Scabs queuing in the forecourt of the Foreign Office on 3 May May Day is celebrated as a demonstration that the future belongs to the working class. This year, for tens and hundreds of thousands of working men and women, the day of action is not just a protest at the Goverment's policy, but i an opportunity to show their massive potential power.
Workers know that there has been a regreat before the Government's pay-freeze offensive. They understand that the one-day strike will not force concessions from the Government.
But it does raise, once again, the idea of a more Secisive strike against the ruling class. i i appropriate therefore to remember the emons of the last major battle against capital - determined than ever to unite for struggle. So, under enormous pressure, the Trades Union Congress did not dare turn its back when the mine-owners once again posted notices of wage reductions in 1925. At a special Congress held on 29 June, there was a vote to put an embargo on the transport of coal. The ruling class, not yet ready for such a showdown, decided to buy nine months time in which to prepare for a fight, by giving the mine-owners a temporary subsidy of £23 million. This was Red Friday.
FORCES MUSTERED But the Goverment had retreated only to Council loaded with titled rabble. The OMS had committees in 22 of the 28 Metropolitan Boroughs. It called for spocial constables, workers to maintain public services, transport drivers and people to do clerical work. The Government divided the country into ten areas, each headed by a Civil Commissioner with full powers. These extra-constitutional bodies organised from Whitehall commanded 200,000 vehicles, by arrangement made with private enterprise. Five months of coal stocks were set up. The special constable strength was increased from 98,000 to 226,000. Military.
Police firing on unarmed workers, the bombing LESSON naval and police forces were briefed to occupy and guard the docks. The State was on a war footing.
MINORITY MOVEMENT The way in which the workers organised for th strike is of great importance. After the defeuts of the carly twenties, the Communist Party launched the Minority Movement. This wis a rank-and-file movement based on the trade unions, trades councils and various local Labou Party branches. By 1926 It was able to hold a conference of 547 delegates representing