ISLINGTON council has raised the stakes is the 12week strike by NALGO workers against compulsory redundancies by using vicious anti-union methods.
This week they will sack all temporary workers on strike. They have also started using private agency staff as scabs.
Despite the council's intimidation the strike of 700 workers remains solid with more workers joining the strike as a result of management tactics.
Levels of picketing at the council's neighbourhood offices are high. In response to the COUNCIL workers in Newham, east London, are back on strike after appeal court judges overturned an injunction against their NALGO, earlier this month.
The Labour local authority used Tory anti-union laws to secure a return to work judgement, on the grounds that the union had 'promoted' the strike by calling for a yes vote. use of agency staff, 50 workers occupied the offices of CSL who are providing scab benefit teams to Islington.
If the agency does not withdraw its contract the strikers have vowed to return in greater numbers. Documents seen at the offices of CSL show that they plan to provide strike breakers to Newham, Hamlets and Hammersmith in the event of strikes taking place.
The high cost of agency scabs and the wage rises offered to staff still working show thatitis not lack of cash preventing the council negotiating a no redundancy package. Redeploying existing staff would cost no had been upheld, it woul have effectively gagged every activist in Britain who holds a union position.
Newham was refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords, but leader Stephen Timms said the authority would apply directto the Law Lords.
NALGO members first came out on August 3 after a 63 per cent vote to escalate a dispute over three compulsory redundancies in the poll more than the strike-breaking operations carried out by the council.
lies behind the council's 'tough stand is a determination to establish the right to enforce compuisory redundancies; and behind that are its plans to voluntarily Diverse many councils services, anticipating forthcoming government legislation.
In response to the sacking of temporary workers, the branch is seeking authorisation from NALGO's national executive to ballot the 2000 NALGO workers not not yet called out on strike. tax collection department, which has been running since January.
When action resumed on Monday last week, picket lines were reportedly strengthened, and the dispute may now be extended to take in school employees. • Messages of support and requests for speakers: Newham NALGO, 081 519 0799 wide day of action NALGO's Metropolitan District committee has called a London-wide action day and demonstration in defence of local government on 4 November.
Other public service unions in.
cluding the NUT will be apOnly £15, comrades!
Hang about, I'll just get my wallet. | EC Europe (including Britain): 1 1 year's subscription (24 issues): £15 • ¡ Six months' subscription (12 issues): £8 O ' Non-EC Europe: 1 year £20 O Six months £11 O , Rest of the World: 1 year f24 • Six months £13 • | I include a donation of £_ , Name I Address proached to support this initiative. The calling of this demonstration is the result of pressure from the lett and of branches like Islington, Camden, Hackney and Newham that have been involved in strike action against the cuts. Details in Outlook's next issue. Subscription Rates Send to Socialist Outlook, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU ---No. 28 26 Sept, 1992
Published fortnightly Solidarity price £1 Strikers and claimants 25p No 28 26 September, 1992 THE TORY government is in crisis.
• Norman Lamont's economic policy has collapsed, with sterling devalued by over 14 percent. The Tories are now under pressure to undertake a full U-turn, reflate the economy, and let inflation rip.
• The currency crisis and the wafer-thin French majority in favour of the Maastricht Treaty raise huge problems for Major. His commitment to force through British adherence to Maastricht without a referendum - despite overwhelming public opposition - is now dividing his own party. Harri:
• With these splits potentially destroying his small, fragile majority in parliament, the future of Major's government now hangs on the complete absence of any opposition from John Smith's Labour Party.
• Major could well be forced to rely on Liberal and Labour support to hold the line against his own Euro-sceptics, and to avoid allowing the electorate to have their say on the Maastricht Treaty.
• Labour has effectively adopted a bipartisan policy on Europe and on the ERM: front bench Labour spokespeople offered no opposition as Norman Lamont threw away billions pursuing his hopeless policy, and now have no alternative policy to offer.
• The refusal of the Labour leadership to call for one is now the main obstacle to a referendum on Maastricht. Euro-fanatic John Smith knows as well as Major that socialist Don't ask me for policies, I only work here opinion polls show less than 30 percent of British voters support the plan for a bosses' Europe. A heavy defeat would deal a fresh, decisive body blow to the Tories, and could even force them to call a fresh election.
• This situation must be ended. Trade unions and Labour Parties must echo Bryan Gould's demand that the Labour Printed by Tridant Press, Edenbridge, Kent. Published by Idolrare Ltd, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU leadership take up the call for a referendum - and impose a three-line whip to vote for this in parliament.
• After six disastrous months in which Labour has become the bag-carriers of Tory policy-makers, now is the time to get even for the humiliating defeat of April 9. Break with the Tories! Force a referendum!
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