Scanlon wants to cool it

THE COUNTRY was in a situation where the governmenut was pursuing a line leading to a confrontation with the unions, engineers' leader Hugh Scanlon said yesterday.

The president of the 1.3 million strong Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers made it clear, however, that he would do everything 5,000 docks jobs to go-report reveals another had a figure in mind, 'but it The NPC--of which Jack AT LEAST another 5,000 dockers will lose their iobs would be imprudent to quote it Jones, general secretary of the 10,000 to 12, dockers will lose their jobs over the next three years, port chiefs estimate. This became clear at a press conference yesterday to mark the annual report of the National Port Council.

Former merchant banker Philip Chappell, NºC chairman, had refused to be drawn on any estimate of a future run down in the dock labour force.

Reporters had been probing his statement that there is an inevitable trend towards a smaller workforce, a trend which applies to the men not only on the quayside but throughout the Chappell and the NPC clearly MASS MOVEMENT FOR GENERAL STRIKE Labour MPs who voted with the Tories on the Market legislation in parliament.

But after the lunch break during which the Stalinists and "lefts' were engaged in horse-trading with the right wing, the resolution was withdrawn.

That same evening in the House of Commons 12 Labourites abstained on a key vote on the EEC Bill thus giving the Tories a narrow eight majority. Had the Labourites voted against the Tories the Tories would have lost their majority and been forced out of office.

Whatever happened to Wilson's line-by-line' fight against this Common Market conspiracy of the Tory Party and the big he could to see such a development would not take place.

He was speaking to top management representatives at an Industrial Society conference fee £25 per head—on the subject 'Reducing Conflict and Strikes'.

'Such a situation would be disastrous,' said Mr Scanlon. 'I hope wiser councils will prevail.

'No wants to challenge the courts. If, however, trade unions had always accepted the law there would be no unions today. But I only hope that point will not be reached.' He then offered the Tory government a deal over the Industrial Relations Act. 'I hope the government will have the flexibility to put the Act in cold storage to allow discussion to take place had a would today'.

He was referring to the continual work of the Jones-Aldington committee for which the NPC provides the secretariat.

Then someone suggested a reduction of around 20,000 dockers. Clearly taken aback Chappell replied:

'No, no. At least a quarter of that figure' Chappell made it clear that all hopes of peace on the docks were pinned on the Jones-Aldington committee.

'Yes, I feel there's a chance of solving the problem: its a longterm problem to be solved in six weeks- yet they should be in a position to repo rt.' He has made no attempt to expel the right-wing traitors who keep the Tories in power.

How can the working class itself be mobilized to prepare for the Tories to be brought down?

This is the purpose of the Councils of Action which the Socialist Labour League called for in a special Political Committee statement on May 19.

In this urgent appeal to the labour and trade union movement we stated: "There must be formed Councils of Action in every area, as in the period betore 1926, to unite all those fighting against the government on all issues. This is the only way to defend trade unions and it is the key to every anti-lory 'These councils consist must •Victory to •The trade Councils ( area. -report Jones, general secretary f the T&GWU, is deputy chairm lanforecast a 14-per-cent ris in cargo traffic by 1975.

It estimates that of the total general cargo of 60 million tons at least half will remain in noncontainer form.

Significantly Chappell said of this forecast:

"The emphasis has very much switched to the importance of selling these facilities [container] and making them operate at minimum cost and maximum profit.' With traditional handling methods, he added, one man will be employed for every 750 to 1,000 tons. With containerized of all workers' organizations: trade unions, Labour Parties, the SLL, Communist Parties and all socialist tendencies, as well as tenants' committees, co-operatives--in short, all sections of the labour morement.' The purpose of the councils is to defend the working class against the attacks of the Tory government and to mobilize the masses to make it resign.

Briginshaw has said it. In its way, the 'Telegraph' has said it.

These are the demands of the hour:

before the the dockers. unions must set up f Action in every 10,000 to 12,500 tons.

The NPC's annual report shows that Britain's. ports achieved an aggregate net surplus of nearly £10m more than in 1970.

The return on capital was however under 5 per cent. "This would be clearly , unacceptable in British industry,' said Chappell. There was still some way to go both in cost-cutting and 1n achieving revenue increases.

'Profit maximumization cannot be the port's only objective, but they must be in a strong enough position financially to meet their maturing obligations and provide scope for competitive independence.' Ill JUNE FUND NOW £407.78 AT last there has begun to be a change for our Fund. A splendid post of £112.45 has increased our total to £407.78.

Now let's do our best to keep up this pace.

A showdown between the working class and this Tory government is clearly on the agenda. This is the time to mobilize workers everywhere and make this government resign.

preparing the leadership for this fight. So make a special effort today for our June appeal Fund. Don't waste a moment. Collect as much as you possibly can-add something extra yourself. Post all donations immediately to :

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