STRIKERS AT Burnsall electroplating works in Smethwick - predominantly Punjabi women - have called a mass rally for Friday October 23 as part of their determined effort to defeat their ruthless employers.
Their union, GMB, is sending coaches from London and other areas in support, while the Indian Workers' Association and local trades councils are mobilising for the event. The rally is due to start at 4pm, with speakers including GMB general secretary John Edmonds.
Burnsall's owners, the O'Neill family, have been condemned by their own Irish community and are finding it increasingly difficult to hang on to their present scab workforce.
While spired by Malcolm X, as was Bobby Seale.
Seale ended his speech by declaring himself a revolutionary humanist, commited to the mental, social and economic emancipation of African people and all of humanity.
The limited space here cannot do justice to Seale's speech or indeed his life. Read his brilliant and moving account of the Black Panther Party in the 1970 book 'Seize the Time'.
The introduction indicates the objectives to which he has dedicted his life. "...Unity is the catalyst to help humanise this racist world. We need socially conscious activists who will work towards the ultimate goal of community control, as well as political and economic empowerment of our people. We need activists who cross all ethnic and religious backgrounds and colour lines who will establish civil and human rights for Bobby Seale certainly 'seized' the time. Grab the opportunity to buy and read this book Seize the Time recently reissued by Black Classics Press! strikebreakers have been recruited since the start of the dispute 20 weeks ago, only 18 are going into the plant at present.
Those that do cross the picket line are getting £115 a week - substantially more than the old starting wage of £80. Sadly, the lower figure is not uncommon for the area.
Despite the Health and Safety Executive ordering installation of extractors and other safety improvements, conditions are still extremely unpleasant. The compulsory seven day, 65 hour, week coninues.
Many scabs - obviously desperate people - cannot stand the place for more than a couple of weeks. Production is a shambles because of the lack of continuity of operators and assemblers.
Some workers, sent from the Only £15, comrades?
Hang about, I'll just get my i\wallet. | EC Europe (including Britain): 1 1 year's subscription (24 issues): £15• ¡ Six months' subscription (12 issues): £8J 'Non-EC Europe: 1 year £20 J Six months £11 O , Rest of the World: 1 year £24 • Six months £13 0 1I include a donation of £_ 'Name I Address No. 30 dole office, have actually joined the picket line after being told what awaited them inside. Similarly, workers from nearby plants have told the strikers they suffer from similar conditions and are even joining the protest themselves at the end of their shifts.
GMB and TGWU now intend to mount a recruitment drive. Equal pay and victimisation tribunals will be heard shortly.
Unfortunately, local police are still harassing strikers, forcing them to move their strike caravan (donated, by victorious Alcan-Booth strikers) and stopping use of their coke brazier.
Donations, messages of support, inquiries about transport to the rally from Burnsall Strike Fund, GMB, Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, Halesowen B63 ЗHP. Tel; 021 550 4888. Subscription Rates Send to Socialist Outlook, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU ---25 Oct, 1992
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