breakaway union in Notts continue steam.
vinced by Lynk's plan to split the NUM.
middle ground. breakaway must be these people to stay in the national union.
Despite the holiday shutdown miners loyal to the NÜM of Wally and their supporters, have organised to distribute many thousands of copies The Winter with the nationally produced campaign leaflets.
Women Notts Women Pit Closures have taken a lead in this work. On Tuesday women Calverton distributed large amounts campaign material to miners Hucknall pit. They report apart from with the hard core of right wingers was with three extra copies to give their mates.
On Monday Notts Women Against Pit Closures organised picket of the area council meeting at the Berry Hill offices Mansfield Despite being organised al very short notice some fifOUL They were able to make their points forcefully to area council members and MPs Frank Haynes and Don Concan41411 wno were present at the breakaway meeting.
The feeling of support for Hallullai uluI coming from many miners In Notts is cleariv navine an effect on Lynk and co. After four hours of discussion, the area council finally agreed to call a ballot on the breakaway proposal. The voting will be in September. This is a THIS WEEK has seen the campaign against the to build up Miners across the county believe that there is still a large middle ground made up of miners who might have worked during the dispute but who are not conThe 10,000 abstentions in the recent ballot for area agent gives some indication of the size of this The campaign against the directed towards convincing reversai of Lynk's earlier was necessary since Notts miners had already to reject the NUM's rule changes.
The fact that the council also took the soft opnon ang acclaca lo pro pose amalgamation with breakaway OUTI Durham which means that only a simple majority vote is required for the D cakaway ast revers some uncertainty of Lynk about mis support.
There is a widespread feeling that Lynk not achieve the two thirds majority required to change area rules.
Ballot Whilst it would be more democratic to take votes the breakaway proposals branch meetings, where the arguments could be openly presented to the worktorce the hallot nevertheless provide a real campaign.
The campaign must now move into top gear. number of rallies, addressed members •TI leadership loyal to the by Scargill or Peter Heathfield, are planned to lake place in the mining centres around the contry.
These meetings will culminate in a major national rally to take place in Hucknall which will include delegaLUIS OLICI areas. Plans are also being made tor a maior take place in the Mansfield area in the final run up to the ballot.
Pressure from other movement bodies, and individuals, aimed at isolating the splitters This week a leaflet explaining the TUC's position has been prepared. points that meeting of the General CALS previous position that bodies Vicarawal national unions will not be eligible for TUC affiliation. It goes on to urge miners to 'stand by the Na tional of Mineworkers.
Alan Simpson, prospective parliamentary candidate ivoungnam South, has added his voice to the anti-Lynk campaign. In a hard hitting statement he explained to Notts miners that 'breaking from the NUM will only be cutting your own throats financially, politically, and economedy However although the getting off ground rank and fle tivists in the NUM feel that there still much that could be done. They see this is a campaign that the national union can win but only if an all out efmade to win over the middle different need to be drawn angrier strands the campaign on an area basis, and in. formation pass rapidly down to activists on the ground.
The Forum As yet however, the Notts Miners' Forum, the old left organisation in the rowly based to do this effectively. Its meetings shouid now be thrown open to all those activists within the union who are ready and willing to pitch into the campaign Positive steps need to be taken to encourage young militants to attend great upholders of 'demoSTICK TOGETHER 50 PITS FACE