Debating all out action

Submitted by Janine on 14 September, 1990 - 1:56 Author: Peter Burton

About 150 oil workers met in the Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow on Thursday 6 September as part of what have become weekly meetings in Glasgow of the OILC.

OILC met in the midst of the impending ballots regarding whether the action became official or not.

Feelings ran high at the meeting with workers on the southern field arguing that the men were ready to go on all-out strike. The standing committee of the OILC, made up of rank and file oil workers, responded that central to the dispute was the maintenance of men on the platforms to prevent BP using scab labour.

The position is now complex as there are now men sacked who cannot return to the platforms: that is, they are locked out and not on strike; 75% are 'on the beach'.

The OILC committee made it clear that the reinstatement of all sacked workers was a precondition for any negotiations, irrespective of the outcome of the ballot for union recognition.

An oil worker from the standing committee told SO: "Shell is the main target in the fight - wildcat strikes should be allowed to develop. Everyone in this hall is eager to get back on the platforms - we're confident that we're going to win."

The OILC standing committee argued against an all-out strike stating that they had relevant information on the situation on every platform giving them more authority in relation to the timing of the sit-ins."

Send all money to OILC, 52 Guild Street, Aberdeen. Tel: 0224 210228. Invite a speaker to address your meeting.

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