[THE CLOSED shop looks like the ideal issue…]

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THE CLOSED shop looks like the ideal issue for the Tories: they can come out as supporters of individual rights against collectivism and trade union power.

The snag is that many employers find the closed shop a good way of dealing with the unions, and others have no wish to get drawn into battles to protect a few right wing cranks or eccentrics from the trade unions.

Laws against the closed shop are often quietly ignored by major employers.

But, with union organisation weakening in the slump, more and more bosses are ready to break up closed shops. Opinion in the Tory party has swung in favour of new laws soon against the closed shop.

Boosted

These plans will be boosted by last week's European Court of Human Rights decision in favour of three men sacked by British Rail in 1976 for refusing to join unions (though the Court limited itself to the specific case and did not rule against closed shops in general).

Collective rights A blow against the closed shop is not a blow for individual rights, but a blow against the collective rights of the working class.

Individual rights like free speech, free association, etc., have been won for the working class by collective class action, and can only be defended the same way. The 'right to scab! is no more a legitimate individual right than the 'right' to sabotage.

Closed shop deals sewn up between bosses and particular unions are often not the best way of defending working class organisation. 100% trade unionism, with workers free to choose their own unions, is better. But any attempt to outlaw the closed shop must be defeated.

The TUC has promised 'staunch and determined resistance', It could start by breaking off its collaboration with the Tories in the NEDC and on dozens of other committees and boards, and going for action against the Tories rather than pleas with them.

Prior