Almost one year after the AUEW National Committee decided to lodge a claim for better pay and conditions, the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions has decided to do something about it. From the 15th of this month there will be a national overtime ban in the engineering industry.
The original resolution insisted on a reply from the employers within one month, but the Unions were kept waiting for three months. Meanwhile the Executive Council of the AUEW did nothing except distribute 200,000 leaflets, for over 14 million members. But the biggest crime of all was the failure to link up with the miners in an alliance which could have ended Phase 3 Jong ago.
This would have given a lead to all the other sections of workers who have been forced to settle their claims under the Tory pay laws. Now the Engineers will have to go it alone, with about 20% of the industry al ready settled under Phase 3.
THE RATTLING SABRE The official leadership aim to get the whole thing settled as quickly and as quietly as possible, so that they can get on with constructing their "social contract" with the Government. But Scanlon realises that simply accepting the employens' miserable offer of £2,50 is not possible. There is still too much pressure from militants in the engineering industry for that.
This explains his recent lett-wing sabre-rattling, as one paper put it. He knows that his co-operation is essential if Labour's "social contract" is to work. But he wants a small price for co-operation a slightly increased offer from the employers, to allow him to accept without losing face. His hopes could be justified. The employers may decide that a couple of pounds on top of the present offer is a small price to pay.
STOP SELL-OUT
The only thing that can stop this sort of sell-out is decisive action by the rank-and-file.
An overtime ban cannot win the full claim. It cannot hit a highly centralised organisation like the Engineering Employers Federation seriously. It would also split the workers, since plece workers can avoid a serious loss of carnings. which others cannot avoid.
that the overtime ban is 100% solid. A poor response would be a sign of of the employers, and pive the Union leadership the excuse they seek to call off the struggle.
employers. The national convenors" conference which will meet in Manchester on the 5th of this month should resolve to prepare a national mittee.
where possible, to detonate national action. Local conferences of shop stewards shouid be called immediately Cby major shop stewards committees if necessary) to organise district strike action.
major factories could spark off a through the use of flying pickets etc.
However it is necessary to ensure weakness, would stiffen the resistance But only strike action on a national scale can break the resistance of the the better.
strike and elect and national strike com-dangers of demoralisation amongst District strikes should be launched A lead given by only one or two of sinking. struggle if conscious efforts are made, Women workers must ensure that the demand for equal pay is not dropped irom the claim. Special conferences of women workers in the industry, and the election of women representatives to all strike committees and shop stewards committees, would be a tremendous step Only this kind of action by the rank-and-file can launch a real struggle for the claim. If strike action can be launched even before the overtime ban starts, then so much Every day of delay increases the the workers and sell-out by the official leadership. Undoubtedly we will hear the familiar pleas not to rock the boat', now that we have a Labour Government. But if the trade union leaders and the Government are allowed to implement their 'social contract, then the working class's boat will be in danger A victory for the Engineers would be the first major blow against the capitalist 'social contract and a vital preparation for a renewed working class offensive in the Autumn. Engineers" leador Hugh Scanion: "He wants a small price for co-operationa slightly increased offer from the employers, to allow him to accept without losing face' A West Indian who has lived in