AUTOMATION STRIKE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27962, 8 May 1956, Page 13

AUTOMATION STRIKE

“Communist Plan” (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. May 6. Clear evidence existed of an interrational Communist plan to prevent the introduction of new production methods in the car manufacturing industry outside the Iron Curtain, the “Daily Telegraph” said today. Commenting on the strike of 11.000 men against automation methods at the Standard Motor Company’s works, the paper said the Communist plan was designed by the World Federation of Trade Unions, a Kremlin agency. Some of the federation’s meetings were attended by British Communists now involved in the Standard strike. The “Daily Express” says the leaders of 250.000 car workers have decided to support the strike. The “big six” Motor Shop Stewards’ Committee, representing all the big firms, voted to recommend an immediate minimum voluntary levy of a shilling a week. Such a move will guarantee the strikers £1 a week hardship relief. The “big six” with shop stewards from other firms, issued “a charter to fight wholesale push-button sackines.” This will involve commando campaign committees to ensure continueu backing for the Standard men, morale boosting delegate speakers to address Standard and Norton meetings, and an appeal to the whole Labour and trade union movement for financial end moral support. At the A*!:on, Birmingham, factory of Norton Motors, about 600 of the 800 workers are on strike over the dismissal of 26 night shift workers, said to be redundant. Labour Party Attitude The likely impact of automation on British industry and trade unions dominated speeches at rallies throughout Britain celebrating May Day. The Deputy-Leader of the Labour Party (Mr James Griffiths) said in Trafalgar Square: “New discoveries and inventions open up vast possibilities for material advancement. It is already becoming evident that this second industrial revolution will have industrial and social consequences ot a far-reaching and profound character.” He said that the trade unions must have an effective voice in planning the change-over in the age of nuclear Power and automation. Mr Richard Crossman. a Labour member of Parliament, speaking in Birmingham, urged the trade union movement and the Labour Party to Plan for the automation era as nothing was going to stop it. Speakers did not decry automation, but urged a national plan for its Orderly application. A union leader and M.P., Mr Robert r( j s secretary of the Chemical Workers’ Union, said: “We believe automation is good, if allied to planmng. if allied to a socialist policy.”