Phil Dent(GMWU)
Over the past 10-20 years, the pottery industry has seen a steady advance in production techniques. This has resulted in a gradual decrease in the numbers employed in this traditionally labour-intensive industry Since the advent of the Tories, however, reaucuon has begun lo lurt. more into a gallop. interest rates, overseas compe'Mo- tition and the increasing cost of raw materials has led to large numbers being laid off. Many of these have worked in the industry all their lives and are too old to train for new jobs - even if, in places like Stoke, they were available.
WAGES Meanwhile, those workers left in the industry are finding it ever more difficult to keep pace with inflation. Take home pay in the potteries is about £45 a week and many workers, if they are to achieve a living wage, work atrocious hours.
Clocking on at 6.00 in the morning and clocking off at 10.00 the same night, while not ususal is certainly not unheard of.
RADICAL The effects of lay-offs, poor High wages and long hours, however, is beginning to have its effect. Growing layers of union members are beginning to question their leader's lack of resolve and demand much more result policies.
Lay-offs are likely to be a particularly vital question in the coming years. pottery workers are not against new technology, growing feeling that it should be used not to throw people on the scrap-heap but to shorten the working week and develop better living standards for all.
Dear Comrade, are forced to While there is a process there".
Please find enclosed £2 for a year's sub to Socialist Action. I particularly liked the article Socialists and the Labour Party' in the last issue. As an ex-SWP member, it summed up my feelings exactly. Dave Cummins (Margate)
Almost alone of all the 'lett press', your tendency has supported the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. While you (rightly) criticise the motives behind Moscow's intervention, you end up by saying: "... despite Moscow's bureaucratic methods and conservative motives, the dispatch of troops was an important aid to the revolutionary Just how can you justify this? The entry of Soviet troops was a clear violation of the right of the Afghan people to self-determination.
In last month's Socialist Action, you carried an article on Lambeth Council's decision to increase the rates by 49%. The main thrust of the article was to criticise Ted Knight (leader of Lambeth Council) tor backing down rather than 'confronting' the Tories.
I'm not sure what Socialist Action was suggesting the council do. Lambeth (alone among most councils) ran a determined campaign against the cuts which led to a mass demonstration last October. It was faced this year, however, with a clear choice: either put up the rates or be removed from office.
Should the council have meekly been removed? Should they have allowed the commissioners to come in and butcher the services it has taken so long to build up? Rate increases may not be popular, but a: least they allow us to offset most o the Tory cuts and give the council a breathing space with which to carr on the fight.
Phil Davenport (Hackney)
fora PUBLIC ENQUIRY Socialist Action June 80