THE MOST RECENT issue of the strike bulletin put out by the Laurence Scott workers in Manchester contains a cartoon which the Morning newspaper took exception to in an April article. The strikers responded to the criticism by writing an open letter to the paper which we reproduce here.
Open letter to the Morning Star 15 April, 1982 Dear editor, In your paper dated 7 April, 1982, you went to great lengins lo Laurence Scott's March Bulletin, the main point of which was the indignation of certain Communs car members.
I notice you did not reproduce the cartoon in your paper to explain your case. criticism of any member who supported us, in fact we appreciate it sincerely and would not wish to offend any genuine trade unionists.
But it is a fact that the Communist Party and the Broad Left as a whole, who we considered to be the vanguard of the trade union movement, did not do their duty.
The feelings of the shop stewards and the strikers is that we were badly let down and felt it was our duty to express our feelings. criticise the Communist Party or the Broad Left in the Bulletins, but illustrated our feelings in the cartoon, which the Joint Shop Stewards Committee It is a pity you did not show the same indignation when we were smashed on the picket line, and it would be a disgrace if other trade unionists fell into the same trap and were eventually abandoned.
One of our main criticism's of the Broad Left and the Manchester Confed including yourselves is that genuine socialists are deluding themselves in that Laurence Scott's were promised Grunwicktype support when the crunch came and they were unable or unwilling to come up with the goods.
Accepting that the Broad Left are genuinely pro working class it must be pointed out that they are sitting in ivory towers promising the earth. During the boom years they were fighting when it was unnecessary but in the recesleadership they have not got the ability to produce They are kidding themselves and the factory members. At a time when workers are being crushed all over Britain you can find time and place in Well brother, the truth hurts doesn't it? Let's hope the pain stirs you into some sense of perspective. It is one thing to stand and fight in times of full employment, but when the chips are down and with over three million on the dole the time is here In our Rule 14 Campaign within the AUEW the Communist Party are refusing to support us.
The excuse they offer is that they do not feel that sufficient support could be mustered from the rank and file to remove the executive. been saying it is better not to fight, the time is not right. What a load of rubbish. If you are awaiting the green light let me say that the revolution was not official. With your attitude and that of the present union leadership, the Thatcher's and Tebbit's of this world will find no problems in crushing workers, because their 'cricketing terms' a batters' paradise.
Yours fraternally, Laurence Scott's Shop Stewards Committee Socialist Challenge/Revolution Public meetings The lessons of the Laurence Scott occupation enis Barr Denis Works convenor and strike committee chairperson tnursday o may: Ulasgow City Halls, Candleriggs at 7.30 Tuesday I/ May: East London Family Centre, 50 Rectory Rd, N16 at 7.30 Star, daily of the Communist Party, describe the cartoon in the We have no individual Communist Party We did not were looking JoI You have