RAILMEN'S LEADERS HOBBLE T STION

TOMO national (IMG)

MONDAY: Make day's THE RAIL DISPUTE is The union leaders yester luctantly to renew industri already-watered-down pay From midnight next Tuesday the unions will impose a ban on overtime and restday working.

These sanctions will create "inconveniences' but nothing that the government and British Rail isn't already well prepared for.

The weakness and indecision at the top of the three unions ASLEF, National Union_of Railwaymen and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association—-will only strengthen the hand of the Tory government, which is hellbent on defeating the railmen.

The reluctance of the union léaders to give leadership at this IMPORTANT FEATURE SERIES Cliff Slaughter today continues his important series of articles with 'Centrism and the working class' RROW Interwrites off working class Centrism and of reformism TUESDAY: The political independence of the workWing class.

sure you follow each instalment of this reoretical series on again — day decided ial action in claim.

but only just. somewhat reof their crucial hour was shown in a comment by the TSSA's Percy Coldrick.

After a three-hour joint meetat Unity House, London, yesterday Coldrick said: 'We sincerely hope that Mr Marsh i will consider the situation and say he is prepared to negotiate instead of leaving it to us.' And Sir Sidney Greene of the NUR asked reporters: 'What can you, do if people won't talk to Greene went on to reveal his fear of the determination of his own members when he said: 'What do like that?, You do after a ballot There were even greater dangers expressed.

Their next meeting, the union chiefs said, was with Victor Feather of the TUC.

Feather is the man who refused to back the Post Office workers when they went into battle with the Tories early last year and he is the man who is now refusing to recall the TUC —despite a majority vote-to reaffirm opposition to the Industrial Relations Act.

In going off to see the TUC chief, Greene said: We do not want to transfer this row from ourselves and the Railways Board to somebody else in the TUC On past form, Greene should have not the slightest fear on this count!

The new industrial action is being called at a time when the other trade union leaders Hugh ticularly Jack Jones and Scanlon, are in flat-out retreat.

On the docks, Jack Jones is trying to get another postponement of the national docks strike while at the same time entering into collaboration on • the contanner question with Lord Aldington, the chairman of the Port of London Authority and ex-deputy chairman of the Tory As we report in another part ot the paper (page ten) Scanion has been in the Midlanas encouraging his members to engage in the same stunts which have proved so treacherous the Manchester pay fight.

visiting The employers who have given away nothing in Manchester must be delighted that Scanion is being such a vigorous advocate of plant bargaining.

The actions of Jones and Scanlon have ensured that the railmen stand isolated in the sights of the Tory government.

But the strength of the 230,000 railmen can win the day, just as the determination of the miners smashes the Tory 'norm' in January and February.

The rank and file of all unions engaged in transport and goods trafficking must rally to the support of the railmen.

What is required now is the unity in action dramatically demonstrated at the Saltley coke depot in Birmingham during the miners' strike when engineers joined pickets to close down the plant.

The other urgent need build Councils of Action.

As the Tories launch their offensive it will be up to these Councils to defend the working class and to prepare the fight to get the Tories out of office.

All members of the labour and trade union movement should join these councils to see that the railmen win. PAPERBACKS CENTRE 28 Charlotte St London W1 Docks strike in the balance PORT employers yesterday called on the Transport and General Workers' Union to call off the national docks strike planned for next Friday.

The appeal was made during a meeting of the port industry's National Joint Council held in London.

Late yesterday the council broke up into two groups as union officials began to discuss a formula put forward by the employers.

The final decision on whether the strike goes on or not rests with the docks delegates who will meet at Transport House next week.

LONDON'S Royal group dockers voted yesterday to stage a one-day strike next week.

Liverpool men have already RIODICALS NEWSPAPERS voted in favour of strike action to coincide with the national docks delegates' conference next Wednesday and Thursday.

About 1,000 Royal men yesterday voted to accept their shop stewards' commendation for a strike.

Bernie Steer, chairman of the London port shop stewards' committee, said the time for compromise was past.

SEAN O'Brady, publicity director of the Provisioal Sinn Fein, was freed when he appeared in Dublin District Court yesterday. The court was told no evidence would be offered against him.

At the same time Joe Cahill, Belfast leader of the Provisionals, was remanded in custody until next Wednesday charged under the Offences Against the State Act.

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