It had to happen sooner or later. With a viciously anti-trade union Government - especially one with a Labour tag - some section of the employers was bound to "have a go." Encouraged by the tough line the Wilson Government is taking, the shipyard employers have decided to take their own tough line. But we need not merely to see the link up between this lock out and the policy of the Government, we need to understand just how serious a threat it poses to the whole labour movement. The draughtsmen are forced to back down there will have been a decisive change in the relationship of forces between the workers and employers in this country. Every section of the movement must pledge solidarity with D.A.T.A. What the T.U.C. should discuss is not how to sugar the wage freeze policy of the Government but how to meet this and other threats to the whole trade union movement, The Confederation of Sngineering and Shipbuilding unions must make urgent plans to bring ail shipyard workers out in support of the draughtsmen. We do not normally give such specific advice to unions but the situation is so serious that such things have to be said boldly.
The WeekThe Week Vol. 7, No. 9, c. 2 March 1967
The Stockport strike
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