Glassmen seek Mersey support New clash over redundancy threat

Workers Press no. 179, 5 June 1970 · scan page 2

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GLASSWORKERS at Pilkington's six St Helens a series of 24-hour token strikes.

For the second in the series, scheduled to take place in ten days' time, the rank-and-file committee which led their recent seven-week-long strike has urged supporting action from trade unionists throughout Merseyside and the North-West.

Arrangements are being made for a united demonstration through Liverpool on that day to back the St Helens workers.

Next Tuesday, in what is clearly a challenge not only to Pilkington workers, but to all NW trade unionists, the glass monopoly will sack some 260 workers from its key Triplex satety-glass works.

Rank-and-file committee members are determined that these must not suffer the same fate... as. 27 .. glass 'truckers' sacked firm prIngton's Pontypool plant five weeks ago.

Reinstatement Officials of the General and Municipal Workers' Union, from which the St Helens committee has now formally declared withdrawal, have stil made no serious attempts either to obtain reinstatement for these men or to fight the Triplex sack threat.

Announcing the formation of a breakaway organization alled the Provisional Pilking ton's Trade Union, committer treasurer John Potter said that the G&MWU has "insulted and ignored its members'.

However, the struggle to settle acoounts with the G&MWU will inevitably ope up a battle on a new front against Pilkington's negotiating agreement with the union and the Trades Union Cangress's Bridlington regulations.

Bunting V.

ELECTION PHOTNEWS John Gollan, CP secretary, at Actan SWINDON Friday, June 12, 7.30 p.m.

Co-op Hall East St Speakers:

Frank Willis (ATUA)

G. Healy (SLL natlona THE TWO MAUDLINGS: A slightly younger Mr Maudling looks out from his election poster as the real-life Reggie speaki at his adoption meeting in Barnet. Left: At least some of his audience found his three-quarters-of-an-hour speech amusing.