One million pensioners do not claim the income support to which they are entitled means-tested benefits and per.
sonal pensions, and exposes how the Tories have rigged the figures to generate a 'profit' on National Insurance contributions which has then been used to subsidise private pensions.
Castle and Townsend argue for a reformed State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) with the restoration of all its original features as resources allow.
The first measure that should be implemented, they argue, would be the 'twenty best earning years formula, particularly relevant in today's labour market.
Restoring the link between pensions and earnings destroyed by Thatcher as one of her first acts in government is crucial.
Castle and Townsend not only argue for restoring pension levels to wnat they woula nave been it A striker from Hillingdon Hospital spoke at the rally of their struggle against Pall Mall marking its first anniversary on October 1. Scargill, introduced as the 'General Secretary of the SLP', demanded that trade union leaders be prepared face seauestration of ıc *eece țo defend the interests of their members.
A dav of internationa soldarıty action is being organised in around 20 countries world-wide, with the Maritime Union of Australia preparing a week long boycott of Liverpool ships in Australian ports.
This weekend sees the first anniversary of the long running dispute at Hillingdon Hospital in West London. It started when already low-paid workers struck against pay cuts by their employer, Pall Mall. Following this they were locked out.
Thatcher had not axed the link, at a cost of £0.5 billion.
They also argue for an immediate increase in the basic level, as pledged by Labour in its 1992 manifesto-if it could be afforded then, they claim, it certainly can today.
Castle's stand is in line with that of pensioner's campaigns10,000 marched through central London on September 14 to voice their demands. Many major unions and CLPs have similar posicions.
Socialist Outlook wants to be able to go beyond these demands-rapidly and morale is high.
but the first step in doing so is fighting vociferously for their implementation.
The fight for decent living flashpoint in Blackpool-but the battle will continue long beyond the conference season.
The 'left' leadership of the T&G on the other hand, has done all it can to undermine the strixe. rrom te outset it has refused to officially recognise the strike and has attempted to negotiate a sell out deal with MDHC and then convince the strikers to accept. Most recently it was rumoured that the T&G executive were considering withdrawing all support for the strike if the strikers refused to accept a deal that they had already rejected.
Many of the strikers think that they are actually better off without official recognition, since they won't have their hands tied by bureaucrats trying to sell the strike out. Such an approach, whilst understandable, seriously under-estimates the effect a struggle for support from the union could have on mobilising the ranks of the T&G. It underplays the power a union leadership can have in undermining the dispute if their actions go unchallenged. Égually importantly it lets the TGWU leadership off the honk As the dispute enters its second year it is vital that the T&G leadership are forced to put their power and resources Gomly behind those fighting casualisacos and union bashing managements. Those in the TGWU who genuinely suppon the dockers must stand up and be counted.
RMT Train Crew Grades Secretary AFTER the most complex campaign ever waged by the RMT, Guards have won a significant victory with only one train operating company remaining in dispute.
While the majority of train operating companies were prepared to settle on terms favourable to the union, ScotRail nas aug in its neeis The task now is to concentrate the resources of the union into winning our Out of the 22 companies balloted, 14 have either made immediate pay awards or agreed to reduce the working week to 37 hours without strings. In three more, strikes have been suspended while offers Significantiy, membership has grown Paradoxically, the effect of privatisation has been to leave the new companies exposed. Whilst this is undoubtedly only a temporary occurrence Guards have standards in retirement may be a been able to exploit this weakness. In the process the RMT has learnt some valuable lessons.
tional dispute in the face of the break up of Briusn kall, with all the restraints of the Tory anti-union laws, proved almost impossible. Nevertheless, it was possible to ensure that strike days were co-ordinated and momentam burt up At 'the same time, the union had to come to terms with a shift in the seat of power - from the national level to company based representatives. Managements tried their hardest to. ereate a split between the national union leadership and these company reps.
Only in two main areas in the South East were they successful.
While the time will come for an accounting in those afeas, the key is now to concentrate on Scotland. ScotRail have offered a 37 hour week - but only if it is self financing. The union has rightly rejected this and called further strike days.
Scottish members have stood firm on previous strike days, and will continue to do so, but management is using other grades, in particular ASLEF drivers to undermine the action. The dispute needs now to escalate.
It will only be able to do so with sundort from the rest of the union. particular a ScotRail Fighting Fund is to be set up. RMT members nationwide need to respond positively to the call for support.