By Pat Hickey, Deputy Steward, Rover Solihull ON THE DAY he President of the AUEW, Terry Duffy made it clear what he thought of industrial action. 'The strike is a very delicate weapon. Sometimes a good sharp strike is a good safety valve. But long strikes are of no use to the union or -nation. I will strive to reduce them."
In the last few months Duffy has been singing a different tune. Whilst warning that 'We cannot discount a prolonged dispute', he declared in May that someone. somewhere. has got to take on the employing class on une snorter working week.
A change of heart? No. Within a month of that statement he waa trying to get the June National Committee to reduce the demand for working week from 35 hours to 39 and the claim for £80 skilled 1UUS. minimum to £70 skilled minimum. Only the Broad Left majority of 27 on national CHILLIC prevented a complete sell-out.
Duffy has been put on the spot by the Broad Left. He has been forced to lead action involving the membership elections next year, failure will be remembered by the rank and file.
It would be tempting for the left to let him stew in his own juice. on the basis that if he loses the fight over the claim he loses the election also. That would be a fatal mistake.
defeat in this weaken not Duffy but the left in the industry and in the workplace. defeat for the union will workplace organisallon, weaken tue self-confidence and involvement the rank and file, weaken our calls for By- Keith, ETV Action Senior was elected a snortel of whole his success or That is why the responsibility.
struggle will out action that's needed, the Broad both fighting to initiate. The shop weaken recalled of Birmingham.
Broad Left's present position is a betrayal of their They have forced the union leadership into leading official action but are not taking the steps necessary to ensure victory. It is alland that is Left should be stewards conference Good. An authoritative meeting of the rank and file leadership is just inevitable, particularly among partWIII A lobby of the ILEA education what is needed. But that must lead the call for national strike action. As yet there is no sign the Broad Left intend to fight for that.
Engineers Charter, which had a meeting of su people two weeks ago, should make a national mobilisation This was too much for the Broad Left, backed up by their right-wing Irenas. neatner wickay, ILLA vice to fight for an all-out call to come Challenge supporters should attempt to get delegated on that basis.
The pickets are at 7am at the Croudace site, Upper Tooting Park, Balham conference. Socialist employers.
instructed tube. and the Bellamy House, Garratt Lane, it is essential to make every effort to step up the fight now — we cannot afford a defeat at the hands of tbe The strikes have been solid, and