[Even worse were the terms mentioned by (Orbett…]

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Even worse were the terms mentioned by (Orbett to take over the factory in his brief ten-minute talk with the stewards: reduction of the total work force at both the Cumbernauld and Romford plants to 100.

But in Cumbernauld alone the workforce now numbers over 300. • Corbett will visit Cumbernauld next Thursday to outline in more detail his proposals for take-over. But a reduction of the workforce by over two-thirds holds no attraction for the women. As Sadie Lang, the factory's convenor, said:

"There are reductions and there are reductions. But this isn't a reduction. It is cutting the worktorce right down, and slashing it to bits."

With no sign of a guarantee for all the jobs at the factory anywhere in wight. the women are determined to rarry on with ihe sii-in.

knowing very well ih thes would alads be on the dole Gurue Hote h noi in ini continued failure to restore adequate toilet facilities. All that management had done was to have a pump installed which drew in water from the river-but not when the tide was on the ebb, since the pump was not powerful enough.

Refusing to try to match their toilet habits to the ebb and flow of the tide, the workers from all the Scott Lithgow yards voted at a mass meeting on Thursday January 21 to stay out until the toilets were again all in full working order and until they had been paid for the time lost on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Since then management has back-tracked to the intent of agreeing to pay wages for two of those three days. but not for the third. nor tor any of the days since hen. for which the strikers are now dennandine pas ment i well. Ang nothing has get The toile!» either.

Mans the pickers •11 jes POEU, in personal capacity).

The two suspended officers of the Pottertes Branch of POEU got a huge vote of confidence from their members at its AGM which was well attended. They were suspended by the NEC for distributing ballot papers for the Labour Deputy Leadership contest at the branch meeting rather than by post.

The vice-chairperson declared that the Chairperson and Secretary were unopposed, indicating simply that if the branch can't have the officers they democratically elected to serve them. then the posts will be unoccupied until such time as the controvers! over their suspension can be debated on the conference Moor.

The me years suspension of these officers and our other brother of the Kidde:most severe punishment i meted out to any membe officer of the POEU.

Confusion still surrou the NEC's decision questions are yet to be as as to its legality to allow members to vote in leadership election of Labour Party. Also, at time did anyone refuse carry out the ballot. 1 merely questioned method of distribution.

I don't think it unres able to expect John Gok a POEU sponsored MP secretary of the poli fund management com tee, to try and explai: members through the jou or in letter form to bran the reasons for the ac: of the NEC.

It any of our brothe the POEU know of instances where union have been broken and action taken I wouls gratetul tor their iris tion. Letters of super R. Hold.e::