THE TIMEX watch plant dispute in Dundee is a crucial test of strength tor the entire labour movement. The effective mass picketing. high levels of militancy and widespread solidarity on display are an example trade unionists everySome 300 assembly workers have been sacked by bosses of the American-owned multinational, in the biggest mass dismissals since the News International dispute of 1986-87.
The ABEU is defying a court injunction to enforce the Tories' 'six-picket-only rule, with convenor John Kydd and deputy convenor Willie Lesslie arguing they would rather go to prison than cave in.
Around 70 scabs are being launching another attack on women's rights and ability to choose what method and brand of contraception they use.
In reviewing the supply of conPlanning Clinics and GPs, they propose that the variety will be cut back and that cribe on the basis of cost rather than just suitability.
Patients wanting to continue with their accustomed brand will nave to pay the full cost - which could be from £11 to C33 for three monins supplyWe must deleat this idea and join with the National Abortion Campaign and insist that the government stops this review at once.
The National abortion Campaign have produced campaign postcards to be sent to MPs, They are also encouraging people to write to their MPs to emphasise the fact that to reduce the range of contraception will increase unwanted pregnancies and abortions - supposedly the opposite of the government's much-vaunted Health of the nation poisy for health promotion... bussed in daily. Many of them are school leavers, while others are former temporary workers at the plant.
In addition, a small number of engineers from Portsmouth boss Peter Hall was formerly managing director, are staying n a local hotel in order to work at ine ractory.
Some 90 MSF members are also crossing the picket, with supervisors thought to be training the scabs. MSF activists must demand they are called out.
In a successful bid to stop the strikebreakers' coach, lohn Kydd senior, AEEU district official, deliberately stalled his car in front of the gates on Monday last week and refused to move. The scabs faced 45 minutes of heckling from the 200-strong picket line until it costs around C25 a year for contraception. c250 for an abortion and E1,200 for an Nts DAVID Amess, MP for Basildon, failed in his attempt to undermine the 1967 Abortion Act when his Ten Minute Rule Bill on opposing sex selection was defeated.
We mustalso organise to enfake commission is exposed.
Now anti-choice groups have set up. 'independent linson of Ewell to examine the if the Abortion Act mis croup or prominent anti-abortionists,] includes David Alton, Dr Margaret Timex picket line police got them in through anLabour movement support has been magnificent, with do. rations of £1100 from Longannet pit complex in Fife, €1000 from Glasgow Rolls-Royce workers, and a El-a-week levy from British Aerospace. Street collections are bringing in £800 a day. Collections must be ororganise a day of action to en able mass picketing at the fac tory. The demand should be taken across the movement.
Management commenced a lock-out on 15 February, after employees refused to accept a 10 per cent pay cut, three hours on the working week, and other changes for the worse in pensions and other benefits The sackings followed shortly.
Jonations messages of suppor • AEEU offices, 2 Union Street Dundee, tel: 0382 22406
anti-abortionist front By Marion Brain