gauntlet to the newly elected left executive of the POEU. They have begun to send workers home for refusing to connect the privately owned Mercury system to the state network.
based on the latest technology. This is the first challenge to the POEU conference decision to fight the privatisation of the industry.
The fight privatisation and Mercury araliisu are linked. The businessonly Mercury system was given permission by the LUlIDCLC against BT at an early Most of the groundSLaZ•i work has been done, but without connection to the state system its cost would nuzciy lucicasc.
Mercury has run into a number of technical difficulties, puts question over its viability.
For example, the initial plan to lay the optical fibre cables alongside Rail tracks has had to be abandoned, due to the etfect of vibration. The latest idea is to connect it British Rail's communication system.
Whatever its economic its significance in opening up BI to private competition HOOdOL. have thrown down the Mercury is a business communications system development In office Alongside of p Cll" couragement private competition the Tories are further plans.
The government will be reintroducing the Telecoms Bill, shelved when the general election was called.
However instead of a straight sell-ott ot 5 pe cent as originally proposed the lories will be adopting piecemeal apWUC I Di Udlll.
This is not because the government is concerned to protect workers in BT. The reason is that the size of such a sell-off around f4bn would the D W alllstock market. The Bill, will allow the government to sell OTI by means to be decided later U1l.
The new approach is to acheive by schle off ot the tasiness such as specialisCustolc coulolicl and various business services. The reorganisation withın Bl, basea on loca profit centres, will facilitate this approach.
Firms like Plessey's which are heavily dependent on BT orders have enjoyed virtual monopoly will be given time the changed conditions.
But there will be no such breathing space for the workforce.
Management have opened their campaign by sending letter all workers and their homes last week suade them not to support the action. This is the first shot in their propaganda LalllDaizl unacc the new executive.
Mandate But the POEU is shaping up for battle. Following the vote on no contidence in the union's in Action Subference, a new committee has been appointed, which accurately reflects contereuce uccisiolls.
Meetings being alC held with the leaderships ot the branches who led the action against the Telecon: Bill last time round, and an industrial Post Office engineers on City of London picket before general election action bulletin has gone out to branches already.
The mandate given to the kulalec. CUl ference to take inwas dustrial action as soon as the measure enters Parlia-