tudeh (Communist) Party.
Until recently, the Tudeh Party called for a 'united front against the shan s personal
called on sections of the ruling class to join this front. Under pressure fron the mass movement it now has a more overthrow of the monarchy and the radical Calling establishment of as like the National Front, the Tudeh Party has done little to mobilise the masses.
Other left organisations seem to be of little significance and
certainy nor wave a visiole Toe! recent events.
Even the left-wing organisations, which had considerable X support among the students and youth before the recent events, have more or less disappeared from the
Their problem has been that they have completely failed to give any coherent answer to the issues facing the mass movement.
Thus the Moslems dominate the whole opposition. They are extremely well organised and have set up organisational structures which in some respects resemble those of left-wing parties, and command enormous mass support.
Furthermore, the more radical wing of the Moslem movement ha shown no hesitations about going out
Basses massive demonstrations of the first WECK organised by the Moslems, showed their impressive organisational ability and mass support
Despite their strength and good organisation, the Moslems have had a very vague political programme. The radical wing of the movement, which has the greatest support, has called for the overthrow of the Shah and the formation of an Islamic government.
The moderate wing has called for adherence Constitution, emphasising provisions in the constitution for legislation to be vetted by the clergy.
Why have the Moslems been able to achieve such a dominant position in these struggles?
The Moslem clergy were in a far more favourable position to take a leading role simply because repression had destroyed all other organised political forces of significance. The religious establishment was the only organised
Walen had neither destroyed nor subordinated to the regime.
It had its own independent source of finance in the form of religious dues which many people paid to the Ayatollahs. The mosques were the only places of free assembly which Had not been closed down, and the pulpit the only place where some freedom of speech remained:
by
done
strong
and
petit-bourgeoisie
this struggle.
UnC aosence
constituent
struggle against the Shah - have beer
them.
the Soviet and
have
exocusc orune cru guerrilla
forces in the
British media.
effectively religion.
influence should be
have done considerable damage by confusing which were struggle against it.
The attitude
Iran
What are the future prospects for the struggle against the Shah's dictatorship?
simply to the 1906
millions of politicised. A country repression has suddenly sprung to
Nation caused by years of ruthless
streets and have gained an enormou confidence. have gained considerable experience of struggle.
been Shah will find very difficult to take
away from the masses. more than a few Black Fridays to destroy their newly-found confidence and determination.
serious problems. Politically it has been totally unable to rally any suport to launch a political counter-attack. The Rastakhiz Party, regime tried to build up as a political
Secondly, the leading role played struggles is important. There are very
Derween the petit-bourgeoisie and the clergy. The clergy draws much of its support from the petit-bourgeoisie, and the clergy has members. traditionally played the role of the wane political and ideological voice of the
So when the petit-bourgeoisie took a lead in the fight against the Shah it was quite natural that it should use the religious establishment to organise gestapo.
Of course, in the final analysis, wnal unis question comes down to 1s the crisis of proletarian leadership. In against
revo luonar proletarian leadership, the Moslems - as the political force which has shown the greatest consistency in the
Sune able to draw the masses towards
The support given to the Shah by
particularly the Chinese bureaucracies has also nelpea have to strengthen the Moslems at the
It should be emphasised that this overwhelming hegemony of Moslem
leadership of the movement does not mean that the struggles movement is religious in the sense that has trequently been presented in the
The major issues around which the masses have been rapid mobilised have nothing to do with
This does not mean that the There political dangers of this Moslem
disregarded.
Apart from the more obvious dangers arising from the religious weakness nature of the leadership and its ideology, the populist type of idea: movement. which the Moslems have propagatec
and blurring the class nature of the Shah's regime and of the
of the Moslems towards women will also be a serious problem for women's liberation in nave
coming period.
establishment
What is clear is that the mass struggle is continuing. In the last year,
Iranians have become which had become politically dead as a result of
The fear, apathy and demoralis
dictatorship has completely gone. The programme. masses have seen their strength on the This
At the same time they questions
These are some of the gains that the
It will take
The regime itself is faced with
revolutionary
through which the
base for itself, has disintegrated and effectively ceased to exist.
For the first time since the coup, there has even been heated speeches against the regime in the Parliament, which is composed of hand-picked
Teame s apparatus of repression is still intact, but even that is beginning to show cracks under the impact of the crisis. A certain amount of demoralisation seems to have set into the ranks of SAVAK, Iran's
Even in the army. the regime's last power base, there has been a certain amount of dissent.
wall makes concessions it will be opening the flood gates. If it doesn't, another very explosive situation is likely to develop rapidly. Added to this is the fact that
economic CrISIS will almost certainly deepen in the coming period.
ne present ponucal uncertainty and the disruption caused by the upheavals and martial law can only
an adverse effect on the
Without doubt, the effect of the economic crisis and the country s radicalised atmosphere will be an • upsurge of working class and peasant
which could radically change the character of the mass movement by taking the initiative away from the petit-bourgeoisie. A
development of prerevolutionary situation is by no means out of the question.
are enormous problems ahead, the most important being the lack of a revolutionary proletarian weakness there senand te
and the hegemony of the Moslems within the
What tasks are revolutionaries faced with in Iran today?
The mass struggle in Iran has reached a stage in which millions of people
understood the necessity . Io overthrow the Shah, which is the central issue facing the struggle in the
Iranian revolutionaries must call for the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy; its replace-
La republic, anothe of constituent freely elected through universal suffrage.
AL une same ume revolorades must develop an action programme dealing with the important issues and problems facing the Iranian working Class and other oppressed group within Iranian society, and work to win over the masses to such a
action programme. among other things, should deal with such
as the nationalisation without compensation and under workers control of large industries and banks; the national question and the right of self-determination for
oppressed nationalities; the liberation of women; and the peasant
The most important task facing revorauonanes is to begin to bund a
party through their intervention in the struggles and
all ideological struggle against the political currents leading the struggle at present.
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page 13
Page 14 scan of this page
AFTER CARNIVAL 2
COMMENT
THE
BAD
TASTE
WATC
WARS
HIS CORAG
Demoralising
I WOULD like to raise some points
not covered in vour article detending
the ANL's decision not to
Carnival 2 from Brockwell Park to
Brick Lane (28 September).
1 agree completely that it would
have been a serious error to have
fried out such a mass diversion. are totally you have ignored or
are totally
unaware
seriousness the
experience some of us suffered who
went to Brockwell Park and answered the call made at the eleventh hour to go to back Lane
We represented a whole layer of people who through the activities of
he ANL realised the importance of
defending Brick Lane. We went to Brockwell Park continually worrying
BRICK adequately defended and believing that there was some co-ordination between the Carnival and Brick Lane which would allow us to be called in an organised way to Brick should its defence nayc necessary
Ideally we should have been given the political choice of going to Brick Lane right from the start. The reason I did not was precisely because it would have been irresponsible to wander in a disorganised rabble round the East End looking for the National Front. However would nave been an entirely different matter to have gone as all organisea group witn clear political objectives.
This would have prevented the disorganised rush to where we were met with a barrage of abuse by some of the anti-fascists who had been there all day. The end result 1s that the growing political layer developing out of involvement in the ANL's activities is a breeding ground for precisely the type attacks against the ANL which your articles is not en to defin sit from.
Is nol chougn to say. Let us accept that with proper organisation and co-oraladon more
NORTH WEST
WARRINGTON Socialist Challenge
GREATER MANCHESTER Socialist
r Steve ester, eveningn or write
Sorters can be acted a Manchester acted at n offices, Tel 061-236 2352 or, by writing to Manchester socialist ventre, cro 4 riccaamy, mancneste with torming a baltord Socialist Challenge group.
MANCHESTER Socialist
Nimalay l the Albert o
shopping Lonesiont market. Dickenson Rt LEIGH Socialist Challenge group will For details ring Roy on y on Atherton 2830.
Socialist Challenge 12 No Orberser meet next on Sunday
Socialist Challenge 12 October 1978 Page 14
when they leave?'
This
divert
problem to be overcome.
JENNYFROST[London E15]
demoralising
Serious
mistake
-cane was
mistake.
Lane
been
least
promised a mobilisation of IrOM DEXIOn.
provided by the ANL ANI
Brick Lane,
leadership. Of
ot sectarian of contributions
people publication on request.
NORTH EAST
NEWCASTLE SOCIS IST
Local supporters are active! IT you war
to Join them, phone Pete on (0632)
MIDDLESBROUGH Socialist
lenge Saturdays
entrance to Cleveland Centre (opp
ailable trom 11am to 1pm n Harrisons (newsagent),
Linthorpe Rd.
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Hones reia deals from
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WALTHAM FOREST paper sales every
fice, Hoe St, Walthamstow, Londor
TOWER HAMEETS Socialist
lenge lenail prone 247278 tortightly. GrouD
SW LONDON Corialict
Group meets fortnightly at
apnam Library. Claoham Commo
North Side (Clapham Common tube)
snould have been sent to the Fas
End', and then go on to say that even if 5,000 had been mobilised, at the
end of the day the 5,000 would have gone home. Who defends Brick Lane
COUTHCEDOSC. anti-fascist mobilisation to self-defence by the black community and leads straight up a blind alley. True, the relationship is not simple — but it is the crucial
off
IN THE opinion of some comrades in
Leicester, your failure to call for a full mobilisation in the East end on the day of Carnival 2 was a serious
Contrary to your editorial of 21 September, the NF march was not a
weeks beforehand.
But less than 1,000 arrived in the East End in good time, and most of these had made their way directly; those who did decide leave Brixton had to make their way by tube because transport was not
obviously had intention of responding to the real fascist threat, and Socialist Challenge in fact tailed the most backward and mend even treacnerous elements of the ANE
course, Mick
THE LENGTH of letters printed will usually be kept down to 400 words in order to encourage as wide a range do
as possible. letters may be cut at the Editor's discretion. Unsigned letters will not normally be published, although we
names from
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE EVENTS
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HARINGEY Socialst Challenge Group
Challenge 5. 12 Oct, 7.30pm. S
West Green Rd),
LONDON
Africa and the fight against racism in outside Chal 0060, Barking Precinct. • Inurs. 1e
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Adm. 80p (50p claimants).
Socialist Caller
organisers at alim at uctober orts on 14 0st ber National Sales
Gosling says (28 September), the
fascist march was a provocation -
but so was their march last year
through Lewisham,
responded, in marked contrast, correctly.
The ANL INUSE affirm
commitment to mass mobilisation
against the fascists by action and not
just words and music. At the very
should expect
Challenge to take an independent line
from the liberals and centrists when
neee arises With such a leadership, 20,000 might have been mobilised straight from Hyde Park.
Rather than striking off a few to go Io the tast End. we shole nave mobilised for Brick Lane and struck
comrades interventions at the Carnival.
BERTLAMB[Leicester]
Political
defeat
An Anympathsten with Auri Nari and an activist in the Anti League in Leeds can comment on your coverage of the Carnival/Brick Lane events (28 September).
First, your description of those who went to defend Brick Lane rather than to the Carnival as 'sectarian groups' is not very helpful in Clarifving the important political differences that exist within the anti-fascist move-
Secondly, you say it is wrong that the NF decides where, when and on what political terrain we should choose to combat them', but what is the anti-fascist movement if not response to fascist organisations? We
Fact, ways consider applicable, according to what the fascists do simply because we are part of an anti-fascist movement. That, after all, is what the recent opposition to the NF in Brick Lane has been.
Thirdly, you are wrong to criticise
illenge Group Challenge from Paters 326 Lea Bridge Road, E10.
OW LONDON
'Repression North Side brary, Shah Centre sTanle: Turnpike
obtainable trom Oct, 4.30pm, Room Oval tube, Herne Hill BF
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ISLE OF 44 Union St., -Makers ENVI
can Commercial Road Precinc
7.30pm BRISTOL evole istherGaou 11, Haymarket.
"the sectarian groups' for not deciding 'whether their defence of Brick Lane or an attack on
we the NF march'
decision, and others about alternative forms of opposition, would in part be resolved by the presence or otherwise -ITS
of ANL members there.
The numbers were all important in that 10,000 people could have stopped Socialist
the Front and 1,500 of us suffered waiting for a Front march we could only heckled had it ever passed by us -which it did not.
Of course it was correct that the Carnival went on, but at the same time it was a major political defeat that there were so few of us in Brick our
Lane. It is time that all those within the ANL asked the question: where next? Carnivals certainly have an important role to play, but there is more to fighting fascism than that alone.
JERRY LOCKSPEISER (Leeds]
Smash NF
on streets
'THE ANL has just started a new
Nazis" ' This isn't a joke originating from ultra-left sectarians against the ANL', Socialist Challenge September) appeared to label all those criticising the ANL. No, it came from Labour Party activists excellent anti-racist record, many of whom regard the ANL's handling of the events around ' disgusting-the NF had a free rein'. Let's be serious. The left has the duty of organising to smash the NF on the streets Yet: 1. The ANL failed to organise a serious mobilisation from part of the Hyde Park rally to go to Brick Lane and/or the new NF HQ in Eastern Street. There were at least 10,000 anti-fascists willing to go
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the music!)
for its failure.
Liverpool Street
stations.
The
done by the
objective was the diversion?). exactly because this
arrested
avoided the defeat
have called "Racists Against the
(28 should aim
with an
Carnival 2 as
cautons, elc
Great the Nat. Westminste
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(certainly not more than two-thirds of
the 50,000 were primarily interested in
2. The ANL failed to organise ever
adequate phone link-ups with what
was going on in the East End.
3. The ANL "mobilisation' over the
Loudspeaker at 4.30 from Brockwell
Park was an ill-organised cover-up
Many hundreds of
people left the Carnival as a result,
arrived as directed at Liverpool Street
station at 5.30pm, to find no-one there to direct them.
They wandered round in groups and found themselves to be prime larges ol me sru and bands ol fascists dispersing from their rally
There were a number or arrests al
and harassment by the police and the NF at other tube
Carnival provided opportunity to mobilise thousands of people to help consolidate the work
Bengalis and other anti-racists in the East End over the summer; instead we have divisions and demoralisation (could this be what the NF wanted, rather than a
The far left must do far more than mobilise for ANL carnivals to fight racism. Its first task is to defend those
Brick Lane 24 September and to mobilise again for Brick Lane Sunday after Sunday'
We have to educate the youth drawn to these carnivals in a practical way on the question of no platform for fascists', on the racist nature of immigration controls and the whole sphere of state racism. The ANL must
democratically restructured around a fighting programme, and if that means goodbye to the Federation of Conservative Students and their ilk, to various clergy, and to Paul Holborow, that's just too bad. RICHARDCOLLINS [London]
Need for
training
THERE IS a danger that a debate will break out in the ANL along the following unes: now many people should have been drafted to Brick Lane instead of the Carniva? This would be a false debate.
The debate which does need having is one of strategy. One essential aspect of this will be whether or not the ANL combative movement against the Na towards becoming and other racists. If the answer to this is yes, then surely the left within the ANL should begin now to train at least a core of its own members in the
self-defence. crowd formation, safety and legal pre-
A movement with little experience in street-tighting would be foolish indeed to engage in a face-to-face with 3,000 cops for some time to come. But start its training it must, otherwise its
JOHNWATTS[London N6]
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Page 15 scan of this page
Mass culture and
UNDER REVIEW
Rock
THE
KIDS
AREN'T
DAFT
Paul Tickell
Teature 'broad' mobilisation in the 1960s was their propagandist use of elements of mass culture. In the early OUS Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament identified itself with trad jazz, folk nusic and beat poetry
LIC nid-60s the Solidarity Campaign, in keeping its more militant base TOMS and which had even more of a mass which were less
These included protest
cHen as electric, and Country Joe and the MISHA In 1978, the Anti Nazi League/Rock
Against Racism carnivals have shown parallels with CND and VSC
Like VSC, the League is an alliance of the revolutionary left with democrats and reformists. Where differs is the
one particular group, the Socialist Workers Party,
and in the base which the League has gained among young sections of the working class.
Whether these differences will lead
political impact than the to a arcatel
movements of the '60s will depend on
he political development of ANL and
tactic.
It will also (secondarily) depend -
the ANL's and the left's approach to
mass culture in general and to rock music in Darnicular.
traced back to the
unemployment have had on youth
punk/new enTeCIS somewhat dilerent story, regac have been seized on by ANL and RAR for the purpose of mobilisation
of the crisis: it would have had to be
bands of the 10s and the need for the
invened
rock business to generate new styles ane lads. Inal commodities.
part of the capitalist leisure industry means that it can never beof its populist apologists would like it
young working class consciousness.
Besides, there are
class aspects to punk apart from the obvious business and entrepreneurial nFor students, like some of the Clash and Malcolm Maclaren, manaeer. knowledge of avant-gardes to create punk clothes and graphics
the let was suso cous
shock-horror tabloids Record companies reacted Vietnam
with profit. opted for conservative
song and
La CHOULL contaned nature of punk isle. vany
social
ideological organisational
left of crisis Within the alone, the Sex Pistols, the
nihilism which
to Rotten quitting the band and typically, The Biggest Blow')
they have helped to and this is what want to discuss - on. • confusions and show that punk isn't
left once feared.
RAR, Much of the League's base can be Enzensberger
drastic effects recession
Youth's cultural response to these
wave and,
Not that punk is a simple reflection left's
clapped-out MUTACHUC
says more
Punk's incorporation as a (small) Workshop
undiluted expression ol
other middle
college changed
the Sex Pistols drew on their Dada and other
Before ANL/RAR really got going,
of punk and sometimes greeted it with the cries of WOrKSOOD
to be found in the survives similarly, until they spotted a possible among
profitable 'boom'
because negativity and recalcitrance of punk, though that was a factor, but because Incal the economic crisis meant the lack of
working class market to ensure a boom, as it hac done, say in the early '60s with bea music. These suspicions on the left about punk can be located in the
roots working class, so it suffered from the
confusions WhiCh working class goes through in a time
DC rOCK
Not one band strong wish to violate and shock has produced a DIDIC.
can signify either anti-capitalist rebelliousness (EMI,
TOOLS • God Save the Queen') or, partly duc music,
Kwesi
It is to the credit of ANL/RAR that
clarify these Cause
the young anthem of fascism, as the
through fanzine, Temporary Hoarding, has also tried
which is SCASE intrinsic to a lot of rock
The left's initial suspicions abou punk have largely disappeared, but they remain in a more fundamenta
in its attitude towards mass spite of the left's
'60s, the relationship was always ar
The reasons for this are those that
gives in Raids and Reconstructions, where he attacks the technological Luddites on the lef who see mass culture and the media. because they aren't straightforwardly
"dirty'.
Enzensberger goes on to say that onlv struggle guarantees progressiv tendencies in these areas, whereas th
rightful caution has often turned into a rejection of mass culture in favour of what it sees as the
working class or even peasant culture of the past.
Take, for instance, an interview with the Hackney and Islington Music
last montes Flame. The workshop wants to find a contemporary equivalent for the folk songs of the past, and in so doing alter audience-performer relations nostalgic for the purposes of lef cultural propaganda, because the very mobilising power of the media, anc
specifically rock music, has already
these relations: opportunity of audience participation through dance, for example, and the increase in audience numbers because
Failing to come to terms with these changes is as good as a refusal to get through to much of the working class.
orkshop and similar groups hac
groups been by-passed by ANL/RAR,
in other mutations even committed EUROSU propagandist use of rock
letter by David Widgery in Socialist Worker (26 August) is a
wrote music cannot be anti-black cos it's at the roots, black music they're digging'
'Black music as an assertion of
political concept, but it's sentimenta
and inaccurate as a ("roots) historical one, especially given the role, albeit
secondary, played by white American
country music and church hymns in
the formation of what turned out to
Even in roots' reggae there are
non-black influences-the identification with the
Hollywood gangster.
Widgery's nostalgia for pure patronises blacks and rock and smoone OVC.
heterogeneous make-up mass
culture. No wonder, then, that Linton
Johnson, reggae Doe alle
member of the Race Today collective
'liberal racists' and RAR I don't agree with
ohnson but he has some iustification
in the light of what Widgery and Co write.
Purism never gets to grips with the contradictions in mass culture. This is more than evident when the rebellious stance of certain bands brings them a measure of success and their erstwhil ans on the left yell sell-out This sell-out is inevitable: from the very beginning when bands start out hy navine smalleracs. automatically involved capitalist leisure industry
But this is both bad and good: bad because the business process and success usually defuse the rebellious me same much so brings a bigger
same process brings a bigger ашотелсе For example, whatever the threat
which mass popularity presents to the Tom Robinson Band's determination 10 never enters the charts and is heard by people who otherwise wouldn't come
with the politics which are exoressca in une sone
Mention of the TR Band brings up a final point about purism. I don't for
minute ine sincerity, their work for ANL/RAR and the importance of Tom himsel
' in a business where gays are normally packaged as high camp
however. me the TRB and the sloganeering of bands like Sham'69 have been latched onto by ine len al tae expense bands who self-advertised way instance, the TRB to the Sex Pistols as they were before Rotten left.
TRB's songs editorials, but they are tame next to the wedge of sound and thought provoking lyrics of Pistol songs which which reveal what it's like to be alive the
Hire inquiries to Concord Films Council Ltd.
Suffolk. Tel: 0473 76012.
ravaging psyches
political ПОгО terms. reggae
Stand the Roots, fragmentary
Big Youth.
they are consideration eview in Sociali
freaks.
COse TICS
Hope and Glory'!
•Glad to be Gay'
because
Dares
are glossed over
of political in a less
Compare, for
are the stuff of left don't really
secondary
EUROPE AFTER THE RAIN
this year.
painters, Breton and Dali
movements
Presented
Nacton, Ipswich,
at a time when the capitalist crisis is
well as pockets.
The Sex Pistols' line on the state apparatuses isn't as coherent as the TRB's, but their vitriolic sneering at all emblems of authority is ultimately
musical-lyrica
similar compassons could be made: Peter Tosh's rather abstracted political statements are not as telling as Linton Johnson's in Poet
who adapts black in 1978 to the a adol being about
The politics of any music can be ir part to do with its style/form, a
which escapes the Worker (12
ugust 1978) of the bleel ru album: 'Not an album for dub
. or drum rockers.. but the music doesn't have to be extra hard,
Purists like their politics in one place-the lyrics. They'd willingly fit
words to 'Land of
I've not raised these points to snipe at ANL/KAK and ine ow. Du Factor in their nobilisations is mare , an important than just the fun icing on the cake.
Rock won't change history, but it can prompt and anticipate change
It has helped bring many where cas cat into saudio
propaganda for -they may be politicised. There is less chance of this happening if the many different contradictions in the cultural force which drew them there
'THE KIDS' aren't daft and
are less likely to be united
if those exhorting unity to combat racism and fascism
understanda but important side to this unity: rock music and mass culture.'
EUROPE After the Rain Gold's highly-praised documentary on Dada and Surrealism, produced for the Hayward exhibition earlier
Through contemporary newsreels, dramatisation and detailed accounts of paintings, the film summarises the work of some of the major surrealist including Arp, Ernst,
Using the artists' own words, the 88 minute film examines the place of the not the development of modern art, but also in the history of ideas.
Camden Socialist Challenge Group: Friday 13 October, 7.30pm at the London Film Makers Co-op, 42 Gloucester Avenue, NW1. Adm 80p [50p wageless).
Socialist Challenge 12October 1978 Page 15
Page 16 scan of this page
Labour and Iran
Registered with the Post Office as a newspaper. Published by Relgocrest Ltd. for Socialist Challenge 328/9 Upper St, London N1. Printed by Goodhead Press Ltd., 25 Murdock Rd, Bicester.
place in this country.
Tony Benn used the Tribune meeting at the Labour Party conterence to raise une quesuon of Iran. He took a sideswipe at the Chinese leader Hua visiting Iran at a time when massacres were taking place
He pointed out that this was, in his view, an atrocious act. We agree.
SHODDY
The question arises: about the Labour government?
The record of this ment's deals with the Iranian dictator shoddy disgusting.
David Owen's recent attempt to justify the Iranian regime on the grounds that 'the concept of Shah is deeply rooted in Iranian history' borders on racism.
Callaghalls message 'sympathy' to the Shah reflects
T•Tabriz (carpets)
Rasht: . URMIA
Hamadan• LOll
Domestic: 6 months, £5; 12 months, £10
Name
Address
I enclose a donation for the Fighting Find of
Complete and return to:
Sympathy for the devil
THE DEMONSTRATION called by the Committee Against Repression in Iran will be the first major national mobilisation against the massacres to take
It should be supported by all those who are opposed to the brutal Pahlavi regime, argues TARIO ALI
the close links between Labour government dictator. This is not limited to CallaghanandOwen.
OI Darlara Casue saevice was sought on how to organise a health service in Iran results of this can be seen in the Iranian film The (currently showing at the Paris Pullman and the London), which is a savage indictment of the what system and a lot else besides in that country.
Tony Benn, too, has visited the Shah on 'official business' and Did he raise the question of political prisoners
A recent report in the New Statesman revealed thai Department of recently granted export licences for the export of the following items to Iran: 8,000 anti-riot
GASPIAN ESCA
coal *Tehran
•Kashan (carpets)
•Isfahan (textiles, steel)
gas pipeline A Persepolis
Kharg 1-+ Bushire Shiraz tell terminal) (nuclear
GULF
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Socialist Challenge
anti-riot helmets: riot shields; TOUnGS and guns.
the
and the
up. Wonder why!
what is known
The
Cycle weapons (such
Phoenix in
the labour movement At the medical on Tran when CasSCIDICS
demoIran.
cine *The dictator's Trade
ADas •Bandar Shah
Meshed
•DASHI-I-KAVIH
(desert)
IRAN
iron ore
• Kerman (coal, copper
BALUCHISTAN
Bandar Abbas
sheep
(steel) •
Chah Bahar
guns; 26,000 CS gas cartridges; 20,000 mini 'smoke grenades; 2,000 smoke grenades; 20,000
20,000 anti20,000 -Dalon 5,000 anti-riot
The Shah has asked for delivery of the rubber bullets and anti-riot guns to be speeded
These items are to combat
'internal as subversion', i.e. the masses. An urgent campaign to stop the shipment of these and other
as Chieftain tanks) is urgently needed in
very least left-wing MPs should demand a debate
parliament
The demonstration on 14 October needs the support 01 all those who are in favour of restoring democratic rights in
days are numbered .Iranian Trotskyists discuss the future of the Shah's regime. Turn to pages 12 & 13. the world
€102.77
This enveloDe
hope retuse. It goes comrade who
AFGHANISTAN
over
If the
from this source The 4İ at our offices
our GULF OF OMAN MonksTied Jammone C. Craib Stamp money
Ed Mahood TOTAL
SOCIALIST
OUR FUND DRIVE
OVER A HUNDRED pounds arrived in our offices this week to put the new fund drive off on a good start and to make sure that the guillotine cuts off the near or severa or me mos hated reactionaries throughout
The first week's total is
Our Leicester stamp expert has forwarded a cheque for £20 'for the excellent packets of stamps collected by Socialist Challenge supporters.
week another large araved •ITO supporter which undoubtedly
equally impressive amount
We have also had an offer we
our supporters won't like this: was another founding member of the 1938 British section of the Fourth International has guaranteed that for every €100 we receive
the next four weeks, he will donate aver.
amount goes over £500, he'll give £10 for each €100 up to £1,000. That means Inal I we ao manage to get l €1,000 in a month — not at all
able to notch up an extra £75
*stop smoking' campaign has gathered momentum
and we are beginning to see the results as the sponsors pay up. We now have three more non-smokers
offices and more sponsorship money to arrive.
Our thanks this week to:
Other Bookshop collecting
BESTI
Manchester supporter
Non-smoking sponsors Watford supporters
£102.77
CHALLENGE seeks a full-time become our fund-raiser. We've got lots of ideas. but we need a competent committed worker to put them into practice.
To begin late November. Wages not brilliant, but great scope for initiative.
END MARTIAL LAW
IN IRAN!
DEMONSTRATION Saturday 14 October
Rally at Speakers' Corner,
Hyde Park 1.30 p.m.
March to the Iranian Embassy Organised by the Committee Against Repression in Iran (CARI)
VIDELA 500
BEGIN 1000
SHAH OF IRAN 1500
PINOCHET 2000
SMITH 2500
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