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being entirely dependent upon them. Large-scale capitalist production brings large numbers of people together who were in no way connected with each other before, but, who thanks to capitalism (finding themselves in the same conditions of exploitation and oppression), are stirred to give expression to their indignation and to improve their lot.

The capitalist system of production gives rise to various classes in capitalist society. A class is a group of people standing in the same relation to the means of production, playing the same role in the social production. The bourgeoisie owns and controls the means of production. In capitalist society the bourgeoisie controls the industries and lives on the surplus value produced by the workers. The working class does not own the means of production. They are producers and are exploited by the bourgeoisie. All class relations in capitalist society led inevitably to a struggle between of the capitalists to increase their exploitation of the workers that is to increase their share of the social wealth.
(To be continued.)


Organisation and Functions of a Strike Committee

1. A strike Committee is an organ for leading militant collective actions of the workers.

2. The election of a strike committee should take place several days before the lockout takes place or the strike is declared. If the lockout sets in suddenly or the strike breaks out unexpectedly the election of the strike committee should take place immediately at a factory meeting called before the workers go home. 

3. The election should take place at factory meetings where all the workers take part, regardless of race, political faith or trade union membership- organized and unorganized. Democratic elections must prevail. The size of the committee depends on the magnitude of the strike. Names should be put up right after the opening remarks. 

4. In a small enterprise there should be one member on the committee for every 25 or 50 workers; in bigger enterprises one member to every 100 or 200 workers; in big enterprises of 20,000 or more workers the strike committee should consist of 200 or 300 members, with representation from all departments of the enterprises.

5. A big strike committee should elect an Executive whose business shall be to call the members of the committee together regularly, render an account of the activities and to keep them in contact with the strikers. 

6. Definite functions should be assigned to each and every member of the committee. 

Functions and Tasks
1. The first and foremost task of the strike committee is to lead the fight to successfully achieve the demands of the workers. 

2. The committee must increase its fighting capacity by eliminating any influence of reformist trade union officials and fakers, by exposing their fake “revolutionary” phrase making and double crossing tacties- (negotiation behind the backs of the workers, etc.).

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3. It must organize documents outside the trade union halls, call joint meetings of organized workers, collect money, and help the workers.
 
4. The strike committee must enter into negotiations and eventually sign agreements, declaring before hand that all agreements made by the reformist bureaucrats behind the backs of the workers cannot be binding on the workers.

5. The strike committee must always be watchful of new political developments, the bosses bringing in additional measures against workers, injunctions, court actions etc.; it must at every opportunity appraise the workers of the ultimate aim of strike struggles- the Destruction of the State apparatus. 

6. The strike committee organizes regular registration if all workers envolved in the conflict; it must establish control bureaux. 

7. It must establish strict discipline amongst its members; during its formation provisions should be made for the recall of members who are not doing their duty in regard to energetic conduct of the struggle. 

8. The strike committee must keep close connection between the strikers and the unemployed workers to prevent them being used to break the strike.
 
9. The strike committee must organize pickets and self-defence corps in the following manner:
 
a) pickets should consist of all workers, and the unorganized should have the cooperation of the experienced workers; 

b) the pickets must be carefully selected of young workers (usually the most aggressive strikers), older working men and women and the wives of working men;

c) the wildest possible working class circles should be drawn in;

d) in places where the terror is great or likely to be, self-defence corps should be organized as soon as the strike breaks out and the most active workers drawn into them;

e) Sport organizations and working class women’s Leagues should also be drawn in;

f) special attention should be paid to the struggle against police and private detective agencies- factory police, factory spies, fire brigades, etc. 

10. The committee must gain the support of sympathetic workers in other industries, in the same industries in joining countries and workers in far away countries. 

11. By constant militant and aggressive action the strike must be pursued towards a successful conclusion. At the conclusion it will be found that the strike committee will have performed many of the duties of a permanent organ of the workers. The workers should not let the opportunity slip of utilizing the committee for building up a strong militant trade union movement. 

Note: Strike Committees, Action Committees and Lockout Committees are often interchangeable terms- they are primarily active struggle organs. 

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