Socialist Action No. 139, 2 May 1986
The scan: 139-may-02-1986-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
Page 1 scan of this page
MUST GO
GG
THERE ARE A FEW occasions in the lifetime politics when you can actually move up a gear. What the British people were saying in response to the attack on Libya - loud and clear, without any doubt at all -is that they want to see the removal of all United States bases. I am sure most men and women in the street, on being asked about the Libyan bombing, would call for the closure of US bases, full stop.
think they would somewhat disillusioned to find out that a future Labour government would not be committed to getting rid of those bases from which the attack took place. It would be a strange irony if, dur-
AcTiON
BUILDING AN ALLIANCE FOR SOCIALISM
ALL U.S.
BASES
of be By Denniş Skinner MP ing a general election campaign, the leadership of the Labour Party were to announce in answer to
questions from the press that the F1-11 bombers would continue to be stationed in Britain.
This attack States bases in Britain has created a new dimension in the argument about removing those bases.
activities of president Reagan and Mrs Thatcher maiming innocent Libya as a result of the use of the bases in Britain, a number of people in the Parliamentary Labour
the attack by Reagan and That-
had nuclear weapons. Whilst that ought to be supported in line with Labour Party policy, I put down a simple amendment: it called for the removal of all the United
Vote Labour
on 8 May
using United
Immediately after the criminal
in killing and people up to conference.
Party put down a resolution on the order paper of the House of Commons, using as a focal point leaders
cher on Libya and calling for the removal of all those US bases that
States bases in Britain - which is not undermining Labour Party policy, it's building upon it.
In view of what has happened, the Labour Party policy is now seen to be inadequate by a lot of people both inside and outside the party. That's why I think we have to move it up a gear. Calling for the removal of all US bases will, I am certain, be part of a big cam paign during this summer leading
I always hesitate to speculate about what a few trade union
might convince their delegations to do especially in the run up to the general election. Anything can happen at party conferences. But if I were asked the question as to what the constituency parties will do, my guess is that the overwhelming majority would call for removal of all
No. 139 2 May 1986 30p
WE'VE HAD
ENOUGH
THATCHER
AND
U.S.A.
BASES
United States bases.
The chances are that in most constituency parties a proper democratic discussion would take place amongst the activists within the party - and I'm pretty certain that would be the conclusion. But in the trade unions, as we've known to our cost before, that kind of discussion may not go deep enough to ensure that more than a few of the leaders of executive committees will discuss the matter.
So we call upon all people involved in trade union activity, at all levels of their organisations in cluding the most important level, namely on the shop floor and in the various branches of all the service unions as well, to make sure that a proper discussion takes place with a view to ensuring that the leadership of those unions support the policy of getting rid of all United States bases.
Page 2 scan of this page
2 Socialist Action 2 May 1986
ACTioN SOCiAN
Chernobyl is in
Britain
'IT COULDN'T happen unanimous claim by hours after Swedish scientists first noticed radiation levels one hundred times above normal. The radiation was coming trom the huge cloud released by the nuclear power plant near Kiev in the USSR.
catastrophe of this type couldn't happen in this country because we don't have the same reactors -to build one on the model of Three Mile Island in the United States. tually kill anyone, at any rate for a few weeks. And - a unique internationalist contribution from Neil Kinnock blowing over Britain in any worry about, nothing at all — and if there was, it was the 'Reds' fault.
First thought in the disaster must go to the Soviet people suffering from it — and reports indicate high casualties. But the second thought must be that the proposed Sizewell B reactor -the model for the entire next wave of nuclear construction in Britain -to melt down than the Russian designs. plants also have a 'containment vessel' around the reactor which is damage, should there be a melt-down. But this does not mean that a melt-down is any less likely! It simply means the damage might be more limited.
The Three Mile Island plant in the USA, which threatened a melt down not long ago in the most serious nuclear accident until also a pressurised water reactor and also had a containment vessel. That didn't stop the radiation leak. It simply limited its effects. It also proved 'our allies' no more safe than the reds.
Are the nuclear industry's apologists trying to tell us that although there will be nuclear accidents, they won't be as disastrous as the one at Chernobyl? That instead of thousands, only hun dreds will be threatened. Some comfort!
Day by day, nuclear power fires, leaks and other accidents will happen and cannot be prevented because they are inherent in nuclear technology. There was a fire at Windscale, a smaller version of the Chernobyl one, in 1957.
Equally serious is the obvious
between
Reagan/Thatcher's war drive - as well as That-
cher's miner-bashing.
Why is the establishment so desperate to
preserve
ecause it is cheaper. On the contrary, a very
clear survey in the influential US magazine Inter-
national Business Week two weeks ago concluded
that: too much low-cost oil and coal is quickly
transforming Europe's
choice, nuclear power, into an inefficient and
even hazardous route to energy independence.
A reason for choosing nuclear power is to main-
tain or develop a capacity to produce nuclear
weapons - and in the case of Britain to attack
the NUM.
That is why Kinnock's failure to use the Cher-
nobyl incident to argue against all nuclear power
was totally wrong.
ment must stick by
decided on and go for a nuclear-free
policy
The 'it couldn't happen here',
coming out of the press must not fool the labour
movement for one minute. It could happen here
- and if Thatcher gets her way one day probably
will. Western scientists - those who brought us
such wonders as Hiroshima,
and the infallible space shuttle - are capable of
anything.
Our position should be clear. First all aid and
support for the Soviet
disaster - and as we go to press the full scale of
the disaster is still not known. Second no nuclear
power
the closing of Sellafield, no building of Sizewell,
and the closing of all existing nuclear power sta-
tions.
May Day greeting
to all our readers
here' was the British 'experts' 12
supposedly although we're going
The radiation level won't ac-
the wind wasn't actually case. Nothing to
IT - is acutally more likely UK'
intended to limit
that time, was
nuclear plants, or 'our own, are
the evidence is mounting that is simply not safe. Melt-downs,
That is why the labour move
the policy it has already energy
propaganda
Three Mile Island,
people suffering this
starting with no nuclear power here,
TOO
Tuesday
nation. By demonstrators. further state ter Europea ference of European capitula
A package of 'sanctions against terrorism' was rushed through and the Libyan diplomats started being unceremoniously rushed out Europe's capitals.
Britain. of course. lea
born
Libyan but
The foreign
to explain though France Lilt USA to fly
was only worried
capable WILl
Qaddafi, well re-
ceive
'war against
terror',
extent cynicism
author-
peaceful
Zealand, that the
government of New
But most
A PIECE of the
there! F.lll's! Whal a decisive resolute response to.
Terrorism?!
ministers had
Zealand the speech was the result of the
minisBrandishing Nicaragua's and Qaddati he announced to the world tha
was, just like centre of world Libva
And, surprise the USA would sul dise
in 'self-defence Libya.
ments - aided and abetted by the "Eurosocialists' such as Kinnock, Craxi of Italy and Mitterrand France - have brought an invasion of Nicaragua two giants steps nearer by their capitulation. They have publicly proved what Reagan counted on - 102 when the USA goes in with its troops, whatever moans and groans might emerge, they will in the end do
ACTION
Oh, yes. I know wrias the is. the people of Ireland have seen getting from Britain for a few centuries... and not onl Ireland, o- course
nothing to stop it.
this week proved? Not just the ab-
amorality of the capitalist governments of Europe whose stand registers one and only one principle in international rela tions: "might is right'. second principle also follows. Because the USA is the mightiest, it is also the rightest! Reagan has achieved an important objective of his diplomacy,
to prepare the necessal y Way 11 an Nicaragua. He has proved that whateve Europe's governments' objections, they will do nothing.
The Guardian for once got it right in its editorial
Thursday 24 April. 'Last week most European countries sat scowling on their haunches,' said "They were promptly called cowards and appeasers. Monday seei swathes of Libyans packing their bags and going home.
'In America, this flurry of activity is viewed with glowing satisfaction. The cowaras are red cowaras. Watch Ronnie turn up the Ras. A debate which might and thev
• Dy nOv - have centrec on the wisdom of bombing Tripoli in the first place has withered on the bough as the allies run for cover.'
The Guardian forgets, however, cinee
Jenkins returned from
Brussels it has beer
proudest advocate of
alternative' to the USA. • Well, where is the 'European alter-
native'? Where is the pro
ud independence of Eur It's what
Europe's rulers
cut and run
ope's capitalists from US
' The real OD position to US imperialism has come trom Europe's workers, youth, and peace
The fact that Europe's capitalists are rivals of the USA only in the struggle to hold down and smash up une unid world. West European imperialisms, true, are in increasingly open rivalry
USA But this rivalry cannot be mistaken
ful alternative.
Thatcher grinds
Reagan's axe
PRIME MINISTER
Margaret Thatcher uS-
ed the opportunity of a
radio interview last
Sunday to make clear
her full backing for the
'Reagan doctrine,' the
By Annie Brady
name given to recent
statements emanating
from the US
ment that indicate its
policy of using direct
force against govern-
ments whose political
complexions it doesn't
care for.
Thatcher sapported
Reagan's package
measures against interna
tonal terrorism ' which he
plans to introduce at the
Tokyo summit next
weekend
She also indicated her
US military strikes against
And would you consider the bombing of chponse a reasonable
Good heavens,
no!!
News
quite roning to resist us _European capital capital when it tries to take over European helicopter TIrmS - but let the USA invade Grenada or bomb. innocent civilians in irip oli, and all we get is the most OSCUS CU and hypocritical mumblings prior to abject capitulation.
The working class, not capitalist governments are the only force that will oppose imperialism or their own — in Western Europe.
other Middle East : countries, such as Syria or Iran Thatcher called on olne governments to follow her example of stopping arms sales to Libya
same time a Thatcher was brodcasting
reachess follow behind whatever policy of state terrorism the Reagan government pursues secretary of state George the US forces in Honolulu exolalllll. what these Dolicles WELC The United States, he said, planned to increase economic sanctions and . to carry out 'covert actions' to bring down Qaddafi
It became clear in the aftermath of the Libyan Qaddafi himself was prime target of the US air raid. Clearly some US government forces are still considering alternative ways of pursuing that failed objective.
cormac 4/86
Such behaviour is only acceptable if you'r civilized western
Page 3 scan of this page
News
The next step for the
peace movement
REAGAN'S ATTACK on Libya is just the logical outcome of the rapid path of rearmament which the United States started on in the mid-1970s. European states have been openly complicit in that policy ever since the 1979 NATO decision to install Cruise and Pershing nuclear missiles in Europe -and the speeded up the conventional weapons programme in Western Europe which accompanied it.
massy movement in
the movement against the missiles. Mis Western Europe was right. The missiles were the weapons which were being placed in Europe. They were also a direct part of the United States war drive
By building the mass
against the missiles the labour movement in Western Europe placed itself in the best position to fight against all the effects of the US war drive.
This was seen at the time of the Malvinas war.
The main opposition lo THE US BASES Out Campaign was launched last week at a meeting in the House of Commons called by Labour CND and attended by Labour Party organisations and campaigns. Those present included the Campaign Group of Labour MPs, Labour Action for Peace, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and the LPYS.
paign is a drive to commit the next Labour government to throwing out all United States bases from this country. launch rally in London as soon as possible in May.
By Carol Turner
model resolution, co-sponsored by the Campaign Group Labour MPS, Labour CND, and Labour Action for Peace cand reprinted page), which calls for just that is being circulated for this year's Dally ference. Present policy on-
commits an incoming Labour government removing nuclear bases: a policy which would have
had zero effect on the US air-raid against Libya two
The immediate and devastating mass tion which came in response the United States bombing of Libya and the complicity
prime minister Margaret
Thatcher, shows the possiblities which exist for mounting a campaign centers bases dust d thatall
bases must gọ. One
opinion poll after another has recorded big ma-
jorities against the attack.
Labour Party canvassers,
on the doorsteps for the
forthcoming local govern-
ment elections, confirmed
that and so did the
thousands who took to the
streets to demonstrate
the immediate wake of the
bombing of Libya.
Protests have been led
and organised by activists
movement,
and joined by local
08OU1 Party members
and trade unionists, as well
as Central America solid-
arity campaigners and An-
Apartheid Movement
activists.
It is from among these
activists that the biggest
possible campaign can be
built, the objective etfect
The West from the left wing of Wal ballle CND. The same pattern was seen with the attack on Libya, when again CND led opposition to the war
More directly the success of the United States and its West allies in getting the missiles
real InTO Was defeat for the working
those in the class and all 'third world' countries fighting imperialism.
The United States had
aims military build up. The first was a rapid expansion of conventional use against semi-colonial
US Bases Out
The meeting agreed that the basis of the cam-
The meeting also agreed to hold a drive plans Central
and Labour leadership
Issue draw to
broad of the
But so
and other
leaders nothing apologetic
tack.
economic in-
criminal Libya
Labour
sion of
Thatcher
Kinnock
perhaps ISSUC
year's conference,
the Kinnock
The their
party
the
begin to drop one policy.
after another: on full
countries. The second was
build up weapons to put pressure on the Soviet Union and more specifically on its bureacratic leadership, to cut off aid to semi-colonial countries.
The events of the last weeks have shown how the
victory with the ability to install the Europe. Every commenLalon has noted how the Soviet leadership failed to respond to the attack on Libya. Gorbachev has continued to subordinate everything to gaining an
control asi coulca with the United States and Soviet criticism of the bombing of Libya been muted in the extreme.
i ne present situation means the focus of the anti-missiles movement is also changing. Initially the
Stater Concal trated the
missiles in Britain early in the 1980s — a week ago
employment, on the Com-
mon Market, on incomes
policy, and so on.
The mood developing
within the party, that no
challenge to current con-
ference policy can be
aevelope Delore lne hesi
election, will be shattered
strategic advantage of putting the missiles in Europe It built up its conventional armaments but held back from using them
The invasion nyasinn 1983 Grenada in was the first time the United States was able since Vietnam to directly attack a semi-colonial country - although ever here the issue was clouded for many eople becau
the criminal activities the Coard gang in Grenada.
In these years the US was also undoubtedly con cerned if moved rapidly monial revolutio the col
lution, the anti-missiles Europe would grow to uncontrollable proportions
and the US would suffer a tremendous defeat in Western turope through inability to site the missiles
With the attack on Libya, and the missiles now in place the United States is moving to direct use of its military forces arallist those struggling for their freedom in the
Campaign launched
REAGAN!
DONT
CONSIDER
НОПЕ ON OUR "RANCE!!
Anti-missiles demonstrators took to the streets to protest the siting of United States
by the ovérwhelming senti-
favour of throw-
ment in
ing out all US bases which
the Libyan attack has
thrown up. COn-
tribute towards building
the most powerful move-
possible help
DOCK Lild attack
Reagan's key target:
third world. Libya was the first to suffer US attack, But the US's final, and
Nicaragua.
doctrine' publicly
State using armed against
movements, US
The US is
movement
and pose
That means single part CYCl
complicit with The against the US bases they demanded US bases must go
Nicaragua.
• For further details
about the US Bases Out
contact: US
Camouler
Bases Out ' Campaign, C/0
Labour CND, 29 Stod
marsh House, Cowley
Estate, London SW9
Socialist Action threat to Nicaragua - and opposesNATO. Building and strengthening Nicaragua Solidarity Cam paign, linking it to the lett wing of CND and growing opposition in the Labour Party to NATO, an open campaign bases leading to Labour Party conference and
Model Resolution to Labour Party Conference Sponsored by the Campaign Group of Labour MPs, Labour CND and Labour Action for Peace
including nuclear, conventional and communications bases from British soil and waters.
Emergency resolution to
Labour women's
conference
by the United States government and the complici-
ty of prime minister Margaret Thatcher who sanc.
this air raid was launched. Conference calls upon
the next Labour government to remove all US
bases, including nuclear,
muncication bases, from British soil and waters.
Oldham demands
'Hands off Libya?
ON Saturday 26 April
over 100 people march-
ed through Oldham to
demand 'Hands off
Libya'.
The main mobilisation
for the demonstration
came rom we colan con-
munity. But was also
joined CND, trade
unions and anti-apartheid
A rally afterwards was
addressed by Glynn Ford
MEP for the
area who drew out the
Britain's
backing US aggression and
Thatcher's involvement in
the Star Wars project. . Phil
Widdal of the NALGO na-
3 beyond, can aid everyone oI lnese struggles By placing in the centre of politics the issue of the bases every aspect of Bri with the United States will be called into question. • Reagan's lies on Libya and 'terrorism', see p8.
Conference calls on the next Labour government to remove all US bases, Conference notes with alarm the attack on Libya
tioned the use of bases in this country from which
conventional and comtional executive told the rally of his union's condemnation of the American attac warned people of the need oppose imperialist policy both in the Middle East and Central America.
speaker from the Anti Apartheid Movemen British and American support for the apartheid government of South Africa. These were the real terrorists, the AAM speaker said.
The rally was also ad dressed of the Pakistani in by
People's Organisation and the Kashmir Liberation Front.
Page 4 scan of this page
4 Black Section
youth plan
student campaign
by Kingsley Abrams FOLLOWING on the success of the black section campaign for the LPYS place of the Labour Party NEC, the black sections youth committee has decided to launch a major campaign amongst students aimed at winning support for black self-organisation and black sections, for the defence campaigns and for black people in struggle throughout the world ment from the NUS itself. The black section campaign in the LPYS was all about how it is crucial for the labour movement to win the support of black youth. done by supporting demands of black youth alliances with organisation.
Ulun
The NUS and students in colleges are a major section of the labour movement and their role in this is vital. We feel there is a lot of potential support for the struggles of black people in Britain anu Ine struggle in Azania amongst students.
From the beginning of term in the next student year in September, we are planning major campaigning in colleges, This will involve speaking tours, building a network of support in the colleges and linking up with the situation in the labour movement and the black communities.
There will be two themes to the tours. Firstly, we want to organise joint tours with speakers from different aspects of the liberation movements in Azania. In particular, we recognise the important role of students in Azania as well as speakers from organisations fighting trade unions such as MAWU and COSATU. We will have speakers from COSAS. Building up to this, the youth committee is producing an education and recruiting leaflet aimed at black youth and the wider community in Britain on the struggle in Azania, including the education of black youth and the fight by the students.
Secondly, we will be building a speaking tour with the black youth defence campaigns. We want to campaign with them around the colleges and explain the need for students to actively oppose the injustices that are being suffered by black people. Students should find out how to get involved with these defence campaigns and how to support them financially and physically.
All of this will be linked to fighting for support for those who want a labour movement based on alliances with black people. NUS has a big role to play in this.
The decision of the NUS conference on Ireland
to support Aritish determination - is very important and can be used to lead to mass campaigning activity. We want this Kind of move and the result in mass campaignin
ctivity thrown behind black people in struggle We want a committment from back, in Azania and Britain.
st Action 2 May 1986 - and a campaigning committ-
This will only be the struggles and and supporting
black people through self-
and universities. apartheid, and from
the , students withdrawal and sell-
NUS for major
campaigaing effort in support of
ON 8 MAY one of the most important local government elections will take place in the Bruce Grove ward in Haringey — the ward that covers the Broadwater Farm police took place on 6 October last year. MARTHA OSAMOR is one of the Labour Party candidates for the ward. • Haringey council, and Vince Gillespie.
campaign in the media, and an equally racist local campaign by the Tories. LARRY HERMAN asked Martha Osamor about the campaign. WHAT are the issues in this election?
housing.
There no doubt that local people need and want better housing. But above all blacks suffer racism.
Since last October, Bernie Grant has been the object of an intense and vicious media attack. How has that affected the campaign?
I support Bernie and it is an asset that he is standing. He is supported by the black community and among those whites who have had brushes with the law — and, also, among those whites who understand that we want our own leaders.
The press can't keep saying 'Bernie, Bernie! when its an attack on all of us. The media not only attacks Bernie Grant, but the whole community. The way they talk about Grant is the way they talk about all black people.
What support are you getting from whites?
Black Section calls
for inquiry
into Sparkbrook
THE LABOUR Party Black Section calls for an immediate inquiry into the allegations of corrupt practices of Mr
Sparkbrook The hard right in the constituency has been accused of delivering the parliamentary candidature for Mr Hattersley by massaging party membership figures and by the recruitment of non-existent members. By Paul Sharma
Amir Khan formed a constituency black section. The social democrats in the constituency acted fast - Amir Khan was expelled. Kevin Scally, eading member of the Labour Committee on Ireland, spoke out. Kevin Scally was expelled for his honesty.
The black community is the most disadvantaged
interests can perhaps only TUSL be served by radical proposals emanating from the genuine left of the party. Yet Sparkbrook constituency where the black popula
of the residents, returns Mr Hattersiev.
Mr Hattersley's positon has been segated secured through godfather'. Handpicked collilufully leaders, who arsinessmen, deliver votes usually wealthy
their right-wing masters. Sometimes votes represent real members these real members' in many cases are alleged to have been
Campaigning on
Broadwater Farm
Estate where an uprising against the
The others are Bernie Grant, leader of
Grant has been the subject of a vicious racist
As blacks we welcome allies. Anyone who supports our demands is an al-
But when the whites backed off - as many of them did after the uprising on the Farm last October - then they are not allies.
Some workers mobilised in a reactionary way against us after 6 October People move when their interests are threatened and when you defend yourselves the establishment puts pressure on you. We're not saying 'throw stones every day', but we want everyone's support when we move. When we move and they don't support us they are not our allies Outside of Tottenham and the black community wilere las your stronges support come from? Blacks have been screaming years and everything we've said over the years is coming to be. You saw this with the
the 1UW printers. As I said earlier, when you defend yourRoy Hattersley's supporters in BirmConstituency Labour Party.
recruited en
Illasse allegedly often having their membership fee paid for them by their 'godfather' . At other times it is alleged membership forms are completed on behalf of people ao not exist but nevertheless are accounted for when their delegates vote. It was this that Khan and exposed.
The Labour Party Black Section has always opposed expulsions from the party. believe the purge against Militant in Liverpool is motivated bi hostility to the politics of Militant. The National Executive Committee inquiry
Liverpool has concocted a half-baked case against Militant based on rumours and imagination.
The Labour Party Black Section states it can provide hard evidence corruption, malpractice and manipulation by the
supporter: of Mr Hat-
ersle! in Sparkbrook Constituency Labour Party. We would welcome an NEC membership inquiry into Sparkbrook.
• From 'Witchhunt News'.
Bernie Grant: vicious racist attacks from Tories selves then the establishment puts pressure on you.
Our respect for the miners come from the days of the Grunwick strike. We've areas many times. The
the kind of working class we look up to and want.
What sort of election campaign has it been so far? We've been going to many
'Bantustan
Committee
visory Committee'. The
stitutionally recognised black sections.
The structure of the 'Advisory Committee in fact a caricature of the vanous nauve comics. and similar institutions, which were used by British colonial administrators in the days of the British empire.
The very idea of a committee appointed by organisation overwhelmingly made up party, believin they bor people, best how the black community should struggle against racism, monstrosity an attack on elementary democracy in the party
Some of the individual members show the nature •i such d committee person such as Roy Hattersley , with his notorious remark on "my Asians', has no place on any body devoted attacking racism. Even the name of the committee plays decisive role attempting
separate out and 'Blacks' when the Black Section has already insisted in uniting the black
LUll munity
The Black Section National Committee, meeting last weekend, reaffirmed Its can Tor a lolar boycoll of the 'Advisory Commit-
= a nosition adonted at the February meeting and reaffirmed the Black section Annual General Meeting last mon-
The resolution adopted by the National Committee called for all supporters
community meetings and talking to many people on the doorstep The res ponse has made us hopeful of victory.
The Tories have waged an overtly racist cam paign. individuals from the National Fron and other fascist groups have joined the Tory Party JOI more respectability and their tradition is being
Boycott Labour's
THE LABOUR party leadership is continuing to insist on pushing ahead with its 'Black and Asian Ad'Advisory Committee, which is wholly appointed, was set up directly to head off the demand of black members of the party to elect their own representatives, and to form con-
of the Black Section to break off all links with the 'Advisory Committee' extended DICVIUUS black section positions tc demand the withdrawal of all 'observers', and those with similar stalus. from the Committee
The only form of committee which is acceptable in the Labour Party is one based on election members of une blac community itself and that ficalls accepting the constitutional existence 01 Black Sections within the party
This racist and divisive columnice must go and ne members of the party should collaborate with it in any form.
THE Black Section
National Committee
resolution on the
'Black and Asian Ad-
visory Committee' is
the following:
•The National Ex-
ecutive Committee of the
Black Section COLLE
our total opposition to
the Black and Asian Ad
visory Committee agreed
National Ex.
ecutive Committee
February 1986 and our
annual conference
March 1986.
we note that the
Black and Asian Ad-
visory Committee is bas-
ed on a division of the
black community and is
therefore in total con-
tradiction to the aims of
News
taken into the Conservative Party.
The local Tories are attacking gypsies in the area; but this is a cover for tacks on black people. The Tories say: "send the gyp sies out, but they don't say where they will be sent.
The Tories don't talk about immigration laws
because these laws are as tight as they can be. They just say 'get them out', 'the day after the election we will get them out'. And they are talking about us of course. Do black people in Broadwater Farm see the Labour Party as an ally?
Many black people, not in the Labour Party, come along and help us in the campaign. They are looking for supporters - any way of organising against their oppression. But the Labour Party should not The Black Section will act as a conduit for taking our problem into the Party as a whole.
The Black Section will not be 'a dumping ground', but for organisation as with the Women's Section and the Youth Section.
Paul Sharma
the Black Section
the back CUli munity. We consider the menues. observers, and those with
other connection with the Black and Asian Advisory Committee to
against the interests of the black comThe National
'The Executive Committee of the • Labour Party Black Section believes that it is incompatible to hold membership of the Black Section and the Black and Asian Advisory Committee and therefore calls upon all black members of the party to abstair from any contact with the Black and Asian Ad visory Committee.'
Page 5 scan of this page
Women to challenge NEC
News
proposes to get on and elect it any way.
Over the last months women's sections have been nominating the hones LICH unev Wollel most like to see represent
and thev have come up with a very wide range oI names. Twenty three women have been nominated by 65 local women's sections and one national trade union.
This nominations guarantees
party union
women.
Among the women nominated there are all those who have previously been Labour omen's Action
Committee (LWAC) for the women's section of the NEC Joan Maynard, Margaret hecken.
Short, Diane Abbott and
tion there are women from
•I me abou Party regions.
A MAJOR item on this year's Labour Party conference agenda will be a proposal by the NEC to increase the proportion of votes at the conference for the Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs). But the NEC's proposals are based simply on the affiliation fees paid centrally to the party and would increase the CLPs proportion of the vote to 18 per cent. The NEC proposals, generally referred to as the Kitson proposals, however refuse to take into account the local part, 50 per cent, of the individual
is used wholly for Labour Party activity.
AT this year's Conference,
for manv vears GPs have
1A10
organisatons constitutional amendment
per cent of the total Conterence vote. HonIton CLP
U1l
CLPD resolution
Conference welcomes the
NEC's support for the
principle of giving CLPs
a fairer share of Con-
ference voting strength,
and also welcomes the
Is decision to submil
a constitutional amend-
give CLPs some 18%
of the total vote.
Conference notes
that Honiton CLP sub-
mitted a constitutional
amendment to the 1985
Conference which would
give CLPs about 30% of
Labour Women's Conference:
WOMEN'S conference this year looks set to put Neil Kinnock and Labour's NEC in a tight spot. After several years of campaigning for women's conference to have the right to elect the women's section of the NEC, this year women's conference
Many of the women nominated are active sup porters of LWAC inc uce Mandy Moore, LWAC's national
The role of the Women
Action Committee
(personal capacity)
movement in establishing women's self-organisation
underlined by the nomination of Margaret Handtor: a national committee
on all aspects of the party is marked by the nomination of three black women.
In addition to Diane Ab-
been nominated. 'The Labour Women's Action Committee decided al Ils annual meeling Unis not to support any
Justice for CLPs
CLPD is therefore taking as one of its priorities at conference arguing for proper representation for CLPs. The following article presents the position of
Honiton proposal. togeththis does not occur Conthe vote, and that this coming before Conference part of the NEC Report.
Conference instructs constitutional amendment and any subject which have been submitference should be moved and debated posal sea the NEC's proposal, that Conference Lall make its choice from the full range options which have been put to it.
slate of candidates at the
elections. However, LWAC
supporting a slate LOe electors COlference itself, which it has arrived at bv an individual ballot of its members.
Clearly the election of the 'NEC women's section
demands. has alwavs seen the demand for constitutional change as a means
are aiming at is for their views on polic! • and campaigning priorities for the
Women's conference resolutions this year confront a number of crucial issues. As in previous years vole Conceit
was over lo per cent: now it wide gap nas openea up
Cusc las cole. terence in no wav refects either their financial
their continuous work which
SULS Party into government and keeps it there.
Some opponents argue
InCrease • 10 1 CLPs' vote would undermine the link between the political and industrial
Not the Movement The opposite is the case.
increase in the vote of CLPs will encourage trade
take active part in CLPs so as to influence their decisions. This would lead to greater mutual understanding. bigger vote for ČLPs would also eliminate the
they bitternes. have when faced by their LUla insignificance Conference.
to relect that it will. this wil be a this is continued THE of
ex-
tersley's
NEC Ken Cure, National Agent Hughes
asked why procedure being followed they were told
of ine appeals
no would be made but ther
the report.
at this vear's con.
is seen as crucialy linked
sweeping women. app tal meantime resolutions protesting against these expulsions of socialists for exposing malpractices and establishing a locai black section should be sent the NEC. The Labour Par-
black section suggests the following resolution:
This ..is appalled b the decision of the Spark. brook CLP to expel from membership Cllr Amir
and Kevin Scally both longstanding and respected members of the Labour Party. Cllr Amir Khan is a founder member of the Sparkbrook LP Black Section and Kevin Scally is a leading member of the Labour Committee on Ireland.
Such actions are likely
cause considerable Callace Party's chances of victory at the next general election. This
Labour Party to reinstate Scally and Khan.?
seeking to preserve British economic, built up since the 32-county hunger and the student movement were stressed. ly look to the hard left for support. pool and elsewhere. It against strip-searching.
spiracy charges. strip-searching in Ireland and Britain.
Labour Party and student movement.
Socialist Action 2 May 1986 5
LCI Conference
The Labour Committee on Ireland annual conference met in London over the weekend 26-27 April. Debates centred on the response of the LCI to the new situation created by the
The view adopted by the conference was that: 'The LCI is totally opposed to the Hillsborough
military and social interests in Ireland through consolidating partition and escalating repression, the accord further delays a solution in Ireland which can only be found through unconditional military and political withdrawal of Britain.' The conterence agreed on a series of stens to exo ain it. position on the Accord in the context of continuing to develop its campaign against repression in
LCI members rejected the view that the Accord had radically reversed the relationship of forces paign and the dialogue between Sinn Fein and sections of the British labour movement. They also rejected proposals that the LCI should now con
work defensively against the Accord and adapt its magazine Labour and Ireland to work exclusively with forces in the labour move-
Instead conference recognised that the Accord was an attempt to stop the growth of Sinn Fein in Ireland and the growing pro-withdrawal sentiment in the British labour movement. But it has not suc. ceeded. The decision of the National Union of Students conference for the first time to call for the debate on Ireland opening up in unions like the NUR; and the fact that even a section of the Parliamentary Labour Party is prepared to defy
all show the true situation. The Anglo-Irish Accords is a dangerous attempt to defeat the anti-imperialist struggle in
poncing uni 6-county statelet. It aims to de-rail the movement for Irish self-determination. But it is wrong to con-
The LCI will therefore continue to look for every possible opening to link up with broader forces in opposing British rule in Ireland and
determination and immediate British withdrawal. The new opportunities of working with the Labour Party black section, the Campaign Group of MPs
The proposals that the LCI should affiliate to the Labour Left Co-ordination was defeated after the meeting was addressed by LLC secretary Davy Jones, who explained that there would be no progress on any left policies in the party between now and the general election and that the LCI could on-
swung the uncommitted against affiliation and ensured that proposals to affiliate whilst preserving the LCI's autonomy were defeated. The LCI will
Labour Left Co-
The annual meeting also voted to oppose the witch-hunt and expulsions in Birmingham, Liver-
adopted an emergency resolution condemning the US bombing of Libya and the government's collaboration with it. Conference heard a series of guest speakers including the feminist writer Neil McCafferty and Francie Molloy of Sinn Fein, who was given a 'standing
speaking for Labour's front bench, tried to justify their support for Thatcher's Anglo-Irish Accord. For the first time there was an official delegate, Dennis Murphy, from the National Executive Committee of the NUM at the
Conference heard speakers on the campaigns
speaker from Irish Prisoners Appeal explained the barbaric conditions in which the six men and two women are be- . ing held on remand in Brixton prison, one charged with the Brighton bombing and the rest on con-
The speaker reported that the two women were being subjected to strip-searches three or four times a day. Given the policy of the Labour Party and TUC against strip-searches, a major task is to mobilise activity on the basis of that policy against
Overall the conference maintained the LCI on its course of taking the fight for British withdrawal from Ireland deeper into the trade unions, the
Page 6 scan of this page
RACISM and
The fight against racism
6 Socialist Action 2 May 1986
FAIR DEAL
HEALTH
SERVICE
WORKE
Black women workers in the 1982 health workers dispute
Black workers
EVERY STUDY has found as one would expect, that black workers in Britain are more highly unionised than whites. A survey for 1982 found that 61 percent of black workers in Britain are in trade unions compared to 57 percent of white workers. Two years later the Policy Studies Institute, in 1984, found that per percent of black workers were in unions compared to 47 per cent of whites.
But despite the fact that black workers show a higher degree of support for unions than whites, are confined by racism to jobs that are highly unionised, and despite the urgent need to combat racism in the whole of society, the failure of the TUC to take up the fight against racism, its active collaboration in racism, and its failure to take up the needs and demands of workers, form one of the most disgraceful and recurring threads in its history. It is matched only by the refusal of the Labour Party to respond to the needs of the black community which it relies so massively for votes and to recognise Black Sections.
Despite the massive unionisation of black workers, and the need to fight racism in every sphere of life, there were no moves at all by the TUC until the 1970s to deal either with racism within the unions or black self-organisation within them. In 1965, for example, a TUC official could still declare: There are no differences between an immigrant worker and an English worker.
We believe that all workers should have
the same rights and don't require any
different or special considerations. In
1971 the TUC in its evidence to the
Home Affairs Select Committee claim-
ed absurdly: 'we treat all our members
the same.
Not merely was such a position no
way to fight institutionalised racism but
it was demonstrably untrue. In both
1965 and 1971, despite the TUC's claim
to treat all our members the same,
there was not a single black trade union
official in the whole of Britain. TUC
affiliates had in the past supported
totally explicit racist laws — such as the
National Union of Seamen's support
for the Special Restrictions (Coloured
Alien Seamen) Order of 1925. The TUC
as a whole had campaigned in favour of
the racist immigration laws and had op-
posed MaWs LOCUCE
measures into the field of employment
and industry. The TUC hotels com-
mittee has made a completely central
campaign one to keep out immigrant"
workers.
At long last in 1972 the first ever full
time black trade union official in Bri-
tain was appointed. But by 1983 still on-
ly eight unions affiliated to the TUC
out of more than 100, had even one full
time black official.
The same situation
tionalised racism exists at every other
and the unions
level of the unions. The 1984 PSI study Black and White Britain, for example, found that black and white workers attended trade union meetings in almost the same proportions - 40 per cent of black and 40 per cent of white union members had attended some form of union meeting in the last six months. But only 4 percent of black male trade unionists had held office in the union compared to 11 percent of white male trade union members. Only 3 per cent of black women trade unionists had held union office compared to 6 per cent of white women trade unionists. 1985. traded study is tractaresi e in
Trade Union Structures and Black Workers Participation, that there was not a single black full time trade union official in the whole of Lancashire. This is despite the fact that 8 percent of the population of Manchester, and 12 per cent of the population of Blackburn, for black. An exact study of companies black found the same pattern of racism at every level.
A survey of a rubber manufacturing plant found that 27 per cent of the 250 workers were black. However not one out of the eight shop stewards was black.
A survey of the foundry section of a heavy vehicle manufacturer found 19 per cent of the workers were black, but only 1 out of 9 shop stewards was black - and that one was for a section which was almost exclusively black but where the one skilled job was held by a white.
The only place of work surveyed where there was a major representation of black workers — a transport firm -was also the one where black self organisation had developed in response to racist attacks.
Thirty per cent of the workers in the company were black but white workers had consistently voted down all black
workers presented for election to the
TGWU branch committee. Black self-
organisation, in the
'Employees Welfare Association', had
then been formed when the branch
secretary refused to read out at a social
evening the names of Asian workers
who were to be presented with satety
awards on the pretext that he could not
pronounce their names.'
A united welfare
formed only after the white workers
representatives agreed to the demand
that a written apology for the actions of
the branch secretary should be posted
on the notice board and that he should
resign his post. The secretary of the
black workers committee was first co-
opted onto the branch committee and anti-racist then elected
black branch committee member - at
the next election. After further strug-
gles by 1984 six out of ten branch com-
mittee members were black, and three
out of ten inspectors
employed were now black workers.
Given this pattern of racism at every
level of the unions every fight by black
workers necessarily has involved a clash
not only with the employers but with
the situation in the unions as well. It is of institu- solely this that has ever
change of policy by the TUC
IN 1984, for the first time, the TUC Congress adopted a formal position in favour of black self-organisation in the unions. 1984 Congress resolution on racism stated that the TUC: 'will encourage affiliated unions to set up appropriate structures, eg Equality Committees and Black Members Groups to coordinate unions work on racism.' As the 1986 trade union conferences get underway the fight to transform these TUC words into action also started.
At the NUT conference 42 per cent of votes were cast in favour of black self-organisation in the union - against the opposition of the executive. ference unanimously passed resolution stating: ould be encouraged to give support to black members in organising in caucuses in line with TUC policy' LAWRENCE looks at some of the studies of the long history of racism and default by the TUC. found
THE FIRST nationally prominent strike specifically by black workers was at Courtauld's in Preston in 1965. Despite workforce only one shop steward at example, is the Courtauld's plant was black -
and there was no formal relation between the black membership and the union committee at all.
Shift
early 1970s by Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Imperial Typewriters in Leicester which brought the racism in the unions out into the open and for the first time forced a ver-
white fascist and
white scabbing revealed.
These struggles because a chill fear began to be felt even
black breakaway
form COT an Mansfield Hosiery strike
organised the workers there that continued exclusion
committee was
union exclusively workers.'
- to become the first
officialdom. who were
produced a
The
Race The NUJ con-
'Chapels sh-
DREW to the field industry. large black Mansfield The
But it was the key struggles in the with a 'subsidiary'
black workers al nature of
election whatever. bal shift in TUC policy. In both strikes
racist organisations were directly involved in organising
committees, and a continued brutal state of racism in the unions was
1981.
WEE Charter
by the trade union bureaucracy that the situation had become so extreme that forced to
would be created. The official enquiry into the
and into the National Union of Hosiery and Charter Knitwear Workers (NUHKW) which
- stated of black workers from all positions in the unions: 'could result in the alienation of immigrant (sic)members to such an extent structures.' that they might feel the need to enlist the support of alternative organisations or to break away completely and form a
for immigrant
As with the inner city rebellions of 1981 and 1985 it was not 'guidance' and partronage from above, but only action from below, that smashed even a beginning of sense, and even purely verbal Congress, adherence to what needed to be done, removal into the heads of the trade union
As already noted, until the beginning of the 1970s the TUC refused to give even verbal adherence to the needs of black workers. Instead it had been directly involved in promoting racist laws and policies such as the Immigration Acts. It also opposed the introduc-
Imperial Typewriters dispute brought racism in the unions brutally out into the oper
tion of any legal anti-racist measures in-
of employment and
erruptions which led to the Hosiery Imperial Typewriters disputes however forced a verbal change in emphasis by the TUC. It remained committed to the racist immigration laws but it began to made certain verbal and tactical concessions to black workers and the fight against racism. By the mid-1970s the TUC hac words.' established an Equal Rights Committee
Race Relations Committee. This, needless to say given
the trade union bureacuracy, was a wholly appointed body with no element of democratic
The TUC however still did not give any directions for action — or even pass any resolutions at Congress. The TUC
CYCL verbally to acknowledge racism in the unions until
In June 1981 however the TUC was
issue its Black Workers Charter. This was given urgency for the TUC by the explosion of the inner city rebellions three month earlier. The
declared opening sentences: Trade unions cannot just talk about equal opportunity they must be seen to be taking active steps to make it a reality. As a first step they should examine their own procedures and
This 'self-criticism' for the previous
decades of racism however was given no
teeth whatever. It did not even mention
black self-organisation. The entire
document was completely bland and
Ken Gill, moving the adoption of
the Black Workers Charter at the 1981
declared it 'demands the of direct and
discrimination at the workplace; more
it demands that trade union themselves
look at their own structures and
organisation, and break down the bar-
riers within the unions, to advance to
decision-making bodies, to executives
and to officialdom. If in your industry
or your occupation there are no blacks,
why? If there are no black lay or full-
time officers in your organisations,
why? If there are no black activists, why? All those questions have to be asked within our movement?
Solemn
Gill solemnly declared that the TUC was going to mend its ways and that: media critics were very cynical They simply said that our Charter is just words. We insist that it is not just
The TUCs position, however, did turn out to consist chiefly of words. A follow up by the TUC itself a year later, after all the solemn declarations of the congress, found that only 12 unions out of more than 100 affiliates, had taken 'some action with regard to race relations matters.' It found that the great majority of affiliated unions had taken no action, 'even of a limited type eg articies i tre umon journals.
One delegate from the Transpor Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) to the 1982 Congress summed up the situation one year after the adoption of the Black Workers Charter very well: *(the General Council) report state that some unions held race relation conferences, established advisory com mittees, issued statements and so on.
'What does this mean in effect? small number of unions are already car rying out their commitment of a yea ago. However, there is little evidence o increased activities at shop floor an branch level or in the recruitment an promotional opportunities at unio headquarters.
"As to the conclusion that th
general level of activity between union has increased, let me say that if yo start from nothing than anything is a improvement.
A survey carried out by the Labou
Research Department in 1983, that two years after the Black Worke
Charter was adopted by the TU
found that still only nine unions, out c
more than one hundred, had issue
positive statements against racism an
had set up bodies to monitor the:
policies. Only one union,
GMBATU had held national meeting
and conferences, 'on the implication
of policies passed by conference.' As v
have already noted only eight unio
even by 1983, had even a single blac
full time official.
Page 7 scan of this page
the TUC
The GLC survey
By far the most thorough recent study of the position of black workers in the trade unions was that carried out in 1984 by the GLC by the GLC Anti-Racist Trade Union Working Group. As this study was carried out three years after the adoption by the TUC of the Black Workers Charter, and provides the background to the 1984 TUC resolution, it is worth looking at in detail.
The GLC study was comprehensive - gaining official responses from unions representing six million workers out of the ten million trade union members in the TUC. Significantly the two biggest unions which in practice refused to co-operate in the study on racism were the big two right wing craft unions - the EETU and the AUEW.
The EETPU refused outright to give any answers on racism and the AUEW stated it would reply through an interview. But then, in the words of the survey, 'despite lumerous efforts the appropriate of icer could not be contacted (!)
If the EETPU and AUEW were the worst - together with COHSE, the situation was not much better with other unions.
The UCW declared in its reply that: 'We have no anti-racist policy' It stated that no 'trade union referrals' had been made at all concerning racism in the union. The UCW official interviewed however declared that there were many 'coloureds' (sic) who were members of the union, and that the entire situation confirmed his view that there was no problem of racism in the UCW!
The NUR official replying for the union declared that: Most of the questions in the questionaire appear to me to be irrelevant to the situation in this union as all of our members have equal opportunity and there is no discrimination against any member for any reason whateve Have we adopted an antiracist policy? The answer to that question as it is phrased must be "No"
The NUR stated: No particular encouragement is given to members of black and other minority groups to participate actively in the union's activities or to play a leading role in the union.'
The NUR however declared it had *issued propoganda inviting foreign nationals employed in the catering depart-
ments to join the NUR' a few years ago, but had done nothing since. However it claimed, absurdly on the basis of all this, that: No member is prevented by reason of race from aspiring to any position within the union.
The CPSA declared completely unbelievably that Racism within the umon nas never been a problem. The NGA stated that: "The need for special measures (to fight racism), ie seminars, etc. has not arisen and no reauest ha: been received.' It declared: 'We do not allow special treatment to any group.'
UCATT stated: "There have been no provisions by this union for the form of anti-racist activity referred to in the questionaire.' It also stated: "The Union's policy making body, the Nationa Delegate Conterence has carried resolutions unanimously condemning any racialism and as such would regard this as being positive anti-racist policy but there has been no follow-up on an
of the policy, apart from this declaration.'
The Bakers Union, when asked to state what provisions it had taken to combat racism, declared 'none'.
The TGWU, putting on a (M)ilitant front, claimed: 'Äll members are equal, therefore no problems. To have it (black coresculallon scoerate medus unar we are fighting the race issue rather than the class issues When asked what special provisions it was taking to combat racism, for example in shop stewards training, the TGWU declared that the responsibility for organising such courses should lie with the TUC and not TGWU. When asked if it made any provision for the special needs of black women the union replied 'nơ'. This is the background to Bill Morriss's appointment as deputy general secretary
The Musicians Union took a similar line declaring 'No distinction is drawn between members.' It had no special provision for black women either.
A number of unions had taken certain measures to tackle racism, , which was a step forward, but all were inadequate.
NUPE established a national Race Equality Advisory Committee and had had a Race Relations Advisory Committee in the London division for five vears. On the needs ot black women it said: 'In addition to our Race Working Party we have extremely active Equality Council dealing with issues af-
fecting women particularly.' It stated it had no special provisions for black women 'but we do have a Women's Advisory (Committee) nationally and in the London division. Most members of ine kace kelanons Advisory commil tee) in London are ethnic minority women.'
The GMBATU had held a regional conference, issued publications, negonators nanadooks, ana nau all or ficer designated to include Race Rela tions matters amongst his other duties.'
The ACTT ran schools or seminars on racism. It had established a black sub-committee of its Committee on Equality. The four day shop steward training courses run by the ACTT had a
devoted equal opportunities.
The NUT also Tan schools or
on racism. It had held a scuillals number of 'racism awareness courses' at the union's training centre with the aim of enabling participants to run their own workshops locally. It had two black members co-opted to serve on its working party on Multi-Ethnic Education. As already noted 42 per cent ot votes at the 1986 NUT conference were cast in favour of black-self organisation in the union, despite the opposition of the executive.
TASS stated it 'operates a Positive Action Programme for appointing officials with ethnic backgrounds, females, to the union. Divisions regularly give advice on positive action programmes.' No figures on the suc cess. or otherwise achieved were giver however.
ASTMS had established a Race Relations Sub-Committee through its NEC in 1978. This had organised several conferences. It had an active race relations sub-committee in the London division. The NEC had also agreed the setting up of a Race Relations National Advisory Council based on divisional representation and this Council held its first meeting in Januarty 1984. Its members, however, were mainly white. In 1982 the union conference voted to instruct the NEC to intruct the union to operate as an equal opportunities employer. But two years later the union still did not know the ethnic composition of its own employees.
The NUJ had established a Race Relations Working Party. However the union operated internal institutionalised racism. It claimed that 20 per cent of its employees were black. However on found tibe in a low level clerical jas investigation single one with little chance of promotion. The union at its 1986 conterence howeve took a significant step forward when it unanimously voted 'Chapels should be encouraged to give support to black members organising caucuses in line with TUC policy. The union also elected a black vice presi dent, Lionel Morrison.
NALGO, which has by far the highest experience of self-organisation by black members of any trade union, was looked at in a special article in Socialist Action of 18 April. it was amid
black NALGO members that the union proposed the successiu resolution to une 1904 100 Congress which included the position that the TUC will encourage affiliated unions to set up appropriate structures, Black Members Groups to coordinate Race Equality Committees unions' work on racism.'
But despite a major fight in a union such as NALGO the overall situation in the unions remains dreadful. A study in 1977 noted, very understated language, that the minority COlmunities have hardly penetrated the full time staff of the unions at all.' In 1984 the GLC survey found: 'we have yet to discover a union that as in its organisational structure black and minority group officers/executives, male and female, that is anywhere near their proportion as members of the union.
The survey also found: 'no union had an officer designated to work entirely with the position and circumstance of the union's black and minority members, or to deal with issues affecting the union's position on racism more generally, that is, relating to attairs outside the union.
•We found no equivalent of a race relations officer such as exists in a number of local authorities.
Fighting for the
1984 Congress
resolution
THE situation revealed by the 1984 GLC study was a disgrace. Nine unions - ACTT, ASTMS, GMBATU, NALGO, NATHE, NUJ NUPE, NUT and TASS - had taken some, but inadequate, measures to fight racism inside and outside the union. These unions had a membership of 3,344,000.
Ten unions — the Bakers Union CPSA, Musicians Union, NGA, NUR NUTGW, TGWU, UCW, and UCATT - were prepared to state what their policies were on racism but had essentially taken no serious organisational or political steps to combat it within their ranks. These unions together had a membership of 2,443,000.
Thirty three unions including such major ones as APEX, ASLEF
CSU. Equity, FBU. M IPCS, ISTC, NAS/UWT, NUM, NUS, NCU, SCPS, SOGAT, TSSA, Tobacco Workers Union, and USDAW — did not state/would not state what policy they had, if any, on fighting racism. Between them these unions has a combined membership of 3,833,000.
Affiliated
In other words only one third of TUC affiliated unions had taken any steps to implement anti-racist measures, twenty five percent were prepared to state that they had taken no serious anti-racist steps, and forty per cent couldn't even be bothered to state what their policy on racism, if any, was. All this was three years after the TUC had solemnly adopted a Black Workers Charter.
Furthermore the stronger 1984 Congress resolution is still not being implemented rigorously by the General Council after it was adopted. Speaking to the TUC conference on Unions and Black Workers' on 6 July 1985 Norman Willis tried to avoid giv. ing clear support for black self-organisation in the unions and — as in the 1970s - showed that the key motivating fear of the TUC was that ex tremes of racism might lead to breakaway unions. He said of the statement presented to the conference:
"The conference document — like the 1984 Congress resolution — raises a further key issue: that of black members groups. Some unions already have groups of black members who meet to discuss their special problems. They try to act as a caucus - American style — on union policy and activity. It well happen in other unions soon.
'We need to consider very carefully Demonstration against racist murders in 1978
Socialist Action 2 May 1986 7 our attitude to such groups. As Ken Gill (chair of the TUC Race Advisory Committee told the 1984 Congress handled wrongly, they could be the germ of breakaway black trade unions. Handled right they can contribute to the effectiveness of the union.'
Despite the words of the 1984 resolution Willis said: At present we CANC not recommending unions to establish such groups. But equally we are not asking unions to see unofficial black members groups as an automatic threat to the union's constitution. If black members feel that unions do not care about their problems, they will turn to other organisations.
As with the Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Imperial Typewriter disputes in the early 1970s, with the inner city rebellions of 1981 and 1985, it was not a genuine struggle to fight racism in every aspect that has moved the TUC leadership. It has only been an unremitting struggle by black workers that has foreed the trade unions to shift in the fight agamast racism
Fighting to support black self-organisation in the unions - without which socialist theory and all experience shows no successful struggle against racism can be conducted must be today right at the top of the list or priorities for socialsts and acuvists in the trade unions. Together with the interlinked establishment of Black Sections in the Labour Party they are the necessary condition to shake the labour movement to its foundations - and smash the virus of racism which gnaws at its very heart.
Organisation
There have been advances in that struggle. The election of Lionel Mor rison in the NUJ, the selection of Bill Morris in the TGWU, the black Labour parliamentary candidates who have been selected for the first time in safe Labour seats, are all real gains for black people - and because of that for the entire working class. But the strug. gle is not about a few individuals - individual successes are a means to an
The fight is for the liberation of the entire black community and the complete destruction of every aspect of racism. No possibility exists of success in that struggle without black self-organisation throughout the labour movement. Acceptance of that right is the sole basis on which the left, and indeed the entire labour movement, can cooperate with black people.
That fight is at the very core of any alliance for socialism in Britain.
A MADE PUSHED (FLI
Page 8 scan of this page
Reagan's lies on Libya
8
RONALD REAGAN has been
claiming that he carried out his at-
tack on Libya because of that
country's support for 'terrorism'.
Many people have
pointed out that this is an absurd
lie as the United States itself is the
number one terrorist regime in the world — most openly with its support for the Nicaraguan contras.
But Reagan's lie can also be exposed from another United States hostility to Libya, and attacks on it, started long before the recent attacks Europe which were seized on by the US as a pretext for its bombing raids. The US has been hostile to Libya ever since the revolution of 1969 which overthrew the reactionary regime of king Idris.
Last week we looked at Qaddafi's place in the rise of Arab nationalism. This week ADAMSON looks at 17 years of continuous US aggression against Libya. •BEFORE Qaddafi seized power in 1969, said US reseen. Reagan, explaining his bombing raid, The people of Libya had been friends of the United States,' dent failed explain measured that friendship. A look at Libya before the revolution of 1969 makes it clear enough, however.
In the good old days, Libya was host to the USA's Wheelus airbase, from which the 1960 airborne 'United Nations' intervention in the Congo was launched. In this operation, the US used the mantle of the United Nations to bring about the murder of Congolese nationalist leader Patrice Lumumba.
Additionally, Libya allowed US and European oil giants to exploit its oil reserves, providing a quarter of Europe's oil at prices way below the world average.
All in all, throughout the 1960s and particularly after the 1967 Middle East war, Libya looked like one of the United States few friends in the region.
Relations between the States and Libya have gone through three phases since World War II
During the war, US troops were stationed in Libya. In Libya: Elusive Revolution, Ruth First writes: *By the end of the war, States had spent 100 million dollars on developing Wheelus airfield, the outskirts of Tripoli. It was the first American airbase in Africa.'
When the former Italian colony was given independence in 1951, it recame the third independent African cation, after Liberia and Ethiopia. This reflected diplomatic manoeuvres rather than the strength of an incependence movement, however, and Ize newly independent relied heavily on British and US hanLOUD
The country's major exports were Srap metal from old weapons, and grass for paper manufacture.
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Socialist Action 2 May 1986
already
angle.
in
GREG
Konlala
The US presi- ple, dependent how he
advisers, Ideal By the late Western Europe's there.
United
_of soaking as a way
The detence system in Libya. Worth more the United pounds,
firm, deal of any kind
Upposition
growing expenditure hardware.
royal family,
official record of the episode:
adherence withdrawal which
• Postal
After the attack on Tripoli
While not helping the Libyan peo-
made the country an ideal target for
ana lonowing the discovery of oil in the 1950s, full-scale exports began in the early 1960s.
Knowing nothing of oil, Libya's ruler, King Idris, brought in company
who put in place a pricing arrangemement substantially inferior to that of other oil-producing states.
The low price of Libyan oil, its guaranteed availability to the European market, and its low sulphur con-
muccasiley pollution. conscious world, combined to make Libya the ideal oil supplier to Europe.
1960s, quarter of 01l came from
Both the US and Britain competed to supply expensive armaments to the Middle East oil-producing countries
up their oil an order to install a complete missile air
allow us than a billion it was the largest missile system order ever won bv a British
and the most valuable export
First/v. . were
At the same time, internal opposition to King Idris began to emerge. This was directed against the presence of foreign military bases and the
on military
To help its friends in the Libyan
the United States offered to 'leave'. Ruth First quotes the
MOST
United Stated government affirmed
to lne principle of enabled formulas oil to be found which permitted King Idris and the Libyan government to
and 'terrorism'
to continue our use of Wheelus Airfield Base.'
The 1 September, 1969, overthrow of King Idris by Colonel Muammar Qaddafi opened the third stage of relations between the two countries.
the huge • weasons contacts dumped. Secondly, foreign powers were asked to withdraw their military bases. Thirdly, Libya took on the giant oil companies and in 1970 forced them to substantially increase payments for Libyan oil.
Results
This third move was to have the
dramatic results. lea ic of the oil producers' groups, OPEC. In The Seven Sisters, an authoritative account of the world
industry, Anthony Sampson quotes one OPEC official as follows.
"The Libyan success was an em-
barrassment to other OPEC countries. It rendered almost impossible.
Following this early dispute between Libya and the oil giants, the oil companies later response to OPEC price rises, seizing the opportunitv to massivelv increase their own prices and profits.
Nevertheless, Libya had displayed independent economic of keeping European) ideal of subservient Third World raw materials suppliers.
¡wo other Libyan measures also angered the United States. In contrast to the former Libyan policy, and that of other oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia, under Qaddati much of Libya's large oil income was redirected from funding a small ellle funding economic development.
Health
This include a literacy campaign in the early 1970s, provements in health and education, and an ambitious agricultura grantle aimed at desert areas from huge underground water reserves.
At the same time, undertaken an aggressively independent foreign policy, which on important issues has challenged European and US domination of the region.
In addition to his consistent Duston to brad wadanas taker action against the continued French military presence in central Africa.
Libya blem for United States military planners. Attempts at economic sabotage have proven useless, and unlike some major oil producers, Libya's current
its ed
tinued to
collapse.
Five
ducts.
further silence
Occidental,
terests in Libya. adopted
Ich
Oil
initiative out with the US (and West
right away,
government
national
For,
social and 1970s.'
drop in available
gelicia.
irrigating large
economic
Libya has Bleed op-
Mexico,
additional
PIosmaller
Duree war
its most
port part of the bombers striking distance.
In Depth
oil reserves would last 50 years at cur-
rent rates of production
In 1973, after Qaddafi threatened
to cut off exports to the US because of
for Israel, President
Richard Nixon threatened economic
measures against Libya. Nixon ap-
peared on television to warn the Li-
byans of the dangers of a boycott ot
oil by Libya's customers, reminding
them of the experience of Mosedeq in Iran 20 years before
In that case, the United States had
economically strangled an indepen-
dent government before finishing it
off with a CIA-organised coup.
managed to avoid
this fate, in part because of the chang-
international climate. Nevertheless, the United States has con-
harass Libya, hoping to develop sufficient internal or external pressure to cause the government's
Embargo
years ago, 1981, Washington imposed an embargo on imports of Libyan crude oil. Late last year, this was extended to refined pro-
Now, Reagan 1S pushing another economic attack. He is attempting to get US oil companies like
Conoco, Marathon and Amerada Hess to abandon their in-
This is unlikely to have much ef fect, as Nocilas Sarkis, editor of Arab
and Gas, pointed out in the February 1986 issues of the Parisbased monthly AfricAsia: If they were to abide by the White House directive and pull out of the country
Libya would probably have no trouble in replacing them unless there were a widespread inter-
boycott, which unthinkable, any more than it had difficulty in coping with the withdrawal of Exxon in 1982, and Mobil in 1983
, come to that , the departure of British Petroleum, Bunker Hunt and the others Libya nationalised in the
The stagnation of world oil prices in the past three years has led to a
Libyan cult cul reserves meet balance of payments deficits. It has also brought some cuts in government spending
But Libya enters this period of
difficulty without long term debt, with substantial reserves, and with a population that has drawn considerable benetits from the higher prices of the past decade
Libya's problems will be tiny compared to those ot countries such a
Nigeria, and Indonesia. In unlike loe other oil-rich former US ally, Iran, Libya has a far
population to feed (three million compared to 40 million), and hasn't been bled by a long and costly
The US administration is today on
aggressive interventionist path since its defeat in Vietnam. Sup.
contras Nicaragua, Angola, and Mozambique, increased military threats to Indochina through an arms build-up in Thailand, and even direct multarv intervention such as in Grenada and Lebanon, have increase easons done me wore
Following the failure of the US economic attacks on Libya, the current military attacks are part of an effort to make military solutions an accepted part of international politics In the Middle East, the bogey of 'Libyan terrorism' has been used to overshadow the plight of Palestinan victims of Israeli military aggression.
The attacks on Libya also send a message to any Third World country that might want to take its own independent stance: lilallel what
world is involved US and warships are within
Page 9 scan of this page
U.S. threatens direct intervention in Nicaragua
Haiti: eight dead in protest
International
The United States is moving closer than ever to a direct attack on Nicaragua. The most public sign of this was Reagan's Nicaragua was a 'terrorist state' everyone knows what the United States does when it claims 'terrorism' is involved.
more ridiculous in the case of Nicaragua as it is the United States which is financing one of the biggest real terrorist operations in the world against that country with its open support for the 'contras'. But in addition to the verbal threats United States forces are now operating border. CINDY JAQUITH reports from Nicaragua on the increasing US military pressure on that country and the response of the FSLN. 'WE are now facing a Vietnamisation of the struggle
Central America, •Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega told a news conference nere OI March. By sending US
piloted by US icicobles. military personnel, to the Honduran-Nicaraguan border area, said Ortega, the Reagan administration has taken concrete steps that directly commit US troops in support of the mercenary contra forces attacking Nicaragua.
He warned that if this leads to a US invasion of Nicaragua, not only many Nicaraguan youth, but many US youth as well will die.
The news COnTeCIC! was held the day after the US senate approved $100 million in military aid to the mercenaries. This continues to be discussed by the US Congress as whole.
While sharply condemning the Ortega stressed that 'this is not the most serious thing. The most serious act is the use of US helicopters piloted by US pilots which have been used to move troops EIGHT PEOPLE died and dozens when Haitian army troops fired on a demonstration in the capital, Port-au-Prince, last Saturday. The demonstrators, over 10,000 in number, were mar-
for political victims of Baby Doc Duvalier.
Since Duvalier was driven out on 7 February the three-person junta General Namphy
which replaced him has
been on a collision course
with the Haitian people. It
headed by General Henri Namphy, himself appointed army Chiet
staff in 1984 by Baby Doc Duvalier.
The Haitians are conducting WilaL they call
operasyon dechoukay
uproot'
DoCTatUl
battle to destroy every.
of Duvalierism.
Responding to a call from
the catholic Radio Soleil, a
centre of opposition under
Duvalier, they have set up
Te bOSSOOO Coliliil
ices In Iany aicas. They
declaration last week that
- and after Libya
The accusation of 'terrorism' is of course even
right up to the Nicaraguan
of the Honduran army to the edge of the border with Nicaragua, a border area that is in extreme conflict, that is extremelv tense.'
Taking up the charge that thẹ Sandinistas had invaded Honduras in March, Ortega explained the
of Nicaraguan acliuls troops. 'There have been no Dallies between Honduras and Nicaragua,' he emphasised. 'Rather, tere have been battles between our army, defending the sovereignty and integrity of Nicaragua, with the mercenary forces who had their CalulUs Honduras and are trying to penetrate our territory.
The day before, Nicaragua's Ministry Defence had released a communiqué reporting inal sanainista troops had dealt 600 casualties to the
'at several points contas,
Honduran-Nicaraguan border territories.'
'Our troops also destroyed several camps of importance to the enemy, including their principal training centre, Defence Ministry said, 'and put out of action
were injured
ching through the city following a memorial service
rooting out former Tontons Macoutes
Duvalier's menDes hated personal militia.
Be untoas are DCSS ing their demands. CATH,
Federaine naepenaell tion of Haitian Workers, is
battle Nossorue under way for official use
the Creole language. spoken by the vast majori-
strident demand for elections to a civilan government to replace the junta, and for a constitution.
A series ol exies returning: leader Haitian Democratic and anoue ene Theo dore (IFOP-
ADA); Rene
of the Unified Haitian Communist Party
(PUCH); Colonel Octace Cayard whọ led a failed
against Francois
ICTULl
Duvalier 1970, and Ilaly others. Their statements and press conferences on return are provoking widespread political debate.
The government resisting or marking time.
some means of transport including one helicopter.
The Sandinista daily, Barricada, called the operation 'the principal military blow the counterrevolution in the last few years.'
And, Ortega said, with the official introduction of advisers and helicopters in direct support of the con-
'what the US Contras. gress is doing is committing itself to a policy of in*ervention in Nicaragua.'
Ortega appealed to the US government to open talks with Nicaragua to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict, and reported that the Sandinistas had urged the Contadora and Lima support groups to intervene. (The Contadora Group is made up of the governments OI
ia, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela, and seens negotiated settlement in Central America. The Lima Group, in turn, supports the contadod llations in their efforts, and is maoe up Auzeuuuld Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay.)
are prepared to have a dialogue with the United 'States,' said Ortega, matters of security and the war in the
'What we are not al ca prepared L• OHSCUSs with
the US government -av e csc z is our inter. nal situation, the kind of pontical social, and economic regime we have. Hese. questions, he said are being decided by the Nicaraguan people in up coming open hearings on
country's draft constitution.
Nor, he said, would the Nicaraguans accept Reagan's demand that prices. Long live democracy' The junta claims it wants
'order' In fact it wants to ensure that Haiti's wealthy classes do not lose the privileges they held under
And it wants to protect the US interests on which they depend.
The theoretical minimum wage is $3 a day. In
fact, of the 50 per cent of
working population
who have a job, earnings
average $130 year. Ac-
curd of 129 Third World
129 Third World
Oul countries, Haiti was 127th
calorie consumption
and 129th in protein con-
Honduran border. 6,000 have died in contra attacks.
they with the mercenaries. coltle 'We will never have a dialogue with them,' he asserted
'Honduran BULULY. or a part of it, has been occupied by the mercenary forces,' answered Ortega.
.is, Honduras has lost its sovereignty over a part of its territory. The mercenaries launched their attack (from there) against Nicaragua ana lnus area has been converted
The US „o avưe government and the CIA are robbing Honduras its territory and giving it to advised by ree us gorees forces, ment, are the ones crossing from Honduran LemnOV into to assassinate our people; to destroy the people's property, schools, and health clinics; to assassinate Slogans on Port-Au-Prince wall reads 'government should cut all
sumption. the backr of shanmesery ante
of this misery
were phenomenal. The 200 or So US . companies operating in Haiti earned profits between 30 and 100
cent. Duvalier
reckoned to nave ovel
$750 million salted away. The flowering of Haitian political life is a inical to the junta, Haiti's ruling classes and above all to UŠ interests in Hait1, which have thrived and grown fat on 35 years of brutal dic
tatorship.
At the beginning of
Women members of Nicaragua's reserve battalion on the
children and women. Our forces are doing, nothing
than defending in the border temuseve area. We are violating no principles The one who is violating the principle of sovereignty is the United States.
He pointed out that the Nicaraguan commanders of the contra mercenaries have insisted all along that their bases are Nicaragua. The Hondurar government 'has denied VA COTIDA IDIA TATI W0 ist in Honduras,' ne explained.
Ortega repeated that Nicaraguan troops would continue defensive operations in the border area 'so that the mercenary forces don't advance one single inch into our territory. US helicopters 'attack us, if they penetrate our ritory, they will be shot aowil.
April congressional delegation VILCU Haiti, headed liberal democrat Walther Fauntroy. 'How lucky you are in Haiti,' he said 'that you have in power the interim
General
Coveucl
Henri Namphy. I am certain that he is an honest man He deserves you confidence and support. urge Haitian people back the army high command during the coming
critical days and months.
For some strange reason. lt
seems as though the people
of Haiti don't quite see it the same way.
EI Salvador WUTKCS.
Salvador headquaters of the UPD.
Anti-Reagan demos and in Milan.
given notice, Mexico the collapse of oil prices.
Pakistan
East Germany
Socialist Action 2 May 1986 9
WORLD
Duarte's regime is in serious difficulties. A
new, broad popular opposition has emerged including organisations which supported him in his bid for the presidency and have now moved into opposition. The UNTS (National Union of Salvadorean Workers) with some 300,000 members, has held two large demonstrations and called a general strike last Thursday, demanding a solution to the economic problems facing
and a peaceful end to the war
The UNTS includes, notably, the UPD (Democratic Popular Union) which not only supported Duarte in the past but entered a form of 'social contract' with him, and was set up by the AFL-CIO. On 21 February the UNTS held a demonstration of 80,000, and on 3-5 April a public forum 'in defence of the workers' which was supported by the Agricultural Co-operatives and the Association of Small Business people.
Duarte has responded by stepping up repression against the unions. On Wednesday 16 April his troops attacked and seized the San
MORE NEWS on world opposition to
Reagan's attack on Libya: in Athens more than 100,000 took part in demonstrations demanding the removal of US bases and condemning the raid. In Italy demonstrations of several thousand took place on Wednesday and Saturday. On Wednesday all universities and secondary schools came out on strike in Rome
In Vienna a demonstration of 400 on the Tuesday of the bombing was banned and attacked by police because 'they hadn't been
' and 22 arrests were made. But the next day around 3,000 came out, and again on Friday. In Dublin 500 marched from Parnell Square to a rally at the GPO where they were addressed by John Doyle, outgoing president of the Union of Students of Ireland, Danny Morrison of Sinn Fein, Abdu Sharif of the Libyan students and Eamonn McCann.
New figures from the US Immigration and Naturalisation office reveal that 1,200,000 Mexican workers were arrested and deported for crossing the border illegally in 1985. In January 1986 131,495 had already been arrested, 53 per cent higher than the same figure for 1985.
The reason for the rapid growth in attempted emigration from Mexico lies in the catastrophic economic crisis brought on by its debt burden and
Around 70,000 people demonstrated on 4 April in Karachi on the seventh anniversary of the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Crowds
burned effigies of Zia ul-Haq and his prime
minister Mohammed Khan Junejo. This was the
third major anti-government demonstration since
martial law was lifted in 1985. All have been
organised by an ll-party front called the
Movement tor the Restoration of Democrac
(MRD) which is campaigning for Zia to call
elections. The past elections, in February last year, .
were boycotted by most opposition parties
because of the restrictions imposed on them
Parties cannot become legal unless they agree not
to criticise the armed forces and support Islam.
Iwo fourteen-year old school students were arrested and held for three weeks for
circulating a draft programme in their school
calling for a 'genuine socialist party.'
Page 10 scan of this page
Reviews Simone de Beauvoir
10 SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR, who died in Paris in April, was one of this century's greatest French writers and philosophers. But her writing had a particularly enormous impact for women. The Second Sex, written in 1949, was 20 years ahead of the rise of the modern women's ROBYN MARSHALL looks at what effect Simone de Beauvoir's work has had for women.
SIMONE de Beauvoir died on Monday April 14 in a Paris hospital. She
78 vcals old. De Beauvoir was leading theoretician, philosopher, distinguished and inspired novelist who
passiunlalery terested in politics all her
But she will be remembered by millions of women all over the world for her brilliant insights on the feminine condition in her second book. The se cond Sex. It was a pioneering work without parallel offering understanding and hope.
It was the first feminist book I read, some time in une eav us. bulll was su fresh, real and relevant to
experiences never suspected it had been writby the split which took place last autumn,
their own alternative journal.
By The Editor
To raise money to defend the weekly production of our paper we launched a £15,000 fund-drive to be completed by Whit-
So far we have reached £12,566. But that isn't enough to bridge the gap
and, not surprisingly, there are no financial institutions prepared to give unlimited
pledged fighting system they uphold and protit trom.
In its early years Socialist Action was run on a huge defecit. Now we do not intend - and can't
To the Manager .
No. 70372315 the sum of (in words)
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and debit my/our Account
(No.
t...
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Address
Socialist Action 2 May 1986 Her book
movement.
ten in 1949.
The German journalist Alice Schwarzer interviewed De Beauvoir about the reacon or rice society when the book first came VUL lesson courage, determination and perseverance the book tellectuals and radicals alike.
Francois Mauriac, later Io win lase Prize for literature, mealately wroic to a Joulnalist colleague
just learned a about your employer's vagina.'
Albert Camus, existentialist and novelist told her, : You have made laughing-stockR of the French male!' French proTeSSOrS threw the book across the room as they
Fighting for a weekly paper
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couldn't bear to read it,
restaul alll alculll
people would stare as she
es generatione ple
as to say that Jean Paul
tore me to shreds. They ac-
doesn't mean a ining to
which is completely and beauvoir
cucut sel wal alice.
LaCK
neagali
call vale!
WE MUST, AFTER ALL, CONSIDER THE FEELINGS OF THE "ULSTER LOYALISTS"!
TO BE SURE!
she didn't want. She built liberation movement, she
was legai. c DcauvUll
an
weeks or pregnancy.
the pr be auton
seeing the had 1d
ALLANCE
SOCIALIST ACTION BRERK
ALL LINKS WITH APARTHEID
Action of being based on
mal paper lummy enoug-
Lack
in tne
jerk anti-imperialism', get
volt more e case
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and above our regular in-
Whit we will not have to
Luc
o3tha ACTION
Faltering the means of pro-
transtorm peopic ..
their LIO0 HOCu
against the social system
their relation
Lee dents tialities weren't swamped. "Women don't want to b
the same thing at all.' mccallulls
tual honesty, integrity and situation we face and that we can maintain a
the paper and to discuss
so unal we ao nol Have lo
Socialist Action. is can be
most important source of alls
So please consider fillTHEM WHEN THEY'RE FIREBOMBING THE HOME OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC THEY FEEL QUITE BETRAYED!
Management stopped our APPEARS THAT MRS THATCHER CARES LITTLE FOR THEIR
SUFFERING..
UNIONS
PORTSMOUTH HEALTH workers have been in dispute with their health authority since 13 January over its refusal to stop buyworkers ANDREW LAVENDER of NUPE visited Leeds during the anti-apartheid trade SON of Leeds NUPE spoke to Andrew about
AFTER a resolution opposing apartheid was passed at the TUC conference last September it came before our district shop stewards committee and we agreed that there was a need for action. then approached the health authority with a view to changing their buying policy of South African goods. However the authority argued that it would not 'discriminate against the country of origin'.
So we won support for a boycott in the stores.
fully supported by the health service drivers. We refused to unload lorries with South
them, we responded by forming pickets outside the store for the rest of the day on which it happened. contract drivers. Fortunately our hardship fund received massive support and we were able to make
We appealed to a committee of the health authority on 3 March, but while we were giving evidence the chair, who boasted of his connections with South Africa, fell asleep. The appeal was dismissed and members were so disgusted by this attitude that they decided to hold a two-day stoppage in the Portsmouth district to highlight the
After we returned from the strike on 6 March we were locked out. Later scab labour was brought into the stores. Then the two main hospitals in Portsmouth were put on red alert, with a ban on all
in danger of losing some of the public support we had gained, and we negotiated the return to work.
This involved some staff being allowed not to handle South African goods for a period of two months in return for the withdrawal of the contractors and no victimisation. At the end of this resume normal work and the usual disciplinary procedures will apply. We have been using this period to lobby for support from other parts of the country and to try and get boycotts in other health
A number of districts have been approached by the union and have agreed to change
Our NUPE full-time officer has given us full
ecutive, but we are also pushing for the union to authorities as well as health authorities, and call on them to change their buying policies if they include
marvellous and we've had lots of messages of support. But what we really want is more action from
The Parliamentary Labour Party put down an early-day motion in the Commons supporting our action and we've also had support from the Labour group in Europe. We need a commitment from the Labour leadership to make this issue a
and prepare for when Labour gets into power. Its anti-apartheid policies must be put into effect and not left on the shelf as happened in
Our action has overcome the doubts of some workers and showed that action can be taken by trade unions. It has had an impact. Whatever happens to us after 12 May, the important thing is that it has raised consciousness on this issue. Hopefully that will lead to much more widespread action *CORMAC
IRISH NATIONALISTS WAIT UNTIL THE LEAT ERSHIP OF THE BRITISH LABOUR PARTY ARRIVES AT THE SAME RADICAL CONCLUSION?!?
DON'T HOLD YOUK BREATH UMRAUL.
Page 11 scan of this page
No wage controls!
ONE OF the most serious developments going on behind the scenes at the Scottish TUC conference were the open moves towards wage controls by Kon Todd, general secretary of the TGWU, and John Edmonds, general secretary of the GMBATU.
ing towards incomes policy in a series of speeches by Kinnock and Hattersley, but this is the first time it has been openly discussed by leaders of two of the most important unions.
Todd spelt it out initially as follows in talking about wages. 'If you want to see a Labour government in power, restoring the economy and getting pas to be for e
form
It is not going to be all grabs for the first two years.' He added: 'we have to accent that there will be some measures of responsibility and self-discipline in the way that we see the way forward.
Edmonds swept away the lessons the calasuroonic
Monday 21 April to Friday 25 1986. This year's congress was publicly a very low key affair with an unparalled degree of unanimity on most issues. The general council managed to have all but a very few
current Tory
on une national services,
Labour renationalise concerns expand
moved by general
attack as 'a threat peace. called for
conven-
Les alold forum discuss the of
emergenc motion by '82 provided sharpest
gress. motion
volvement recruiting Scabs cull
and called
Fords victimisation
worker in Ford's Dagenham assembly been lost -ficial Steve Hart.
mittee had destroyed dismissing her
timisation. In particular,
union activists which employers.
As a result of this her section voted overwhelmingly to walk out definite strike on Monday 21 April when pany failed to reinstate her
at the final appeal. There was also unprecedented
Labour's economic policy has been openly mov-
of the wages controls used by the 1964-70 and 1974-79 LADOU claiming unions had learnt from the Thatcher government.
We now know much money is available, and we know these priorities are very expensive, but they are very important for us as a civilised society. The unions know this very well indeed. In the last three or four vears have learned quite a bit. ' He spelt out his views: 'there are not many groups which will get much sup-
STUC conference avoids key issues
THE STUC was held this year in Aberdeen from
solutions withdrawn -rgh Trades Council opulsions. sent boycott of Murdoch lties. but i stoppea snort of demanding industrial solidaritv or mass suppor for the pickets.
By Jim MeGrory, NUR delegation member (personal capacity)
Led the
from the union leadership's Running the risk from the and
the Broad organisation in EETPU in 'challenging the leadership, in the ing the union.
Was caland
in support unions.
THE FIGHT for reinstatement of a sacked woman
plant has - due to sabotage by TGWU district of-
The woman's union branch, TGWU 1/1107, and the plant shop stewards com-
the company's for LONE - allegedly for not declaring her degree — and proved her sacking was anti-union vic-
it was shown that her former employer, British Telecom, kept blacklists of
could be passed to future
sympathy action … in the corresponding area on the nignisnill.
Nevertheless, without any move by the tompanby to lift the sacking, , the district officer and convenor agreed to recall the
M COOKSON
Todd: responsibility and self-discipline'
port for the idea that the ment should take second reduction unemployplace to an extra percent on wages
Edmonds listed unemployment, public spending on infrastructure, and an expansion of welfare spending as Labour's three Printworkers lobby the Scottish TUC deen Trades Council
allowing the STUC
women's conference
submit motions directly to
congress was LOSU over-
whelmingly. One of the
speakers in this debate op-
posed 'special privilege
for any group'. The con
gress was attended by 560
delegates of whom only 74
were women showing
the very high degree of
'special privileges' enjoyed
by women in the TUC!
Neil Kinnock address-
section on Tuesday morn-
. At this meeting con-
venor Joe Gordon repeated company lies against Lne Woman alie
stated that the action
would not be made official
despite a 'failure to agree'
having been registered at
the final appeal.
Using. the lack of of-
ficial backing as an excuse,
Gordon advised a return
to work. Yet a fortnight
earlier the shop stewards
had unanimously agreed
to fight for action by the
woman's section
regardless of Hart's at-
titude. Stewards, Dracu
accept orate they He said: I accept don't leave a great deal of room TOI improvements in sectional
from the whole movement.
Kinnock spelt out the significance of Todd's words immediately, and took them up at the conference •When the leader G of the TGWU says that'
Kinnock, 'it is and precise Ccal definition of the understanding that exists.
Kinnock declared that Labour's priority was cutting down unemployment
that: 'when say that we putting employment as the cutting edge of the next Labour government, everybody understands that there are going to have to be attitudes, practices, ments that enable us to
ed the on
Wednesday afternoon and gave a very low key speech
which did not mention the
Liverpool enquiry or the
current state of the print dispute. Predictably he attacked the Tories over
their handling of Libya (he
called for economic sanc
tions instead of bombing!) bul gave only the vagues!
pledge about what a future
do with the US bases. He
received a standing
Uvas
officers and the numerous
Labour MPs who backed
their case had recognised
that fundamental issues of
civil liberties were at stake
and wanted to directly
challenge victimisation
lists.
Following Tuesday's
return WOrk
assembly plant stewards
emereen sessiol
and voted not to allow
Hart back into the bani until he started supporting
The ulUl BUSILUN
1/1107 branch will be pur-
suing the matter both
within the TGWU and
with the National Council
for Civil Liberties and the
other unions intimately hit
by victimisation
particularly British
Telecom.
make the first claim on resources the claim of in. vestment, training and employment.
He said there was now
. COMEO! understanding between the abour Partv leader ship and the unions regaranng income • DISCE that they can expect to claim.'
While wage controls were carefully kept off the formal confernce agenda, the STUC : was in fact used as a launching pad for a
for incomes policy. Todd policy. monds put forward positions Sirave ICVe been endorsed by their union.
of every
ly incomes
controls as policies of a future government. tion from some, but by no means all, the delegates. Clearly there are still some on the left who view Kinnock's role in • the party
with distaste.
On South Africa the
conference did not break
new ground - although it reaffirmed all existing Pill ops. It however gave
opinion of apartheid
decisively by voting to in.
Winnie and Nelson
VILE
Mandela to attend the next
STUC!
A bodyblow against
victimisations could have
been struck in Fords last
week. Instead official
cowardice Have Walac
ment another scalp.
• The TGWU 1/1107
branch at Ford Dagenham
has submitted detailed rule
changes necessitating the
regular election of all full-
time officials at the for-
theoming
Conference of the TGWU.
The widespread suppor
for this amongst Ford
worker beel
demonstrated by 1/1107
Secretin
the Region 1 Automotive
Group poll for delegates
Last week's events were an
obiect lesson in why such
accountability neces-
Dal y•
Socialist Action 2 May 1986
AUEW
keeps
right
THE ANNUAL policy. making body of the AUEV the national committee, met Eastbourne last week, prior to the announcement this Tuesday of the results of the ballot to decide the union's next general secretary.
Jordan beat Broad Left candidate John Tocher by 119,220 to 95,511 -a big improvement in the left's share of the vote.
Against back- t
ed the 01 the
While
the union's membership, this decline
the
The came ot revers ing the
and voted in favour pursuing
week but this
called
Labour those
having associated with the
was Friday of week-long committee the exclusion of nalist. , STaEding committee,
moved the the grounds that wan
Sun InTo Wille reporter the week.
Cardiff
postal
strike
CARDIFF post office has recently attempted to victimise two leading union militants, weaken the local union branch for a big rationalisation plan.
Fifty thousand jobs are nauonally, 20 De locally. The current developed around the attempted sacking of hmmy Ovie the Sardin assistant secretary
branch of the UCW.
The 1000-strong UCW
branch held a meeting on
Sunday 20 April to discuss this victimisation. They
decided overwhelmingly to
fight, through an overtime ban leading to all-out
strike action.
By Tuesday afternoon,
11
• the union moved to strike action, the branch delegation to the district council reported complete solidarity within the South East Wales regios Picket lines were set up al the prising many enthusiastic young postal workers. Jus 30 scabs went to work
The strike grew as support workers spotted Cardiff mail and refused, promised, to handle Threatened with suspen sion all 350 walked out. Officers from Barry and
suit.
WONK
'reforms'
_casual unlimiter
ibility'
witl Approachin 13000 workers
are now
lines diminish.
meeting
information of suppor to: HO Bronu
Cardiff. Rail J•R
against
apartheid
By Doreen Weppler 'WORKERS IN Sout Africa who want peaceful future need t join COSATU, the ne union federation. Unil ed through COSATU and through munity organisation workers are today pa ticipating in the libera tion struggle.
"They are adding th
Fiance to the is sweep
voIce to Ele
through peopi These were the words Mbesi Mefazi when he dressed last week
called by Against Apartheid (RAA
This successful ing - attended by ove
members of the Nati Union Railwaym
(NUR) and a handful activists from the driver union ASLEF - markr
trade week of action. RAA
on a London
in March to bring toget
who
disgusted with apartbe
and gove
ment's full backing to
and who want
something about
through their union
Revell
member of the NUR
outlined the jects of Rail Against A theid. We have a new
ner being made and
the
response possible • to
Freedom Marcl calle
the AAM on 28 June
few days after, wel
holding a fringe meeti the national conferena our union. Then we'l ba Work in the necisis a meeting activists
our work.'
Page 12 scan of this page
WAPPING DAY
SoCiAlist
ACTION
Saturday night pickets display a stark image of the man who sacked them
SUBSCRIBE
Free Book Offer!
Take oul ear ou and one or pion and we JUSTICE: The Miners Strike 199486 by the Campaign Group of Labou
OR The Struggle is My Life by Nelson Mandel
Ex 50, London N1.
MAY DAY-
ROBERT
million in sacked workers.
this offer by mobilising.
and on Saturday 3 May.
By Brian Grogan
The lack
Towe al wapping.
representing
proposals to
MURDOCH, boss of News International, has given the print unions till 7 May to respond to his gimmicky offer of the Times Grays Inn Road premisses, plus £15
compensation the Trades unionists have a big opportunity to help the printers find the strength to reject
in their thousands in support on May Day
of determined: support from the rest of the labour movement is strengthening the hand of those like Brenda Dean, who want to throw in the
But the national tion from the rare and ine leaders post-
The mothers/fathers of the chapels
the sacked workers have rejected the national leaderships
Murdoch which would have excluded the print unions trom any direct representation at Wapping This followed the joint clerical chapels "rejecting totally' the sell out deal being offered by SOGAT nationally. (See last . weeks Socialist Action for details).
28 June — build
South Africa's
Freedom March
Ming more orgakised. Wast ridare Set 200 memors of So AT clerical organised. over branch managed to surprise the police and for the first time get to the main gate. They turned away coaches carrying the scabs to work until police reinforcements arrived. Despite brutal tactics, it took the police an hour to clear the main gate. Many of the pickets were women.
The role of the police was again in evidence at the mass picket on Saturday night. It was again only their presence which allowed the scab papers to ge OUL. Seven per police force of London is committed to Wapping. Amongst the printworker supporters on the march from out of London was a coach-load of printers, engineers from Oldham in Lancashire
Local solidarity actions are taking
area on May Dlace in llany Managese and wholesalers in the city Manchester there centred on satyrday 3 May printers
And on Saturday 3 who have marched from Scotland and the North East, rallying support up and down the land, arrive in what will be a massive picket of Wapp ing at 9 pm that evening.
THE THEID
tion
rally Clapham where
Terry
April. the
heightened
In South tions Freedom
28 groups
distribute
on the day. in force.
been
served pass
the right
migrant
from the work cent of the gigantic freedom
and other trade unionists time'
Day: people
which
cally
divides
ANTI APARMovement (AAM) is moving into top gear to build the biggest ever demonstra-
in solidarity with the South African people on 28 June.
By Celia Pugh
The march and festival for people in Namibia and South Africa will assemble at 11 am in Hyde Park for
and march to Common Artists Against Apartheid are lining up a platform of top bands.
AAM secretary Wake
reported on the demonstra tion to a meeting of Lon-
23 He explained that June demonstration will come at a time of
attention on South Africa.
June black AVENUE federation COSATU, and the South African studen organisations have called
theid. The same month the Commonwealth 'investigation team' will pub.
its fact finding report, and the United Na
will hold ference on sanctions which Britain is likely to boycott.
Terry said: 'All these events bring the sanetions issue up front and allow us to remobilise solidarity.'
The task now is to
demonstration called
June. Local • AAM and supporters in Labour Party, trade peace and vouth movements are asked to
leaflets and posters and get agreement for banners to be brought
On Saturday 21 Junę, AAM groups outside Lon-
COSATU prepares May
Day strike
Apartheid's pass law
fraud
IN A GESTURE which changes little for South Africa's majority black population, the apartheid regime has repealed the country's notorious pass laws. A new identity card is being introduced to police black people's movements, Areas Act, the cornerstone of apartheid will remain
During the 60 years in which the pass laws have
force, over 18 million black people have
prison terms offences. The pose of the pass laws wa to deprive black people of
to settle permanently in white areas, particularly in the towns, and so provide a pliable
which could be shipped in
countruside to under near-slave conditions.
Announcing ges, which abolish 34 laws,
Chris Heunis, who rejoices
in the title of minister of constitutional develop.
explained that of movement
"should not be seen as a free-for-all and holds-barred opportuntity
to settle anywhere at any
Just to make sure, the
pass book which all black
previously had to
carry will be replaced by
identity documen everyone must And the Group
Areas Act is to stay. This
the towns into
racially segregated areas
Black people will only
be allowed to live where
don will have a day of ac tion places. Wednesday 25 June will be 'blitz day' for every London tube station to he leateted with a tina reminder of the Freedom MANCI
With the estimated cost of the march £80,000 groups are asked to raise at least £200 Every member is asked to offer their help with the
of tasks of stewarding, selling AAM Laure setting and marquees for newspapers,
stalls and exhibitions. • For leaflets, posters and offers of help contact: AAM, 13 Mandela Street London NW1 (01-387 7960).
Ealing NALGO week of action Ealing NALGO is holding a week of
against apartheid on 12-16 May Exhibitions • videos and stalls will be held every lunch time from 12.30-2om in the
NALGO canteen Ealing Town Hall Annex.
There will be lunchtime meetings, with speakers from the South African Congress of Trade Unions 12.30pm on Monday at Acton Town Hall, on Wednesday 14 May at Southall social services area office, and on Thursday 15 May at the NALGO canteen. There will be a social on Friday evening, 16 May at West. London Trade Union Club, Acton Vale, 7.30-11pm Admission £2.50, £1.50 unwaged
Other trade unions are strongly urged to hold similar weeks of action leading up to the Freedom March on 28 June
and the Group
the apartheid authorities decide they should live
'Squatting, said Heunis, 'defined as the il legal occupation of land or building for living purposes, will not be allowed.'
In short, nothing has changed.
Reporting the changes, the Financial Times cites an example of the 'orderly urbanisation' the govern: Khayelisha, 35 kilometre ment now from Cape Town The
plar 14,000 nev housing plots which are leased to poor people
to erect tents and buil shacks. They are rounded by 10-foo
security fence and patroll
ed by the army and police
South Africans aren't fooled the
egime's phoney abolitio
• LIc bass law Against this background the South
African unions look set to
turn May Day into the big-
gest day of industrial action in South African
history. The National
Union of COSTU, S
backed by COSATU,
calling out its members in
upport of its demand fo
paid holiday on 1 May t
celebrate the centenary of
Labour Day.
← Socialist Action No. 138, 25 April 1986Socialist Action No. 140, 16 May 1986 →