102ND TRADES UNION CONGRESS BRIGHTON Talk... but no action argument on wages

From our Industrial correspondent DAVID MAUDE In Brighton TORY CALCULATIONS that the union leaders are bluffing in their calls for 'an offensive wages strategy' are unlikely to take more than a temporary buffet from the unanimous support given this afternoon to a three-pronged wages resolution from the Trades Union Congress.

Heath and his associates, while fearing the growing determination of the trade union rank and file, know who their friends are.

And if the union leaders cannot put forward a policy for fighting unemployment how are : they going - as today's resolution declared • SECURE higher wages and shorter working hours.

• OPPOSE restrictions on wage bargaining 'whether legally enforced or atherwise:

SCOTCH government plans to 'usé the public sector as an "example" for the rest of industiy in wage restraint"?

It was Walter Kendall, general secretary of the Civil and Public Services' Association, who claimed at the end of a series of brief, but heated top-brass blasts from the Brighton rostrum that their wages talks was not bluff.

But the talk, despite the vehemence, remains ... talk.

'Scrooges'

Transport and General Workers' general secretary Jack Jones, moving the successful resolution, attacked "scrooge employers' who refused to pay the TUC's £16 10s minimum wage demand :

'Even £20,' he said, 'is a modest figure?

But while complaining that the Tories were covering abandonment of their election pledge to halt inflation with their attack on wages, he still hoped that they would respond by changing their course'.

And, like Congress secretary Feather before him, he stressed that the government Feather: Harped on theme 'needs co-operation' — but would not get it if it insisted on curbs.

Pit closures

Urganized by London Kegion Young Socialists Trotsky Memorial Lectures TROTSKYS LAST WORDS IAM CONFDENT OF THE VICTORY OF THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL GO FORWARD.... 1965 THAT MEANS FORWARD TO THE FIST DAILY TROTSKYIST PAPER 197 THAT MEANS BULE ERS PRESS Monday, 14 September "Trotsky's struggle Monday, 21 BEAVER HALL GARLICK HILL Near Mansion House tube Starts 8 p.m.

HEALY morning calling for cuts in unemployment, guarantees of the right to work and expansion of state spending — particularly in the development areas.

These were parsed on the government for to the Tory ist economic ! tegy which steers away lin' incomes restraint...u.

ner last month's furint. rise ir: the jobless totals nor the enthusiastic lobby of delegates by militant London council workers could spark one iota of hard policy - or even real life - into either debate.

Only one of more than a dozen speakers — Leicester draughtsmen's delégate Harry Smith-so much as mentioned trade unles elicked product tivity deals:

Warning "To continue to stress productivity bargaining,' warned, 'can only lead to further unemployment.' A few delegates applauded as he stressed that 'redudancies created by capitalism are one thing. But it's another when workers' répresentatives are negotiating money for some of their mates getting the sack.

However, the line, by and Saturday ptember 12 6 YORK HALL BATHS Ford Rd, E.2 Sports Day Sunday September 13 2 p.m.

PARLIAMENT

HILL FIELDS Admissi lal secri

large, remained broadly within the terms of general secretary Victor Feather's call—in his introduction to the economic policy discussion-for a change of Tory and employing-class 'Surprised' 'Puzzled' and 'surprised', he claimed, restrictive attitude both of the government and of the Confederation of British Industry, Feather warned that the continuance of their present policies 'the one sure way-the certain way-to make absolutely certain that we neither economic growth nor industrial peace'.

And harping again on his theme for this week ('the TUC does not sing one song when Conservative governments are in power and another when Labour governments are in power'), he declared that if Heath's cabinet gave 'a positive and constructive lead' trade respond.

Agreement

'Of course there will always be arguments between but surely we can all agree on one thing, and that is the need to get Britain moving ...

will listen,' he went 'and we too are open to persuasion by rational Of course, unemployment and attacks on wages, from being 'misguided and misconceived' as Feather suggested, are the lynchpin of the Tories' anti-working-class strategy.

Yet not a single speaker in the debate-from Newcastlebased General and Municipal organizer Andrew CunningBelfast sheet metal workers' delegate lace-came out in favour of attack against the taproots of Tory power.

'Rationalization'

Cunningham, 'having lived under Conservatism', warned that they mean what they ay, but went on to express he belief that 'some rational. ization of industry. is not bad for us.

But it seems somewhat incongruous that a union which has proved unable to defend the jobs of several hundred St Helens and Pontypool glassworkers should be the main proponent of a resolution purporting to fight unemployment.

And the woolly five-point programme vaunted by Wallace as 'a step to giving us full employment for all our people did not SO much as mention nationalization.