Instead of having a union here management lay their stall in a ‘communication forum’ with representatives of management and various departments within the plant, theoretically, gathering round the table to discuss issues. In practice this is nothing more than a barometer of what feeling there is on the shop floor when issues get raised, with the reps getting a verbal lashing from colleagues rather than management. It is also supposed to be democratic with people getting voted on and off however this isn’t true. I know of only one proper ballot (the very first one). Most people now treat it as a joke with someone being forwarded and voted in - all this in a ten-minute tea break! There was also a case recently where a shift rep’ was thrown off the forum and not allowed back on even when voted unanimously by fellow shift workers. The reason he was thrown off was for lampooning the management!

I have worked at the plant for five years and it is comfortably the worst place I have ever known for turnover. In the last 12-18 months, especially this has been hidden by the number of temps’. Unfortunately for permanent staff this has been leading to other problems. With continuous developments and new products this means having to help soothe problems and training temps’. This has resulted in high scrap and the disaffected workforce that management is currently struggling with. One other thing with temps’ is that even when some have stayed for quite a long time they have been overlooked for permanent jobs and then been told to train the successful applicants in the jobs that they have been doing! Not surprisingly some have had

the dignity to say ‘no’ and leave.

There have been and continue to be a number of issues which need addressing but because there is no union or even consensus amongst workers they have been left unresolved. These include compulsory Saturday overtime (officially voluntary but the element of compulsion remains if not enough people volunteer). Absenteeism procedures are another issue where feelings have been strong due to the way people have been able to abuse the system while some have been disciplined even though they were genuine cases.

These issues and many more are unlikely to be resolved in the worker’s interests while there is no real representation or self-confidence. Mark

Although sacked careworkers have voted by 83 to 62 to settle their 14 month dispute following an offer of £400,000 from their previous employer some workers supported by local anarchists are continuing with their claim for unfair dismissal. The Industrial Tribunal is expected to hear their case next month.

Listed below are anarchist organisations concerned with workplace issues and organisation. if you want to be added to the list let us know.

This summer Labour’s new trade union legislation became law. Even Labour loyalist union leaders cannot hide their bitter disappointment. TGWU boss Bill Morris described at as a "missed opportunity" while Unison leader Rodney Bickerstaff complained that Labour "leaned more towards the employer point of view". There is no doubt that the new law carries on where the Tories left off. Blair has boasted that after the legislation becomes law Britain will still have the most restrictive employment laws in Europe. No wonder a recent poll found that employers did not think that the law would affect their profits! Poor conditions, low unionisation and weak protection allow employers to exploit workers. Labour’s employment legislation shows that workers cannot rely on the government for basic rights and freedoms at work.

It would be wrong to say that there is nothing good about the legislation: part timers, for example, will be given the same rights as full time staff, maternity leave has been extended and individual employees facing disciplinary and grievance hearings will have the right to be represented. However, employment law in Britain remains firmly weighed in the favour of employers. This is unlikely to worry many union leaders who see the future of trade unionism as working in partnership with employers. In the words of GMB chief John Edmonds "trade unions must become pressure groups for excellence and press for improvements in the way companies are managed". It is hardly surprising that union membership is at its lowest for 60 years! The reality of work is illustrated more by the disputes highlighted below than Edmond’s brand of company unionism.

WORKER’S FIGHT BACK!

Strikes may be at their lowest level for a century but that does not mean that workers are not fighting back. A recent report found that workers are venting their frustrations on office machinery. Four out five stated that they wanted to fight back against their company’s computer system. The study found widespread incidents of swearing and physical abuse of PCs. One person said he "ended up pouring water down the back of my PC"! Should please Green Anarchist!

Strikes are now at their lowest level since records began.