A.s.s.e.t. Wins Court Case Against B.e.a

The Association of Supervisory Staffs, Executives and Technicians continues its legal struggle against the Government wage freeze, The latest court battle was won on Monday, May 15, when British European Airways admitted its liability to pay an increase to employees in the Channel Islands due last October under a productivity agreement. This represents a powerful blow against the effects of the Government wage-freeze, which explicitly excludes several thousand workers whose work is wholly or mainly abroad. Mr. Clive Jenkins, general secretary of the Association of Supervisory Staffs, Executives and Technicians, yesterday said: "This means that the six-month freeze of the increases due last October 18, and which were paid only with effect from April 18, have been thawed and our members will get their rise, which we said had been unlawfully withheld, "It had always been our contention that the ramshackle and unfair Prices and Incomes Act did not apply to the Channel Islands and this has now been finally established. "Some hundreds of our members will benefit to the extent of six months back pay ranging upwards from 18s 6d weekly and the Government has no power to issue an order to prevent it." On previous occasions when it has been defeated in the courts, the Government has "altered the rules" by bringing in new legislation. Such action by A.S.S.E.T. is useful as it can clarify the issues and force the Government to formalise its anti working class stance, However, this form of action needs to be followed by militant action.