With the hardening of attitude by sections of the employers leading to
loval struggles of a long-drawn out nature (see reports in this week's
issue) certain problems need to be solved. The Week, together with other
left wing journals will continue to do what it can to publicise these
struggles and mobilise support for them, but this is grossly insufficient.
The very scale of the problem will soon cause conflicts oflvyalties and
priorities. The movement needs to establish a central strike fund for
such struggles, open to all those who fight on the question of trade union
principles. We hope that mere: of these strikes will be official; but
those which aren't must also be helped.
We have just received the following appeal from the Strike Committee at Roberts - Arundel where 145 members of the following Unions are involved; A.E.U., T.&G.W.U.; NU, SeMeWedCey P.T.Ue» A.S.W., N.S.M.M. a U.R.T.W.A.E., E.T.U,, A.U.F.W. and D.A.T.A.As a result of last week's police action many of the strikers now face large finessAll readers of "The Week" should give the Strike Committee as much support as possible,
"For fourteen weeks we have been in bitter struggle with the American Company of Roberts-Arundel Ltd, We are fighting for the basic princoiples of Trade Unionism, collective bargaining, recognition of Shop Stew= ards and the right of members to be represented as such, and demand this American Company must honour National Agreements,
This firm has tried to use every trick in the book to defeat us in recruiting scab labour, importing Americans into the factory without Work Permits, employing fly-by-night scab Haulage Contracters, cajol= ing the picket, intimidating the picket and subsequently trying to take the picket to court - all to no avail.
Our members are determined to fight this issue to the bitter end being mindful that a defeat on this issue is unthinkable and would have serious repercussions throughout the Trade Union Movement,The Company is virtually trying to over-ride the history and traditions of 200 years of Trade Unionism in this country,We believe this is a fundamen= tal issue that is worthy of full support of every Trade Unionist to ene sure this dispute is brought to a victorious conclusion,
On 23rd January, at a meeting with the American Chairman of this firm, the Trade Union Officials were informed the Company would not accept Trade Unionism as such; they had no objection to a member be— ing represented by a Parson, a Solicitor or a Trade Union Official, but only on an individual basis and they would not tolerate such paraphernalia as Shop Stewards.
We trust you have read our previous appeals, and have read the Strike Committee's pamphlet*,We are now appealing for your maximum assistance,
(a) We appeal for the utmost financial aid to be given to our
members out on strike, ‘
t} We appeal to you to BLACK THIS FIRM'S GOODS, and
c) give every possible moral support to our members in dispute,
All donations will be acknowledged,
Yours fratermally,
The Strike Committee,
*The Strike Committee's pamphlet, price 6d = or more, can be obtained from the Treasurer,The Strike Committee, 125 Wellington Road South, Stockport, Cheshire,All donations and collections should also be sent to this address,