Kigass Blacking Bites

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/Pam refund of their heating "It's unfortunate if some people have to suffer because of this action. But if Chope (the Council leader) Wants to play games, we'll show him that we've only just started", , said Stan Bush, GMWU Branch Secretary.

Lobby

Even before the Tebbit Bill becomes law, Wandsworth is leading the way in sacking strikers and trying to smash trade unionism in the borough.

"Chope got an OBt tor cutting back services even more than the government asked for. If he succeeds in this, he's probably hoping for a VC. We've got to make sure he doesn't get it."

*Lobby of Council meeting: Thursday 27 May at 6.00 pm, Wandsworth Town Hall.

*Donations, messages of support to: Wandsworth Manual Workers Strike Commillec, c/o 347 Garrett Lane, SW18: THE determination of the 140 or so women at Kigass Engineering, Leamington, and the smaller Abex Ltd, Warwick, remains strong after eight weeks of official strike action over AUEW union recognition, better pay and facilities.

So far, the boss, Arthur Wardman has refused to meet the strikers' demands.• But since the 150-strong demonstration on Saturday 15 May through Leamingion in solidarity with the women, called by the local AUEW and supported by the local Labour Party, Coventry Trades Council, Talbot and Rolls Royce workers, he has pursued a policy of trying lo divide the strikers.

He has offered to allow len 'womon, to go back to work alongside scabs at Kigass, with an £8 a week rise, whilst the rest could go over to Abex at Warwick with the same rise to replace women strikers there.

The women strikers have received little help or strike pay from the local AUEW officials, despite the token demonstration led by two AUEW officials, while Kigass strikers were told to walk a little way behind them!

Fortunately the response from the local rank and file has been more supportive.

Workers from Rolls Royce in Coventry have blacked Kigass products which has led io an outcry in the local press since some of these consist of tiny but apparently vitat parts for Harrier jump jet engines, needed so "vitally" for the "national" war effort around the Malvinas.

Other support has come for instance, from the Coventry Committee for a Woman's Right to Work. which held a public meeting on Friday 21st with Kigass women and a speaker from the strike committee there.

Blacking of products is still essential to help the strikers and so is physical and financial support.

Day-long pickets continue all week at the factory where support wouk be welcome, and contributions/messages of support can be sent to: c/o J. Patson, 13 South Terrace, Witnash, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire...