Socialist Organiser

The weekly of the fused Workers Socialist League, July 1981 to April 1984

[waging 'war on God'. token trial of a…]

Socialist Organiser no. 45, 11 July 1981 · scan pp. 5–6 · about 562 words

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waging 'war on God'.

token trial of a few mintie close to ublic inside the plants, there is no work on the go. There is no production"

The union's success has been based on an energetic campaign for support and solidarity in the townships. It set up action committees to coordinate solidarity work; it has won the support of other unions, church and student bodies; and has on returning to Iran were Those that are arrested Has vac acies for as.

carc Albione T7ED countered the propaganda.

Foster described the strike as "a small skirmish of the main war" He said that NUMARWOSA was not a political movement and would not substitute itself for workers and make them against the Mojahedeen. The population has been told through the mass media that the Mojahedeen have declared their intention to overthrow the government militarily. This is not true.

The communique issued by the Mojahedeen spoke only of defending their leading members with arms if necessary. It was issued after thugs acting on behalf of the IRP attacked the home of the father of one of their leaders, Mehdi Abrishamchi.

The Mojahedeen, despite their sizeable following, are still fairly isolated. The Fedayeen Majority directs its attacks against liberalism (!), the Tudeh (pro-Moscow "Communist') Party has failed to respond to the banning of its paper, Mardom, except by increasing its praise of the mullahs. And even organisations calling themselves Trotskyist compete with these movements for the title of the most servile supporters of the regime.

class conscious. 'This where the struggle lies"

A further demand of the union is that Leyland should open its books. When NUMARWOSA negotiated a wage agreement last year, the local management claimed that the financial position of the company was bad, that Sir Michael Edwardes was threatening to close it down unless profits improved, and that they would "reconsider' the wage agreement if profits improved.

Now Leyland refuses to divulge the figures. What the union does know, however, is that Leyland's turnover in South Africa has increased from R110 million in 1979 to Riou million in 1980. They also know that Leyland have embarked on a national advertising campaign to assure their customers that it would not close down.

The demands of the striking workers are:

• unconditional reinstatement of all illegally dismissed workers, • negotiations to commence immediately for a wage increase of 0.25 cents per hour and a minimum wage of R2.00 per hour to be introduced over the next four months, • no victimisation of workers.

In this country. pressure on Leyland ic meet these demands — and to open their books - is coming from some sections of the Leyland workforce, who recognise well the heavy hand of Sir Michael Edwardes We must do what we car to extend this solidarity.

Moreover, when a nationalised compar: kicks its workforce arour.d like so many cattle and when the workforce shows itself capable c: standing firm — the leas we can expect from the Parliamentary Party is that suc.e accountability demanded for the acces of a company :ase: 'our name.

Scan page 6

racism

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The workers call The workers call on the community on the community to stand together • Plenty of over:

DON. son, with either a U.I.. pere are still vacan. nice, to: Gate 1, Wimblea

one, but the union was trying to 'politicise' the

← Contents of Socialist Organiser no. 45

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