BUILD THE MASS MOVEMENT TO SMASH TORY-TUC PAY PLAN

Both developments highlighted the growing mass movement in the working class which threatens to upset the TUC bid to form what virtually amounts to a coalition with the government to deal with the economic crisis facing British capitalism.

First resistance came from South Wales where oil refinery workers at Llandarcy went on strike after management refused wage negotiations because of the Chequers discussions. They were joined by steel workers at Pontypool who have been told to postpone their f7 wage demand pending the outcome of the TUCTory initiative. rotest strike against decision by venTory appointed delay pay talks as a result of Heath's wage plan.

The pressure to break off talks and pursue. a militant also felt at the top of the trade union movement.

Yesterday Railwaymen's leader Ray Buckton joined Clive Jenkins of the white-collar ASTMS in condemning any TUC attempt to hold back pay demands.

These hostile reactions to the horse-trading at Chequers is cast-iron proof that the working class will not be held back on wages.

The TUC General Council might be in a mood of total surrender, but the strength of the rank and file remains unbroken.

This strength has dogged the Tories for two years in confrontation after confrontation and it will go on battering this government of speculators and friends of the monopolies.

The first big test will come after Wednesday when leaders of the electricity power workers meet management over their £5.50 pay claim. Militants in the industry say they will impose a work-to-rule if no satisfactory offer is made.

Such action can only encourage other workers like the miners and the Ford car workers with big claims in the pipeline.

These wage battles will hit the Tories while they are extremely weak. The British economy is rapidly slipping out of control. Inflation is unchecked and many more huge price increases are on the way.

Pound slips

Meanwhile the balance of payments show record trade deficits and the pound yesterday slipped to the lowest point since it was floated in June.

The Tories' main aim is to get into the Common Market and gang up with the most reactionmonopolies to attack the working class-until then they are desperate men.

That is why the militant resistance of workers to state wage control should not be a basis for complacency. The real role of the TUC is to help the Tories over the next few perilous months and into Europe where they, can gang up with the monopolies. Then they will not need Victor Feather or talks at Chequers.

The greatest danger is that the union leadership will hold back workers and postpone pay battles. This has already happened with the miners and it could happen in the power industry.

While these fatal delays occur, the government will be preparing for a regime of economic dictatorship where the law courts, the prisons as well as mass unemployment will be used against workers who fight for wages and basic rights.

Watershed

The threat of such a corporate state structure is now discussed quite openly in the Tory Press as the alternative to the so-called voluntary restraint on wage rises and strikes.

In short this watershed for the movement.

The reformist leaders are striving for a pact with the Tory government and will continue their collaboration. A new leadership therefore must be constructed in the course of the big pay battles ahead.

The training of such a leadership will be the central issue at the All Trades Unions Alliance conference in Birmingham this Sunday.

Already the response to the conference has been very great an indication that workers want to build an alternative to the men who control the TUC General Council. All militant workers should come to this conference and join in this life-and-death struggle.

yesterday for th Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, a fol ing him resign Lincoln.

board to period union QC, applied post of if the Manor nality allowas MP for LIMITED ATUA CONFERENCE Way forwa for all unionists SUNDAY OCTOBER 22 10-30 a.m TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM Send for delegates' and observers' credentials from: Conference Secretary, R. Goldstein, 103 Lewis Flats, Dalston

Lane, London E8

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