[page 2]
The right of workers in Britain to strike in support of fellow-workers has been dealt a serious blow by the intervention of the so-called National Association For Freedom (NAFF) in recent actions involving postal workers.
The target of the ultra-conservative NAFF have been solidarity actions taken by the Union of Post Office Workers (UPW), Using ancient laws designed to prevent Toreien interference with Her Majesty's Mails, NAFF have, on two occasions, effectively deprived postal workers of their right to take industrial action.
In the first instance, a boycott by postal workers of Grunwick's a London film development compuny where a twenty-one week old strike for union recognition by underpaid black workers is still continuing was withdrawn after NAFF threats of legal action.
Last week, a private NAFF action to stop the UPW boycotting communications with South Africa led to public acrimony between the Attorncy-General, Sam Silkin, who refused NAFF leave to prosecute, and the Law Lords. The Law Lords ruled, nonetheless, that the LIPW action was illegal, and the boycott was promptly called off.
The UPW action was intended as part of week of international action to isolate
the racist Vorster tegime in South Africa The Jack Jones" and Len Murrays" who, at home, use their positions in the trade union movement to police the government's anti-working class Social Contract, tried to use the South Africa issue as a left varnish" on their politics. They talked of giving maximum backing to the fight of black African workers. But all they organised was a "token" boycott to "persuade" British firms to allow their black employces in South Africa trade union rights: all out strike action, after all. would be bad for the British economy, and it was necessary to 'defend British business interests'.
This attitude is not only weak-kneed and inneffectual, but also chauvinist and even racist. Socialists must fight in the Labour movemeat to build a real move ment of solidarity with our African comrades. A first step is to build the Anti- Apartheid demonstrations which will take place in London and Scotland in March. Local mobilising mectings can be used to expose the role of British industry in South Africa and counter the chauvinist positions of the trade union leaders on international solidarity.
KEVIN HOLMES (Edinburgh Anti-racist Committee)