Heathrow action
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-04-01Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 16 →
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BRIEFING AGAINST THE WITCH MUNI. 5p per copy, plus 11½p postage, or 20 copies for £1 post free, from Ann Matthews, c/o Bermondsey Labour Party, 133 Lower Rd., London SE16: ....
Published by the Socialist Organiser Alliance, 28 Middle Land. London N8: Printed by Past And Offer. Condon &?. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. THE Heathrow strike is spreading. As we go to press, TGWU members in Catering Centre South, Load Control Terminal 1, stores, flight gangs and other sections have come out in support of the ramp workers and other groups are holding mass meetings.
The 2,000 ramp workers were locked out seven weeks ago by British Airways when they refused to accept drastic speed-up and cuts in conditions. On Tuesday 30th a mass meeting voted to try to spread the action to all 30,000 TGWU members at the airport.
TONES SOP= Where . members have struck, the action is official. However, there is no instruction for action. Explaining this, TGWU national organiser Ron Todd coined a novel principle: "We are urging our members to withdraw their labour. We cannot order them to strike." (??)
Such a weak call is hardly adequate to deal with the problems of scabbing that the ramp workers have had 1o face. Nevertheless full support is necessary for the strikes that develop and for the picket lines.
Heathrow can be shut down, and BA's union-busting drive defeated.