Socialist Action No. 78, 16 November 1984
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No. 78 16 November 1984
SOCiALiSt
ACTiON
DI. MADE CAT MON
THIS WAS a crucial week for the NUM.
Everything was thrown at the The miners. Bribes by the NCB, a police riot in the coalfields, a naked attempt to crush the strike by hardship, and by demoralising families worried about their children for Xmas - that was just part of the package put together by Thatcher
and MacGregor. magnificent
Despite that onslaught the miners have fought back against everything thrown at them. There has been real progress for the NCB, and the scabs in North Derbyshire, but the core of the strike remains solid. Still more important it maintains its ability to win.
miners
Over 120,000 miners are on strike. Ninety five percent of those who went on strike in March are still out. Three quarters of pits are producing no significant amount of coal at all. And the blockade of the power stations is beginning to bite.
But now is the time the rest of labour movement must come to the support of the NUM. The miners need political and material solidarity like never before.
Every Labour MP, every Labour Party leader, every Labour Party branch, every trade union, every trade union leader, needs to be on the picket line this week. The Labour Party urgently needs to call a national demonstration of support — the TUC to announce it will permit no movement of coal from the pitheads.
A national day of industrial action is needed in support of the NUM regionally and nationally.
As the NUM gets through the next difficult weeks its ability to win will again dominate the situation.
When the back to work movement doesn't deliver the goods the initiative will pass back to the miners.
But now is the moment everything must be put in the balance on the miners side.
Whatever you have been doing for the miners in the last months whether it's blockading coal, demonstrating, picketing, collecting money - redouble it today. The entire labour movement must adopt one single slogan DON'T LET THE MINERS FIGHT ALONE!
DON'T LET THEM FIGHT ALONE
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Socialist Action 16 November 1984
ACTiON Socialist
All out for the
miners
THE MUCH-vaunted back-to-work move ment in the coal fields has fallen far short of what the NCB and the Tories hoped for Even if the numbers returning reached overber there Would stil be 120,000 their target of 10,000 miners on strike.
The core areas of the strike remain essentially solid as far as an effective strike is concerned. The North East, Scotland, and Yorkshire are producing amount of coal. Even in most of the so-called 'working pits' in these areas, the return to work has not bribed enough miners to
together to produce coal. value has been to produce propaganda for the NCB. North Derbyshire, where about 25 ent are working is the only area where there las been a significant change
fter eight months of hardship, and wit
ibes of £1.400 dangled before them, the limit f the back to work movement is an incredib ibute to the courage and determination of th
however, no denying that the Tories and the NCB have seized the initiative They will exploit that to the full.
The government knows that the strike wil not be broken in the short term by the back to work movement. The miners can continue until the new year. If the strike is not cracked by 19 November - and there is no prospect of that -the government will have to take steps to get coal stocks from pit heads to power stations.
Reports from power stations in Yorkshire, the North East, and Oxford indicate serious possibilities of cuts before Christmas — and virtual certainty afterwards. Many power stations are scraping the bottom of the pile, and equipment is suffering damage as a result. Even dur ing the present spell of mild weather there have
een alerts due to threats of voltage
rail unions have cut power stations by two thirds. Power workers in most areas are following the TUC guidelines. These actions need to be intensified
The back to work campaign was designed to
weaken and isolate the NUM to prepare the next
step. This is to try to break the strike by moving
coal stocks to the power stations. That will have
to be done by road, and will be a massive opera
tion the vital task now is that the labour move
ment must rally round the miners, tighten the
dockade on the power stations,
political initative back from
This will not be done by pleading for talks in the
manner of Kinnock, Orme and co. It will be done
by backing the miners in every possible way.
The TUC should declare at once that any at-
tempt to move the coal from striking pits will be
met by solidarity action across the whole move
ment.
That power workers will refuse the scab coal.
Oil refinery workers
fuel. The rail boycott will be tightened. Mass
pickets and days of action will be built. A single
statement to this effect backed by actions by the
TUC will help to take the initiative from the
Tories, and overcome any weakening of morale
in the coalfields.
The Labour Party should now openly throw
its weight behind the NUM regardless of what
Kinnock wants. Every Labour MP -
Kinnock - should be instructed to get down to
Yorkshire and North Derbyshire and Join the
miners picket lines. The NEC should call a na-
tional demonstration in support of the miners.
This week the miners have faced their stiffest
test so far. They are passing it with flying col-
ours. Now they must not be left to fight alone.
Editor: ALAN FREEMAN
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Monday
South Wales, Kent
significant
put viable Their main
per
supplies to the
and take the
the government. blockade substitute
including
Photo: JOHN HARRIS
Arthur's
ding to the press.
gone back!'
phraseology.
balance
of a way of lite.
government's
casters be a scab.
Dhat. PAISSA PAGE (Format) Board
defeated.
Coal
No t
OVER 5,000 MINERS
piled into Sheffield City
Hall last Thursday evening
to listen to Arthur Scargill
at the second of the five
NUM rallies. It was 'King
home ground
and it was an unforgettable
rally. Every speech made
was applauded most with
standing ovations, songs
and chants of 'the miners
THIS INDUSTRIAL dispute is now the longest in the history of British trade unionism, and over the past months we have seen in the media time and time again suggestions that miners are drifting back to work.
It must be right! It's in the Daily Express! It's a good drift back accor-
Listen to this. 'The National Coal Baord said today that 53,000 miners are back at work.' That is dated 6 November. They were referring to the 7 November — a day in advance!
25 June, the National Coal Board announced 'Miners drift back to work. Sixty thousands have now
If there's anyone in our move. ment, if there's anyone in this union, thinks for one moment the media is going to paint a picture in support ot miners who are on strike fighting for jobs — they're living in the proverbial cloud cuckoo land.
On 6 March MacGregor announced the pit closure plan. That plan they said was designed to bring supply and demand into balance.
Now that's sound and economic
Bringing supply into with demand means the closure of 20 pits. It means the loss of 20,000 jobs. It means the destruction of mining communities, of a culture,
But that's not the end of the story. It's simply the beginning. Because this
policy and lall MacGregor's tactics are to close 70 pits and destroy 70,000 jobs.
And I say to those who are scabbing in Notts: they'll be your jobs that'll go as well as ours.
One of those ITN news broadcame up to me and said:
'Don't you think that your members have suffered enough and that by now
they're very poor? Don't you think they'll drift back to work?'
response was this. My
members have suffered and endured
hardship that you can't begin to com-
prehend. But there's one thing thal
they know, that you'll never know:
that they'll not always be poor. But
those that have scabbed will forever
And let's go back to what Petel
Heathfield said in an excellent speech
Even those who have scabbed would
be treated like lepers by the Coal
if we went back work Let's make our position
clear in this hall. Not only will the
Baord treat them like lepers.
We'll treat scabs like lepers!
Our demands are not too much. In
fact our demands are far too modest.
The only people demanding in this
dispute are the Coal Board. They re
demanding that this union become
signatories to the closure programme.
They're demanding that we decimiate
united will never be defeated'.
But the rally was not simply jubilant. The problems of the strike were addressed. Socialist Action decided to give you a flavour of the event by printing a series of extracts from the major speeches below.
the north east coalfield, from 17 pit to 4. They're asking us to make a agreement that wipes out 60 per cer of the Scottish coalfield.
We refuse to become partners t an agreement to destrov 70 per cent ( the South Wales coalfield, 25 per cen of the Yorkshire coalfield, and 50 pe cent of the Derbyshire coalfield. I think I'm speaking on behalf c every mirer in this magnificent rall when I say not only will we no become partners to an agreement o that kind but we will not sign awa one pit or one single job.
Betty
Heathfield
Of all the meetings I've been
66 this must be the most import
meeting of my whole life.
It's obvious that Thatcher,
her friend Reagan, feels that she's
to a winning streak. But I'm tell
her she's gonna have another th
coming because come 19 Novem
and we're still there she won't hav
very emotive hold on those who th
they're going to get an extra bit
money for Christmas. Because w
still be there when the 19th's go
and she'll have to think of anot
thing to put up against us.
When they try to bribe us and t
try to demoralise you • you get
off your knees, and fight back
The Coal Board have understand what our terms are for tl
settlement of their dispute. Our tern
firstly withdrawal of
closure plan. Secondly, the keepir
open, not the short term reprieve,
the five pits currently facing closure
don't want to keep Cortonwood op
for three to six months. I want Co
tonwood kept open to the point of e
haustion.
What would this government at
the media have to say if we were see
ing to break a signed agreement? I
the Coal Board and the governme
that are seeking to break the Plan f
Coal agreement. As far as we're co
cerned we're sticking firmly with th
Plan
But there's another importa
principle at stake. Because I know
speak for every miner in this stri
when I say to MacGregor that the
will be no return to work until eve
miner who's sacked
reinstated.
MacGregor came here fro
America with his trade union busti
tactics. He went first of all to Briti
Leyland, where they dismissed
senior shop steward whose only cri
was writing a pamphlet on the si
vival of British Leyland. This mo
ment, to its eternal shame, stood
and saw Derek Robinson dismiss
from his position.
Page 3 scan of this page
everything you've got. We told the police on the picket lines on Monday you'll still be here at Christmas,
we'll still be here Christmas.
And I want to make a special appeal tonight to the women to come onto the picket lines now. Just a few women have a very electrifying effect on the pickets and the police, I can assure you.
The police don't like us there. Mrs Thatcher doesn't like us there. They don't know what to do with women who sing songs and chant slogans and sound very happy and positive. just don't know what to do with us.
only takes about a dozen of So I'm telling all the womens. Join in You'll have a marvellous impact. now. Get up a bit early. You can always go to bed again later!
MacGregor then went to British
Steel. three years in steel
destroyed 100,000 jobs,
Wie Oul
whole communities And I want to make it clear that if Bill Sirs had spent
one tenth ume
MacGregor that he has attacking me and this union, then he would have saved many more of those jobs.
How many times have we heard
the saying 'young people today aren't like their forefathers. They're too busy making mortgage repayments.
But now we are sick and tired listening to the Jeremiahs of the movement saying young people will never fight as well as the older generation that built the movement. I say, without fear of contradiction, that if those who built our trade union movement could look on this scene today, they would salute our young
For the first time in an industrial dispute we've also seen women take their place — not mereiv in soup kıtchens, not merely giving moral support, but those magnificent women's fighting shoulder to shoulder for their jobs, their communities, their families
Anybody who is under any illusions about the government's involvement in this dispute has only got to listen to the revelations of the public
urning
relations chief of the National Coal
Board.
once had a debate
MacGregor on television.
holding cue cards up when he spoke.
It was unbelievable for the chairman
of the NCB.
Do you know who was doing it? Do you know who was holding the cue cards up! No, not Magaret ThatCher. One of Margaret former advisors, a chap called Hart, who's advising the so-called working
- the scabs organised against LAS DOn. That's who it was. They And Mrs Thatcher's personal advisor was there walt alvisllig MacGregor smile at the right time. This man has done more damage to the whole concept of industrial relations inside a year than any single individual we can think of in the history
For twelve solid months this union he has fought to maintain our industry. But we've also been fighting on other arguments. . There are other principles at stake as far as this union is concernfighting ed: the very basis of our trade union itself, which MacGregor and cher are trying to destroy
Like Peter Heathfield, I want to ask you this question. Imagine what
of
( In October we had the Labour
Party conference and they also
affirmed their total support for the
miners. And I want to say that it's not
just a resolutionary party I hope, in
plementation of those resolutions that
counts.
And I want to say to Neil Kin-
nock, get your eyes off the opinion
your life would be like if you had to go back to work on terms and conditions set by the NCB and the government. Imagıne that vou were told that you wouldn't have the right to raise any protest against the employer.
Make mistake, months of struggle this trade union llas gone 1oo much for there to be any turning
with lan They were Thatcher's
apparently they
to
of trade
back, or any compromise as far as basic principle union has been willing to negotiate.
But I'm not prepared to negotiate on That- what I term a sell-out by NACODS, when they accepted pit closures.
We're now told questrated as a national union and as
Mick McGahey NUM v-president
moulders.
It's moDusing ue waole
and trade
the Tories and ensure victory for the whole working class.
national officials. ourselves in conflict with the law.
She can probably
eight organisation. But questrate our minds. far and suffered too
freeze our will to wn!
negotiations Carefully
calls in the early cept. flat. They
concerned. This
we've been sedisputes.
Inaustry,
polls in the Mirror and the Sun. I say to him come and meet the opinion
of the Tories,
Here is a victory for the labour movement. Here is the opportunity of
union movement that can win the victory for the miners, defeal
We've found
I wonder if Thatcher understands.
sequestrate our funds. She can probably freeze on a day by day basis the operations of our
she can't seShe can't imprison our principles. And she can't
• back'
The fer
Photo: JOHN HARRIS (IFL)
have On the very last day of our last we put forward two points that ACAS were willing to acJim Mortimer Labour general sec
introducing himself as speaking at all five rallies, Jim Mortimer received a large amount of cat-
part of his speech because of Neil Kinnock's refusal to speak at the NUM rallies. (C1 am conscious that our party
owes more to the miners in its history than to any other section of
The Board turned them down turned them down flat because the government had been instructing them not to negotiate.
I want to go further than Peter (Heathfield) or Mick (McGahey) in
the TUC. I don't want merely a redemption in words of some of the IOUs. I want to see the same commitment to this union by rank and file unionists in power, in steel, and in transport that we've given to them when they've been involved in
I want all trade unionists to examine their conscience. I want to ask our brothers and sisters in the power
steel, much longer can you stand on one side and see this union butchered by a galaxy
the Coal Board, the CBI and the Institute of Directors? Come and take industrial action now, and stop accepting scab coal, scab oil, and scab iron ore. Practice what you preach and stop crossing picket lines! could
1 here also comes a time when trade union leaders have to take again stand on the basis of principle. We have to reply to those who we feel are injuring the movement.
I received a letter from the Polish Federation of Trade Unions, offering their support they said to the NUM -inviting families to go to Poland for a holiday. I'm going to read you my reply and I hope you're in accord:
'My advice to the Polish government and to you is to stop behaving hypocritically and in a way that can
Socialist Action 16 November 1984
only be described as anti-socialist.
Polish government has
dramatically increased the amount of coal being imported into Britain. And you've ignored repeated requests
from the NUM to stop exporting coal
brilain in view of the British miners' strike.
'In so doing the Polish govern-
Thatcher's government as it tries to
aereal tne miners union. Ine NUM has no intention of considering the of-
derecia holiday in Pois
children a holiday
because we are aware that at the same time the offer is made the actions of the Polish government are directly
assisting the Tory government in Britain to do all in thier power to smash the NUM and the miners' strike.
•Please convey to your government, and to your trade union move-
, our absolute disgust and eve at this late stage convey to them our request to stop exporting coal to Bri tain and wrecking the outcome of this dispute.
I've never telt as proud or a: privileged to be in a leadership position as I do today. Members of this union, their wives and their families,
displayed a solidarity, have displayed a commitment, that has inspired not oniv workers in Britain bul workers throughout the world.
During the course of this struggle we nave once again begun to discove ourselves. We are once again beginn. ing to understand the meaning of rea trade unionism. Never again will this union be the same, because of what
learned and Wild
the working people of Britain. And
wiel 1 link of the ligures in tb
history of the miners union and the
present generation 1 am conscious
that they have drawn their strength and they continue dr8R strength from the rank and file of your union.
The National Executive of the party in the very last statement that it
issued on the mining dispute said that
we 'reaffirm our total support for the
National Union of Mineworkers in its historic struggle to fight against continuing further unemployment in 9)
the mining industry.'
discovered during the course of this
eight month strike.
When people ask you 'why should , we say that David Jones
and Joe Green were killed fighting for
this union. We owe it to them to carry
on and win this battle.
You're fighting to preserve the right to work - and not the right to work of a scab backed up by two thousand police. You are determined as a result of this action to convey to this government and employers that we too have rights
And when they talk about investment, we're not talking about financial investment alone - — we're talking about the greatest investment of all: the investment of our lives in this in. dustry. It's the only thing we have to invest and it is something that none of
Time and time again the leaders of this union have asked the members to respond. Never in our wildest dreams
have SUCI magnificent response. Time and time
members of the union movement have demanded leadership. I say to you without fear of contradiction that you have not got in the leadership on this platform - - three members of the national executive — leaders who will finish up in the House of Lords.
But what you have got is leaders who are determined to take this union side by side with you to the most fantastic, historic victory.
Miners, I salute you, you are magnificent.
Page 4 scan of this page
South Yorks erupts
Coalville: NUR threatens strike
'THE MOST SEVERE violence yet seen' in the miner's strike was how the police described the revolt in the Yorkshire coalfields over the last few days.
violence,' was Arthur Scargill's immediate response on Radio 4, 'his police force and that of others have intimidated my members throughout the last 8 months in an almost unbelievable way. The very presence of police in massive numbers in villages, not only in Yorkshire, but throughout Britain has caused the problem'.
And indeed, the sheer
scale of teted in Spera-
tion mounted Yorkshire over the last few day's protect tiny number scabs, was enough to provoke any section of trade unionists after months of hardship and hunger. To do so in South Yorkshire was a declaration of war.
Scabs
So war broke out. In Dinnington miners went through the picket lines for the first time on Monday. Police sealed off the village. Pickets were attacked by police who
tried to stop them getting to the gales. Dinnington
police station was petrol
bombed police were
forced to flee. Police were
siaiming that it was the
work of unemployed
rout in lue arca
Cortonwood the
one scab from last Friday,
L'ae Lingard, 23. was
*aned by toree orners on
Monday morning pro-
by huge police
aperation. Range
straight into picket
=.0ie
res. When police charged
again and again into picket
ines a barn was set on fire
and the riot police were us-
mobilised over 100 rank and file unionists.
Immediately following
his unprecedented gather
ing, ute NEC contacted
representatives
(LDC) and asked
documentary proof
Case against local
management.
The NEC informed the
Coalville workers that they with the veneral Manager sought
of the London Midland
region of the British Rail
demand that if the
harassment and intimida-
tion of railworkers is not
stopped there would be in-
dustrial action throughout there nocal
ROy
railworkers leader said of
ine new deveoolicill
hope that the threat of in-
dustrial will have
the effect of stopping the.
area manager from worry:
ing my members.
• We welcome the move by the NEC tour cadi if i
ly take up Our Case.
siere able to attend this
meeting would be
demanding that the
general accepts
our position on not mov-
ing coal, Lual he discuss
Socialist Action 16 November 1984
'The chief constable should be an expert on ed. A roller was pushed down the road into police lines.
At Maltby pit two barricades were built and wire was streicned across the road when 13 scabs crossed picket Hajority of them were contractors who had been brought into
all work al lne oil roll over the country. They had been laid off when the strike had started to cross picket LWO months ago when the first clashed broke out. The local police station was laid seige to and lamp posts were torn down.
Picket
At Dodworth an unmanned police station was attacked on Sunday night. At Barrow trees were cut down and steel wire stretched across the road. At Redbrook the 1Uau was blocked. In South Kirby some 500 pickets outside
the pit built barricades and bulldozers were moved on-
Lo LIC 1vau Valley colliery had the
electricity pylons surroun-
ding it torn down. There
were also clashes in Ross-
ington and a large picket
was attacked by police. THE RAILWORKERS at Mantle Lane depot in the small Leicestershire town of Coalville have been
refusing to move coal for over seven months. They
got a bit of a leg up from their NUR national executive last week following their open meeting which
that withdraws
charges against the three
railmen who've been sack-
ed on spurious grounds,
that there no more
police visits and that we be
allowed to do useful work
instead of ocills sent
home.
By Antonio Gorton
"The trouble is that the
NEC called for industrial
action in support
Shirebrook depot
there are similar problems
and then called it off with
no real agreement or cast
iron guarantees. i ne prill-
ciples of the thing got lost.
For example the
Shirebrook people. were
being coded on their pay
slips 'on strike' for
refusing to move coal and
after the NEC intervened
management simply
recoded to 'absent without
leave'. It comes to le
same thing - no pay
other benefits. There was
no real solution and yet the
action was called off..
'It is important that the only with the elected LDC... NEC.have taken this. in:.. After. the Coalville mass meeting
A STATE of siege exists in South Yorkshire's mining communities. Massive police operations are being carried out to escort scabs into work. Police are swamping villages to intimidate miners and their families.
On Wednesday November it was the turn of Sunnyside, Rotherham
Silverwood miners live. Philip Wainwright joined three other scabs who have betrayed their workmates by golng into the pit. He returned HONE escorted by five vanloads of police.
Another val full of police patrolled the estate.
Five or six more vans were in reserve. A further 20-30 police marched through tne streets protect Wainwright, his wife and
itiative after seven months
of relative inactivity and
this is due, I think, to the
sheer pressure of rank and
file members especially at
the big London depots.
The Carlod cul we have
been carrying out has had
Soakin
NUR/ASLEF meetings at
Waterloo. St Pancras,
Kings Cross, the London
Transport district council
which organises
Streatham,
Stratford, Marylebone
and Croyden.
58006
GM COOKSON
State of siege in Yorks
unree children, as they were moved out in a police van. was grabbed by the throat for shouting 'Maggie Thatcher's bootboys' at a line of 14 DOlICC Fighting broke out and four arrests were made.
By Clive Turnbull
In the 'flare up, Mrs Edith Martin was pushed over an 18-inch high wall. As fighting spilled over onto the gardens police vans took those arrested away to jeers from the crowd
'We've had a tremendous response everywhere and this is being felt at national level. I understand that London guards who were out on strike on Tuesday 8 November over Sun-
day working and descend-
ed on the NEC in a mass
lobby used Coalviile as an
example of closure
threat which unev WeLC
also experiencing locally in
their depot and which they
wouldn't tolerate.
"The NEC is elected to
Senior police officers denied any intimidation or provocation against miner's families. But miners' wife, Chris Wigglesworth had a different view. were stood around and a young lad walked past and one copper er she mothere shouted well, fuck
This mother was stood there and didn't like them saying that so he asked one copper
one one, but he wouldn't. have to put up with.
'Another woman, who is under the doctor for her heart, was knocked over a
wall. The police two
fingered her and made obscene gestures. They say
defend our interests. But
we're not leaving it there.
We intend to keep up the
campaign, to keep it roll-
ing. The only guarantee of
success is that all members
of the ran unions unders
tand the issues involved
and are prepared to give us
total backing. We've now
got more invitations as
result of the Rail Broad
Left meeting this
depots Polmadie
depot in Glasgow and
things like "how much do you charge?" and shout at us women calling us sluts and whores. What are we supposed to do?'
Shortly after midnight that same day there was a second flare up when the windows OI Wainwrights's house had bricks thrown though them.
Seven miners were arrested, four of whom were
David, Robert, oroteis Michael, and Paul Boyle. All "besetting the house of a Well charged with working miner'
Other charges included assulting a police officer. freight depot in Wales.
'We feel absolutely
vindicated in what we're doing. The day after the open meeting in Coalville, the NEC contacted the Sheffield and Chesterfield District Council and the Midland District Council
organise meeting of whole coalfield area Nottingham, Derby and Leicestershire for Sunday
25 November.
'The NEC has assigned
Women's Benefit Concert
Organised by London Labour Women
cadily Theatre in
and a host of famous TV and stage actresses.
For post) at OAPs, students, etc).
2955 or 283 1030 ext 349. (w).
News
obstructing the highway, and breach of the peace.
David Boyle also charged with 'possessing wcaull dog lead which he had been carrying as he was accompanied by his dog When the youllg miners appeared in court Lne following day their black eyes and swollen faces clearly showed they had been beaten. Six were remanded 1n custody in Armley prison for a week.
On the picket line at Silverwood on Friday teams were being organis ed go out the knocker to mobilise more miners. Police intimidanot pay. The picket line is still growing. two assistant general secretaries and a number of NEC members to adWe're dress the meelng on the move and we're going to keep it going. Thatcher is prepared to go all the break the miners' strike and we should go all the way in resisting her attempts. The no movement of coal cam. must spread and paigh supporting the railworkers at Coalville, Shirebrooke, Tynsley Immingham is central to this fight.
HERE WE GO! The soccer chant adopted by
women and men alike on picket lines and at rallies
during the miners' strike, has now become the title of a major Women's Benefit Concert at the Pic
London's West End on 25 November, organised by London Labour Women. The performers, all of whom are providing their services free, include Carol Grimes and Iguanas, Peggy Seeger, Beverley, the Annie Whitehead Band, Mitzi Wildebeest
Tickets are available in advance from the Box Office, Piccadily Theatre, Denman Street, W1 -01-437 4506 (b
: £5 and f2 concessions (unwaged,
r more information contact Joan Twelves on 582
Page 5 scan of this page
Mineworkers Defence Committee Conference
News
A national
applied to solidarity with the miners into action. It makes attendance at the Mineworkers' Defence Committee
December a number one priority.
Last Wednesday's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting saw an open clash over the miners' dispute Dennis Skinner and Neil Kinnock. Dennis told Nel that his place was in the 'front the NUM! on platforms with
Neil rounded on Dennis with the now famous remark that
interested achieving a Gallipoli', reference to the defeat in the First World War when Commonwealth troops were slaughtered in their thousands by Turks.
By Valerie Coultas
Kinnock's disgraceful refusal to find time speak with the miners has outraged all those in the
tarly woe rave been working like the clap-
NUM over the last eight months.
Rank and file activists made their views crystal clear at party conference in the overwhelming support they gave to the NUM and in their sharp attack on the police handling of the dispute. Neil Kinnock has no excuse for his behaviour and it is high time the party as a whole, and the left in particular, put him in his place.
One forum that can help achieve this is the Mineworkers' Defence Committee conference. Arthur Scargill and Tony Benn have already agreed
speak. Ray Buckton of
ASLEF, Jimmy Knapp ol the NUR, and Jim Slater
Socialist Action asked Sunderland MP BOB CLAY for his comments following Neil Kinnock's refusal to speak at the five national rallies called by the NUM.
WEEK BY week we are seeing the repressive apparatus of the state used as a naked class instrument against the miners' strike. That's the first thing the Labour Party, and especially its leadership, has clearly understand.
The coveruncil prepared to deploy any means whatsoever defeat the NUM. In those circumstances, an opposition party that fails to grasp. the nettle without faltering cannot be an effective opposition. We should be supporting the NUM without conditions and without equivocation.
Labour MPs should be on NUM picket lines and NUM public platforms at every possibly opportunity, and statements expressing NUM's - so-called--eon-
solidarity forum
NEIL KINNOCK'S snub to the NUM over the five rallies has caused dissension throughout the labour movement. It shows how vital it is that pressure is
Labour leaders to put the words of
solidarity conference in Camden Town Hall on 2
of the seamen's union are all being approached speak.
The priority for the conference is provide as broad and representative a forum as possible, to push forward the work of the solidarity movement and help deliver the IOUs pledged at TUC and Labour Party conferences.
Coming two days after the face-saving Labour Party rally that Kinnock has announced for Friday November, the solidarity conference will be an excellent opportunity for party members to
SCAB!
The hard left is h.
Make time for the miners
tempt of court should be stepped up. There must be massive demonstration that the whole labour movement has contempt for the Tory courts.
And the Labour Party must take an even bigger lead in raising funds for
the stil Kinnock's refusal
to appear on the platform of one of the NUM's five big-city rallies is to be very much regretted. Once azalll he flas shown weakness on the miners' dispute.
I really can't understand the statement that he has no time. He found time, at short notice, to attend Mrs Gandhi's funeral in India, which is purely a ceremonial chat was the funeral of so- matter.
meone who had exercised repression over large sections of her own population and refused to hold democratic elections. -Why is this more im-
Posh for abouremany
Labour Party demonstration in support
is being drawn the Conference organising
Collmittee for discussion at an open forum to take place
Wednesday 14 November, 5.30pm County Hall.
These Wednesday meetings will be regular leading up the conterence Solidarity mittees and other bodies are urged to come along and join in the Mineworkers' Defence Committee in ensuring this conference is a massive expression of solidarity with the NUM • Credentials are available from Jane Stockton, Cranwich Road, London N16. contact the committee on 01-981 3289.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
tell Kinnock
Bob Clay MP
portant than speaking NUM rallies? would seem that what the media SoV Kinnock fudging the issue and
be identified Ielusnet with the strike.
What would the parliamentary leadership say if those Labour MPs from the mining areas who have a day to day commitment to the strike - attending NUM picket lines, taking up Cases of wrongful arrest, doing supportive local radio and press interviews, , and so on
announced they didn't have time
to attend the
Chardon to go trooping
charade troopilg through lobbies when the Tories have a built-in ma-
UNERS
AVE THE PATR
Socialist Action
dressed a Fabian Society meeting. Forms.
Jones' analysis of Kinnock one year on. Mr Jones
thinks Neil
break with Scargill' is a 'major error', which will
lead to renewed hostilities within the party. 'Lurid
evidence' is quoted for this: Socialist Actions's
front page and editorial last week!
what happens in
Labour gets to office
jority of 140 each time?
The original decision that Kinnock should speak at the NUM rallies was taken by a special meeting of the national executive.
Once again, we have the party leader openly ignoring decisions of the party.
Members should ask themselves many other issues will it happen on? We are going through the same business we did with the Wilson and Callaghan leaderships.
we want to correct that historical tendency, then there's no more im. portant issue to correct it on than the miners' strike The overwhelming majori ty of Labour Party memb ers not only feel total com-
the NUM dispute, but understand that it is a matter of fundamental importance to the future of the labour movement.
They have made their yiews clear, now they must insist that the leadership reflect them.
goes respectable!
Last week Labour leader Neil Kinnock ad-
He denounced the left as 'gushing enthusiasts' and proclaimed his support for the early Fabians who 'worked to make it easy for respectable people to become socialists'. Clearly, M kinnock doesn't include Arthur Scargill anc the striking miners among the 'respectable'
- hence his refusal to speak on NUM plat-
Last week's Sunday Times carried a Micheal
Kinnock's refusal to make 'a clean
Mr Jones believes that whether or not Neil Kinnock ever becomes prime minister will depend on
the next year. Quite right.
Socialist Action will be doing its bit to ensure
riding the crest of a We will leave the 'respectable
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION
'This CLP/Organisation is greatly concerned at
members to the miners in their present struggle. support given
This is all the more surprising because the delay in lack of
the
settling the call on the party
paigning to focus public
support for the NUM.'
Socialist Action 16 November 1984 and the parliamentary leadership.
the letter together with the resoluion.
case for coal.'
For the past eight month the NUM has been wagin; probably the most determined and inspiring trade union struggle this country has seen in over half a century The industrial reasons for the NUM's action are compelling enough in themselves. But the real significance of the dispute is political.
The government is out to break the organisations of the working class, and has deliberately created a confrontation with the miners in order to do so. If
leading party by dispute is wholly due to the Tory
government's determination to crush the NUM, as
an essential step towards destroying the power of
the trade union and labour movement. We believe
that the continued isolation of the miners is largely
due to the failure of the party leadership to use
their access to the mass media to put this case
across. Nobody else has sufficient authority to do
so effectively, and we regret that instead the par-
ty's representatives have allowed the media to
sidetrack the debate onto violence on the picke
lines, the voting procedures of the NUM, and such
red herrings as the Gadafi incident. We therefore
leader and deputy leader
counteract the propaganda afete media by crea.
issues, and to do so on the basis of unconditional attention on
5 ONE OUT
Stand by the miners!
AT THE END of October, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy mailed its supporters expressing concern with the lack of support for the miners from Labour's leaders. CLPD are suggesting an emergency resolution to the national executive
In view of Neil Kinnock's refusal last week to appear on the NUM rallies, CLPD's resolution is more important than ever. We reprint below extracts from
We suggest it be amended to include: 'The firs step in that national campaign should be to call a Labour Party demonstration, in conjunction with the NUM, against pit closures and to publicise the
this strike is broken, the Tories calculate that no trade union will seriously resist their will That is why the whole labour and trade union movemen no a respon sibility to stand by the miners. But although the TUC and the Labour Parconference have declared full support, Labour's parliamentary leadership has distanced
Please do your most to get a resolutior sent in by every organisation with which you are connected - if necessar on the basis of officers' action. Also, you might wish to consider it as a possible resolution to your regional
the ergece or the isle
the urgency the issue must make the NEC , PLP and the new shadow cabinet the first priority.
CLPD supporters owe
conference, at the height of their efforts wat backing for their own battle, the miners nonetheless also took it on themselves to play a leading part in the defence of mandatory reselection. They know only too well that the performance of the Parlia mentary Labour Party depends on its accountability to the wider party.
In the same way CLPI recognises that the miners are fighting for us all. We cannot afford to let them •down.
Page 6 scan of this page
How Reagan wi
HE RE-ELECTION of Ronald
gan was not exactly a surprise. at a taste of what is to come has
cady been seen in Reagan's 'Mig
reat' invasion scare caragua.
And that raises a big question i strategy for socialists. a mosy years be fought against? most reactionary US president Jow can the international policy of be United States and its allies be efeated?
JOHN ROSS looks at the state I international politics for the left aday and the lessons of the last eat international struggle against
United States - the
THE ELECTION of Ronald Reagan in 1980 coincided with
of discussion politics within the left bour The levelopments intimately ected.
During the period of relaxation of East-West' tensions in the 1970s the years of detente
fundamental features TUAL specifically world politics roceed. fashion developed discussing politics in terms of 'national specificities'. Discussion of politics as a world system, and therefore of internabonal strategy, was relatively absent.
But the reality of Ronald Reagan soon reminded socialists rather harshly of the fact that the fundamental forces of politics are international character. The world is not simply, or even primarily, composed of separate mation states.
On the contrary, each basic force tich confronts the working class Reaganism, the Soviet bureaucracy, the power of the United States, perialist system, the capitalist economic cis: - operates on a world scale.
A: Trotsky put it, ours ear= oi imperialism, le, cocomy and world politics under the begemony of finance Therefore, 'not a single....party can establish its programme solely or maina from conditions and tendencies of dacopment in its own country....the rational orientation of the proletariat must and can only flow from a world orientation and not vice versa.'
This truth, which applies to every country, is true with redoubled force in an imperialist country -in regard to the United States. For the strength of the ruling class of an impenalist country does not come solely from the exploitation of the working dass of its own country. It comes from the exploitation of the working class of the entire world.
It flows from this that the struggle
Socialist Action
true as regards the United States, against world. strategy Ronald Reagan is necessarily,
How can essence, an international strategy.
ly years ago, dent countries, against
Vietnam
imperialism.
Line civil war Hassive Ici
world wing or lne
two Coll is confirmed by
confirmed as time goes on. many of the at the end of his life,
of
seemed to which flowed
for
dia, China,
world capitalism...
perialist war, definitively drawn
revolutionary movement. the imthe revolution in the is: 'the
of world tion. In Lenin's words:
analysis, capital.'
Russia, India, the overwhelming
emancipation rapidity,
and above all
assured.' 16 November 1984
against the ruling class of an imperialist state cannot be conceived of solely, or primarily, as one taking place on a national terrain — and this is particularly
the most powerful capitalist power of the
101 confronting in its
Lenin formulated his problem of struggle in an imperialist country seven-
with great precision: 'the socialist revolution will not be solely, or chiefly, a struggle of the revolutionary proletarians in each country against their own bourgeoisie — no, it will be a struggle of all the imperialist-oppressed colonies and countries, of all depen-
international
'Characterising the approach of the world social revolution....we said that
of the working people against the imperialists and exploiters in all the advanced countries is beginning to be combined with national wars against international imperialism. This
the of the revolution and will be more and more
In one of the famous articles written
Fewer Better, But Better, Lenin outlined the perspectives
from this reality still more clearly: "as a result of the last imperialist war (the First World War - JR) a number of countries of the East, In-
etc have been completely jolted out of the rut....It is now clear to the whole world that they have been drawn into a process of development that must lead to a crisis in the whole of
•Precisely as a result of the first im-
the East has been Into the revolutionary movement, has been drawn into the general maelstrom of the world
final analysis it was this 'East' which, Lenin's analysis, would drive forward the victory of world socialist revolu-
'In the last the outcome of the struggle will be determined by the fact that
China, etc account for majority of the population of the globe. And during the past few years it is this majority that
been drawn into the struggle for with extraordinary so that in this respect there
cannot be the slightest doubt what the final outcome of the world struggle will
be. In this sense, the complete victory
of socialism is fully and absolutely
The fact that the great reserves of
world socialist revolution were not seen
General Motors is people
FoR EACH AMERICAN 1110 / you wil Diel KILLED
be defeated
by Lenin as the 'white' proletariat of Western Europe or the United States but the thousands of Russia Asia, countries, was and is, of course, deeply offensive school of European socialist parties the 'international of the white race' as Lenin put it. Nevertheless, history confirmed Lenin's analysis, and not those
opponents analyses remained fixated on Europe.
It was the military power of the Soviet Union, not the working class of Western Europe, which proved capable
smashing Hitler's despite the policies of Stalin. In Asia it was the long struggle of the Chinese Communist Party Japan opening a 'second front' in the East against the USSR during the Se cond World War, and which, in 1949, took China out of the world capitalist. system.
Three
Since 1945 three enormous events, three gigantic trials of strength between the United States and the peoples of Asia, have shaped the fundamental course of post-war history. was the revolution in China itself. The second was the defeat by the Chinese workers state of the US invasion of Korea. The third was the victory of the Vietnamese over first the French and then the United States in Indochina.
It is these events, quences flow out into the entire world, that have provider
framework of every other struggle
The consequences of these struggles in Asia, United States and its allies, equally pro ceeded according Lenin outlined. Whereas in the United
millions and the semi-colonial
to those educated in the
ties
whose political world
whole Germany
which prevented
countries
States revolton
The first tion.' whose conse- perialism political the political violent
, and their effect in defeating the
to the framework
THEI
States itself, in Western Europe, and in Japan, the US and its allies were able to utilise the role played by the reformist social democratic and communist par-
contain the working class, equivalent success was not possible in Asia or other parts of the semi-colonial
Revolutionary victories in Cuba and Central America, as well as the
post-war decolonisation of Africa and Asia, developed within a framework created by the military vic. tory of the USSR in World War Il and of the three huge wars fought against the United States and its allies in Asia
Considered historically it is clear that throughout the post-war world the working class of the advanced capitalist
found itself essentially situated within the framework of world politics created by the clash of United
imperialism and the The major working : class struggles which developed from 1968 to 1975 in Western Europe were not, many on the left believed at the time the harbinger of the 'European revolu-
Their outbreak and initial rise, and then immediate decline after 1975, was closely tied to the economic conse quences of the rise and fall of the United States war effort against Indochina.
The centre the crisis of world im-
was the economic and contradictions Ine imperialist states themselves. But its most
convulsions and manifesta. tions, the places where the actual over throw of capitalism took place, were in the 'periphery' of the system. The storm which developed in the world was created by the situation in Detroit,
Page 7 scan of this page
the Ruhr, and Japan, but the most violent effects took place in Nicaragua, Grenada and Iran.
In this development followed the entire logic displayed in the twentieth century - a logic which flows from the nature of the imperialist system itself.
Enormous class struggles
taken place in the imperialist centres during the course of the twentieth century 1919 and 1923 in Germany, 1920 in Italy, 1926 in Britain, 1936 in Spain, 1944-45 in France and Italy, 1968 in France, 1974-75 in Portugal to take only a few. Twice, First and Second World Wars, authentically revolutionary crises developed in a number of imperialist countries.
But within the imperialist countries exist not simply the most working classes in the world but still more powerful ruling classes - ruling classes which, in particular, are able to create powerful reformist bureaucracies as a defence of their interests. conquest of power by the working class in an advanced imperialist country is far harder, and further away in time, than the conquest of power by working class in a whole series of semi-colonial countries - and still more difficult even than was the conquest of power in a backward imperialist state such as Russia in 1917.
The result of this situation is that while two great cataclysms, and Second World Wars, have shaken to their foundations the power of the imperialists in their own states (with the exception of the USA) no successful overthrow of capitalism has taken place in an advanced imperialist country. The First and Second World their aftermaths, led to the destruction of capitalism in Eastern Europe and a series of semi-colonial countries. but
HO CHI MINH
* CITY
the imperialist centres themselves.
and/or remained Moscow, were colonial countries, capitalism
has machoos and much
victorious struggles for power. However while have tive conditions for
Many imperialist country, going lo ln
following the
clashes that
powerful
decisive blows Cao Las
The within tries
the detented.
ficed then.
United States the First
contlict.
Wars, and
confronted it.
While it was
knees.
tion. not to the destruction of capitalism in
Reformist parties which were able
West Europe, subordinated able, the semiconfronted with profound economic and social con-
weaker ruling classes, to break with Moscow and lead
since the Second final World War, with the arguable exception of Portugal in 1974-75, the objec.
La working class socialist revolution have not existed in
nor are they the immediate years to war. come, nevertheless this does not mean that the working class in the imperialist countries is relegated to a secondary role workers in the international class struggie or une
will defeat Reagan.
Firstly the working class of the imperialist countries will strike the final Angola
against world Secondly if we consider how the United States was defeated in Vietnam we can see both the role of the working class of the imperialist coun
the international class struggle, and gain an understanding of how Ronald Reagan can and will be
Purely militarily the United States could have won the war in Vietnam. If even its massive superiority in conventional armaments would not have suf-
in the final analysis, the possessed nuclear weapons which could have decided the
United
The problem for the United States Angola, however was firstly the problem confronting it could never be considered purely military and secondly, linked to this, the US could never seperate the situation in Vietnam from the overall international relation of forces which
military struggle
against the United States in Indochina itself which was the indispensible element without which victory would have been impossible, nevertheless it was the overall relation of forces internationally which finally brought the US to its
Vietnam became inextricably linked to every other problem which the United States faced in the world. US was never able to disentangle Vietnam from its overall international posi-
The first problem was that United States was itself unable to invade North Vietnam, and cut off the supplies and bases of the liberation forces of the National Liberation Front (NLF), because the Chinese workers state made it clear it would send its army into North Vietnam, as it had into Kora, if the US made any such move.
Arsenal
Secondly the nuclear arsenal, and military strength of the USSR acted as one crucial deterrent to the States embarking on any atomic adventure in Indochina. The Soviet Union also acted as the chief military supplier of North Vietnam and the NLF. While the USSR militarily gave far less aid to Vietnam than it should have, and far less than to some other states, nevertheless the supplies it did give were decisive in maintaining the war in the South. They particularly prepared the
offensive of the NLF brought victory in 1975.
Despite the Sino-Soviet split of the period China allowed Soviet military supplies reach Vietnam uninterrupted fashion thoughout the
In addition to the role of the
States the Vietnam stimulated and was accompanied by, a major rising series of class struggles within the colonial world. The guerilla wars against the Portuguese occupation of Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and
rapidly gained throughout the late 1960s before finally achieving liberation in 1974-75. Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) underwent a rapid development after the debacle of the Arab regimes in the 1967 war with Israel. A series of major class struggles developed in Latin America centred in Argentina, Uruguay, and Bolivia.
In short, throughout the Vietnam war the United States found itself confronting almost continuously increas ing tension and struggle in the colonial world — struggles which built up the momentum which finally in 1975-79 resulted in a whole series of defeats of
States backed regimes Nicaragua, Grenada, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
In addition to its impact in the colonial world, in Western Europe the consequences of the Vietnam war spread
opposition o ne among wide layers of students and
people and provided economic background the cas:
Getitdone!
series of working class struggles which developed from 1968 to 1975.
Unable take
political risk of taxing the American working class to finance the war the United States in effect exported a large part or lis American balance of payments deficits were run which were financed simpl by printing and 'exporting' dollars process creating worldwide inflation of the late 1960s The and early 1970s.
As US economic policy both placed the West European working class in a strong bargaining position the exports to the US spurred increases in
output, while simultaneously the West European working class found its real income threatened by mixture provided a perfect economic background to the took place after 1968 Confronted with these rapidly rising class struggles in their own. coun tries the West European bourgeoisies, in turn, were unable to take the tolerant attitude to American economic policy they had pursued during the They instead began withdrawing gold from the United States to cover their dollar holdings. In a single week in May United 1971 West European
withdrew 422 million dollars in gold from the United States per cent of the entire US gold stock. These moves directly precipitated Nix on's announcement, in August 1971, that the US was suspending the postWell international Coupled with internal wage controls Nixon's statement announced the open beginning of the post-war US economic which crisis.
Long
an
Finally in the United States itself, long before the imposition of wage conwar trols, the Vietnam conflict was provok-
Wing not only direct opposition to the war but also economic strain. Che Guevara, in his famous letter known under the title Create two, three, many Vietnams summarised the situation for a long time shall we be able to know The if President Johnson ever seriously
thought of bringing about some of the reforms needed by his people — to iron out the barbed class contradictions that grow each day with explosive power The truth is that the improvements anChile, nounced under the pompous title of the
"Great Society' have dropped into the
largest powers feel in its own guts the bleeding inflicted by a poor and underdeveloped country; its fabulous economy feels the strain of the war effort.'
It was this enormous international
in combination of class forces Iran, military struggle in
military power of the USSR and China, the rising colonial struggle, the working class conflict in Western Europe, the economic strain and anti-war movewar ment in the United States itself
which forced the United States to end the the Vietnam war As Henri
America
the domestic
minimum
cost to Europe. Huge
Line rapid Vietnams.
stretched
- because
Wing Palestine.
inflation, this
explosion which
the other
1960s.
Reagan
central banks
Not 'detente' struggle, • almost nive
struggle monetary system. government.
tral America, it develops, creating increasing
America.
perfectly: Not blem
The United
all imperialist
prevented
the
Vietnam,
tional scale.
socialists.
Kissinge: Lord unite
out of Indochina, it faced a disaster to its position on an international scale The US was forced to accept defeat in Vietnam in order to avoid an even greater disaster on a world level.
The fact that the US was able to ex tricate itself from Indochina with the
possible loss by a turn to a policy of 'detente' with the USSR con stitutes another story
The lessons of this defeat in In dochina are in fact exactly summed up in the title of Che Guevara's famou letter of Create Two Three, Man!
The United States wa unable to concentrate its forces agains Vietnam. It was bogged down, ano
beyond its resources not simply by the international movement against the war itself but by the whole series of class struggles which were ris
against lt on a world scale the struggle against Por tuguese colonialism, the general strike of May 1968 in France and its conse. quences, the anti-war movement in the United States itself were just some of
"Vietnams' WHIC helped secure victory in Indochina itself. Vietnam
The lessons of this struggle against the Vietnam war for the fight agains
are evident. To defeat the United States it must be overstretched
but international class international solidarity and pushing forward to the maximum ever! struggle that erupts internationally, is the way forward in the internationa
against the United State
The people of Nicaragua and Cen
to take just the most pressing example of the need for support, require for their victory both a massive direct solidarity movement on a world scale and the pressing forward of every class struggle which develops throughout the world. The anti-missiles movement in Europe, class struggle in the Phillipines, the rising black movement in South Africa the struggle against austerity wherever
are the 'Vietnams' which can overstrain the American colossus and help ensure victory in Centra
For Che Guevara posed the pro-
perfectly The power the United States is so great that it car destroy any of its opponents individually. The US economy is two and a hall times the size of that of the USSR -and far more technologically advanced
States military budget alone, let alone its potential expenditure on arms, exceeds the entire industrial output of China. The direc and indirect military personel of the United States are larger than the whol population of Nicaragua
The only way in which the United States can be defeated is if it can b
from concentrating its resources against a single enemy, if i: can be defeated by the whole range o class struggles it faces on an interna
Building both a solidarity movement with Central America and these international struggles is the task facing
To coin a phrase: Workers 2! i:
• You have catce:: •R: 2: Reg
Page 8 scan of this page
DN 4 NOVEMBER, Nicaraguans flocked to the olls for their first free election. The result was a vic-
ry for the FSLN.
dief, tempered by fears of a US invasion. JOHN TARRISON argues that this response, whilst corect, is rather too simple.
The Financial Times egan its main article on
Nicaraguan elections November with the ollowing observation:
erhaps the most remark-
thing about last Sun-
y's Nicaraguan elections
not the result
dely predicted victory
the ruling Sandinistas
but that they took place
all. In modern times, no
er revolutionary move-
which has seized power by force of arms has
on to hold serious dactions.'
This statement was arily a sop to Reagan's bsurd idea that freedom, ocency and
mut of abstract ideals
correlated
the ballot box. But it
contains a kernel of
Elections in the Soviet
for example are
lessness only by those in
panese unions.
Nicaraguan
contrast cal country well beyond
country's beleagured
ders.
The electoral process
eremplary — as many
critics have been
rood recognise. veryone over 16 was enouraged to register - and Mis entitled them to vote 90 рег cent did so.
president, viceresident and a 90 seat constituent assembly eleced by proportional represparation. advocate party which did
the armed perthrow of the state ould stand. The closing ale for registration was attended to encourage saverers. All censorship or relating to military in -lagence was lifted for the aree months campaign.
Every party standing received €700,000 ex-
The TV carried an hour of party
Socialist Action 16 November 1984
Nicaragua after the
Western socialists heaved a collective sight of
political broadcasts every day. The radio carried/ three-quarters of an hour. Political graffiti decorated every wall and telegraph post in the Some 4,000 polling sta-
tions were set up one Tor everv × or so electors. All parties were entitled to observers at the booths. Fifty official foreign observers were provided by foreign ments and such bodies as the Socialist International.
Whilst Thatcher refused to send observers, five British parliamentarians did attend, including one Tory. All agreed that no electoral intringements occurred.
So Reagan's claim that the elections were a sham is simply a lie. The 82 pe cent turn out was some percentage points higher than in the US presidential elections. The political differences between the Conservative Democratic Party and the FSLN is greater than that between Republicans and the
Galle Nicaraguan election was
policies, and less on personalities than was the American.
While neither the US nor the Nicaraguan elections was a sham, of the two the Nicaraguan was by far the more democratic.
The armed Couller" revolutionaries also largely failed in their attempt to disrupt the proceedings. They tried to cut off the northern town of Esteli but were driven back into the Sandinista army moved tanks even into isolated villages
DIULCUL the polling booths.
The contras remain deeply divided amongst themselves. The US backed FDN, whose leadership consists of ex-National Guards from the Somoza
Spain votes on NATO
era, is uneasily allied with a faction of the ARDE led by Frenando 'El Negro' Chamoro. Chamoro fighting to wrest control of the organisation from Eden Pastora FSLN commandante who opposes alliances with the FDN
A bomb which ripped through an ARDE jungle press conference last May, injuring Pastora, is believed to have been planted by members of the FDN.
But despite the divisions the contras remain a serious problem. The 10,0v or so members ol the FDN are well supplied
une CIA. They have killed over 7,300 people since Somoza's overthrow in 1979, caused some £400 million worth of damage and spread the war to 11 of the country's 16 departments. During the election the contras succeeded killing Enrique Schmidt, head of the Sandinista's counter-insurgency forces and minister for telecommunications.
The three main parties which boycotted the election are the Social Democrats, the Social Christians and the Liberal Constitutionalists, who together make up the Coordinadora Democratica (Democratic Coordination). They are all small Christian parties rooted Managuan bourgeoisie.
The Coordinadora had demanded negotiations with the contras as precondition for standing in the elections. The FSLN's response was to suggest they stood on that nattorm and let the elec. torate decide. They declin-
It is hard to assess the Coordinadora's real support. They called for people to spoil their ballot papers and some seven per cent of voters did so. But
with history of free elections, and in which over half the population was t illiterate tive vears ago. manv pro. bably did so by accident.
Three parties stood on programme's to the right of the FSLN's: the Con-
servatives, ives (ther) Liberals and Social Christians splinter groups from the Liberals and Conservatives boycotted the elections They sought encouragement to Torea vestment freedom for the public secLOT al0ol rights land ownership. In company with parties to the 'left' of the FSLN they also sought a greaic. severanon bel ween party and state "de-Sandinisation ot the army and the revolu-
cerence Coulttees. Between them the right wing parties picked up not far off one third of the vote
The orienteds ComMoscow oriented munist Party and two splinter groups, the Communist Party and the MAP, stood on platforms to the 'left' of the FSLN.
opposed the Sandinista's plan to introduce a foreign investment code and argued for tighter controls on private capital and a redistribution of income
favour of waged workers. Between them they polled a paltry four
per there is vote
clearly no significant support within
Nicaragua line the FSLN - although the Socialists' influence in the unions is greater than their electoral performance suggests.
The FSLN stood largeits achievements since 1979 (see Socialist Action, 19 October). One commentator summarised the new president Daniel Ortega's speech 150,000 strong election rally 1n Managua as 'sovereignty and gallo pinto (rice and beans), Ilational dignity and austerity.' The crowd reportedly loved it.
The Sandinistas won 68 per cent valid vote - about 63 per cent if spoiled papers are included. About half the adult population voLed them
Three issues will dominate the coming months. One is the stance of the parties to the right of the
FSLN — which manifestly UNDER PRESSURE from the popular anti-NATO movement. Spanish president Felipe Gonzalez has now set a date - - February 1986
international circumstances'
Meanwhile the ex-
ecutive of Gonzalez' Socialist Party (PSOE) has approved a foreign policy statement to the forthcom.
national congress ties membership of NATO and the Common Market. The intention is to deepen involvement in the Atlanex mility Tinkl alliance, and explicitly the longed-for membership of the EEC.
The policy stalemen pres of she Western Bein presents being pean democratic world', and contributin estern to 'collective
command substantial! minority support. FSLN. candidate Roasario tunez's assessment that as the Sandinistas faced serious opposition only the turnout would matter (quoted in Socialist Action, 11 November) has been shown to be far too optimistic.
The FSLN has invited all parties, including those boycotting the elections,
parucipale 'national draw up a draft constitution to put to the constituent assembly. This will obviously be a major political process.
The economy will also
- for a referendum on NATO membership. Thirteen criteria are given to shape this, including that the date must be 'opporune for the government, in the light of national anc
security. It highlights the connection between ioin responsibility in matters of security
and political cooperation
in the European context.
By Carol Turner
According to the document, within both NATO and the EEC it is possible
support initiatives 'which favour Europear responsibility in matters of security'. Like the British Labour Party's own defence policy the PSOE document holds out the hope of winning some independence from the
lections
be extremely crucial. No one yet can be sure how the private sector is going to respond to the newly visible balance of forces,
how the proposed foreign investment code will work out.
Finally hangs over the entire country the war are une threat of US invasion. Whilst the con tras are a constant harass.
not even the CIA believes they overthrow the govern-
This leaves the US with three basic options: a negotiated settlement, increased efforts economic and military destabilisation, and an United States within NATO.
The PSOE state their intentions of prohibiting the 'deployment, stockpilin and transportation o1 nuclear armaments' on Spanish territory. But the Socialist Party leadership have not moved to sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and have blocked resolutions from local councils calling for nuclear free zones.
When it was in opposition, In the PSOE said: 'NATO is fundamentally millar, organisation. The Common Market basically commercial and economic. If we joined NATO we would be subject to the decisions of the bodies of the organisation, to the directives authorities....If, as is probable. towards nuclearisation of'
International
negotiated settlescarcely
possible. destabilisation would more acceptable to 'world opinion' than outright in vasion and seems the most likely immediate course of action But WIll United States, particularly will near at le en anything is always possible
as the immediate postelection invasion threats showed
Socialists must have right at the top of their list solidarity with Nicaraguan priorities not only against invasion by the United States but against every other threat it faces.
NATO continues, in the medium term in Europe it would be almost impossible for Spain to remain an exception if it joined.'
office, the PSOE has now revised its posi tion.
The Spanish peace movement is posing these moves by thi Gonzalez government and is finding
members, trade unionists and from the socialist youth organisation.
The attempts by the Spanish peace movement
the Socialist government pursuin pro-NAlU immeasurably strengthened if the peace movemen throughout Europe steps
the against the North Atlantic nuclear alliance
Activists in the Labour Party please take note!
Page 9 scan of this page
Labour women in '85
News
CND conference
Action
on
PREPARATIONS FOR CND's annual conference are well underway. And what preparations they are!
the-scenes activity to ensure that the leadership get the sort of conference they want. Whether it will be the sort of conference the membership wants it quite another matter!
First off, the Sheffield agenda does not represent the priorities for next year: namely, stepping the campaign against the MISSICS
Following decision by national council to hold a mass lobby of the Warsaw Pact embassies on 8 December instead marking the fifth anniversary of cruise deployment!
Student CND have now called a mass sit-down in Trafalgar Square.
By Carol Turner
Conference must demand that the 8 December action is ditched and that CND nationally throws its full weight behind the Student CND initiative.
But CND must do more than that. It must
full backing financially and by publici-
through its national network any mass women-only action called by Greenham.
Traditionally, December has been the time when the women al the peace camp have monitsed * thousands of women protest against the missiles. This year, given the government is trying hard to evict the camp, it's vital that CND joins the women in calling a day of protest.
Briefing changes
on Ireland
A REVOLT took place
the October editorial board of Labour Briefing over the November editorial on the Brighton bombings.
By Valerie Coultas
The meeting voted to disassociate itself from the article as a capitulation to press mysteria ana went on to adopt position of troops unconditional but not uncritical
IRA.
Ironically, however, the meeting re-elected all those responsible onto an
editorial board.
At the upcoming EB meeting Sheila Heeley, from the cabour Committee on Ireland, will lead off a discussion on reland to avoid a similar error oc-
There will also be a discussion on the
'defence of the cities'.
London Labour Briefing has adopted a position
cruise!
For months now there has been much behind-
in December to mark the anniversary of the announcement of cruise deployment is just wnal Is neeaca revitalise the camp and
morale of the women there. Ana sucn an acuol will help take the whole peace moveneut well on its way to continued action analist LIC missiles 1985.
Emergency resolutions on cruise this December must flood the conference. ALVISIS should leave the CND leadership
Colou about what the priorities tor atter conterence reallv are.
Labour CND has already submitted emergency resolution to Inis errect. Ana about the national councu s decision gels around
- many CND groups are beginning to do likewise.
Emergency resolutions
by next Thursday and (by
beginning OT COlference) be sup-
There will be an oppor-
conference opens on FriCav November. Get your resolution in now! of support for the three nos and an illegal budget as a way of fighting rate-
But, apart from Briefing giving full backing to
Liverpool councillors and allowing the debate to
its columns, there has been no national discussion about what stance Briefing should take over rate-capping.
At the last EB a com-
rade from Merseyside raised problems with the cost
of the national
ment. At this meeting local
reports are to be taken
see what the view of other
areas is on this. Reports
International Commission ana me newiy estabuisnea
Trade Union Commission.
• The Labour Briefing
EB takes place at Digbeth
Civic Hall, Birmingham at
2 noon on 25 November
London Labour Briefing
meets at 6.30pm, room 156
County Hall
November, to be followed by a discussion at 8pm on reselection.
hold its AGM in
for the coming year.
At this year's AGM discussion is bound to cenLIC on a balance sheet or this year's campaign around the women's section of the NEC
Last year WAC's campaigning centred on the issue of the slate for the national executive. This was always understood to be chiefly propaganda campaign to build support for WAC's demand that the women's section of the NEC should be elected by women in the party.
At present the women are elected by the, mainly male, trade union bloc VUlCo Nonetheless WAC
made important advances in the last year around the NEC slate. A number of unions did support the WAC slate and the principle that women should decide the slate.
Progress was also made with the 'slatemaking' process the left itself with the LCC,
and the Campaign accepting that women should decide the slate.
However the LCC is already reneging on this position. A resolution to its next meeting will propose that next year the LCC should put forward its own slate for the entire executive and not engage in any 'slate-making' pro-
the left COOO
THE LABOUR Women's Action Committee will
Birmingham on Saturday December. This is the main opportunity for women who support WAC to discuss campaigning priorities
cluding with women.
One proposal for next year's campaign that will
in to mock elections
'mock' elections should be held at the Labour women's conference to determine the slate for the coming year, with WAC committing itself to sapport whatever slate is elected.
Jo Richardson, a campaigner for Labour women's rights.
This would underline the point that the
of the NEC should be actually eletret would also give the slate considerably authority in the party as a
By Jude Woodward
Other issues likely to come up include pro-
to make WAC's USaI bulletin regular, possibly quarterly, with a
Socialist Action 16 November 1984 Labour CND
emergency resolution
country at Greenham
flight expected at any time.
development of the cruise base at Molesworth
tional demonstration
their arrival.
• Student CND and Greater London
CND to give maximum publicity to this event.
Student CND says:
niversary
big feeling for anti-cruise demo at this time.
ARRIS
protest to make our voices heard
Student CND,
(phone 01-263 0977). format making it suitable for regular sale in women's
not WAC supporters. This would Ical broadening the issues
to include other aspects of policy of con-
Resolutions AGM have to be submitted to the secretary by 26 November. To be to attend the AGM 1984 membership subscriptions also have to be received by first post on that date.
EVENTS.
GROUP.
CHULDREN TO JOIN IN.
Photo: JOANNE O'BRIEN
GOOD TURN OUT
TELETTIONE
Cruise missiles have now been deployed in this
Common with a second The US government has agreed to a massive military budget for the
Opinion surveys show a majority of the public are opposed to cruise and therefore it is vital that we continue to highlight our opposition to their deployment. Conference therefore regrets that the October national council voted not to hold a na-
against cruise on December, despite the importance of this the anniversary of the government's announcement of
Conference therefore calls on all groups to sup-
Region CND to commemorate this date, and instructs
Refuse Cruise 12 December Assemble 6pm in Trafalgar Sq.
National CND has decided not to mark the an-
of the cruise decision in any way Students and other groups believe that this decision is wrong, that the national organisation is out of touch with the membership, and that there is a
Student CND has decided to call a demonstration on 12 December and appeals to all groups to support this so that we may truly speak for the 55 per cent of people in this country who oppose
ruise. The demonstration will take the form o
ivil disobedience in central London, a symboli
• Further details contact: Martin Butcher, c/‹
11 Goodwin Street, London N4 If you Wall to fluence what WAC do over the coming year, simply want to get invol ed then the AĞM is th best time to start. Mal sure you are there.
• Resolutions and AGI registration (f2 and £/ ur waged) and 1984 member ship subs (£5 individuals f6 organisations, £2.5 unwaged) Ann tifor, 39 Caldervale Ro London SW9 9L Y.
WOMEN FOR MINES NOT
MISSILES
AS PART OF FASLAVE PEACE CAMP'S MONTH OF ANTI-TR DENT
Demonstration & vigil at
Fastane
SUNDAY 25th NOVEMBER
UL WOMEN ARC WELCOME. BRING AFANNER IF YOU AREI
OMEN FOR PEACE / WOMEN AGAINST PIT CLOSURES OR ANY OTHE
WE PLAN TO PROVIDE A CRÊCHE - FECL FREETO BRING WEMOFE IT WILL BE A FESTIVE DAY.
PLEASE PUBLICISE THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE - WE NEED A OR FURTHER INFORMATION OR IF YOUCAN MELE IN ANY WAi
0389-56228 oR 091-332-68171423148
Page 10 scan of this page
Labour groups must lead
Democracy for
London and
London Bridge
Open Letter to Labour Groups:
Dear Comrade.
We welcome the position you have taken against rate-capping. stand up and be counted provides the basis for a real working-class alliance against the Tories. united front of councils, workers and tenants will have the most powerful mobilising effect within the working class. Such a movement, we are confident will give us victory against rate-capping.
We are, however, faced with a problem which needs to be resolved rapidly. Quite simply it is this - will individuals stand by the Labour Group's commitment to fight? For our part, along with the tenants, there is no alternative but to wage an uncompromising fight against Thatcher. defeated our fates is quite clear — the dole queues, and the impoverishment of our communities.
As individuals you have a number of options. You can, in one form or another, attempt 2b carry out Tory policy — unthinkable, of course for any one considering themselves to be a part of the Labour movement. This option of resigning also remains open to you.
The third option is to carry out what Labour Groups have publicly stated — it, to take on the Tories. It will put considerable strain on the individual and the consequences are potentially extremely unpleasant, for example surcharge, banning from office and even imprisonmeat. As trade unionists our history is scattered with examples of workers being penalised and even jailed for their principles. We don't look to such a confrontation with any something that may be necessary.
We realise that for a whole series of personal resasons you may not be able to go down such a road. Under suca circumstances raderstand that you should need to resign now before the battle really starts, and we can respect
ch a position. arried out in a disciplined fashion (we have put orward our views in the which, if co-ordinated, on a London-wide basis by the A.L.A., will provide an important boost for our campaign.
Such a disciplined working class approach will be as important for us as for the comrades on the Labour Group who are able to see the struggle through to its conclusion.
MOCRA
Resolution to Labour Parties, LGCs and Labour groups:
This ....... supports the Council's stand of non-compliance with rate-capping. could mean surcharge, banning from municipal office and even imprisonment. We pledge our support as a party to mobilise the maximum forces to defend the Council's stand on socialist principles.
We realise that personal reasons may impede individuals ability to carry out the Labour Group stand. In support of the London Trade Unions organised in London Labour Group to identify those unable to carry ont the policy of non-compliance. For the Labour Group in conjunction with the ALA to set a London wide date for resignations and new elections. Those elections to be fought on a common London wide platform of non-compliance, defense of jobs and services, mobilising point for the fight against rate-capping. Reselection will be based on the following criteria: a. Support for the policy of non co-operation. b. Preference to be given to workers and tenants,
particular women and members of ethnic minority groups.
Socialist Action 16 November 1984 We believe that your willingness to
A If we are to make a fight of relish but simply
we can fully
Of course resignations should be
enclosed resolution)
will to
Photo: GM COOKSON
We note that this Bridge we instruct the
seen as a rallying and
JIM FITZPATRICK is
acting secretary of the
Democracy for London
campaign. He told Socialist Action what options are facing Labour councils
preparing next year's
budgets.
THERE ARE three options. You either go along with the government, you set no rate, or you set a deficit budget. Obviously, we don't accept going along with the government without a challenge. That means non-compliance either not setting a rate or a deficit budget.
The Liverpool situa-
They went to the cim-
went munity, and the trade unions and said: this is a
Photo: STEFANO CAGONI (Renort)
budget for need, the one we should be promoting ano we oak vorsaok be supporting. That position was won. The government was forced to do a U-turn.
The problem with Londou have inne london is that you have nine boroughs, you have ILEA, and you have the
The deficit budget strategy is a far stronger
convince workers and the communily lal ll is a budgel 101 need.
But there is a danger. Because what will happen is that boroughs, the GLC and ILEA will run out of money independently. One may run out in three weeks, the last nine months.
But effectively that-
isolate one borough,
get solidarity action, unless the union organisa that we can turn on the tap sophisticated of strike action in every borough when the first worker is sacked.
The beauty of a no-rate budget is that each ONE HUNDRED and fifty delegates to Hackney's special borough conference on Saturday 10 November gave full backing to the
RIGBY
Labour council's policy of maintaining jobs and services, no rent rises, and rate increases higher than the rate of inflation.
By Frank Gorton
A well argued debate tound a clear maiority in favour of setting a rate and a deficit budget. By accepting that Hackney's material needs should be met on the basis of present income. and consequently presenting central government with the choice of payıng up or closing Hackney down, ference accepted the challenge offered by the Tories.
The position of the council unions present was
THE 7 NOVEMBER day of action in London, against rate-capping and abolition was an outstanding success
Despite the TUC's local government committee failing to back the action, over 100,000 took strike action ana 30,000 demonstrated. This success provides a solid basis on which to build for the fight ahead.
The next stage in the campaign will be welding the authority in London will run out within three weeks. happens, then it means nobody is going to get paid, and the services will disappear.
The boroughs, the GLC and ILEA will all be going at the same time. This will be much more effective in terms of solidarity action and mass support.
Hackney: taking the
Liverpool road
against selling a lalc, and this position had support from a maiority ot councillors.
The preponderant view
against setting a rate now, would succumb to setting a rate later, and that in any event, It would focus attention on the rates question, at the expense of jobs and services. A campaign
the council's right to raise rates would not gall support from the working people of Hackney.
LONDON BRIDGE
AGHTING TO
HANDS
OFT HANDS
SK THEGIC!
UN THE GLCI
The only way either strategy can win, however, is if the Labour groups, in conjunction with the trade unions, rank and file of the unions
They must say, this is what we're going to do, and this will be the result, and pass the responsibility Ior no wages and no services on to the Tory government.
They're the people
The real focus of the campaign should be to make the Tories pay.
What becomes clearer and clearer is that only when the mass of council Le tales and organised labour recognise that this is a fight to the finish, and that they, like the mining Commutes. choice but to take a role in
the fight, will Labour councils find the
basis from which to prosecute the struggle
C
B G.L.C 1.12 labour groups and the trade unions into a fighting
London (the umbrella body for GLC unions) and London Bridge (unions in the hit-list boroughs) are
Labour Parties, local government committees, and
in London, to support this initiative. who are cutting back on the Rate Support Grant (RSG), and they've got to be held responsible.
That campaign has to be joined after November, and the Labour groups are responsible for initiating We nave already passed a policy
we witno accept any Labour authori-
using the rates as they did in the 70s as a way of RUGBY'S Tory council has decided that lesbians and gay men have no right to council employment. Last Saturday the small town witnessed
magnificent response to this outrage.
NALGO nationally,
along .with many local
branches. Labour Parties the
Labour Campaign for Gay
Rights, other lesbian and
why bryanisauons• aru stu
dent unions in a spirited
1000 strong demonstration
organised in only two
weeks.
The militant rally
which followed heard
From Women against Pit solidarity
Closures, Tony Benn and
labour movement
figures.
The rally atfirmed that 241
Rugby (where the Tories
News
NENT WA united front against the Tory proposals. Democracy For
circulating the open letter and resolution (see below) to
Labour groups. We urge all Socialist Action supporters
The danger of the no-
rate policy is that Labour
authorities are demanding
the right to set their own
Tale, and wilat we le say
ing as the trade union arm
recognise their right to set
WC do
recognise their right to set
a rate on working pepole
to solve the withdrawal of
RSG by central govern-
Rugby tackled
have council majority of only one), is the front line of the resistance to Tory attempts to stop the big advances being made for lesbian and gay employment rights through the work of activists and the growing support of local govern. HECHL ULUS
By Peter Purton
Unfortunately Rugby's police decided to turn the logic of the council's ban into reality. Right at the end, they launched an unprovoked attack on the Gay Youth Movement and arrested 18 people. Their defence is now part of the activities of the campaign against the ban. Resolutions of support, donations to: SLGB •c/o
Clifton Rd, Rugby,
Warwickshire.
Page 11 scan of this page
In the Unions
Jaguar cars has ended. The strike remained totally solid throughout the nine days' stoppage. No cars were moved and not one worker tried to cross the picket line.
At the Browns Lane assemoly plant (wnele majority voted against the strike) pickets stood shifts around the clock. Many Workers onposed to the strike reported day and night to do their turn on picket duty. The solidarity and discipline the workforce was tremendous.
Jaguar management were cleariv shaken bv our unity and will to win.
Caly buy off the strike had fail-
etforts break our solidarity only
Talk of holding ballot or taking legal ac tion was soon shelved and not only because they were content to let Austin Rover make the running.
Meanwhile, was losing least quarter of million pounds a day, and dealers Over 20,000 of the 28,000 workers are on strike.
On Monday, workers received a letter from the company threatening to cut the wage offer and close plants if there was not an immediate return
work. AUEW national official Ken Cure ran true to torm witn the statement that: 'A strike would not
the offer, and Lolove could lead to some concessions made on Friday being taken away.'
By Pat Hickey AUEW members voted e, Drews Lane,
but elsewhere the challe unions are standing firm, and picket lines are being repeated.
The company's main workers, and equality with staff on sick pay. The last round of talks were met with widespread stoppages the Dagenham body plant, which disrupted produc tion all week, and a militant lobby by women sewing machinists furious at the company's 16 years refusal to grant them the same pay grading as other skilled production workers.
But while everyone is agreed the offer is rubbish, the antics of some union officials and convenors in trying to overturn the decision of a national shop • stewards
Colle cice
Jaguar sold out
show rooms ing. (Most cars are sold before they leave the factory.) Management was under pressure while the workers confident and united behind the claim for 'new money' on the basic pay.
Ine STRIKERS AT Austin Rover's Longbridge and Cowley plants resisted management's attempts to break the strike through threats and intimidation.
hope of breaking the strike now rests officials. The aim of the court action ш eI
Anger growing at Fords
ANGER IS GROWING among Ford's 41,500 shop floor workers at the company's derisory 5 per cent pay offer. With only a few days left to the end of the annual wages and conditions contract, the company has failed to meet the unions' claim for 14 per cent for all grades or even to respond to demands for shorter working time, a special payment for line
how offer will be voted on is not inspiring Colacile.
By Mick Drake, Fords Dagenham
In past years, whether ihey employ 200 or 4000 workers, all Ford plants have had a single vote at national level in deciding acceptance or rejection of an offer. The stowards agreed that from now on mass meetings in the plants would decide by majority vote which way the vote of the total workforce of a plant would be cast, and
into the early hours of 1 nursday morning union side went over
Soul claim Management said would not make anv more money available for wages ana relusca lo cuange ally other art of thei LIC rale rol NovelOCI
MONCV unspecitied
Jallual y
Austin Rover stand firm
1984 Trade Union Act is to get the strike called off by the union leaders.
Three of the nine unions have already backca on In te lace court action. The EETPU called on its members to these would then be added up nationally.
On 2 November an 1ltempered meeting of the
National Joint MOTO Negotiating Committee trade union side deteated the first attempt to over-
only at the price of a recall meeting stewards to decide on the
This will be weighed against larger plants and, with officials from the electricians pushing for secret ballots and other unions panicking in the face of the use vai Tore
likehhood is that the old yoting system will be reinstated 'compromise'
Militant action now by those sections and plants prepared to fight is the only way to win the claim and
cluded from the share
mcculla
return to work to allow a
secret ballot to be held. At
Longbridge, the electri-
returned. held
meeting and promptly
walked out again.
For the past five years the company has relied on prevent a stitch-up on the voting system. Already several plants are committed to a mass lobby of the final negotiations.
If the company does
plause as shop stewards
VULC GOt at officials like Grenville Hawley to sell out ever strike that has happened The threat of fines for contempt, and civil actions is intended to pressure the officials into once again acting against the members.
So far the TGWU has not responded to the court
but conference policy is clearly opposed to complance with the anti-union legislation. Hawley and the executive must be
tied to this policy
The TGWI should follow the example of the NUM, and defy the legal attack the right strike. If the union is fined it has more than enough muscle to defeat the courts.
The first national dock strike proved that. This is the first major use of the 1984 Act, and it must be defeated.
Ford
not meet our claim now,
the national trade
side must come back to the
plant with a recommenda
for immediate
tional strike action.
ONE OF OUR CARS HAS BEEN BOOKED FOR SPEEDING. ANO IT'S STILL ON THE TRACKS...
FRAUD CARS
Socialist Action 16 November 1984
a mass picket
pickets.
Numerous arrests and the education. other students
is a principled and correct one.
reluctantly agreed to allow on the pickets!
This situation is a allowed to continue.
Student Union possible.
The pickets and the
try.
HARRINGTON OUT!
NO NAZIS IN OUR COLLEGES!
ACTIVISTS
DIARY
'Women in the Miners' Strike'
London Poly, Next week: Treland
All London supporters to attenc
Holloway Road site, 8.30 am.
Upper St, London NI 2XP.
AcioNSTUDENTS
Harrington: call
NON-VIOLENT direct action by the PNL (Polytechnic of North London) Women's Group, a blockade from students inside the Holloway Road site, and a picket of 300 students, stopped fascist Patrick Harrington getting into PNL last Friday (9 November).
By Grant Keir, Kingsway Princeton CFE
The campaign to get rid of Harrington has thus received a big boost, and continues in defiance of the High Court's injunction against the weekly
misinformation campaign, (being waged by certain NOLS NUS Executive members), have not stopped the picket going ahead. Instead, this latest success puts th ball firmly back in the NUS leadership's court
The PNL Annual General Meeting of over 50| students voted again this term to continue th pickets and the campaign to rid PNL of this Nazi. Harrington is a National Front organiser, not just some student with a few racist ideas and a dubious "flare' for philosophy. He has no 'rights' to au
His very presence is intimidatory to members of staff and auxillar workers in PNL. The stand of the students at PNI
Yet the NUS Executive has voted down resoletions to back the struggle at PNL. They have refes ed to call mass pickets organised and built for bi NUS at the National level. In fact, they have oul
, the legal facilities of NUS to be used to defend NUS members arrested
disgrace and cannor be Resolutions of support fo the PNL actions should be passed through ever
Weekly delegations
messages of support should be sent to the picket December NUS Conference the NUS Executive should be made to pay for their scabbing role. followed up. it is the GLEs anti-racist year at te avenues which should be
moment, and the GLC and ILEA should be called upon to support the stand of the PNL students.
But the main demand at the moment should be
directed towards the NUS leadership to call aur organise a mass picket to stop Harrington going
. Only this sort of response is capable of forcing the College Authorities to throw Harrington out It is the only way to force the Courts to back ofi from their threats to imprison students arrested on
campaign go on and
should be built in all the Colleges around the cour
First London Socialist Action student forum:
Kent Miners' Wife and Steph Grant. Cit Wednesday 14 November. 2.0 All London Supporters to attend. and the Struggle for
Socialism', Martin Collins, London School of
Economics, Wednesday 21 November. 2.00 pm.
Every Friday, picket the racist Harrington, PNL
Want to advertise meetings or events in the
activists diary? Write to Activists Diary, 328
Page 12 scan of this page
Nicaragua: AcTioN Reagan
FUND DRIVE:
your money AT LAST we are on the Wink of signing a lease for new premises. This
is in east Lon-
It is light and airy wich means it will pro-
excellent facilities typesetting and esign and is guaranteed
acrease the efficiency
our printshop.
mase it is open-plan
design it to suit reeds, thus pro-
ding good offices for the newspaper too.
Of course all this will cast money. We need to et bave to fix the plum- partitioning; we ing; and make the nove we will need to hire a crane to shift our prin•g equipment. -here you car reap. We That,
SOciAlist
Now we really need
reckon £50,000 will cover our legal costs, pay for the removal, finance the building work, and provide a cash injection for our print shop. We are in need of a new guillotine, and a new camera and typsetting machine.
With £21,700 already And raised still LICCU £28,300. 1 What's more we need £4,000 within the next ten days! big A brand new typeselting machine now on the for £2,000 less than its
I enclose a donation of £.......... to the building fund.
Name ..
Address.
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war
LAST WEEK'S international crisis over Nicaragua's non-existent MIGs managed by the Reagan within a few hours of his election victory. It gave a bitter taste of what is in store for the Central American revolution.
the US war machine closer to a full-blown invasion of Nicaragua than at any time in the last five years. All leave was cancelled for 15,000 airborne troops at Fort Stewart in Georgia. Forty US warships were sent steaming towards Nicaraguan waters. Repeated intrusions in Nicaraguan airspace were carried out.
Joint manoeuvres the Honduran and Sal vadorean navies, and major naval exercise off Puerto Rica involving British, Dutch, West Ger man, Canadian and Us vessels, were combined to fuel the elaborate media 'war scare'.
unlikely that Reagan ever intended to invade Nicaragua at this stage. But the invasion scare gave Reagan the the portunity to test
to the 'military option' which is increasingly the only one left to him in Nicaragua. His HOVe also helped to
'OVER 500 trade
unionists and members of
miners support groups
from all over London
responded to a call from
SERTUC to rally outside
West Thurrock power
station at 5am last
Tuesday.
"The picket was called
in support of workers at
the power station who
have taken action to
implement TUC
guidelines in support of
threatens
was carefully stage-
Reagan's threats served as a pretext for bringing theres harvesting the country's vital coffee crop.
By Stuart Piper
The Sandinistas res-
Is ded by sapportself bee
mass support defences built after last year's invasion of Grenada were reactivated. Twenty THOusale WIlU were heading for the cof
nediate alert. FSLN Com nicalle Jaime Wheelock announced that the entire 500,000 population of Managua would be
the miners. They have
refused to handle any new coal or any substitute fuels. A ship full of coal lies untouched in the
Thames and West
Thurrock is the first
power station to have to
be taken out of the
national grid.
'Miners from Kent
and South Staffs NUM
leafletted the workers
driving into power
station, the majority of
given arms to fight an in-
Reagan's moves confirm a dangerous new
for Central American revolution. The US cannot break Nicaragua internally The 15,000 contras to the north and south cannot do more than put severe strain on the country's resolices Reagan is therefore stepping up military pressure with Defence Secretary Weinberger already floating the idea of a naval blockade.
The only factor that remains unclear for the United States is international reaction. Last week's lethal was therefore aimed softening up any qualms
Unit ma States onera
United international allies.
In Britain, the lines are already drawn. the World At One Julian Amery stated that MIGs in Nicaragua were a threat to Western security equal to
whom stopped to take a
leaflet. The convenor of
the ioint shoo stewards
committee at West
Thurrock brought a
message of support for
the miners from its
workers. More pickets are
being called at power
stations in London over
the next few weeks.
Further information can
be obtained from Mike
Connolly at SERTUC
phone: 01-403 0300,
writes Dave Palmer.
any missiles targetted on the US from Cuba in 1962. Stuart Holland, just back from Managua for the Labour Party in contrast made it clear that there were no MIGs, but even if there were then Nicaragua as a sovereign country had the right to buy weapons from wherever it liked
Denis Healey's televi sion opposition to the US aggression might have ap. peared welcome, but just
dash any hopes, he made in clear he was more concerned that an invasion might raise feelings 'could bring down banks and bring down governments'
Solidarity with Nicaragua must urgently become Concent every socialist activist in
The solidarity movement is still far from STORY enough for the needs of the moment.
A good start will be to build on Norwood Labour Party's call for a London • Labour activists con-. ference in the New Year.
Photo. STEFANO CAGNONI (Ronort
'In the North West engineers at Carrington power station have recently voted to boycott work with scab coal or coal substitutes. Roundthe-clock picketing by striking miners is having its effects as all but one of the North West's power stations is taking
action in support of the
NUM', adds Jon
Silberman, AUEW convenor, Colman
Fastners.
← Socialist Action No. 77, 9 November 1984Socialist Action No. 79, 23 November 1984 →