What kind of step forward is this?
form of arbitration 1s agreed will. be a compromise aimed at ending the 18 weeks old strike.
LIC SES and operators prepared to accept such a compromise has produced of articles in Socialist Worker in recent weeks alleging sell-out. The Liverpool branch officers are accused of failing to organise the dispute, and the whole suialesy NALGO Left, of which three branch officers founder members. has been brought into question.
these criticisms, the views of the vast majority of typists and machine operators have been ignored and the extent of support for them hopelessly exaggerated.
For instance, Socialist Worker (24 October) reported that the typists and machine operators had been railroaded by branch officials into accepting arbitration. However, was the Canc machine operators themselves, at a mass of the strike who proposed arbitration as a solution.
This was then put forward by inem as a possibie aller. native to a full branch meeting on 21 September and was approved with the full support of the Strike Committee.
At that time, some typists had returned to work and AL WALKER'S REPORT of the current position in the Liverpool typists' strike completely leaves out the opinions of the strikers themselves.
Contrary to the agreement between For the past two weeks, the employers and NALGO nationally have been wrangling over the form of arbitration to be set up to settle the typists' and manchine operators' strike. Talks are due to start locally to try and break the deadlock and the Liverpool NALGO branch has decided on further escalation.
others hardship. Also a mass meeting of 1,500 members of the branch had previously voted againsi escalation. are Faced with such difficulties, the strikers adopted the compromise formula of seeking 'an improved offer or arbitration.
The arbitration ACAS, had already brought by the employers and of eadership of NALGO.
NALGO had said are branch must accept arbitration it were offered. the branch regarded arbitration as a last resort and continued to press for an improved offer.
In more recent weeks, situation has changed for the better and SUDOULI typists has grown. officers' proposals for tion were finally agreed at the nålgo Liverpool NALGO and the City Council, Rose Jones on behalf of the typists strike committee has stated You don't go on strike for arbitration. (Socialist Worker, 24.10.81)
The loading branch meeting on 21 October.
Prior to this meeting the Strike Committee had proposing any escalation at all.
However, as a result of that meeung, Inere Have bech mass walk-outs across the branch, stoppages ments and there are now over 250 key indefinite strike.
Housing Rent Statt and workers in the City Solicitors and Planning Departments.
service, This WaS been Socialist Worker (17 October) national as branch otticers organise the dispute' This escalation was mainly Also, that ine In response smash the branch by laying off Even at this all members who scab on the typists. The branch responded to this out these groups on indetinite strike the Under the impetus of these 'dispersions' over a period of a few days, there likelihood that an all-out strike The branch escala- of the branch might develop However, naigo branch officials of LiverWalker, have all recentreferred possibility of an all-out strike by the branch leading victory for the typists' claim.
then was this been against Feminist historian severd workers nese incuee Cashiers, City of an reported in 'failing to tinue carolicee equivalent to their pay. whelming refused to by bringing the Realistically, once the Authority ment.
Socialist lo will unc usbule cept that.
ALAN WALKER NALGO at the meeting on 21 Oc. summaneously with the City Council's At that time, such a victory was possibility Instead of this, the