from "Rank and File"
Two disputes in London make it clear that the employers are picking out the most militant sites in order to crush the leading elements in the militant trade union struggle in London. This is increasingly the pattern in the Building industry.
The Myton Dispute.
On the Myton's site at the Barbican, a working-to-rule was called on September 27th in support of scaffolders and labourers whose bonus targets were unsatisfactory. After protracted negotiations, the management gave notice to three steel-fixers for alleged "unsatisfactory production". As one of the fixers was on full time supervision, and therefore non-productive, and no one on the site was on bonus, the charges were clearly ridiculous.
On October 17th as two Incentive Advisory Panels had found in favour of both the labourers and the scaffolders, the works committee proposed to the management that the work-to-rule be ended and the three notices be withdrawn. The management refused. When the notices were not withdrawn a stoppage of work took place on October 21st, and the dispute was declared official at a meeting of London District Secretaries. On the 4th November the management sacked every worker on the site. Both the T.G.W.U. and A.U.B.T.W. immediately declared the site "black" and declared a lockout. The Sunley Dispute. (Horseferry Road, Westminster)
There has been a persistent refusal by the management to recognise the Working Rule Agreement and Site Procedure by consulting with the works committee ever such matters as safety, bonus and working conditions. Recently the management informed the works committee that regardless of what the trade unions thought or did gang bonus would operate from October 24th, and that clocking-on would also be introduced. Negotiation was refused point-blank by the management. When the men decided to stop work until a return to the status quo during negotiations was granted, the management called on the works commit tee to order the men back to work. At a mass meeting it was decided not to return to work, and the management then announced the sacking of the entire works committee for "industrial misconduct". Editorial note. The above reports have been cut slightly for space reasons. As we go to press both disputes are still in progress and we would urge readers to send donations or collections to Hugh Cassidy, 61 Bengarth Road, Northolt, Middlesex, for the Sunley dispute and A.D. Leadbetter, 9 Wells House, Rosebury Avenue, London E.C.1. for the Myton dispute.