Transport District Council - personal capacity THE National Union of Railwaymen's executive have called an all-out indefinite strike on the London underground starting 20 July, in support of a pay claim for nothing less than the rate of inflation.
The irony is that this first strike since 1926 would be against the most left-wing administration the Greater London Council (GLC) has ever had.
Labour's election manifesto clearly stated their commitment to improving the lot of London Transport workers, including progress towards a 35 hour week.
Livingstone, leader of the Labour GLC, has publicly stated that he will underwrite any settlement.
Yet the offer from management is for 8 per cent towards the cost of living (currently rising at nearly 13 By Tessa van Gelderen THE Labour Greater London Council has been in office for barely two months and already it's under attack from the right - both inside and outside the labour movement.
Sid Weighell, the National sericlary ul of unuy.
for a reduction in hours.
Undermine . Ken tivity strings. may Weighell Inal LORCON per cent), plus a number of divisive sectoral productivity deals which could only lead to job loss and lack Most startling, there is an offer of ½ per cent in return for a commitment not to progress any claim Ken Livingstone, on behalf of the Labour GLC has to call the London Transport Executive to order. He has to state publicly that not only will he underwrite any offer but the increase should be in line with inflation without producSuch a move will completely undermine the wheelings and dealings of Sid Weighell, NUR general secretary, and lay the basis for a campaign against the right wing union leadership.
When workers and their trade unions fought for the election of a Labour GLC they expected that their interests would be championed against the attacks of the Tory Government the GLC could be used as a bastion from which to fight for the rapid removal of the Tories from office.
When the Tories move against the Labour controlled GLC, as they certainly will, the GLC will need to call upon the workers of London to mobilise in their defence. The Labour GLC will get such support if it is prepared to defend workers' living standards.
The present offer amounts to a wage cut, something we expected from the Tories but not from Labour.
Unless the GLC instructs management to settle in line with inflation, we will be left wide open wing of the Labour Party. underground get above this.
settled. come out, and that the Triple unions is invoked. to attack by NUR general secretary Sid Weighell, who would use the strike to discredit the GLC and its leader Ken Livingstone as part of his campaign against Benn and the left All Labour Party members should put maximum pressure on the GLC to improve their offer.
Footnote: The London buses have already settled for 8 per cent, but will claim parity with whatever the SOCIALIST