STRIKING Asian workers at a textile mill in Oldham returned to work this week davilg WOI victory.
The textile workers at Maple Mill, owned by Courtaulds, had gone on strike against racist and exploitative policies both by management within their own union.
strike began when workers were asked to do work previously done by five. When planis wele mlade lo urle simply told the workers to follow management instructions.
The workers continued to refuse to operate the speed-up and eventually a strike developed. were set up, and although some white workers crossed, 140 workers were outside the gates.
Union The union, the Oldham Provincial Textile and Allied Workers Union, has a long. record of of Asian ColCis WOlKCI. done nothing encourage organisation on the factory floor. So it was clearly taken somewhat aback by the militant action at Maple Mill. "the local bureancrats had to be called back from their dinners and golf with management to deal with the workers.
A mass filecllly Tuesday 7 August was attended by SCHUl officials. workers were vocal and not prepared to be fobbed oif with sweet talk.
The bureaucrats had to admit that the workers had a case and agreed to make the strike official if management was not prepared to meet their demands. representative was elected trom each shutt to represent the workers, laying the basis for shop steward organisation in the future. These representatives were recognised by the union.
Stewarcs In a meeting the following day the bosses capitulated and agreed to meel all the workers' demands. Both union and management now recognise the twelve elected shop stewards there will be no more 'agreements' over lne nedas or Enc workels. stewards will also be given time off to attend trade union courses.
An industrial language unit will I believe that resounding book.
Safety and Management workers wil not COIH• will be stuck to, UnICR breaks Picket lines to fill in for absentees.
in the plant salon cal stop management putting 'DICIC ignoring the do overtime, and so on.
This their David Whitley, a OVe SCOr whom the what action they intend to take.
called for Investments the workers have to ments in agement.
to dinners privileged the right direction.
mills in Oldham workers, many Already moves lishing communicc lol unc wadle aica. and The organise.
THIS money was given to me as an inheritance and therefore is not really mine. The money has been made off the backs of the towards everyone's liberation from this system that makes the majority of people work to line the pockets of the few.
this money can best International Marxist Group as it is the only organisation with a good perspective for building a united revolutionary socialist party in this country, and internationally through the Fourth now be brought in to teach people English in work time. And the union has promised to take seriously the need to provide translation services, especially of things like the union rule has agreed that be forced to do overtime, that health and safety rules that proper lunch machines off will be allowed, that heating and ventilation will be done properly, and that there will be no question of workers having However, all these things will have to be backed up by union organisation if management is not going to back down at the first opportunity. Only strong shop floor organion individual workers to increase their work-rate, particularly true since ш0 OO a workers complained about, remains at his post. Courtaulds have said they will investigate the complaints, but have not said But it is not just management that worry about.
Their own union still has big investCourtaulds, they materially compromised with manDoubtless the officials will still go bosses like investors than LOMAHO AALBHIECOT the-victory at Maple Mill is a step in There are many other Courtaulds employing 5,000 them Asian. are being made to extend the organisation in Maple Mill 'to other mills, with the aim of estabLa combined shop stewards ference A conterence of Asian women in Rochdale is also planned to help them overcome their isolation and vegin to Donations and enquiries can be sent by phoning Sue on 061-652 7851.
fifteen be used by the Drive. covers 90 per cent of the country.
ZIMBABWE MUST BE FREE BBSBFN, roughly translated as "Bye, byesanctions busters for now', should have been Jimmy Young's sign off for bis broadcastslast Thursday and Fridy from Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. The Campaign Against Kacism in the Media held a picket of the BBC headquarters in London, pointing out that Young would have difficulty calling up bløcks since most of them wouldn't be able to get to & phone. Martial law ЛIMA7 YON ET FRIEND HE PHOTO: Geoffrey Sherldan
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working class both in this country and abroad. It is therefore only right that it should now be used in the best interests of the international working class and used