The Fight of the Contracting Electricians

The struggle against the agreement signed by the E.T.U. and the National Federated Electrical Association continues, with an increase in militancy amongst the men and a corresponding escalation of witch-hunting and smear tactics on behalf of the employers and the E.T.U. E.C. William Davies of the Guardian predicted that Wilson would pre-empt the Tory Conference by bashing the unions. On cue, Gunter, Curron and Chappel rallied to the cause. Chappel complained of the violence offered to him by delegates from the contracting electricians. Razor gangs and mob violence were at large. The reality is a little less dramatic than the "convalescent" Mr. Chappel would have us believe. When confronted by delegates who wished to hold a meeting to discuss the new contract, Mr. Chappel refused outright to do any such thing. One old electrician was so incensed by this that he threw a totally ineffectual punch at Chappel but was held back by his mates. Chappel at this point began to insult Jack Morgan of the Earls Court delegation and poke at him with a rolled bunch of documents. Jack Morgan kept his temper and turned his back on Chappel. It is the opinion of many of the delegates present that Chappel was out to deliberately provoke the delegates. As it was, he failed and when he called the police one constable was enough to quell the supposedly rioting bunch of hooligans. The delegates went on to discuss the contract and to arrange the October 19th meeting in Coventry. The "battered" Mr. Chappel recovered sufficiently to send out a witch-hunting circular to discover whom the delegates were. When this was received at the Ratcliffe on Soar site, the site committee promptly sent a letter back saying that they had sent down four properly appointed delegates, All signed the letter to avoid any victimisation, The meeting on October the 19th was held in the Matrix Hall, Coventry. It was the widest and most representative meeting of the H.T.U. rank and file in recent times. Delegates came from London, Essex, Tyneside, South Wales, Northampton, Nottingham, Derby, Yorkshire, Southampton, Bristol and Manchester. A pledge of support also came from the Glasgow and West Scotland E.T.U. contracting shop stewards. A delegate from the Nottingham area estimated that there were nearly 2,000 men present. The mood of those assembled could be gauged by the banner in front of the platform that read: "Cannon - Balls!". Another encouraging feature was that attendance was not just restricted to contracting electricians but included maintenance and supply men. The first issue that had to be sorted out was the suggestion that a breakaway union be formed. This was decisively defeated as it was felt that it could isolate the militants. It was this appreciation of the need to reach out and form links with other sections of the working class that was the most impressive aspect of the proceedings, The meeting went on record as pledging their support to the dockers and railway men. The meeting further decided to refuse to sign the grading forms for joining the new Joint Industrial Board. A National Action Committee was formed and area site liaison committees were set up. It was agreed to launch a one-day stoppage on November the 10th. A mass demonstration was to be held in London and delegations would be sent to the NFEA and the ETU E.C. at Hayes. The mood of the meeting was clear on one point - both the contract and the Executive of the Union had to be thrcewn out.