Lessons of the post workers' strike

'My answer to Ford is hat İ stay out', one worker from the Dagenham knock.

down expori section told I have worked too long for €17.624 take-home pay.' This worker summed up the to continue the 'Parity now' Before the meeting, officials from the trade union national negotiating team were greeted by thousands chanting We want parity!' But the motion put to the men made no mention of this essential part of the claim— pay equality with the carworkers of the Midlands, who earn up to £15 more than the Dagenham men.

Ford workers now stand solidly behind their trade unions and fully support the negotiators in their determination to achieve once and toI all a wage increase that rewards the Ford worker for the contribution they make both to the Ford Motor Company and to the economy of the country, said the motion.

Word missing

'But where is that magic word "parity" , that's what I want to know, , said one Ford steward after the vote.

help Earlier, the crowd, estimated by union officials to be about 15,000 strong, was addressed the union negotiating team, who said that Ford workers made a great contribution to Britain and the company.

They had, for example, he said, boosted exports by over £100m in seven years.

Judgement

'Now if that is not for the good of the company and the country I don't know what is,' said Evans.

After the meeting, Evans said he was sure Henry Ford II would not allow the character of this dispute to impair his commercial judgement.

The question of possible redundancies did not enter into the unions' consideration at all, he said.

"If they are going to get rid of men here, then, by God, in a lot or capital investmeing he claimed. • He would not put a figure to what he considered a reasonable offer would be. 'It is to the membership to decide whether the Ford offer is reasonable or not, he told me.

Reg Birch, secretary of the union negotiating side, said that Ford workers were not bluffing in their claim.

'Ford says that he is going Tuesday March 16, 8 p.m.

'The Old Plough, Kilburn Lane, W.10 (near Harrow Rd)

Wednesday March 17, 8 p.m.

Unitarian Church Hail, Effra Rd, SW2 (opposite Lambeth Town Hall) Speaker at both meetings:

LY (natlonal secretary, Socialist Labour ALL TRADES UNION ALLIANCE March 18 LOBBY AND DEMONSTRATION Force the TUC to call a General Strike to make the Tory Government Resign! Lobby the TUC meeting-Fairfield Halls, Croydon, Demonstration-Assemble 2 p.m. outside Fairfield Halls, Croydon. March—2.30 p.m. through Croydon.

Meeting—3 p.m. Top Rank Suite, London Ra, Croydon. Speakers from the All Trades Unions Alliance. -IVERPOOL TRADES COUNCI

LOBBY

of Special Trades Union Congress at Croydon Special train: Tickets £2 return Thursday March 18 ASSEMBLE: Islington Square 10.30 a.m. Kill the Bill