Socialist Action No. 54, 20 April 1984
The scan: 054-apr-20-1984-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
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Page 1 scan of this page
No. 54 20 April 1984 30p
All-out on May Day
SoCiAlist
ACTION
SCOTLAND IS leading the way in solidarity action for the miners. The Scottish TUC on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a day of action, including strike action, on May Day. Moving the resolution Mick McGahey called for this to be a day of strike action on 1 May - May Day.
All over the country the labour movement should follow Scotland's lead. Make May Day a real workers' festival behind the miners!
MINERS:
THE DECISION of last week's magnificent NUM executive meeting in Sheffield has given the labour movement its greatest opportunity since the Thatcher government was elected five years ago.
Despite the press campaign and the police intimidation the strike has been getting stronger every week. There is a clear majority for a na-
ALL OUT tional strike — even the press is forced to admit
this now. If this week's NUM rule change goes through that will allow the majority view to be expressed with or without a ballot.
The serious press — the Financial Times, the Sunday Times, the Daily Telegraph — already admit that Thatcher has lost the first phase of the war.
But what happens now depends entirely on the response of the rest of the labour movement.
Thatcher is prepared to try to sit out the strike in-
•FOR
definitely. She is willing to sacrifice hundreds, if not thousands, of millions of pounds to win. The f200 million the NCB has already lost is peanuts compared to what Thatcher would give to defeat the NUM. The government's tactics are simply and solely to starve the miners into submission. To exhaust the NUM before it can close down the power stations, shut industry, and force the government to surrender — as the miners have the power to do.
VICTORY Thatcher has every reason to be worried. Just look
at what's coming up behind the miners to take on Thatcher. • Every sign is that Labour is going to win a huge electoral victory in Liverpool on 3 May — which will put the council and the city in a better position than ever before. • With the economy slowly making an upward turn workers at British Leyland and other firms will be trying to take revenge for the defeats and humiliations of the last five years. • Even some weaker sectors such as teachers are showing new militancy.
All this means for Thatcher that she must win the strike. If she doesn't it is the end of the credibility of her government and much of its ability to intimidate workers.
The Scottish TUC has shown the way with its resolution for financial support and a day of solidarity strike action in Scotland. The rest of the British labour movement must follow Scotland's example. It only needs a determined push by the Labour and trade union movement and the backbone of this government's policies can be broken. Because if the NUM can hold out it has the industrial muscle to bring the government to its knees. But exactly because so much is at stake the struggle will be long and bitter. What matters now is solidarity above all.
Solidarity to raise money to alleviate the incredible financial hardship of the strike.
Solidarity to stop the movement of coal and shorten the strike Solidarity strike action that could crush the government's resistance in days.
Solidarity that now makes support for the miners strike the number one priority for the activity of every trade union and Labour Party in the country.
Thanks to the leadership of the NUM the labour movement has it within its grasp to break the back of the most hated and reactionary government for half a century. It must take it with both hands.
The labour movement must have one key slogan in the hard weeks battles to come:
All out on May Day!
All out with the miners for victory!
Page 2 scan of this page
Organise to win the strike
2 Socialist Action 20 April 1984
SOCiAList
ACTiON
Labour's
resurgent left
TEN MONTHS ago, when Thatcher won the general election, capitalist press thought they could succeed in marginalising the Labour left in British politics.
They were joined in that by Neil Kinnock, the Labour Coordinating Committee, the Guardian, Marxism Today and the New Statesman. All merrily set about burying the Labour left and exorcizing the ghost of what they chose to call Bennism more than one person anyway.
Rally to the 'dream ticket' was the slogan. All the Labour left's past had to be junked in favour of 'new thinking and the 'new realism'.
What a contrast today. It is the left wing of the Labour Party and the trade unions, together struggles which are shaping British politics
For the Labour left which has emerged in the last ten months has a quite different level of activity and political sense to anything seen for
Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone, Arthur Scargill and others were dead right, after Neil Kinnock had won the Labour leadership election, not to get bogged down in purely internal party fights
There are internal struggles which need to be waged in the Party today - to win the demands for the election of women to the NEC, to create black sections, to defend reselection, to stop the local witch hunts going on. But the key issue is how the left of the Labour left has turned out to the mass struggles which have erupted.
In 19ze name by the struggle for internal reform and party policy. But now, since the election, it is the
Arthur Scargill, Peter Heathfield, and Jack Taylor leading the most militant trade union struggle seen for a decade. Tony Benn speaking to miners railies, in Liverpool, and in defence of
and David Blunkett leading the fight to defend
That is the image the Labour left is giving today.
And that's how it should be. The struggle inside the Party was to get the freedom to act in the class struggle outside it. Never an end in
It is also how the leadership question should be settled. By his actions over Liverpool and the miners Neil Kinnock has already himself far more than any amount of criticism
If Kinnock is prepared to lead the Labour Pary to defend its supporters and those on whon he movement rests then well and good. If no then the Labour left must act independently of, and if necessary against, him. Never must it be paralysed by what Kinnock is prepared to accepthat is the tactic of the last ten months. They are the correct ones. It's the Labour left, not the Published weekly except two weeks in August and the las week or becember.
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La whole section of the although Labour's left was always far
Liverpool Council, Ken Livingstone
sales
AFTER FIVE weeks of phoney war and ballyhoo about ballots what people really think about the miners strike is now out in the open. all along. He and the NCB don't give a damn about ballots. Ballot or not their intention is to starve the ment to intervene — to br-
"DOL SOci negotiations bere that it convince the mineworkers
sible negotiators, will
The sole reason the top Talk.
calisill
MacGregor has said openly what we've known
the TUC leadership
workers CASINO The union leaderships who wanted the strike to
the urging of Ray Buckton and Jimmy Knapp. flave
al c
showed its attitude when it
through every level of the
group of MPs as a whole
Local Labour Parties hae.
LOCal
A PiECE OF CHE ACTION
ecutive. This move havex
silence on the real issues azalll.
reaminess unnanel?
weren't far from
monteretes colauseu
•democrals are no angel
TUC General Council
screaming to do so.
There
Havel not often said thai
there against venturitist
working class?
the exaggerations of the ultra-left!
• The miners urgently
financial £50,000 has been voted by NUPE. A levy has been introduced by Scott Lithgow Thousands pounds has been raised by local subport condullces and workplace collections The Scottish TUC has called for support
But much more needed. Trade unions and workplaces should be looking to a 50p and fl a
levy to support the
• In towns and cities support committees for the miners strike based on the labour movement should
established bringing together trade union bran-
trades councils and Labour Parties. This has already been Golf places like Stockport, Birmingnam and bristol
These support commitice» wan prcpare sulludill! action through organising
delega tions to picket lines, winn-
'Labour's Alliance
for Socialism' —
an interview with Tony
Benn.
interview with Tony Benn carried out for Socialist
Action by John Ross.
Order your copy now!
It will probably b months before i policeman can kill a trade unionist and not be
harder with
News
D. MAN STAR
ing bovcotts of coal. anc making collections.
Local demonstrations like those planned in Manchester and Huddersfield, following up the huge success of the Kent to Not
NUM march should take place up and OWI counuy The
should be at the toretront of everv marci and rally on May Day
bul murc lall lllal needed. The success of the Kent miners march shows une nuge possiolly 1or c national demonstration in support • of the miners
day industrial action with the miners should be named. The STUC has taken the lead
herethere should be a fight
to force the TUC to call a day of solidarity strike ac non. but i unis is relused the unions already taking
miners must name the day
muuustlla. themselves The May Day issue will carry a special 8 page
a CORMAT
Page 3 scan of this page
Determined to win
News
Photo: courtesy NUM
Peter Heathfield, General Secretary NUM this is and what the stakes are.
Kent was first staffed by people who walked to the coalfield looking for work. My dad walked into the coalfield before the First World War. Many had been barred from other pits because of their political views.
They brought their militant traditions With them. That's organised the march to Nottingham. We walked to Kent looking for work; we are prepartu lo walk from were lo keep it.
The government's not acting from a position of streneth. It they were. they'd not need thousands of police on the streets propping up their rotten laws.
In a class-based society, the ruling class have got to maintain ineir own
What were seeing
"Solidarity: an act
of self interest"
"Rank and file workers
come and join us"
TWO OUT OF Kent's three pits are due to close under MacGregor's plan. Kent miners have reacted with militancy to the area's call for action. Kent NUM secretary, JACK COLLINS, told Socialist Action why
of nuclear weapons. why we fighting for, abused for their sexuality?
Led to try and silence their protest?
tions, are the organised workers.
to destroy the trade unions, particular the bronzest bellonelieuters.
pose and Derby isn't losing back
DuUUUTL
straightforward example of the class struggle. It is not simply confined to the shop floor, it's out on the streets.
The divisions in society have mored on since 1972-74. Conflicts worldwide have become sharper. Look see the arms race, and the huge build-up dispute.
are the Greenham women and why they Why do the police and the army have to be us-
• mmons are pur on ine dore eventually people are bound to take action. The only people that can give a lead, apart from political organisa-
That'swhy the government is out
and in best-organised and
and what's needed to win.
THE DELEGATE conference was born out of attempts by certain people within the union to compel an individual ballot. The national executive felt the pur-
of a ballot at this would be to say to striking miners we have a right of veto over your etforts to defend your jobs. That's completely unsatisfactory. It was a device to end the dispute.
Consequently we decided to have a special conference to enable rank
file members involved in the • original decision to introduce an overtime ban to have their sav about the direction we should be travelling. The delegates are working miners, selected by the area they represent.
It is sad that Nottingham, South
and Leicester have not fallen into line. Had there been an mediate response should have been in a position to conclude the dispute quickly. Traditionally, Nottinghamshire has had a different attitude to industrial conflict, because it is an area less affected by closure problems.
In the 1920s and '30s Notts broke awav from the Miners' rederation. under the right wing leadership of a bloke called Spencer. In our view. Spencerism still thrives
The problems for mining are the same throughout the country. Notts
immune. The executive recognises the miners can't win this struggle alone. We need the assistance of trade unionists generally, and particularly the transport unions who played an important part in our 1972 and "74 victories.
We are developing a strategy based on the support we've had from the scallcil. the rall workers and transport and general workers. their help, this strike is having a considerable impact.
There is ample evidence that the
We're told by the press that we're
people's sympathy. I came from London recently £3500 of sympathy! We've got more
from the NUR, the NUS, ASLEF and the TGWU than we had in the strikes 10 years ago.
For the steel strike in 1980 we levied Kent miners, provided hotel accommodation for the pickets, refused to handle steel, and supported the picket lines at Sheerness. We'd like to
our support returned in this
This strike is a battle for whole communities. Even the local paper, ene mercury, recoguses InIs. IAIs l why women have come forward and are more active in this dispute than last time. We're fighting because our livelihoods are at stake.
Miners going in think they're safe. But what right have they got to stop us fighting to save our jobs? question I'd like to see answered is whether a miner going into work in Nottinghamshire is prepared to take responsibility for sacking another somewhere else.
Last week the NUM national executive decided in favour of a recall delegate conference. PETER HEATHFIELD, NUM general secretary, told Socialist Action why the conference had been called, what's at stake in the strike,
Coal Board, the government and even the Electricity down the effects. We have been made aware of a government edict that no coal-stock figures will be given for the remainder of the dispute. stage
TUC. We have no intention of asking for their assistance at this moment in time.
ASLEF had over and the problems of the NGA at Warrington win this dispute.
received the out-and-out support of the Labour Party bewildered that they speak of a ballot as if they believed it would resolve the problem. It won't.
Welsh men, Scotsmen, from the North East will not allow people working in profitable pits to deny them the right to defend their jobs.
was pretty miserable mainly to a call for a ballot. The Labour
leadership should be calling on the covernment to muervene to rearec MacGregor to enable us to return to work and continue producing the coal this nation requires
trom consuluency parties, siderable support from the Campaign Group of MPs. This includes constituencies areas where miners are continuing to work. indicates throughout the whole labour movement that this is not only the miners' struggle. I think it's a recognition that if the miners fell on this occasion, then the labour
the crumble.
With In many
worse than the situation the miners faced in 1926. decimation of the with The
Jack Collins, Secretary Kent Area NUM
Socialist Action 20 April 1984 strike.
movement.
Board are playing
the police
We are very wary of involving the
We're mindful of the problems
flexible rostering date, legislation. — and we're determined to
We are disappointed we haven't
leadership. I'm
Yorkshire men, it. and miners
vul
Neil Kinnock's recent statement
- it amounted ensure our
oblivion
We're had a tremendous response involved.
and con- terested in
- and trades councils — in To win,
recognition
port MacGregor movement would
ways this onslaught is
After virtual NUM, the re-
3 mainder of the movement was intact. almost untouched, after the general
Today, the 1980 and '82 legislation is designed to achieve the disintegration of the whole labour
The miners sill at work must recognise who's supporting their right to work and their right to express a democratic view': the tabloids and the media generally, the government and
hardly the traditional allies of the labour movement.
The police are implementing Tory anti-union legislation. The same bob bies will be knocking lumps out of those miners if they try to defend their jobs in six, 12 or 18 months time. TO
, we've made a nonsense of the
When the government took out an injunction, we thought they intended to activate it straight away. That would have been to our advantage. They'd have paid a price. . Mrs Thatcher recognised that too. She's got to make her mind up to use it or scrap
Personally I think she will try to break the miners' will by having a go
She has I coulles pathalogical hatred of the unions particularly the miners after 1974. She will use all the forces at her disposal to
defeat. •Otherwise, she would travel the path of Heath into
This introduces another element into the formula. Perhaps it accounts for the reluctance of some Labour Party leaders to see the party actively
But at this stage, I'm inseeing miners vic. torious — we'll deal with the conse. quences thereafter
first of all we mus. develop maximum unity within the NUM. Then the response from other unions will intensify. Solidarity is noi an act of altruism, ll s an act oi material self-interest. If enough sup-
Contes from other unions will have his terms of reference modified, he'll negotiate.
Miners are determined to defend their jobs and their industry. I'm confident the NUM national executive Will get a vote of confidence at next Thursday's meeting.
Page 4 scan of this page
Around the cour
"The fight
is going
EMLYN WILLIAMS, president of the South Wales NUM, spoke to a 1000-strong rally in Aberdare last Saturday.
THIS RALLY is just the first of a series that will culminate in a mass rally in Cardiff on 28 April. That will be organised by the Wales TUC.
When you say Wales TUC you feel a shudder going down your back. Yesterday at the Wales TUC a proposal was put that the only way to positively assist the miners was by calling out the mass of the working class move-
ment for industrial action. Photo: JOHN HARRIS
The Wales TUC were swallowing Anadins by the handful then. They were looking at each other and almost crying. They realise
without the miners and the other industrial
the Wales TUC would perish.
When we embarked on this struggle for survival, work and the right to bring up our children properly hially people said to me:
But Emin. these are not the miners of 1972 and '74, these voungsters nave got
Meir necess in debt: "can
tell those doubters that
have forgotten about their morigages and have been a credit to the miners.
Yes, we've got scabs in
some parts or ine briusn
coalfield and we've got the
resurrection of Spencerism
Not-
tingham area in particular.
Socialist Action 20 April 1984
South Wales NUM President
to be bitter'
But I must also say this -there are Lousands comrades in Nottingham who have beer on strike since Day One. They have only been victimised by the employers but by a gullible leadership in that area. many or nell have received letters that they will be suspended from the NUM!
I tell those comrades andice hers incarcerated in police lave the support of the Wales malicis. they won't support you in Nottingham. we will support you from here.
At the NEC on Thursday the response men at the lobby was fantastic - out of this world. I'll never see a scene like that as long as I live, but I must point out that there are certai with the decision reached.
and I were George Rees
quite clear that the NEC
have called everyone out. That is what its function was and that's what it should have done.
Protest
As for the delegate conference on 1 nursaay, we met as a South Wales exec yesterday and decided to support the amendment of the rules for 50 per cent plus one: and to present a resolution the Coll ference to instruct every member COMe VUl without a ballot. That day
- this one only ploy destroy the working class and the credibility of the
Comrades, the fight is going to be bitter and we
I would like to thank the miners' wives TOT the they al c responding despite the hardship. And
behalf of the South Wales executive council.I must say that you've been
We must be credit to us steadfast and next time speak here it will be after a victory against this vicious
LEICESTER
•We are the iron
ladies, not
Thatcher'
150 PEOPLE packed into Leicester's Workers Centre on Thurs-
hear
peakers from the South
Vales NUM Kent miners marching to Nottingham, miners' wives from Had fields Coltery Doncaster and local trade unionists. The rally had been called by the Support Committee established by Leicester Trades Council.
Stephenson, Kent marcher, spoke of the enthusiastic reception their 10 day march had received even in Tory strongholds unke Rochester. A bucke collection mere ma raise over £200.
He also recalled how in London he had gatecrash. ed a CND meeting since they had been sitting ol the fence' when does concern them. If coa
what do they think there is left to use?' he He left with a collection of £117 after telling the CND members present
HUDDERSFIELD
MINERS' solidarity committee has been set up locally by the trades coun
cil jointly with the Labour Party following a resolu tion from TGWU 9/14 bus branch.
A delegate body, its first meeting was attended by 25 representatives of local trade and Labour Party branches,
speakers from the NUM.
that if the NUM was smashed CND and its campaign would be a great deal weaker
rousing reception was given to Lynne Greig and Margaret Dalton from Hadfield colliery Yorkshire. Lynne, part of the women's support group in Doncaster, spoke of Thatcher's concern for democrac She won strong applause when she
said Thatcher is only in-
terested in democracy for scabs. She says they have a what about the four million on ine cole 'they've also got the right to Woth women showed
Both the determination miners' wive fight alongside their husbands, as Margaret Dalton put it:
'I believe it is very important to show Margaret Thatcher that we women
are stronger than she is. are the iron ladies of this country, not her.
The meeting made a donation to the miners and agreed to hold a public meeting on Thursday
April with Jack Taylor
speaking, demonstra-
tion has also been organis
ed for Saturday 28 April.
Following the meeting
the union branca al Unt
local ICI works agreed to
join the NUM in picketing
the company which has
been accepting coal.
MEWORKERS
MENARE
IF
CHA AND
OTTISHA ACTION GROUr
Pir ELOSUKESPPOS
NEW
NOTTINGHAM
The mood for
strike is rising
Throloniew
the day before.
area banners.
said: "Our coalfield came into
foot, too the jobs of miners all over Britain.
Henry Richardson,
instead of being told what I'm supposed to say. miners must picket lines, and I want to raise my hat to those lads.
The march ther
ly. Tony Benn told the rally:
for all of us
strike. We must recognise and appreciate that.'
dav's Sunday Times showing 68 favour of a strike,
country and in Notts in particular.
CLUS
NATIONAL
AND A AND •UNITE NOTTINGHAM, heart of resistance to the strike, was the scene of a massive show of solidarity last Saturday as 8000 miners, their families and other trade unionists marched.
• They were led by 30 Kent miners who had walked 200 miles from Kent, arriving in Nottingham
They were followed by hundreds of local Notts miners who support the strike from most of the area's pits, led by branch banners from two of their most militant collieries Blidworth and Bolsover. Delegations from almost every other coalfield were present in large numbers behind their
Addressing the rally Terry French of the Kent miners
existence in the 30s when miners from many other coalfields in Britain came to Kent having been blackballed after the '26 strike. Many came on reversed this. We have walked 200 miles from Kent to sav •to travel any other way. We have now
Secretary of Notts area NUM, said: 'It is about time I started talking about my principles
Notts miere are s00 to 600 or meis an a pare to re
moved off to the Albert Hall where Jack Collins, Kent NUM, chaired an emotion-packed ral-
'Everything that the working class has ever got, it got through struggle. And that is the only way to hold on to what we have now, in the face of this Tory government. Every single member of the Labour Party should be giving the miners 100 per cent support. The miners are fighting
Arthur Scargill speaking after a tremendous ovation said that the unity to win the strike was being achieved
*I must point out to you that the two leaders from this area did vote for the motion in Sheffield in favour of the
He then read out public opinion polls from the next
per cent nationally in and very signincanly 44 pe. which would be double the figure for strike in the Notts ballot a few weeks ago. If that poll bears any relation to reality then the mood for strike is rising throughout the
Page 5 scan of this page
try with
MANCHESTER
their Area Council last their Area Council Saturday, backed the NEC recommendation to change voting rules for ballots. Delegates representing. miners decided by 102 to 50 to support the change to the ruling.
Following the decision, Sid Vincent, right-wing Lancashire General Secretary said: I do not think we can escape drifi Nearly 100a sriners
miners from Bold and Sutton Manor, the two pits on strike in Lanes, who lobbying the Area Council, saw this as a big step forward. They later joined a demonstration of nearly 500 people in Manchester and listened to miners from Cortonwood, the South Wales Executive
Colin Lenton, Bold NUM Licasurer. finished the rally. calling on other Lancashire miners: Don't hide behind the ballot box. Get off your knees.
The weekend before last a new peace camp was set up at Burtonwood air base. Striking miners from
Bold colliery mediately organised for free coal to be sent to the camp as and when they need it. The following day
delegation from the CaLlU went miners picket lines.
The Manchester Support Committee has called a demonstration in sup-
Photo: NEWSLINE
LONDON
THE NORTH and East London labour movement delegation to the Kent coalfield last Saturday filled 10 coaches. The tion given at the Miners' and welcoming.
VALERIE COULTAS travelled with the delegation.
Snowdon colliery we were shown round the was sunk in 1918 and pro-
such high quality
ort of the miners for ?
May in the Cit Centre. Sponsors local AUEW District Committees, and the communication workers' union.
Jeff Gregory, President Bold NUM
WE'VE BEEN waiting for the decision changing Le s ver cent required for strike for a long time. It's undemocratic when a minority can stop a majority going on strike.
It's wrong to have a ballot on putting yourself out of work. You can get people in collieries that are safe who can stop the rest of us who are under threat taking action.
But I think a ballot has probably got to come. Though I think
should be allowed to vote
surtace workers and COSA workers at the pits and no one ese
Colin Lenton, Treasurer Bold NUM
WE WILL win with the support of the trade union movement. support so tar nas been tremendous all over Greater Manchester. Merseyside and Lancashire. We've
support of between £6000 and £7000.
Cronton colliery has coal that it had to be mixed with coal from the Midlands before being sold.
long manager turned up and we underlining the fact that asked the tionalised but they don't belong to the miners.
At the welfare club we heard speeches from miners and visitorst Speakers included Danny Deary. the Snowdown branch secretary, Labour
this week started a f2 per head levy to support us. we are Demo Sent tood parcels all the time
Ine main peopic building support have been the Mancheste! District Labour Party and te support committee in Manchester through an office provided by the FTAT and there's also been help trom ine polytechnic students
Preston Trades Council have given us tremendous tinancial support and are organising visits to factories for us. Even in Merseyside we've had massive support despite the high level of unemployment.
The Manchester Support Committee can be contacted c/o FTAT, 37 Anson Rd, Victoria Park, Manchester 14.
Oldham Rally
Support the Miners
Friday 27 April 7.30pm
Pennine Lounge, Bus
Garage, Mumps.
Speakers:
Sam Thompson. Vice
President Yorks NUM
Michael Meacher MP
Jonn locher, conted
Secretary
Malcolm Gregory Sec.
Bold NUM
councillors, the Save Marylebone campaign and representatives from East London factories
said he'd welcome a ballot, if the
Do you want to abolish the Lawrence Knight, Snowdon
said that the miners were the tide after the defeats in the steel industry and GCHQ.
Rita Maxims sacked from St Mary's Hospital. Paddington. •earing
• the miners
BIRMINGHAM
400 PEOPLE turned out for the West Midlands
TUC rally held in Birmingham on Wednesday 18
April. The main speaker was the NUM General
Secretary Peter Heathfield.
ding considerable energy and resources in trying to
defend the action of the miners.' He singled out the
National Union ot seamen whose support he
described as 'magnificent'.
hiding behind a ballot' received thunderous ap-
plause.
Coombes. one of the thirtv miners
South Wales who had been in the city all day drum-
ming up support for the strike. She explained: 'We
have come up here because this is where we should
be. The miners' wives should be in the front of this
fight, because it we lose this fight we will never have
another chance again as far as I'm concerned. Once
the strength of the Miners' union has gone every
other union is diminished by it.
with one mine left out of 54. In the 1920s there was
200,000 miners working there, down now to 750.
£700. It included a donation of £250 from school
dinner ladies,
dismissal by Birmingham's Tory Council for refus-
ing cuts in pay and conditions.
MPs. Clare Short sent a message of support and a
personal donation of £50.
Stockport support
committee grows
THE STOCKPORT Support committee for the miners has been building solid support in the area, especially in the engineering union.
At its first meeting a debate developed as whether its main activity should be to go down to The picket lines to give physical support, whether it should concentrate on collecting money and fighting for workplace delegations.
This debate was resolved at its next meeting when two Lanes and two Yorks miners attended. They pointed out that although
BRISTOL
THE FIRST meeting of a miners' solidarity commit-
established Bristol District Labour Party Wednesday 11 April. The
trades council has been invited to take equal part.
The TGWU region has made ornice space available for it to meet and work. It will be organising for miners to speak across
labour movement in Bristol.
to sign a privatisation contract, won the warmest applause. She called on all working people to unite,
wnatever race or colour, to defeat the government, and to stop nuciear weapons.
Everyone is under attack', she said, When you go on the dole they ask you who your boyfriend is, pry ILLO When I VOur Dast. the coaches
finally left everyone had been inspired by the enthusiasm o: ise miners for the cause
Socialist Action 20 April 1984 He saluted those trade unionist who 'are spen-
Attacks on the police and on those 'desirous of
The wildest applause however greeted Mary
wives trom 'In our little valley we have lost most factories,
A collection taken at the meeting raised over
5000 of them are threatened with
Other donations came from the Labour Group West Midlands County Council, and Labour
help was needed on picket lines the number one problem was money to pay for their own members to go picketing.
By John Cutts
The meeting also agreed to organise a fundraising social. meeting of the support committee was better attended than the first, showing that support for the miners is growing.
Having miners at the meeting stimulated useful discussion on the police, the ballot issue, and strategy in the strike.
North Avon Labour Party has agreed to organise a public meeting 24 April, and many CLPs have passed resolutions hoped that the miners will support.
be invited to speak at the May Day rally with Tony Benn.
Transport group adopted a resolution calling on bus employees not to cooperate in taking the police to break up miners' pickets.
SOUTHALL
A KENT members of the Southad miner
See toured Southall Hig Street shops on Saturday and collected over £500 from the Asian community for the fund.
At the same time, thousands of leaflets were distributed and further £75 collected on the street.
5
Young miners:
'We're
for
striking
a future!'
are supporting their union. THE STRIKE is about pit closures and or come re We want shut of him. saw what he did to steel workers and British Leyland before that.
We want to stop. pit closures because British deep-mined Coal the cheapest in the world. It's cheaper to keep pits open than put people on the dole
We believe we've got a future. Mathieg ors ironic
MacGregor wants to tell miners of 21 and younger that they haven't. But the strike's 00 I really Started ye we've still got to get Not
and Leicestershire out
Young miners are playing a big role a role nobody believed they'd play. But now it's come to fighting, they're fighting hard. They've realised that survival is at stake.
In my pit the youth are out picketing On the whole, the pickets going out are relatively young They believe if they don't SPEAKERS INCLUDE ACRE LANE SW2
ALSO INVITED
"Miners'
Strike
YOUNG MINERS have been prominent on the picket lines during the dispute, despite speculation that they would not favour industrial action to protect their jobs and their future. STUART BOR. THWICK, of Conisborough pit near Doncaster is the first youth representative in any Yorkshire pit He told Socialist Action why so many young miners
strike they'll be on the dole. And the youth in Notts have started to come out too The problem they're threatened with the and the union isn't backing lem up If we were on the dole it would make Thatcher's life easier. If everybody is under her : thumb they're easier to handle. Her calling for a ballot is the best reason for not having one you know then there must be something wrong with it.
Why should we have a ballot when two-thirds of the British mining industry is out? It's up to us to ge the rest out. Nobody star ding in their little corner with a little piece of paper and a pencil is telling me l can't have my job back at the the majority don't majority want a ballot. It's onlv thi minority who do. If we don't strike, if we don't icket, if we don't suppo le union now — we'll a be on the dole.
South London Labour Movement
RALLY
SUPPORT
THE
MINERS
Wednesday
25 April 7.30pm
LAMBETH OWN HALL
Jack COLLINSKENTNUM
Tony BENNMP
Richard BALFEMEP Paul BOATENG Ray BUCKTON:3.31= Kay SUTCLIFFE ==
Page 6 scan of this page
*Workers' stru ck Europe
BIGGES e of destrueg r ten sweep a the
Ist the m non the facts
Mansia. come against the attempts of the Craxi government to limit the sliding scale of wages, won during the 'hot autumn' of 1969.
Last week in Germany the workers went on strike for a 35 hour week with no loss of pay part of a giant campaign for this demand being waged workers movement. During the last vear there have been a constant series of strikes, including a week long general strike, against austerity plans of the government in Belgium.
The current wave of struggles is the frst to take place since the major recesson in the world economy in 1974-5. Since that time millions of European *orkers have been made redundant and huge attacks have been made on welfare and social services of every xind. For ten years the workers of Europe have fought defensive battles.
really co-ordinated attack against the bosses' offensive has been stalled at each stage sabotage of the major workers parties - not least by their support for austerity plans. In Britain it
the 'social contract in the 1970s. Spain it was Moncloa Pact' supported by both the Communist and the Socialist Parties. In Italy it was the Communist Party exlaining to the workers that austerity provided the opportunity for 'new con¡umption habits'
obsession' with consumer goods! sounded by the performance of the betrayals have European Socialist Parties in govern=ent. The Euro-socialists (in reality the Euro-social democrats) have been the parties of super-austerity. Millions of zorkers who gave their confidence to Mitterrand in France and Gonzalez in Spain have been sold out as these governments moved rapidly to
: * as inevitable that sooner or later would fight back on a
6
rock
торе.
THE wave wing pol Socialist rike has
ecem oc carlactory aur Most grants fir nt that the young
n the ge of
udents y police.
work the
storm to come.
the raine.
Martens Longwy was the uprising counter-
by the and
unions
late
the 1977
an end to the
been
the
and ask
Socialist Action 20 April 1984
would the striggle a In B ast outride Pa reds or redul against workers North Al pounce iploited minist strug
by the divisions inside the unions and by the actions of the government. At a secret cabinet meeting, Mitterrand gave the order for the eviction of strikers occupying the plant by hundreds of riot
pro-Communist GCT union federation, not wishing to embarass the cr ministers in ine govern ment, opposed the strikers. A violent street battle was fought between the strikers and those wishing to return to
Talbot was just a warning of the
Two weeks ago inal storm broke in the steel area of Lor-
In 1979 the Lorraine town of centre of a virtual workers rioted against closures. Two steelworkers were killed
Са длей
auto la!
REL GOT
fired on demonstr
This
Tion. They know that the
offfices of alist Party in pro
'modernisati
Whi
munist /from is parti the Let of the
By Paul Lawson
Mitterrand's austerity policy extends also to the miners in the north west of the country. Like their British counterparts they are threatened with closures, especially in the region around the town or Llle. Thousands of them in pit helmets marched against the government in Paris two weeks ago. This weekend tens of thousands of steel workers will follow them in a monster anti-austerity march
These struggles reflect the bitter disappointment felt throughout country at what the Mitterand government is doing. The hopes of three years ago - or a government or Chang have crashed in an orgy of anti-working
CFDLE
class austerity and sa
Germ
SLOs this demand has posal is still on the table.
TheAG-Metall campaign is a result
(Germany -round 3 million now -
this if the star 'boom'
post-war Europe.
unemployment was a dramatic loss of
membership
hence a feeling by their top leadership
that a campaign against unemployment
was needed.
During the long IG-Metall strike in
1978-9 the demand for the 35-hour
week was dropped as part of an overall
pay settlement. But with union elec-
tions coming up even some of the most
'moderate' union officials have
forced into supporting the week demand
Even some of the West German
bosses have been saying that a cut in
working hours is the only way to attack
unemployment. But of course they put
Steinkuehlet onl
La -out strike. of pay. The strike wa
B engineering union
aly
rapid rise in unemployment in
- from just a million in and economy of The result of thi name a
by lu-metall isell, and
been the 35-hour LICT NORSTEAL
CGT
Hard the idea that there must be cuts in order to bring it about. impaign for 35 hours with haybeen spearheaded by etall's w vice president Franz who has argued the case
an expre anti-capitalist be The union, according to law, needs percent majorityon a ballot to get an
Before an attempt at a ballot is made, they are consi series of sectional stakes, of print workers strike das the next target is the autound
BE SINO Craxi, leader of th the government he leads is is prime minister o y. But
all but
ment. He became premier through one of the many sordid parliamentary deals which keep the wheels of Italian ruling class politics spinning. True to Euro social democrat torm. Craxi plunged ahead with austerity measures, and in particular an attempt to limit the scale mobile, the sliding scale of wages which protects the living standards of millions of Italian workers.
On 24 March Craxi got his reply from the workers — a demonstration of a million in Rome, organised on the initiative of the tactory councils, and supported by the Communist Partydominated union the CGIL
One of the most striking features of
Page 7 scan of this page
surge of workers n been the re-emerge cocials in fors ma In January 120 ng delegates from federations met in. Brescia to organise the fightback.
lately followed up byassembl
uncils in all the major cit rajions of in and Rome e federations hat
apting fo divide the noveme fac pry councils have maintaine initiative.
Now it seems likely that the gove
restrictions on the scale mobile defeated by a parliamenta
of the Communists, who have f
overnment's bill.
Steelworkers banner: The government of the Left must not continue the politics of the right.
Spain
THE Spanish Socialist Party leader, Filipe Gonzalez, promised one thing before his landslide election in 1982 -El Cambio, 'change. But workers and national minorities change has all been for the worse. In addition to continuing charges of torture and repression against national minorities, the Gonzalez government has introduced open and severe auster!Ly nicasures
Since last autumn however a wave of militancy has struck the country. As in France and Britain coal miners have been the forefront, the stronghold of Asturias, fighting against proposed mine closures.
Also involved in have been the steel workers in Valencia and shipyard workers in Galicia. Since the advent of the Gonzalez government there has been a dramatic fall in trade unionism. Now this fall is most marked in the pro-socialist UGT The more combative workers commissions have begun to grow again.
Belgium
FOR a year and a half now the Belgian working class been strike struggles against the austerity measures of the Martens government. Unemployment in Belgium is running at 13 per cent, and the
ggles
litancy in Ita- • steelworkers have been
ce of the fac- plant closutes
industrial battles have IR- tor worke major the Liege Worke general strike of This was im- from September
In Liege the
M5
The struggle In With a consequen wages by up to 19 p
Result of H sectot
DOLD DE BAUCHE
NE DOIT PAS CONTINUER
LA POLITIQUE DE LAROITE
eventually called
the decision of the
tions with for the which they got nothing. defeats, a new StriKes has been February and March of this year.
Netherlands
AS in Belgium, militant public sector
major struggles public sector
500,000 have their wages public levels.
Immediately a
federation.
strikes developed
transport strikes
whole public sector.
decision of the union
engaged
real
Belgian been laid.
tion the target of most prolonged by public secmore notabi the fight of 83 and the • er workers women, was Raced with bankruptcy, and decided on swingeing * cuts in wages and jobs — the wage cuts involved reductions of between 3 and
Ont. During the worst period o effect the city council imply sto ped paying wages to workers.
defeated, The some
Attack NATO. general strike in September. Despite the widespread support for the strike it was
Soft by the union leaderships. 800,000 workers on strike had the rug pulled from under them by
GSC and FGTB union federations to engage in negotia-
the government from Despite these wave of public sector taking place the fight against austerity in Holland has been led by the
workers. Out of workforce of four million, 700,000 are
workers, and another pegged to Last October a fight developed around a proposal to cut public sector wages by 3.5 per cent.
series of rotating among rail workers. These were followed up by
Rotterdam and Amsterdam. and then bv strikes in the
Eventually the strikes were ended by a series of court injunctions, and the
leaderships to out -comply with them. But the cutback in public sector pay was limited to 0.5 per
catastrophic one. The basis for a conti- defeat but not ched nuing fightback against austerity had
Euro elections THE EUROPEAN elections come at a time when a new mood is sweeping through Europe. In addi-
the workers' struggles reported on these pages, European politics is being reorganised around the other offensive of the European capitalists — the militarisation offensive which led to the siting of the Cruise and Pershing missiles.
Already the fightback against this offensive has produced the biggest mass movement since the war, mobilising millions in days of action against the missiles. The fight against the nuclear plans of NATO has produced a political crisis in country after country - the latest being that in Holland which might even default on its commitment to take Cruise.
Out of the struggles against austerity and nuclear weapons the outlines of a new Europe are emerging — not the Europe of Kohl, Thatcher and Mitterrand, but the Europe of the French steel workers, the Greenham Common
the British miners and the Italian workers who have gone into action in their millions over the last mon-
For socialists the fight against the missiles and the fight against the worst
of the capitalist crisis unemployment — must be at the centre of any programme for Europe.
problem that the socialists, like Gonzalez in Spain and Mitterrand in France, are the champions of austerity and militarism. Gonzalez is fighting for Spain to come into
Mitterrand is virulent defender of the missiles and the French force de frappe. Gonzalez presides over police repression of the struggle of the Asturian miners, while Mitterrand lays off 20,000 steel workers. These people are not our allies in a fight for a socialist Europe, they are our bitter enemies.
At the centre of a socialist programme for the European elections should be the fight for a 35-hour week with no loss of pay, and the demand for nuclear weapons and American bases out of Europe. Mitterrand and Gonzalez will have nothing to do with these By Steve Roberts
TO CHANTS of 'Mitterand watch
the working class is in the streets!' 35,000 Lorraine workers and their supporters mar-
through Paris last Friday. While the march was angry and bit-
Labour — with the Puro-
socialists or the workers' struggles?
EuroMitterrand (top), Craxi (right)
demands.
The answer of the Euro-socialists to the strength of the US economy and US imperialism has been to build up the European economy and European impenalsin. for this project is the club of the European capitalists Market.
Press leaks about the manifesto which the Labour Party is about to sign willi KuroDean reveal that it is a very right wing document indeed, with no mention of opposition to the missiles, no mention of the 35 hour week or any other anticapitalist measures to solve unemploy-
35,000 on steel workers march
The storm before the calm: steelworkers
ter against peaceful. steel taking no chances. All police leave was cancelled and 5000 riot police were on standby.
PARTITO
and Kinnock
Their central organisation
their own hands. the Common
socialist parties the
the
mon
Also
French
government ministers sack the offices Force Ouvriere. of the Socialist Party in Longwy
Mitterand, it was
However the government were tingent
Socialist Action
The European elections are now not far off. The European workers have taken austerity and unemployment for more than ten years. For the whole of that time the leaders have tried to tell them that it is inevitable, or that nothing much can be done about it. Now they are taking the struggle into
The only socialist response can be to welcome this wave of workers struggles
Socialists should argue in the European elections for a socialist Europe. That means being against the missiles, the Common Market and the austerity. And it means being against government's of the 'left' which carry out the policies of the right.
The march was called against
government's plan to 20,000 jobs in the steel industry. While the Lorraine workers will be
hardest hit, there were also delegations from more modern plans in Dunkirk and Marseilles. Underlining the role of the Com-
Market in the cuts were militant steel workers contingents from West Germany and Belgium.
the Socialist Party deputies from Lorraine who have resigned their party's whip. and Georges Marchais, leader of the
Communist Party. However Marchais was careful to point out that his action was not directed against the
in which four still remain, and also em phasised the trade union character of the demonstration.
The march was initiated by the CGT, the pro-Communist trade union federation and was supported bi i the other major federations, the CFDT and
However the march has sectarian aspects, with from a number of plants splitting up to march with their union federations rather than their fellow workers.
Unity in the struggle was one of the main slogans of the 1000-strong con-
of the Ligue Communist Revolutionnaire whose banners called on the SP and the CP to unite to reject tne betrayal or une sucerworkers
20 April 1984
Page 8 scan of this page
8
that have appeared in the Daily Express.
The main gate camp
has divided into three, as have sealed of acess of Transport
the driveway and the
public gate. The camp Jall to the main lives on,
and so do two others in the ciearing and across the road on common land.
The police persistently patrol, putting out
fires with US ex-
See shers. Even through
Flights every ir.inutes, they harass
making J10possible to cook, make
tea, heat water, and keep warm. They do it in gangs
intimidate, blowing THE COMPOSITE resolution carried at the 1983 Labour Party conference, based on a Labour CND model, called for unconditional removal of all auclear weapons and bases from British territory. It was passed by an enormous majority, after unsuccessful attempts to have it remitted.
Some resented Labour C. D's high profile and de ermination defend collateralism. seems they are still out to make Lahour CND ineffective.
B: Walter Wolfgang,
After CND nat confer-
national executive were persuaded to suspend CND Ba: CND annual con-
December remitted a resolution callte for its reinstatement,
refusing to endorse the national executive ac-
At the same time, Joy Harcombe, the elected se:: etary of Labour CND sas voted a vice-chair of
tional CND. Two other Lanour executive
mbers, myself and Dick
checombe, were elected
he national council.
1984 meeting will take
Socialist Action 20 April 1984
Greenham
still strong
THE CAMP AT Greenham Common is still there -despite what many would like to think, and despite ruthless treatment by the police and Ministry of Defence. Women at the camp are submitting a series of complaints against the police, and against articles
whistles to keep women awake, shining torches into tents, and trying to prevent women putting up any dry form of shelter.
By Tracy Litterick at the Greenham camp
They hose piles of firewood collected, and women 100. The police prevent visitors from parking near the camp, harassing them as well.
Here i is verbal abuse — one policeman said the womer should be gassed and he wished he could do it. References to Nazi Ger-
Labour CND — LCC muscles in
place on Saturday 28 April While maximum publicity for this meeting s more than welcome, the LaUvu Coordinating Committee's last bulletin contained a rather disturbing paragraph:
'For further information about Labour CND Cathy Ashton 01-272 0065. And for injormation on the Labour Party's policies on defence and disarmament contact Mike Gapes Pesad 101-750 Walworth 0833).
Mike Gapes was part of the dissenting minority on the Labour CND execulive wno askea UNDIo intervene. Cathy Ashton, a vice-chair of CND until December's conference one of CND's Was ecutive members most hostile to Labour CND Many LCC members have been critical of the LCC's stance, and agreed
manv are used
This is not a civil police military
style, with collaboration
ILOR American
military inside the base.
Bender
The police were actual-
ly doing the bailiff's job by
evicting the camp ai tam.
Women were given no
walling as then tents were
pulled down.
On Sunday 8 April. 28
women were arrested for myself included. We Broke breach peace,
down MOT fence,
Jane and
built a bender and a fire.
We
WCC LaKH
Newbury police station
and kept there for about
lIve nours witn the waltualeillis commitment of the 1983 Labour CND committee.
We still need such a committee determined to defend and propagate Labour's unilateralist
and to keep open discussion on NATO within the Labour Party. All this is at risk if what looks like an LCC. sponsored take-over bid is allowed to succeed
Labour Party members should make Labour CND's annual meeting a priority. Delegates and in-
must be Labour Party members and members of CND nationally. Individuals are entitled to one vote. affiliated constituences ive. Non-affiliated constituencies can also send a non-voting observer.
Labou Party branCeD groups all have bor CND and Labour
London Labour CND
is holding an eve-of-AGM fringe meeting at Coun-
ty Hall, starting at 8pm on the theme of mobilising
Labour Parties for the Reagan demonstration callclude Joy Hurcombe, CND vice-chair, and Walter ed by national CND on 9 June. Speakers
Wolfgang, national council member.
They released us with
charges dropped. I guess if
they want us to appear in
court they have
acknowledge ex-
istence! Police have now
stepped security
around the area so the con-
tractors can work without
further break-ins.
Twelve Greenham
women are sicily on . trial
Comiso, for
obstruction at the peace
camp there year
About 30 women have
gone to support them. So
more women are badly
needed at Greenham.
Women are needed
more than food or Gortex
bags, so spread the word.
People HAUSIOW that Greenham is still strong
and will not go until cruise does.
HE BOMB
NO
CRI
votes. And trade unions either two or five votes The meeting will elect four officers and four ordinary 1984 Lab our CND on the 1984 Labour committee, alongside
• Labour Party members elected by the CND regions, out Labour CND's work tv call. for the next year.
Those who register before 19 April will have conference papers sent
them, but registration will be accepted on the das. So
space permits everyone should register as soon as possible, and if you're not yet a member of CND nationally, you can join when registering. • Labour CND AGM, University of London Union, Malet WCI, plications for registration to Duncan Rees, Labour CND, 11 Goodwin St, London N4.
All out for a
now puts CND back into
big theme in the European elections.
In Spain large demonstration is organised in Madrid for 2 May and the Belgian groups have also agreed to
Joint national
elections. In Denmark, the
organising warning strike between 11.45 am and midday.
By Dick Withecombe, CND National Council member (personal capacity)
The German Peace Coordination had a suc. cessful conference February and will be stepping. up its campaigning against NATO. And there has been a resurgence of the peace movement in Ita-
varuculary among women. Lastly the government crisis in Holland get: worse. It is unlikely to accept cruise. and certain!) not its full quota of 48.
The activists of the peace movement have brought together a high level of coordination across Europe for these elections. joint Euro-
poster has been designed by the Dutch movement, with a logo showing a woman releasing a dove from a ballot box. CND will be using the slogan want nuclear-free Europe on the poster.
British CND have proposed a joint appeal from the European movement for the elections calling for the removal of cruise and Pershing and for a nuclear
Women were dragged away from the Main Gate at Greenham last week
Reagan-free Europe
THE DECISION OF CND National Council to organise a national demonstration on 9 June, in opposition to President Reagan's visit, is a major success for activists in the anti-missiles movement. It
line with the peace movements across Europe who are organising to make sure that opposition to cruise and Pershing is a
free turope CND also plans to ar range a tour of speakers from European ocalt movements during the election, and asking groups work together with other groups Lnel Euro-constituencies. It is hoped that in each CASUCC extensive lobbying, leafletting, and public meetings of all the candidates will be organised.
CND is using the European elections as a focus tor campaigning tor kuro pean disarmament. It will be a continuation of the issues already concerning the campaign this spring Cruse rershing, and Indent; US bases: NATO war-fighting strategies;
News
and AirLand Battle
CND is anxious not to be seen to be supporting ally move towards making the European parliament a forum for defence issues, and is therefore campaigning under the theme 'for a nuclear-free Europe' and 'no to a curopean battle field'. Lastly CND is prothe US bases in Europe
CND groups i can ob-
turther information from the May issue of Campaign due this week. Groups in large towns and cities who wish to organise meetings with European speakers should contact CND at Goodwin Street as soon as possible.
Most of all, activists in CND - having forced National Council to reverse previous decisions and organise y June as a national demonstration must go all build this as the high point of the Euro-elections turn-out for a Reagan-free Europe.
Page 9 scan of this page
Mines explode in
«We need each other
International
Nicaragua
just outside Nicaraguan territorial waters,
12 the senate, Republicans,
ternational law.
There's no doubt that the Nicaraguan revolution does not have many friends the senate. which continues to vote financial assistance to ine CIA-backed contras working from Honduras. But even some tine most
Republicans understand that the Us is getting a bad press when it
'state-backed terrorism' in Lebanon and elswhere, and then proceeds to carry out a brazen act of state-backed rorism itself.
The resolution passed the answer.
The
questions.
In the context of the Abortion Amendement recently passed in the South to give the 'unborn' equal rights to the mother
needed to get women Lovemen. ne menonent was part of the backlash, allackie trace the 70's equal pay, balliace. and contraception.
The Amendment probably the biggest attack unleashed by Church, and backed up by
Reagan's face
THE SECRET MINING of Nicaraguan ports, carried out by exile 'contras' working from a US ship
has resulted in Ronald Reagan's first big defeat in the US Congress over Central America policy. By 84
dominated the expressed the grave embarrassment felt in the United States that Reagan has been caught openly committing an act of war, in defiance of in-
by the Senate, proposed by Edward nenneay. was "non-binding'. In fact, the first phase of the mining of the ports has already finished. Ronald Reagan remarked it's nonbinding, then we can live with it'
By Paul Lawson
In a letter from ultra-reactionary Senator Barry Goldwater the CIÁ Director William Casey, the dilemmas of even the Friday evening's mixed rally at Irish Women's Conference 'WHY has it been so much worse for Irish women — we are far behind our sisters abroad, what is it in Ireland? The Catholic Church in the South and the reactionary Loyalist ideology in the North, that is
organisers of the first 32 County Irish Womens Conference in Dublin since 1980 must be congratulated for bringing together over 600 women from all over Ireland, to look at and debate these
politicians in 50 years.
By Stephanie Grant
But their victory was empty one, because many women have started organising, women, often for the first time.
The Amendment Its eftect women as well.
Womens Department. the participation in womens'
most staunch anti-communists were starkly revealed
Goldwater said: 'The orescent na asked us lo back his foreign policy. Bill, how can we back his foreign policy when don'i know what the hell he is doing? Lebanon, yes, we all know he sent troops over lnere.
Nicaragua? i mis Is an act violating Internatinal law. It is an act of war. For the life of me I don't see how we are going to explain it'.
Everyone agrees that it is impossible for Reagan to organise a full scale attack
Nicaragua during election year. The CIA SLIalCoy colDuess been to try to keep the pressure up on Nicaragua. waiting for Reagan's expected re-election for the all-out assault.
Nonetheless there seems to be some confuFalls Road Centre in Belfast, and their contribution to the discussion the Conference welcome
al c steps forward.
The feeling in the women's movement Ireland is overwhelmingly one ol together county women to support each other.
Partition, which affects every aspect of life North and South of the Border, Is al last being tackled the women's movement. the largest workshop was on
Nannona Gueston and Feminism' even
have unpopular debate. but with Margare Ward, who wrote Unmanagable Revolutionaries, and Rita
sion inside the administration about precisely what US policy objectives in the region are. In a recent in terview Reagan argued that the US objective was to 'restore democracv' br forcing elections Nicaragua. But elections are now being held November. joint statement last week US defence secretary. Caspar Weinberger, Secretary State George Schultz and CIA director William Casey publicly denied that they even had plans to invade any country in CenTa enda
In fact, there are "two
the administration on this question. The 'hards', who are pushing for an • Invasion are led by Casey, Fred C IIke, undersecretary of state
defence policy, and Nestor Sanchez, deputy assistant secretary of defence.
O' Hare, head of Sinn Fein Womens Department, Was one in e most important events of the
There has traditionally been an uneasy relation. ship between women outside the Republican move ment and feminists in the Republican
Hovelicill because the political make up of Ireland is different
European tries In both North and South,
Willg are entrenched in an impregnable all under the pretence parliamentary democracy. And in both, the Church holds positions of power
In the North, women face the continual harassment of the British Army on the streets are are arrested, interrogated abused. You can see why
The doubters are led by George Schultz, doubtless smarting from the drubbing he received for his fiasco in Lebanon.
But these divisions in the administration are tactical and can change rapid.
While the debate about policy options continues, the real military build up continues with the now well under the way Operation Grenadero in Hon duras and the CIA overflights of El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Whatever the White House wets' mav think. It
be extremely difficult to acheive any of the US policy objectives in the region without overunrowing me in Nicaragua. Nothing less Inan a lull scale Invasiol will achieve this end - and that is the trump card for Casey and his friends. the first Anti-Valium group was set up
Bellast.
women's movement in Ireland, and in opening up the discussion among women on Ivationalism and Feminism,
dire gaining strength.
Watch out for the proposed Lesbian Conference and Anti-Imperialist Womens Conference that women agreed they wanted to organse lo cor• tinue the fight.
This strength is going to needed The Criminal Justice Bill in the South is another piece of
and the government investing £10 million building another prison for more OI them can be locked up.
Socialist Action
Mitterrand
threatens
Solidarnosc
leader
of the Polish
before the December comrades from
to doubtless befall him.
in France. Le Monde has indicated that
activities in France.
establishing
may be related to that process.
languages in Cuba.
Solidarnosc, and he was Labour Party conference that year.
Deferre expressing Kowalewski. Other movement are urgently needed.
Please send
8, France.
20 April 1984 US trained contra ON 28 MARCH the French Prefecture of Police refused to renew the residence permit
socialist exile Zbigniew Kowalewski. Kowalewski was a member of the leadership of Lodz branch of Solidarnose
imposition of martial law in 1981. Several of Kowalewski's Lodz Solidarnosc have received long prison sentences resulting from their activities. If Kowalewski were forced to
Poland a similar fate would
While the French government has given as the official reason for refusing him further stay his in. ability to show sufficient means of livelihood in
the Mitterand government is displeased with his political
Unlike many Polish exiles Kowalewski has strong left wing socialist views.
The French government is currently in the pro-
better relations with Jaruzelski's Poland, and the ban on Kowalewski
Kowalewski is a former member of the Polish Communist Party, which he left in the iate 1970s,
worked for a time as a teacher of
In February 1982 Kowalewski came to London to speak at the Labour Party rally in support of
also a visitor to the
Labour Party chairperson Eric Heffer has sent a telegram to the French interior minister Gaston
This shock on protests from the labour
telegrams • Gaston Deferre.
Minister de L'interieure, 1 Place Beauveau, Paris
Page 10 scan of this page
"We're going to fight"
10
rally, ERIC HEFFER,
front-line council.
SITUATION in Liverpool similar Poplar Ine I9zUS At that time, when the problems unemployment were being thrust on local authorities. one aynamic eriors decided they a had group of Labour enough. They refused to
the then-London way County unc Council.
They. did so because they were having to bear the cost of the very high levels of unemployment in Poplar Dorolen. They broke the law and they were imprisoned.
By doing that they actually helped to change the
As a result of that action in Poplar, the government were forced to bring in legislation a sort of equalisation of the rate —
meant the rich Lonborougns were nelpng pay for the levels of
the poorer ones with the highest levels unemployment.
Liverpool are acting in line WiTh the spirit of Poplar council. They're
level of in Liver-
Socialist Action 20 April 1984 LIVERPOOL COUNCIL has won the support and admiration of the labour movement for its determined stand against Thatcher's local government cuts. True to his pledge at the city's Democracy Day
Liverpool chairperson of the Labour Party, recently put forward a resolution calling on the National Executive Committee to pledge its full support for the council's stand. He told Socialist Action why Labour's national leadership must be 100 per cent behind the
pool is far too high. The government has, the same time, the rate CUL support grant, and cul lne housing investment programme - while there are thousands of unemployed building workers, 20,000-odd on the housing waiting list, and all the slums waiting to be dealt with. Liverpool has also urban aid programme cut.
Labour said, quite rightly, enough is enough.
We have to get off our knees and fight. They KnOW Ines could be bankrupted and disqualified under brought in in 1927 (and, incidentally, three Labour governments since have not got rid of that legislation). But they are going to tight. This very courageous.
Of CourSC. the press has said it's just a small OCCUC dominated by the Militant tendency. The fact is that seven our or ine Ji councillors are Militant suDDOrIerS The overwhelming mass of Liverpool council is not Mili-
tant tendency. Some of those who are not, in my opinion, are stronger and
ШОГО determined than those who are.
The Labour council of Liverpool, backed by Labour
SubDUlLCIs. have decided this government's
The following resolution in the names of
Eric Heffer and David Blunkett, was
newly established local government sub-
committee of the Labour Party NEC. It
Apriio before the national executive on 25
pool council.
rate support
by the Thatchei
Controlle
problems and
they are.
Liverpool City Council
creases are necessary.
NEC therefore believes that the blame fos thensee-
necessary financial support.
policies have to be firmly challenged. They are rightly saying that what Liverpool is doing this. year, most LaDou authorities because of the government policy of rate capping, will be faced with next year.
recently passed by seven votes to one at the
This NEC understands the circumstances which have led to the situation of no budget from Liver-
It acknowledges that the Labour Group have proposed a nine per cent rate increase. We condemn the cuts that have been made to the
housing investment gramme allocation and the operation of penalties
Or government which have helped to to Liverpool's severe problems , problems which have been further aggravated by the previous Liberal/Tory administration in the city.
We recognise that Liverpool Labour Group have fully consulted the trade unions and have also had meetings with the public explaining the city's
why the councillors are acting We acknowledge the stand made by the Labour Group and recognise that this has been caused by government
They are right not to agree with sacking staff and to have at the same time accepted' that rate in-
In the circumstances we believe that Liverpool have acted within Labour's conference policy and therefore we pledge ourselves to give all the sup-
we can to resolve the present impasse. The sent situation in Liverpool lies with this Conservative government, and therefore we demand that they should provide in this unique situation the
within the Labour Party.
black section, the first constituency to
what its aims were.
LAMBETH black area. Almost 30 per cent of
But population
Vauxhall's black. you look at the party, you'll see one -or if you're lucky, two! -black people attending meetings. As a representative proportion of the BaCK population it's pathetic. own experiences on the doorstep. we were concerned at black people's response to the party. •What does the Labour Party offer?' 'We've been voting Labour ever since we came here and Labour brought in racist immigration legislation, Just like evervooov esewav are we to believe they'll be difIcicultues Labour wasn't faced with black people sayıng they'd vote SDP or Tory, they just weren't out to vote at all. They were disenchanted.
We argued they should come in and change the party from within. The only way they'd be confident
the leader and deputy leader of Liverpool council.
Black caucuses:
Labour must show its hand
LAST WEEK the press gave prominent coverage to Neil Kinnock's statement that he remained to be convinced' about the desirability for black sections
MARK WADSWORTH and LEO DICKSON are founder members of Vauxhall Labour Party's
give full voting rights to such a section. They told Socialist Action why they founded their black section and
enough to do that was by meeting in a caucus as party members.
We set up Vauxhall black section last October.
We meet once a month.
The number. coming along rise all the time. Our figure. meeting, was 48 An average is between 18 and Most people at the black section never attend their ward meeting.
At the moment we've tended to talk about procedure, although we've discussed some local issues too. We spent a lot of time on procedure because we want to get it right. We wall o resolve our stalus within the party framework.
The local government by-election in Vauxhall's Ferndale ward is an example of what black sections can do. This is the first time a black section in the Britain has endorsed a black candidate. Irma Critchlow is a grass roots candidate, and were commitea to bring
Eric Heffer with John Hamilton and Derek Hatton -ing out the troops to see that she's elected
We rights Vauxhall, with LWU delegates general committee and one to the executive. The constituency has sent a resolution to the national executive on this.
We were Vauxhall's greatly heartened response. We would have been quite happy to have voting rights except on consuluonassues leading members of the partv telt this was wrong — we should go all the way and challenge the national
party te London abou
London Labour Party passed a resolution
its March annual meeting, with a resounding majority of 334,000, supporting setting up black sections. And senior members of its executive have said if the NEC isn't London will go it alone. prepared MOVe then
Suppor There
isn't lust London. are interesting developments SCULORI and in the wes Midlands, particularly Birmingham. Kinnock said 11 was just activists in Lon That's wrong. It's a national issue.
Statements like his undermine and pre-empt the findings of the national executive's OWI working party. They are
News
Shot. TIM DIODI
doing. Neil Kinnock tolo us that he's worried about "infiltration', but he wouldn't elaborate
This is not a left-right issue. Left, right and cen-
can play quite maverick card on the black issue. Our own MP, Stuart Holland has admitted that Vauxhall black section is strong. He said 'Now's not
the time to doubt.' But our орор
sounding the first
the working party , on !! April, tell us that there is equivocation.
The resolution to last Labour Party conference on positive discrimination was remitted. Part of this remit working party with NEC was setting
constituency representation as well as
• Action Group. Vauxhall's action is a parallel movement. We are challenging the party to show its hand.
Apologies to
Muhammed
Idrish
OUR article last week
supporting Muhammed
Idrish's campaign to stay
Britair mistaken
stated that his marriage UTUKI up after IWO weeks. It should have
said 'after two years'
We apologise for any confusion caused.
Page 11 scan of this page
Southwark NALGO fights Labour council's attack
News
Labour
needs
youth
THIS YEAR'S Labour Party Young Socialists' national conference takes place on 20-23 April in Bridlington. GRANT KEIR looks at the issues facing the Militant dominated LPYS.
place amid growing problems for Thatcher's Tory Government. But the Tories problems should be the LPYS's opportunities.
HaSS LECI
growing radicalisation of young women young blacks, lesbians, gays, the oppositon to the Bill, the Tories attempt to
'family DOLSLCI up morality' are just some of
The backdrop is LIC SUCS. provided by the miners strike, the of Labour's the opinion polis. and lon Benn's victory in Chesterfield. The LPYS presented with enormous opportunities to spread its influence and grow.
There are some DOSTEVE development well. At last the YS leadership Lane seriously work with Youth We are promised an LPYS National Young Women's conference to discuss how the LPYS as a whole can help lead the fight against women's oppression by struggling against the disasterous effects cher's policies are having in particular against young women. At last we are goIng Sculous discussion on the question of lesbian and gay liberaRhetoric
Unfortuately we are also likely to be subjected to some of the most reac-
ing the British Army's occupation ot the North of Ireland that you are likely to hear anywhere in the labour movement.
However, despite the. rima cenoucanon o cse 'Green Terrorists' and 'Bigotted Sectarians' (tor this read Sinn Fein), the
likely Corlerenco register a move away from
toward the Central American liberation forces that has been the hallmark of years gone by. It is hoped that two Sandinista youth currently on a tour of Britain will be allowed to address the conference during the Saturdav session.
Youth is the organised expression the saions that youth Tencansador country. has ever seen. It can mobilse hundreds of thousands of youth in tion against the Thatcher/ Reagan war drive.
The question upon which delegates will judge the leadership is the miners' strike. Will the
This year's LPYS National Conference takes
resources at the disposal of
recruit a few young miners
CLO
to build the LPYS around the crucial
up with these torces and
people in the YS who are a
porters the LCC, fighting TOT the LP. Unfortunately to dale me supporteis or une LCC have not proved LOCHOSCVC VCY CCRUnIC HI their claimed desire to build the YS. Most recently voting with the right to cut the YS national budget down to the minimum.
The opportunities build a mass campaigning LPYS are They must be grasped with both hands!
'Gays
the
word'
raided
By Paul Canning, Lon-
don LCGR
GAY'S THE WORD,
the london Gav com-
munity bookshop was
raided by officers of HM
customs and excise on
Tuesday, 10 April. They
took away the American
stock of the bookshop
which is most of it. The
homes of the workers
and directors of the shop
were also visited, per-
sona notebooks. letters
etc were taken away. A
DI OSCCULIOl
'obsenity' is expected.
Picket Customs, and WC. 27 April 12-2.00 Excise Woburn
Jill.
nalgo
SIDENTIAL WORKERS want to break the strength of the local branch in preparation for future cuts.
I he
work in Sidcup in Kent -
TGWU bus
BRITAIN'S BUS workers met on 7-8 April at the Transport and General Workers Union Passenger Group Consultative Confcele. Tory ment attacks on wages, conditions and employment were reflected in agenda discussions on privatisation, wages and conditions, and the attack UI local democracy.
In the last few years, the industry has lost 20,000 conductors and drivers, and membership TGWU 200,000. Tory now under
plans abolishing the metropolitan counties and the
cag ong, coupled with hiv:. introduction
ing parts of the industry, would lead to break up of trade union organisation of bus workers, ana lo a huge round of redundancies alle ware cuis.
nalc VO9 RITY!!
NALGO social workers strike, which led to Southwark victimisation 1000 council employees belonging to NALGO have been on strike for four weeks over the sacking of mobile social worker Siobhan Stokes just half an hour before her probation period was due to end Southwark council is alleged to be a 'left' council. But the council leaders, most of whom belong to the local NUPE council officers' branch, appear to
agreement not to go SUTIKC
been disgrace. Alan Davies, the leader of the
conference
By Steve Vokes, TGWU 9/14 branch shop steward
Unfortunately the nanonai committee and bli Mer, did hot gie anadon. the national ofthe issues Some speakers referred the conference two years ago, saying nothing had resulted except that attendance this time was significantly down. No resolutions were allowed And delegates believed was called to 'let off steam'
Given the crisis facing the industry, it is necessary to unify all sections of bus workers to defend themselves against the
Wory alocal overment
government WOrKeIS and others affected by the Tory threats Lo local uctocrac
proaching WIlC workers have to take in dustrial action to defend Militants must demandes. and services.
Group Delegate ference to map out strategy of action, not just talk.
MALGO
nulga
LE SENNET
CHUDSE council, got the NUPE ofBy Jean O'Rourke
children and smashing up
Southwark protest against the sacking, which He does walk on
water
ONCE UPON •a time
there was this guy Bishop
Berkely who thought the
real world only existed in
your head. Myself,
thought the Bishop had
been dead for years
that is until 1 read las
week's Socialist Worker.
Now 1 know he is alive
and well and putting pe
o paper for SU
along with
the whole of the British
ruling class, the Tory
government, the media
and most miners had the
crazy idea Scargill was
organising mass pickets
and openly taking on the
law. Sorry, it's all in your
minds. AS
Worker says: he is 'hide-
bound by
tional niceties of the
union' and should be ap-
pealing over the heads of
leaderships for
rank and file activists.'
So nOW you know
that Scargill and his co-
NUM
eaues
demonstratio fin Not
demonstration
tingham last Saturday. It
was an illusion. All those
flying pickets from
Yorkshire don't exist.
The media has just
deluded us all with scare
stories about the miners
from Scotland, Kent,
Yorkshire and Wales
Socialist Action 20 April 1984 has been condemned by local Labour Parties. Five
LAST
Siobhan — suspended 101
return to work, it
Southwark yet another example of
MOLE
EYE
VIEW
travelling countr spreading the strike
Socialist Worker knows the score about all those so-called
alca ficials and has blown the gaff on them by saying: 'Some them have simply sat in their offices
puddings.' No wonder its front page
'No angel buente. They alone knew that scaroll. in a consoiac with the militants, was preparing ine greal SUE render when the NUM executive met last week.
That's why they are calling a delegate con ference, instead of ballot and that's why they are undermining the
struggle by insisting tha
Over tell vote can call a strike, rather than 55 per cent. Anybody as devious as that can surely walk on water!
Moles Eye View is compiled Bob Pennington. Contributions should be sent to arrive by Thursday am
11 Labour councils in Lon don attacking, and ever trying to crush, local coun cil workers. , II unity is go ing to be built against next year's
iale Laudils means unity between . the council and their workers and unity between the different council unions
Davie and friends are a shining exam ple of how not to do that
STOP PRESS * Last Monday decided"
to work pending negotiations. More details next week. What a shame
THE SUNDAY TIMES got all excited about th SAS trip up Mount Everest. would be boost for Britain and a: the cash was coming out of SAS funds it would not cost the taxpayer
Where the SAS get their money from wasn't revealed -but being naive I always thought it was from the tax Davel.
And then, un dear, along came an avalanche One of our brave ads died on that away foreign Sope Another broke kneck, another fractured his collarbone and one poor boy got frost bite So the trip was called off — £120,000 worth of expense got buried in snow and they all came home
Now for the sad part - 10 came home intact.
Page 12 scan of this page
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REAGAN'S decision to mine the Nicaraguan ports led last week to his first major defeat in Congress, as the Senate voted by president's actions. But the mining of the ports had more or less been completed anyway, and the US is pressing forward its attacks on Nicaragua.
Last weekend 450 revolutionaries launched an attack on the Atlantic south coast port of San Juan del Norte capturing the
rebels since the beginning of the US-organised destabilisation campaign two years ago.
Nicaraguan Interior Minister Tomas Borge described the town as be-
of little strategic significance. The 1500 inhabitants left the town several weeks ago. In fact the seizure of the town b Soalll movement is more of a provazanua coud lar significant military suc-
San Juan del Norte lies a stone's throw across the voraci mom costa nica in a strip of territory which is
difficult detend without the deployment of enormous forces. With the northern border with Honduras Constallll under threat, and
Sandinista Youth
tour Durope
ALVARA PORTE is 23 years old and a member of the National Leadership of the 'Juventud Sandinista 19 July', Lautara Sandino is 24 years old and a member of the "Committee for International Relations". Both these young Nicaraguans are touring Britain over Easter as part of their Sandinista youth meetings
Wednesday 18th April at
the 'Support the Miners'
meeting. Council Chamo Hall, Judd Camden
Town St.
7.30pm.
Thursday 19th April at
the Solidarity with the
Central American
Revolutions' meeting,
MeLellan Calleries,
West Room, Glasgow.
7.30pm.
Friday 20th April at the
Labour Movement
Conference on Palestine
with Palestinian trade union speakers Saturday 19 May County Hall, London Sponsors include TASS, Bob Wright, Ken Cameron, Claire Short MP, Harriet Harman MP, Harry Cohen MP, Joan Maynard MP, Stuart Holland MP, Bob Clay MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP.
Credentials (2 delegates max per org.) £2 from:
Labour Movement Conference on Palestine, c/o
PSC, BM PSA, London WCIN 3XX.
Nicaraguan
84-12 to condemn the
US-backed
counter-
— the first to be captured by anti-Sandinista
Nicaraguan ports and strategic installations being regularly sabotaged, it is difficult to maintain a nuge garrison in tne south
Daniel rtega
rdinator of FSLN leade
ship the at
San Lial OII Juan del Norte came at the same time that the US had despatched a ship to the nearby Costa Rica port of LITOR that we cannot call casual.'
The attack on the Nicaraguan port also coincided with the resignation of the Democratic Senatol Daniel Moynihan as viceCial ot the senate telligence Committee, European tour. They are here to draw attention to the mounting threat of US military intervention against their revolution.
The! are also here to Talso mone! tor 'Los Muchachos the newspaper the Sandinista Youth Organisation (Juventud Sandinista 19 July).
Benefit ano Band with Venezualan Disco, Black Lion Pub, Chapel Street, Manchester, 8.00pm.
Saturday 2ist April. The Sandinista Youth will be addressing the National Labour Party Young Socialists Conference in Bridlington, as well as speaking fringe meeting on the Saturday lunchtime.
protest against the administration's clandestine
operation against
Nicaragua in particular
The operations against Nicaragua are one part of a sinister operation worlewiet the United States has decided to conduct against 'international terrorism'. On 3 secret direcive, intonal April Reagan Security Decision Direc tive 130, instructing 26 US agencies to prepare tor DIC-CuDuve SurIKeS azallls the US's allegedly 'ter-
rorist' oppouch. The FBI and CIA have been in structed to form quick reation 'anti-terrorist' combat units which could be used anywhere the world at short notice
ı nis instrucuon Is just
the process of rehabilitating the CIA, the doldrums after Watergate and Vietnam.
We are not
deomea.to
COMING FROM as far apart as mid-Wales
and Cumbria, thousands embraced the Bur-
last Saturday.
with the common aim of demonstrating the
growing strength of
of the US
ourse ves
nuclear weapons.
Even the weather was on our side!
ed it was breached in several places. At least 11 peo-
ple, led by Greenham women, broke into the base.
A young child also broke in, confusing the police
who in the end did nothing about it.
photos, ribbon and yarn webs and so on. The action
made clear that the movement is growing both in
size and awareness, and has rattled the government.
'For every US soldier in the UK there are two UK
soldiers in West Germany', and, 'We thank CND
for making us aware of how much we welcome our
US allies.'
events all through the Easter period. The next major
focus will be 9 June, when CND has called a na-
tional demonstration to greet Ronald Reagan when
he visits Britain.
welcome our US allies.'
Over the past year 1500 US graduates have been recruited by the CIA, and Vast amounts of money
agency. State Department official commented: 'What we're trying to grapple will Is now to use little amounts of force on little problems in far away place and convince the US public that it's necessary (!).
Reagan's defeat in the
She point of view of in-
the point view of influencing Us But it will not nion. not deter the administration trom its course of trying to overthrow the Sandinistas, or backing the death squad El Salvador.
After his defeat on Nicaragua Reagan used emergency proceaures to by-pass Congress to send another 32 million dollars to El Salvador for ammunition and helicopters.
passive spedetors
unterietetience
By Mike Schneider, Greater Manchester CND
tonwood weapons storage base in Lancashire
Women, youth, children — all
the campaign to rid occupying and
Although the boundary fence was heavily polic.
The fence was festooned with balloons, family
This was shown by Heseltine's Sunday response:
Now CND is going to keep up the pressure with
That's when Heseltin will see truly 'how must we
← Socialist Action No. 53, 13 April 1984Socialist Action No. 55, 27 April 1984 →