OVER THE last week the struggle for jobs by workers at Laurence Scott Manchester has paid off dramatically.
jobs for the 230 workers still supporting the dispute. But Denis Barry, convenor of the shop stewards, told Socialist Challenge on Sunday that there would be no deal unless there were jobs for all the 230.
'We haven't occupied and then stood outside the factory Ior the last months only to leave 80 of the people who have supported us outside the gates The other terms of the offer would involve the factory re-openine on Monday an initial workforce of 50, building up to Snipe's present offer of 150 over six weeks.
factory would operate 40 hour week and, with the company's present order book, would have a guaranteed future for five years.
completely removed the demand for the repayment of redundancy cheques paid out earlier in the dispute. He has also guaranteec to nonour all Confederatior of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions' agree.
'and has indicated that the workforce would be brought up to parity on basic pay and bonuses with the workforce at the Mining Supply parent factory in Doncaster.
This all from someone who had refused to contact or negotiate directly six month long Scott's boss, Arthur Snipe, has offered 150 Snipe's first offer was 150 jobs to be picked by management out original who had started the dispute. But by Friday night Snipe had conceded that the should come from the remaining 230.
As Denis said, Snipe wants a settlement so badly he's doing backwards cartwheels to get one. The actions of the workforce nas but snipe under immense pressure.
The Scott workers have £2.5m of motors trapped in lne factory behind cemented up gates When he took over the Laurence Scott group in year Snipe had to lay down a £5m guarantee that he would rulfill existing with the Admiralty within a year. Half of that year has gone and nothing has moved.
The AUEW Appeals Court has the opportunity solidarity conference. to really turn the knife, The union's executive was charreed Wild breaking rules by resciding official recognition. Duffy treated the court with contemot. He retused to submit correspondence on the issue and insisted that it was a matter only for the Nationa. Committee, thus breaking several more rules. The left dominated Appeal Court simploy buckled under. Some of the heat has therefore been taken off Duffy and Snipe.
It is because 'lefts' like these cannot be relied on that Denis Barry is counting his chickens unitl and agreement has been signed, sealed and delivered. But the morale on the picket line the strike headquarters is at an all-time high.
If Scott workers win then every one of the 230 will have richly deserved her or his victory. It will be victory for the whole movement in the fight for jobs and against the Tories and it will be a resounding rebutt to said that they should have accepted the reached by the national officials those inree months ago.
The dispute is still not over. Rush messages of support and donations to 20 Roundcroft, Romiley, Cheshire. And get delegated to the