'WE ARE women, we are strong.' This is the inspiring message that came out of the second national Women Against Pit Closures (WAPC) conference on 5-6 April. As WAPC chairperson Ann Lilburn pressed that although this voice in the about it in the right way. I was felt that WAPC must beable to work side by side with the NUM, and still retain the right to use its own Hullalive WAPC to the Labour ParWAPC's affiliation to the he question of the UDM Juring the discussior on affiliation brought greetings from the National Women's Committee, and personal greetings Richardson, front bench spokesperson on women's rights. Gill said that the than its membership, that in the party are a Wolle radical force that WAPC saffiliation would strengthen tion. Conference howeves narrow cereace a vole to affiliate.
The Labour Party also came up in relation to the UDM. A Notts resolution demanded that the party maintain position on Ene UDM not recognise UDM members individual rights to Labour Party membersillp In the Betty Heathfield warned the the deep dangers posed by the setting up of scab breakaway organisations. Insiduously, she said, they promote the idea of an alternative movement.
The message of the print workers • struggle clearly shows this, she argued.
Help She concluded by saying whenever a trade union is in struggle let us go out and help - that's helping us as well.
The conference over whelmingly passed the resolution on non-recognition of individual tion was narrowly turned down not So much because opposed the sentiments but because there was still uncertainty on the matter of affiliation generally.
The main perspective for the future will be an ac. tive campaign in support of all victimised members WAPC nationally, some areas, is already affiliated for Mineworkers' Campaign. There was complete endorsement of this perspec. tive.
During this discusion Liz French, whose husband Terry French is still in prison appealed for letters to be sent to the men in jail. In the early days of his Terry for example received hundreds of letters which were boosters Now, however, the numbers have dwindled to about two letters per week.
Nicki Boyle South Yorkshire explained that her husband was one of four brothers who were sacked - the whole family was victimised. With four children to care for they having a hard time. were There were no sacked miners in any area whor were not suffering. NUM's funds are still in the receivers hands, so the only financial help has to come from the Solidarity Fund, which now dwindling fast.
at the social on Saturday night. Flaming Nerve entertained tireless. ly ahho talenter from many coa their poetry the or spok their poetry. whol evening cumulate. repeated and enthusiastic 'We Tendent t women , we are strong' led The was closed on Sunday afternoon by chairperson Ella Egan. She said would return coalfields remembering women fighting the including Winnie Mandela and the Chilean women continue the battle for the mining industry, to rebuild and maintain the unity o the NUM, and to fight to establish a new society.
Correction:
Valerie Vaz is not a member of the Labour Party black and Asian advisory ine paper: she see committee paper. ing/Southall CUP. observer sent Black Sections
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