Srd in Strike Poll

26 COUNTIES Figures, just released by the International Labour Office, show the 26 Cos. as coming third in the World Table for days lost in strike in 1969: pO ey $0 Std eCusces 4 ERO Canada......... psdidetitahuecn dns ae SROs 6 5 die S0'ceuinasncss come te (days on strike per 1000 workers)

In 1964 and '65 Ireland headed the list, were third in 1966, fifth in 1967, fifth in 1968.

The 1969 maintneance men's strike was the main strike of 1969 when 142 firms were shut, and 31,000 workers idle because of the strike. The year just finished saw two major strikes, the cement strike, which affected 15,000 building workers, and the bank dispute, which affected 6,/800.

These figures are just another indication of the industrial militancy in Ireland which has its roots in the historic 1907-13 period when Connolly and Larkin led the working class. But then Connolly knew that purely industrial action was not enough for victory. What was needed was political action combined with industrial mililancy. This led Connolly to form thk Citizens' Army, and take part in the 1916 rising.

The industrial militancy of the Irish,working class is a healthy LETTERS Dear Sirs, Many, many laudable motions were passed at last weekend's Northern Conference of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (I.N.T.O.). Numerous ills of the Educational System were cited and condemned - the failure of local authorities to provide school meals facilities, and in Derry the neglect of the Development Commission to fight this state of affairs. The infamous "jobbery" which goes on around the appointment of teachers was condemned as was the weight of power in Clerical hands, where schools’ and teaching appointments are concerned.

The Macrory Report was welcomed as a means of doing away with the "petty dictatorships" of local education authorities. But until the teachers, themselves, are prepared to make a stand against interference and jobbery, and manipulation of appointments, no good will come of their motions and declarations.

They should fight, collectively, against these ills and expose their own willy-nilly (or unprincipled) colleagues who gain by them.

Yours, "Ja Bs " sign. Faced with heavy unemployment, constant emigration and low wages the Irish workers have battled magnificently to improve their conditions. But the gains made by the heroic efforts of the Cement strikers, for example, are eroded by Government induced inflation. Simply to maintain their present standard of living, the workers are forced into constant struggle, despite the reluctance of their trade union leadership to fight.

For real gains the workers must take political action in which they can use the weapon of the political strike. Italy's place at the top of the European league is due to the political ferment going on in that county. For it is only by combining the economic with the political struggle that the workers can really improve their position. The failure of both Labour Parties, North and South, to lead the workers towards socialism shows their bankruptcy.

The militancy of the Irish working class must be channelled into political activity. Wein P.D. are dedicated to the building of an Irish socialist movement which can politically direct the militancy of the Irish workers towards completing Connolly and Citizen Army's aim, the Irish Workers' Republic.

Commenting on the decision of the Northern Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to accept a 'grant' from the Stormont government of £50,000 over the next five years, William (Toady) Blease said "There is absolutely no foundation whatever that the arrangement is designed to undermine the independence of the trade unions".

In return for the 'grant' the Northern Committee will send a copy of their annual auditor's report (i.e. statement of accounts) to the Government. The report gives a breakdown of how the Northern Committee's finances (and not just the Government 'grant') are spent. Toady Blease denies that the Unions would be liable to any pressure because of this.

Many trade unions are less sure than their permanent official. The Belfast branch of the Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Union has called on its executive to break from the I.C.T.U. A spokesman for the Branch said that the subsidy was intended to compromise the trade union movement.

Rumours that Toady Blease is prepared to accept a substantial grant 'without strings' from the Federated Union of Employers are believed to be without foundation.

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Look — No Strings!