BRICKBAT :- From Bob Potter. Dear Editor,
On behalf of Solidarity I must object most strongly to the extremely misleading interpretation of our views given by you in the review of our pamphlet "Busmen - What next"... In the review in question, you accuse us of “invoking devil® and witchcraft and bloodeurdling yells of 'betrayal', every time an unsatisfactory settlement is concluded." And this is exactly the opposite of the attitude taken by Solidarity! It is true that the political character of the trade union bureaucracies was not examined in great detail in this particular publicetion, although this has been done many times in our other publications. As an example I an sending you a copy of our Vol 11 no. 10, where, on page 25 you can read: "It is no accident that trade union and labour bureaucrats, of every political colouring, instinctively and inevitably must oppose any form of rank and file activity. The buresucracies are fully integrated into the structure of capitalism. Independent action by the working class is the greatest threat to thcir existence. To talk therefore, of these lcaders ‘selling out! the membership is absurd. Thsre is no other way in which they could act...."
As the article you seem to be attacking, in the bus pamphlet, and the one from which I now quote, were both written by me, I hope that a careful re-reading on your part will show the false impression you have obviously formed. It %cems to me that this careless reporting on your part negates the fundamental purpose of "The Week". The violent opposition of Cousins personally to the 1958 strike is. a recorded fact, which not even his most servile supporters on the Central Bus Committee would deny. It was stated as a relevent fact... not as evidence of "betrayal", but as a further illustration of the need for rank and file organisation. Speaking personally, I think that your publication can play an extremely important role in the working class novement, provided it really does give accurate coverage of all levels of activity. In these terms of reference I would be in favour of giving you the fullest support, I hope therefore, that the sbove mis-representation will be corrected in a subsequent edition. Qur Reviewer Writeds- This is just what I meant by 'devils and witchcraft'. Comrade Potter seems to think he is viewing union leaders objectively, in that they have no option but to be devils and witches. It just isn't true that all union leaders must oppose'any forn of rank and file activity'. Indeed, all union leaders whether they know it or not, depend on rank and file activity. Cousins knows this, as is witnessed in his speech to the T.U.C. last year, on wage restraint. & much more subtle analysis of the ambivalance of union leaders is needed than that offered by Comrade Potter. But his pamphlet is very interesting and I said so. Editorial Note:- What do our readers think? BIUQUET : - Phillip A. Iuce (Leadrr of the © 1. May Second Movenent).
Please enter my subscription to THE WEEK for one year.e. You - are publishing a damngood mag. and something that we vitally need here in the tates. MThanks!?
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