[consultation as an indicat- In Oxford the offer…]

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consultation as an indicat- In Oxford the offer was ion that no real fight was unanimously rejected and possible. in Birmingham the result won by a landslide in the The Birmingham strikers rejected the official union recommendation to accept by a huge majority strike. Rapid escalation has brought five other offices and more than 500 strikers out.

Oxford supplementary benefits office separately and spontaneously came out on strike five weeks ago and was eventually given official backing by the two unions involved, CPSA and SCPS.

The Government wishes to cut 7000 jobs in the DHSS by April 1983. It was obvious, therefore, that they were prepared to take on the unions in Birmingham and Oxford.

Last week, they made an offer of 52 temporary posts, to be shared between all the Birmingham and Oxford offices - posts thắt will disappear before March 1983 by natural wastage.

That this offer was derisory can be seen by the fact that on management statistics alone, Oxford was entitled to 23 extra permanent posts, plus up to a dozen more for local factors.

The Government was also prepared to offer a joint review of the staffing system, but in return the unions were to pledge the lifting of their national overtime and casuals bans, as well as signing a virtual 'no strike' clause on cuts and staffing until the review was completed in March 1983. This agreement wuuu dave elucu use •la haro andar tho CPSA's campaign against public expenditure cuts, as Militant supporter Kevin Roddy well as resulting in an inglorious defeat for the Oxford and Birmingham strikers.

The DHSS Executive Committee of the SCPS recommended rejection of the offer, but the amazement of the membership taking industrial action the Broad Left DHSS-Executive of the CPSA recommended acceptance. . What is behind this?

In January of this year, plans were laid for a membership consultation, asking for support for non-cooperation with new procedures leading to staffing cuts in the DHSS. This non-cooperation would be backed up by all out strike action if members were suspended for following union policy.

This radical programme was moved by a supporter of the Militant tendency, which is the largest group-- idl- NDCA Danad Taft Ing in the vida drau weat. Members of the CPSA Socialist Caucus group, which includes supporters of Socialist Organiser, joined forces with Militant on it.

It is now apparent, however, that Militant's major objective was to embarrass the then right wing controlled National Executive Committee and to make political capital for the Broad Left if the NEC refused to sanction the nnlina In May the Broad Left won by a landslide in the CPSA national elections and had to honour its policy of fighting the cuts in the DHSS. The consultation went ahead in June and produced a small majority in favour of industrial action, with a substantial number of abstentions.

It was clear that any fighting campaign would require firm and decisive leadership from the Broad Left dominated executives. The Militant tendency showed no relish for such a task and immediately began to back-pedal, interpreting the results of the Very soon negotiations commenced on a minimal clause to avoid compulsory redundancies and transfers. Management, scenting victory, pressed a hard line in negotiation. Whilst the leadership talked, the members in Birmingham faced the realities and struck.

It was a belief that in the circumstances any offer on staffing could be regarded as a victory, and a lack of faith in the membership's ability to fight for jobs, that led to the extraordinary decision to recommend acceptance to the strikers.

ARMINGHAM in was 427 for rejection, 26 for acceptance. The members on strike have saved the union from a disastrous defeat.

The fight must now go on. Socialist Caucus members and their allies have continually argued for extensive industrial action in defence of jobs. We, of course, voted on the executive against the offer.

It is important, however, that the maximum unity is achieved in the Broad Left to escalate the strike, raise money for the strikers and develop the campaign against the cuts. Fortunately, the Broad Left, including the Militant tendency, have accepted the result and have realised that the strikers must be supported. An escalation has already begun with the South Yardley office in Birmingham being brought out on strike.

It will be a tremendous struggle, especially at the present time, after the results in the NUM and in British Leyland. There is no guarantee of victory. Even if we fail, at least we will not have sold our right to strike and our overtime ban.

The rank and file membership in Oxford and Birmingham have shown the way. The Broad Left 'leadership' must follow and organise for victory. agreed as a condition / reinstatement. Negoti tions are going on throug ACAS on this point.

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НЮ REIREAT ONI CY'L SERE I Socialist Organiser no.107 November 4

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STRIKE FOR OUR BENEFIT

VE'RE ON RIKE FOR

BIRMINGHAM STRIKE FOR YOUR BENEFT