AROUND THE WORLD
International Viewpoint #259 September 1994
SARAH REBECCA LOVELL...
... A VETERAN US socialist, died on June 14, 1994 at the age of 72. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she joined the Socialist Youth Movement in 1938. She was a leader of the Socialist Workers Party until being expelled in 1984. After her expulsion, she helped found the monthly magazine, "Bulletin in Defence of Marxism" and was its copy editor and circulation manager for its first 100 issues. She was the editor of "Trotsky speaks", and co-editor with George Breitman of two of the 14 volume "Trotsky Writings" series, "Trotsky Writings 1932-1933" and "Trotsky Writings 1933". She was an early member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the National Organization of Women. *
SRI LANKA
THE Sri Lankan general elections on August 16 saw the centre-left opposition coalition, the People's Alliance (PA), emerge as the largest parliamentary grouping with 105 seats out of 225. The following statement has reached us from the Nava Samasamaja Party (NSSP — Sri Lankan section of the Fourth International).
"The election results show that the support of the urban working class was the main reason for the PA's victory. However, the mistrust felt for the PA by the Tamil people, especially the estate workers, adversely affected the PA results.
This setback was used by the President and UNP party leader, D.B. Wijetunga, and the UNP leadership to cage Chandrika (Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the PA leader) within the constitutional framework. The UNP was initially given a free hand to try to form a government with Tamil and Muslim representatives, to pressurise Chandrika, who had to appeal to the president. Meanwhile, with the consent of all concerned, the President declared a curfew and prepared the oath-taking ceremony - thus Chandrika took the oath assuring to uphold and protect the constitution.
However, while at the top such activities are taking place, the curfew shows that mass activity is becoming a threat to the property owning classes. In the coming period the destiny of the government will be decided by the action taken by Chandrika in answer to the workers' demands. We have argued;
a) to reject the conditions laid down by the IMF/World Bank, reverse privatization, peg wage increases to inflation, reinstate sacked workers, and offer proper compensation to the displaced
Mb) to stop the war forthwith and unite the country on the basis of the minimum four point programme put forward by the Tamil parties, with a general amnesty for rebels both in the north and the south. 36 c) land to the tillers, the abolition of water tax and agrarian debt with a relief sched) to throw out the dictatorial constitution with the President and to call a constitutional assembly with proper representation from the north, for a political solution to the Tamil national problem. The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) should be asked to send a representation to such a constituent
Our task is, while making such demands, to take forward the mass struggles that will break out on the basis of the hope of the workers, youth and other oppressed groups, for a real change in the government". * 11TH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CAMP...
..ORGANISED by the Fourth International took place in northern Italy from 23 -29 July. There were more than a thousand participants and the positive contributions made by all the delegations, made the camp a true success.
Young people from all over Europe were the guests of the enthustastic and energetic Italian delegation responsible for the organisation of the camp. Made up mainly of young militants or sympathisers with the Party of Communist Refoundation, it was proof that Italy has those capable of confronting the policies of the rightwing Berlusconi government.
There were a number of debates, including on the situations in South Africa, Bosnia, Brazil, and Italy, women's participation in feminist struggles, the organisation and position of lesbians and gay men, the international (disorder and the tasks which lie ahead for revolutionaries.
In today's international situation we can only congratulate such a significant achievement, made possible by years of methodical and collective effort, and a long-term political vision which understands that, while res pecting its space and without being dogmatic, activity amongst youth is more important than ever if we are to build a revolutionary alternative. *
BRITAIN
RAILWAY signalworkers, members of the Rail, Maritime, Transport Workers Union (RMT), have now been on strike for three months - the longest strike in the union's history.
Signalworkers control all train movements, and while in recent years new technology has led to job cuts and increased individual responsibility, management has blocked an extra pay award in recompense. Seven years after presenting a claim for more pay, patience ran out and a ballot produced a 4-1 vote in favour of strike action.
Each week the workers strike for either one or two days. The rail industry is losing over £10 million pound each day, twice what it would cost to meet the workers' demands.
At first it looked like the employer, Railtrack, would settle, but the government intervened and forced them to withdraw their offer because it would have breached pay freeze policy. Now the Tories see the dispute as a way of smashing the RMT prior to the privatization of the rail industry and are prepared to underwrite Railtrack losses in order to secure victory. What started as a local dispute has been turned into a national trial of strength:
Strikers remain solid, with very few scabs returning to work. In fact the RMT has recruited over 500 members. However, managers are being used to break the strike and Railtrack claim to be running a 40% service. In itself an exaggeration, this also hides the fact that services are unreliable, are mainly short journeys and often run empty. The RMT and the train drivers union have also raised the issue of safety on strike days, exposing the fact that only quick action by drivers has stopped a number of serious acci-
Public support for the strikers is strong — over 60% in a recent opinion poll, a significant change from recent rail disputes. Despite public opinion and the clear involvement of the government in causing the strike, the Labour Party has refused to openly support the RMT
The strikes look set to continue for some time, Railtrack, under strict control by a committee of government ministers, is refusing to discuss the RMT claim, while the RMT executive, in a way not normally seen in British unions, is seriously trying to win the dispute.
Two factors are key in order for the union to win; maintaining the morale of the signalworkers, in particular by getting out strike pay, and broadening the dispute to involve other railworkers.
On the first, the RMT leadership has appealed for support from other unions both in Britain and internationally (through the ITF). Strike support groups are being set up throughout the country, raising funds and organizing tours for strikers to address labour movement meetings.
The second is made difficult by legal restrictions on "secondary" action. The RMT leadership will not call on its members to take action which could lead to sequestration of its assets, however pressure is growing in the union to involve other railworkers whose safety is put at risk on strike days. *
Financial support and messages of solidarity are urgently needed- - send to:
RMT Strike Fund, Unity House, Euston
Road, London, NW1 2BL; fax messages to (71) 387 4123. [copy messages to RMT
Southem District on (71) 582 2955]