Called off

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To wind down the curtain, ISTC local and national leaders called off the strike and delivered a 'compromise' chorus in which they claimed to have saved six jobs and held off the shift changes. BSC management heckled from the back row that, "The terms they have agreed to go back on are exactly the same as those that were available before the strike"

But star turn of the officials must be SOGAT 82 General Secretary Bill Keys, whose stand-up 'left' patter normally goes down a storm at the TUC Palais.

Brought on stage by the strike action of his members who print the Radio Times at Maxwell's Park Royal works, and by the rapid spread of supporting blacking action to the sister East Kilbride plant, Keys knew the very routine that would win Maxwell's applause.

He started by calling off the action which had Maxwell by the throat - the blacking in the London area of all Maxwell's publications. From this weakened position he then went into 'negotiations' in which Keys nanaged to concede introduction of job flexibility and staffing cuts in Park Royal (under the threat of closure) and East Kilbride, and a no-strike clause (see page 14).

Common to all these performances have been:

• The willingness of the rank and file to take action. (In the Til›ury dock strike this has even seen strikers vote down recommendaions for a return to work by their officials and their own stewards).

L The appalling weakness of the ornicials, and their determination to restrict rather than extend the struggles that erupt, grasping for often illusory straws from the employers.

The obdurate refusal of the employers to concede any more than the most marginal trifles to union negotiators, for whom they have nothing but barely disguised contempt.

There is no denying that conditions are hard for the winning of major victories in a period where the entire ruling class is on the offensive.

But there is no way that victories can be won so long as struggles remain controlled by officials who see their job not as building upon and strengthening the action of the rank and file but controlling it, containing it, and compromising on its objectives.

In this crisis-wracked theatre of struggle, the role that remains unfilled is the crucial one of a principled leadership in the rank and file of the unions and wider labour movement.

The policies and perspectives of Socialist Organiser are designed to fill that role. As yet we are not drawing a mass audience: but as the existing leaders fall flat before packed houses and leave militants asking for their money back, we continue to fight for an audition.

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Socialist Organiser no.127 April 14 1983 Page 2