Tom Mann
Source: The Communist, May 13, 1922.
Publisher: Communist Party of Great Britain
Transcription/Markup: Brian Reid
Proofreader: David Tate
Public Domain: Marxists Internet Archive (2007). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet Archive” as your source.
FELLOW workers. It is time to stop the policy of merely passively resisting aggression, and of allowing the bosses to ride rough shod over us. The right to exercise some amount of CONTROL IN THE SHOPS AND SHIPYARDS, is now, and always has been the real purpose of the Trade Unions.
It was the real reason why our fathers formed the unions; and unworthy sons of those fathers should we be if we allowed this right to be taken from us. If there is to be any change it is more control, not less that we will fight for and get.
But we must Fight, and not helplessly drift. We must now attack as well as the bosses.
To fight effectively we are obliged to hurt.
The bosses have hurt us; as yet we have not hurt them. Now we are about to do it
And we openly proclaim our intention, and we count upon loyalty in our own ranks.
The capitalist press backs them all ends up. Let them do it, we will now proceed to marshall our forces in such fashion as will hit them where they will feel it. We have goodwill towards the Community, but if, in order to stop the brutal domineering of the bosses, we hurt some of the public, it is only because there is no other way open to us.
Comrades all! For our own manhood’s sake, we refuse to leave this dispute any longer to drag along passively. Our children, our women-folk, and our homes are suffering. Let us then now do the fighting.
This is to inform all concerned that a definite fighting policy is being arranged, and those who act the traitor’s part will do so at their peril. Every section is called upon equally, no matter how we are graded. Labourers, semi-skilled, skilled, etc., etc., all and sundry connected with the industry, prepare yourselves. Shortly, after this, a fresh statement will be issued. Look out for it; take instructions, march to the real FIGHT, and to VICTORY.
On behalf of the Disputes Advisory Committee.