Move on The victimisation of the Wandsworth 3 has undergone further developments. The 3 were originally charged with unprofessional conduct following a meeting at Central Hall which broke up in chaos after the EC refused to hear a motion which had been properly put and circulated. Now the 3 face further charges for refusing to keep the proceedings of the union bearing secret.
Immediately after the first charges were hrought, a Wandsworth 3 Defence Committee was established It has argued that the chaos at Central Hall was due to the EC's unwittingness to lead a serious fight for the Pay Claim The bureaucracy, aware that the militants were gelting large support, had to check this It is this which tica behind the further victim isntion, and the decision of the EC to remove the right of local NUT branches to call strikes. The Defence Contmittee understands that the best way to defend the 3 is to mobilise the mais of the leachers, on the victimisation issue, and sho in opposition to their bureauciatic decisions on the salaries claim; and local autonomy.
Stus not surprising that the refusal of the 3 to observe the secrecy clause has evoked yet mote churges. The teachers are agsin taking up the question of the London Allowance, there is a new wage claim in the pipeline, and with Phase 3 coming up, the militants will be drawing on the experience of the London allowance campaign.
The success of the Defence Committee in mobilising sections of the teachers has intimidated the EC. They face a dilemma. They are forced to suppress the militants, but this generates oppostion not only to the victim sation but to their handling of the pay claims and other issues.
The Defence Committee's tactics have proved correct; they must now continue to mobilise mass support for the 3. Every associntion should set up a sub-conemittee co assist the Detence Committee in publicising the case in every area. The Defence of the Wandsworth 3 is a vital preparation of the NUT membership for the political fight against Phase 3. It was clear early in the strike, that production would not be stopped. Mainly fitters and maintenance men were involved, and most of the production line workers remained at work Only a consistent blacking campaign and the kind of mass pickets proposed by Havant Trades Council could have won the strike.