After the miners Thatcher that has developed over the last three weeks.
Railworkers face two burning questions: will Thatcher the threat to close the railways faced with the growing actions and can they win in ine lace or the threat or a national lockout?
There can be no doubt that Thatcher will have few qualms about shutting down lne rall system and locking out the workforce. But generaly would prefer to keep the services by trying to buy off or perahea that their interests lie with lich, the Rall the 'rationalisation' of the industry.
However the situation develops must understood that the Tory government is prepared go all the way against the railworkers just as it against the The government means to KOUTCLUTC British dustry no matter what the in human suffering. Lubl through the British Rail lost through mous lie. The plan called for 45,000 jobs to go by 1990. In the past years almost 14,000 workshop staff have gone.
What is developing in rail is not a fight about a couple of thousand guards but a fight for the future of the entire industry as it was with the miners. None of the so tar won by such as guaranteed working week • are sate. Thatcher means to try and grab these away in the process of the fight.
The very nature of the Rail Board's attack demands national response poses challenge for the entire is taking the railworkers. But contrary to what she expected the railworkers are fighting back. That is the pattern All out industrial action is the reply railworkers can possibly the National must call to unity in action against the Tory government.
The TUC congress and the Labour conference must be brought into the fight to jobs to defend the NUR.
The miners were not defeated because they lacked the will to struggle, because they lacked strategy to win, or they lacked a leadership that would stand and fight, but because TUC leaders mobilise the movement behind them. Never again!
The lessons must be drawn from the miners strike for the current fight. Railworkers are a powerful force. Because of their industrial strategic weight they can quickly bring serious disruption to most of the economy, , atfecting all the major commercial and industrial centres.
some three quarters of million people travel daily the 1982 drivers During 1982 drivers' buses were being turned away over 20 miles from the centre of London. This makes an appeal to NUR members on London Transport to take action as well a ney demand.
Or :se:eige: sade. the Centra.
Generate 3ere been tate:
- 4; These heip desperaie .a.8.= influence the ballots being laken.
Railworkers can win. There is a will to win already by thousands involved in the current actions. They need a leadership that will stand fight, one that will moduse the entire membership for struggle, tnal will deepen ine links with ASLEF all levels dire out other the Partv for support. It won't be easy but the attacks can de pushed back.Kegiona action, grade by grade action is useful primarily steps taken towards nationai industrial action. As the NUR nationally says, *Its the only language that management understands'.
scabs in the industry must not become a A vital aspect today in the fight to protect the rat industry, unions jobs working towards a massive ves vote in the ballots yet to be taken.
The entire trade union movement must back the railworkers.
PIECE
And atter the guards have been made •reaundant From one-man trains to no-man trains s to no trains workplaces, branches, Party meetings. Take regular collections to make sure railworkers have a living income during the dispute.
NUR platform Closures movement • Commit your branch or GC to full and active support for the railworkers, and to insist the TUC NEC pledge the full backing of the movement AS whole.
• Involve groups who see the need for a guard on every O THE ACTION After all, if you can't privatise an industry then it • ought you are lownminded young I tory..
Socialist Action 30 August 1985 Scargill — and how the Notts area poster campaign against the national union portrays him SUPPOST YOUR NOTTS Rail 'want to get rid.of Notts president Ray Chadburn addresses Bolsover miners at the beginning of the Keeps Notts National campaign dustry. by Arthur Scargills. It was FIFTY-FIVE men who were arrested on 14 May last year at the Mansfield rally in support of the NUM are currently in court facing charges of attray.
They are appearing in Nottingham Crown Court where the case has now been going on for 11 weeks. Seven have beer aquitted, but the remaindict.
Notts Women Against Pit Closures are appealing for support for the Mansfield 55. People are encouraged to attend the public gallery during the sessions to show thei support. • Notts Crown Court sessions are held at Shire High Pavement, Nottingham. Phone 0602
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Defend the Mansfield 55!