Defend print workers

DEFEND THE PRINT WORKERS

MASS ACTION CAN STOP MURDOCH

Rupert Murdoch and Eric Hammond have thrown down the gauntlet to the whole trade union movement . For the print unions, it is a struggle for survival . Wapping is also a key test of the Tories! anti-union ‘employment laws' , The unions are bound hand and foot, their members sacked, and the assets of SOGAT sequestrated for calling for minimal industrial action . The only effective method for a union to defend its members, industrial action and solidarity, can only be carried out by breaking the law .

Unfortunately, there is not much chance of the TUC responding to the defence of SOGAT and the NGA . SOGAT's sequestration came on the same day as the TUC let the FEPTU off the hook by giving them a list of demands it knew they wouldaccept, and by not requesting that FEPTU members not cross the picket lines at Wapping . Furthermore, instead of using this dispute to relaunch a campaign against the Tories! ‘employment laws', it is calling a special Congress to reverse its opposition to these laws . The Labour Party's response so far has only been to ban News International reporters from its press conferences . Murdoch will not lose any sleep from this action .

But this battle can be won . Mass pickets at Wapping have already been able to delay the delivery of newspapers . A really massive picket, mobilised through the unions and the Labour Party, could do even more damage to Murdoch's papers . A complete stoppage of Fleet Street is the solidarity industrial action that would deal a blow to the ‘employment laws', and force Murdoch back to the neotiating table .

Every socialist and trade-unionist can do their bit now in support of the print workers by doing the following * collections and sacked printers speaking at you branch or workplace, * boycott News International products, * join the mass pickets at Wapping on thursdays and Saturdays, * go the the Camden Printworkers Support committee which meets Mondays, * get your branch to affiliate to the local Support Committee, * help build the Solidarity Meeting in Camden on Friday léth March, the speakers include Frank Dobson MP, sacked SOGAT and NGA members, Liz French from Kent NUM .

Further details of the Camden Printworkers Support Committee can be abtained from Fred Leplat on 387 1361, or Steve Marsteton on 435 5652.

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