The daily worker., 1930-05-06
Observation-Disclosures

Macmillan gave the employers more than
they asked for. He awarded reductions of
9.25 per cent for time workers and SIS per
cent for piece-rate workers. The trade union
officials promptly recommended their members
to accept and warned them that opposition
would mean strike. The workers answer left
no uncertainty. They declared for strike
ton by an Overwhelming majority, 72.1 per
cent in favor and 21.2 per cent against; CT
per cent were declared to be neutral
The woollen union bureaucrats, backed this
time by the General Council of the Trades
Union Congress, offered to accept a wage cut
of 5.8 per cent. The employers refused and
stood out for their full pound of flesh. The
strike was on
Revolutionary Message.
Throughout the entire period of the develop
ing woolen crisis the Communist Party has
carried on its revolutionary message to the
workers in that industry, showing them how
they could defeat their class enemies. The
fruits of this work are now being reaped.
Workers are turning to the Communist
Party for leadership. The remark made by
picket that I'VE need a few Communists here
in order to get this mill stopped indicates
the growing influence of the Rarity which has
long shown the need for independent leader
ship through new organs of struggle.
The Minority Movement took steps before
the strike started to organize a Committee of
Action in Bradford, which after the outbreak
of the strike transformed itself into the Cen
tral Strike Committee.
Although this Strike Committee, under Com
munist leadership, has strong influence and
prestige, it has not yet succeeded in cOnsOli-
dating its influence in terms of organization.
1t was not set up by widely representative
conference, neither has it got firm basis in
bn oh Of +aI ctriI 4Lo
mills. So far these committees exist only in
a few isolated cases. Moreover the Central
Strike Committee has not yet succeeded in
getting firm grip in important areas outside
the centers of Bradford and Shipley.
Recognize Weaknesses.
These weaknesses are recognized by the
Strike Committee, which has issued leaflet
for widespread distribution which is concen-
trated on showing the necessity for extending
the strike and electing strike committees in
every mill, which is now absolutely urgent in
view of the cunning maneuvers of the trade
union officials to break the solidarity of the
workers by concluding separate agreements on
the basis of reduced cuts
The trade union bureaucrats have them
selves set up so-called Councils of Action" in
order to counteract the influence of the revolu-
tionary leadership and to confuse the workers
In most cases these consist solely of a handful
of trade union officials, appoined by them
selves. In certain cases workers are included
This is the case in Shipley, where the strikers
chased the bureaucrats out and asked for the
cooperation of the unofficial Strike Commit
tee. In Bingley the trade union Council of
Action has asked for permission to send dele
gates to the Central Strike Committee
Now that the strike is we'll under way an
urgent problem is the feeding of the strikers,
which is an especially acute question, because
of the large number of girls who have come
into the industry from the mining areas and
are consequently living away from home
Union strike pay, which has been reduced, will
be paid to about 40 per cent of the strikers
Collect Relief
The Communist Party has issued a strong call
for the setting up of Textile Workers Aid
Committees right throughout the country and
the Workers International Relief is already
very active in collecting funds and distribut-
ing relief. At the same time mass demonstra-
tons are being organized in order to demand
relief from the local authorities and in par
ticular the feeding of school children
The question of assistance for the strikers
must be raised, not only in Britain, but by the
Communist Parties in every country
The bitterness of this struggle and the fact
that the fight is being carried on in the teeth
of the labor governments arbitration award
shows the great disillusionment Of the masses
in the Macdonald regime and that mighty
working-class offensive is developing.
The Communist Party IS keeping The polit-
ical issues clearly before the workers and con-
centrating on the exposure Of the trade union
officials and the labor government, whilst at
the same time advancing its revolutionary de-
mands and increasing its propaganda in favor
OF the Revolutionary Workers Government.
The woollen strike is taking place at de-
clsve moment in the life Of the labor govern
ment and this mighty struggle has already
dealt it a heavy blow.