UNLESS THIS union is prepared to take positive action, up to 42 more pits will close or merge, with 60,000 more jobs wiped out in the next few years', NUM president Arthur Sargill told miners delegates meeting at Tenby on their first day of conMonday. strategic choices facing miners. 'This is the reality we face,' he said. "To Against those who attacked the against calls on vc evce ve between the NUM UDM, and unk's scau Scargill reminded conference: 'It is a testimony to the courage and determination of our membership, to the wonderful women's support NUM has not only surviv- our allies that ed but is recognised as a focal point of resistance against attemps to destroy British industry? Pointing to the closure of Gartcosh steelworks in Scotland Scargill attacked the disaster of 'new realism'.
He called instead for a 'revival' ' OT union principles. The National Mineworkers, he said to take industrial action 'sooner ra nen than later to further pit decimaLul.
'Only direct which carries economic Ipaci Colli halt the policies and terrible slide to complete disaster which faces Britain today,' he explained. "That is the key essol enmiee over the course of the past few years.' He bluntly spelt out the •commodate or attempt to Against the calls for unity, through 'conciliawith the breakaway UDM, Scargill demanded the Labour Party leadersnip lo lake acuon agalnst Notts MPs who backed up 'this company outtit'. resolution from the Scotsure apronl unit i sure unity calling on the acmieveu vy TUC and the Labour Partv to assıst in reuniting Britain's mining unionists'.
Scargill's speech set the tone for the differences : that are unfolding within the Today national inOlstra action is nol an immediate or realistic proCCL But the issue is how the NUM is to be able to get back into the postion where it is.
Ihe path being pursued by the leadership around Mick McGahey in essence is to abandon the fighting line NUM seek reconciliation with the UDM. Evidently LEHS would be at the expense of the removar or une Drcocu leadership of the NUM reversal of its policies.
It clear that this wowrd not save a single job. Policies of complete collaboration with management, as pursued by the ISTC in the steel industry for example. Icsullcu CVCil greater slaughter of IODS in the mines Such an abandonment of the NUM's policies would break up all the gains the make te umon a ponce force over its own HIC UCS The task which exists is Lane Discussion is about to do Ihlal, anla nol now to carry out a 'reconciliation'. The SaLCai Cvic lakeu Ul that issue will decide the whole future of the NUM.
Conference reaffirmed its commitment to fight for the reinstatement of the 480 miners still sacked.
resolution the Kent area called on the ned wiue lu Continue fo provide financial assıstance for those sack ed.
On Tuesday delegates were treated to a suprise and raptuously greeted appearance Atran miners leaders, Including Cyril Ramaphosa, general secretary of the NUM, who adressed conference. Delegates will resolution Scotland ODDUSLE 'the evil of aparthied' and calling, among other things, for the imposition of the UN arms embargo alu ulanualor. sanctions including an oil embargo. The resolution also proposes affiliation to the Anti Apartheid Movement.
But it is the decision o tight the UDM which will determine the tuture of the miners. NUR supports WAC Monday Westonsuper-Mare. Seventy seven NUR delegates debated cash for ballots and firmly rejected the idea But conference turned down a demand that the next should repeal Tory ment _LADOl Tory antilaws Speaking against the resolution general secretary Jimmy Knapp said that the government must given 'ilexibility Against the advice of the platform however, aNsed resolution in support o the DOllI w omten Action Committee demand that women should elect the women's places on NEC. The MOLOD was passed with a four to three majority.
Tuesday at Westonsuper-Mare. The whole of the morning debate over two hours, was taken up by a resolution opposing the witch hun in the Labour Partv. A wiecking non the undon to calling LaKe stand agains Militant's policies 'al every level' the Labour Party was passed. skillful carefully prepared half hour response KnaDo on posed the resolution and called for support for the amendment. chair ann the da, tail During the day, Against Apartheid fringe meting on Tuesday evening. This looks set te be a big and successful event. Railworkers will hear that as they met in session today the Soutl African NUM addressed the British mineworkers
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placate is to surrender. We can surrender or fight back. There is no middle ground.'