IT IS now 18 months since Preston Trades Council decided to establish its own journal, Preston Worker.
media reaction to the 'winter of discontent', but it also reflected dissatisfaction at the bureaucratically-controlled press.
We have produced tive issues or ine z0-30 journal, vast print run of 2,500-3,000 copies. This has been to shop based on sales stewards committees, union branches, and many political and trade union functions Such Stas been the response to Worker and the associated printing, operation that the counci recently agreed to help establis! a plug coBy Charlie van Gelderen sporting authorities South Africa.
that myth.
The white nationalist regime of Pieter Botha claims that it is trying to humanise the obnoxious known as South Africa's leading capitalist, Harry Oppenheimer, who nead Anglo-Ameriurges the ment to speed up the pro cess otherwise matters may be taken out of the hands of the ruling class.
The of South Africa will solve matters their own way.
This is no idle threat.
On February the Afrikaans-language newspaper Die Vaderland reported a survey finding that the majority of In favoured revolution as the best and surest means of improving their lot.
Judy Seidman's valuable pamphlet Facelift Apartheid gives a comprenensive review or tile concessions' which the wards its alleged goal has made Not achieving c. ually tor all people before the law and equal chances and to quote Koornhof, the Minister of Co-operation and Development.
The first moves were made the Vorster government when it set community councils for black urban residential arcas. The enthusiasm for these In the black community is indicated by the elections in Soweto in 1978, when only 5 per cent of the 200,000 registered voters went to the polls.
The survey reported in Lie vaaeriana snowed that the chairperson Council.
David Thebali, enjoyed It was a decision easily justified by the trade union operative with its own premises in the town cenLIC.
This move was designed to cater for a rapidly expanding printing shop which has outgrown a backroom in a house, and also to act as a focus for trade union and socialist activity the district The initial operation had small beginnings.
printworker and an active, campaigning trades THE furore over the England cricket team in the West Indies has brought apartheid in South Africa back into the news. The British government argue that things are improving for blacks in CHARLIE VAN GELDEREN reviews a new pamphlet which disproves cent township residents.
Botha even hinted a couple of vears ago that he was prepared to revise that scullul the morality act which forbids miscegenation marriages. was in 1979, since when he made s a pressure his rank-and-file and the Dutch Reformed Church.
The crowning edifice of this 'liberalised apartheid' was to be the new constitution, designed to give the 'coloured' Asiatic communities (but not the blacks) a share in of the government. It left powel June names of the white assembly council led to the purchase of an A4 printing press, the raw materials Letraset layout, platemaking (at first with the help the local poly, and printing.
With the trades coun cil and other campaign bodies swamping Preston in leaflets, and with the warm, if surprised welcome that Worker received, the attraction of the printing operation and the trades council grew.
Orders for cheap
printing flooded in from Party wards, Labour trade union bodies, and for factory bulletins. Even booklets on health and satety labour and Vietnam were churned out.
The turnover grew ane arew. until it now stands at five times the The workers of South Africa will solve matters their own way which legislation, while President 1 Clallls residual powers of veto.
The pamphlet the reality of the 'conces'The creation of a privileged stratum and Africans unavoidable corollary -That African population must be even more firmly controlled.
Bulldozed
Influx control been tightened; pass arTeSTS increased shanty towns like Modand fical Town, and Unibell have been bulldozed.
government's threat wipe Crossroads off the map has only been held relatively well-heeled trades coun cil with 20,000 affiliated members.
We have provided access to people who would olner wise have ocen uil unsure how to able oI proceed. other trades councils have now established Drillile operations as direct result of our ettorts several others are following closely.
The striking aspect of the operation has been latent talent been discovered People who would walk miles to avoid machinery, or who claimed two lett hands, now happily apply themselves to design, layout. and machine repair and operation.
The flood of ideas and energy has not been for six pass by the pressure Detentions, ings, political trials con shows tinue unabated; restrictions on press reporting have increased; Davers nave occuball ed; black journalists have had banning orders placed on them.
The author Rear-Admiral Edwards, of the South defence force: "Time has running out run out . I don't think we have years to play *This pessimistic Cape Stalement.
'was after Soweto Wo years made The For the black workers in southern Africa, for revolutionary internaconfined to the practical field. Aller all, and layout are all about how to formulate and present ideas. The production Worker is a battleground over content, style, and Putting resources control Tank -ane-bie and unionists has given us the chance to puł ideas and expeniences into pracuice. We are also backing the media working group the which has just has established by the Lancashire Association Trades come to grips with media Dias Further information Kason. 28a Whitby Avenue, Ingol, Preston, Lancs. 0772-731089 (5pm-7pm). tionalists everywhere, it is a reason for optimism. bann- The apartheid regime is beginning to show first doubts in its capaci ty to govern, one of the black basic precepts for revolutionary situation What is now required is for the working of South Africa to equip itself politically quotes militarily assaul thi stronghold of African Southern is Africa. And it is for us to break Britain's connections with apartheid.
'Facelift
South Africa Soweto' by Judy Seidman.
Defence Southern Africa, price £1.20. aesign trades been of AUTUMN 1979 Tel the class This pamphlet, with Benn, discriminate against gay imchallenge discrimination successfully after All books available Bookshop, Socialist Challenge
PRESPON WORKER
NO 1 Other Munyard Gay Workers: trade unions and NCCL, £1.20 an introduction by Tony examines the ways in which employers workers and proposes ways for trade unions and gay organisations to Anna Coote and Peter Kellner Hear this brother: women workers and union power New Statesman, £1.50 The Other Upper St, London N1 2XP.
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