Steelworkers disciplined

THE DECISION of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation to discipline its members involved in the unofficial Christmas strike at the British Steel Corporation's (BSC) Port Talbot steelworks is the first blow struck for the TUC General Council's 'guidelines' issued today. I11I1lI The disciplining directly implements the council's recommendation that 'Meetings of members are a useful and authorized method of consultation, but are not entitled to take decisions, or to instruct shop stewards to take actions which are at THE 120 craftsmen at the BSC's Panteg stainless steel works near Cardiff, who have been on strike since Sunday, are meeting today and are expected to follow a recommendation to continue their action.

The strike was called to press the men's demand for a £3 bonus.

But the management have only offered to meet half the demand and are insisting on tying the bonus to increases in production.

variance with union policy, or • • • agreements to which the union is party.' The ISTC's move follows the TUC General Council in challenging the right of the shop floor to take action . on any issue, however pressing, independently of the union executive.

Red herring

The accusation levelled at the strikers • that they endangered the plant's safety through insufficient notice is a complete red herring and obscures the basic issues.

It would be a big mistake

to follow Fleet Street In describing the disciplinings as 'We cannot remain on simply a continuation of past ISTC policy. unifying operation which This led, for example, in has been set in motion.' June, to the disciplining of 14 leaders of a four-week official strike at the BSC's Corby steelworks who had re- unifying transcends the frontiers fused to end their strike.

western Europe.

The executive claimed that their action was in breach of procedure and union rules. nks were being forged wit e stated that while ne Top Franco'. Spaniards Challenge the capitalist powers, 'at the The report features a petiSignificance same time Spain's tion presented to Franco by with East Europe are increas- leading Spanish opposition The full significance of this Wing'. figures', , the aim of the group insistence on procedure is now being 'to bring pressure on becoming very clear. And this is perfectly true. the new Spanish Cabinet The struggles at Port Talbot show for all to what While the fascist repression formed at the end of October necessarily involved in against all working-class and to liberalize itself and to declare itself. implementing the TUC's pro- left-wing The group clearly has no ISTC's disciplinary intention of challenging the powers, which include expul- fascist regime. sion from the union possibly followed by the loss of the three East European It simply seeks to reform job, are being used to force ruled by the Stalinist bureau- fascism by pressure on its the implementation of the cracy--Poland, Hungary and allegedly more 'liberal' govbitterly opposed 'Green Book' ernment leaders-mainly the productivity deal. 'Opus Dei' group of bankers and industrialists, who favour Major struggles Spanish entry into the Common Market.

Major struggles against the executive's powers to enforce Any Stalinist 'attacks' ol agreements could well break Bus leaders back