Stop the coal trains | Socialist Action 1983

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THE STATEMENT issued by the Rail Federation around the victimisation of workers at Shirebrook and Coalville states that if regional action is not successful, the rail unions will organise national action.

Railworkers welcome such statements. But past practice doe much confidence in our leadership.

Industrial action

the treatment of DIULCO Coalville and workers has been threatened twice in the last ten months.

Each time the unions retreated, because management made a tew concession before their forces recrouble and beginning a fresh campaign of dirty tricks to get the coal trains moving again.

The Coalville workers quite right to insist tha all their demands are met before action suspended the Federation retreats again once again, then the BRB will hit even harder, there will be more sackings and more harassment'.

24 hour action is a first step but this Will not stop the joint BRB and NCB project to get the trains moving. This project ha two aims. It is part of the propaganda ottensive ti demoralise miners back to has WOrK aISU strategic aim free the power sta tions, Drakelow, Rugely Didcot. Lorries proving an expensive way of breaking the miners The the Coalville workers has also had a big impact on the militancy of the minority its collapse would affect the recent atunite together and organise more effectively second question we have to look at is the record of the Federation.

They gave into the govern ment over the 1984 pay deal just at the point when united WILl miners would have made a difference and broken the class collaborationist line of the TUC.

They have not conducted a real fight for the 'no movement coal policy decided last April.

Small handfuls of rank and file members in freight depots have held the line against management. the The rail have always weight tion in of the the 24tk • Hillcis widest themselves rank and basis. A all freight with branch be possible district councils Movement Rallies' which involve Lousands of railworkers, others.

The links between local be strengthened, following Coalville in working with the minority areas in the Trent Valley. And above all the demonstration on the 24 February should be built widely in our depots.

STOP THE