Freedom Flyer 11

I am the president of the United Electrical Workers Union, Local 546 and I wish to make perfectly clear that Walker's comments in no way represent the position of our union on scabs, collective bargaining, or the unemployed. He is expressing his own views or views of those he represents. History has shown that one of the most effective tools used by bosses and right-wing political groups is Red baiting. He certainly tries this ploy with his attack on John Clarke, president of the London Union of Unemployed Workers.

Having been a member and activist in my local union for 22 years, and having gone through two strikes, the last one in 1979 lasting over 20 weeks, I have certainly experienced the anger and frustration of scabs crossing picket lines and police interference. Had Walker experienced the same, or had he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow workers on the Fleck or Gainers picket lines, watching scabs try to steal their jobs and police by the hundreds brutalizing strikers, he might have a very different view of scabs.

As one who is opposed to workers using whatever means necessary to protect their lot in life by protecting their jobs from union-busting employers, I have not once seen Walker refuse the wages and benefits gained by our local through struggle and strike at his place of employment. Perhaps he would be much happier working in a non-union job for lower wages, poor working conditions and a union-free environment. Should he decide that he wishes to accept his own terms of employment in future negotiations when the rest of our members decide otherwise, then I am sure he will very quickly find out what his fellow brothers and sisters think of scabs.