"What is racism and how did it arise?" manufacturers, plantation owners and Pened.
Michael Edwardes - leading the ores anu-unon orlensive.
Late last month, the "independent" enquiry into the sacking of 8 Long bridge workers returned its findings It recommended that only 2 out of the 8 workers be re-instated.
These recommendations, if accepted by Longbridge workers, would de a major set-back to snop-nool organisation in the whole of British The workers were originally sacked, last December, for alleged "gross industrial misconduct". Hauled before the bosses' kangaroo court, they were promptly dismissed.
Their "misconduct" involved standing up to tne Leylana dosse who, for years now, have been seeking to ram home speed-up and job loss. The men took part in a protest action when management, snoruy berore, sougnt to introduce speed-up in the Trentham seat-build Cleariv. for the Levland management, the victimisation of the 8 was of shop-floor organisation. Michael Lawaraes recora speaks tor liseu * Two years ago, Edwardes rammed home his "plans" for the company which involved a massive job loss. Sacking convenor Derek Robinson for criticising his views, he threatened to shut down the compary alless bile amons agreed * In April, last year, Edwardes imposed a 5% pay norm - at a time when inflation was raging at 17% -threatening, once more, to shut down the company unless the unions —reviewsSocialism on Trial, James P. Cannon Radicalising young workers begining to take an interest in socialist ideas often ask if there's a particular book they can read that sets out - clearly and simply - what socialism stands for.
Socialism on Trial has served that purpose for decades. It is particularly usetul because it is based around a series of questions and answers.
What is the fundamental role of * Only last November, despite the anger and frustration of Leyland workers who voted 2 to 1 for strike action, Edwardes rammed home a 6.8% pay rise on the union leaders. Mass sackings would result if the deal was not accepted, ne threat No wonder Edwardes is the Tories' blue-eyed boy. He is clearly setting the pace for the whole Tory drive to beat down and cripple the trade unions.
WEAK-KNEED The reason why Edwardes has got away win nis arrogant turcats is obviously due to the weak-kneed attitude of union leaders. Frightened by threats to close down the company, they have meeklt accepted ved up over the years This can be seen in their attitude to the current dispute. leaders refused to call Edwardes' bluff by threatening wide-spread strike action if he didn't re-instate the men. On the contrary, they recommended that the 1500 who had already struck return to work and called for an independent enquiry.
Seeing no alternative, the strikers returned to work and an "independent" enquiry was set up whose recommendations have only recently been announced DEFENCE Unfortunately, these recommendations - which clearly back the management's action - have been meekly accepted by the trade union leaders. If the Edwardes' management is allowed to get away with these victimisations, however, then no-one at Leyland will be safe.
As Tony Benn says, it will not only give Edwardes the green light to apply similar methods in other Ley. land plants. It will give the green light to all managers to get tough hata tne umon.
This is ighy it is vital to begin the fight-back now. Already a detence campaign is being set up, sponsored by Selly Oak Labour Party.* Such a cambas das zo beannow to con vince workers that only strike action will defend union rights against Edwardes' dictatorial methods. * Messages of support and donations should be sent to: Selly Oak Labour Party, Albert Bore (Secretary), 10, Greenend Rd, Birmingham 13. James P. Cannon. cratic rights and ultimately war. It has become the major obstacle to human In contrast to the capitalist minority who rule by deceit and force, Cannon fighters for democratic rights, for the unions and for all oppressed people He goes on to explain how socialism has nothing to do with the bureaucratic caricature that exists in the USSR The Russian Revolution, for the first time in history, placed power in the hands of working people. But the revolution - isolated in a back ward coun try and attacked by capitalism internat. ionally - eventually was overcome by Stalinism Since Cannon was explaining his ideas to a mass audience who were not socialists, the book is easily readable. As an introduction to, and stirring defence of, the basic ideas of Marxism, it is a powerful weapon in the hands of working people who want to fight tor a better world.