THE annual conference of ASTMS was dominated by the proposed merger between the union and TASS. We carried a full report on this, by conference delegate PHIL PAXTON, in last week's issue of Socialist Action. In the following article, Phil Paxton, a delegate from the union's 3 divisional council, writes in a personal capacity on other issues debated by conference.
DECISIONS of control Over multinaASTMS for the expansion of inissues other than the merger with TASS motion sought to build a AVI were largely routine - against reflecting the concern government's latest of delegates on green paper on the trade employment and trade unions. The union, which has union issues and looking to the election of a versities, declared its Labour government to to lor solve these problems. proposals to replace stulent grants with student The conference voted to support the TUC instructed the policy minimum wage, to fight paign against these proagainst une growing trend buses, Other HOLOIN towards short fixed-term sought to protect the environment, extend public Collaels, housing, and redress the balance between military and non-military research.
On issues a speaker from Im. perial College received considerable support from the conference for ASTMS members who are relusing to work Star Wars projects at Imperial and other colleges.
supported increased tions against South African and building solidarity campaign for Moses Mayekiso of the Anet Workers Union and four OutI peopit Caracu with high sedition by the South Alrican State The conference also six black South African lakilg the railworkers strike. CULCLUI anti-Irish Associated United delegates of Dunne's united the SHOP stewards at Ford, Dagenham, were at the plant gates on 21-22 May collecting on behalf of striking South African railworkers.
The collection was the latest in a campaign Teachers new strike call IN addition to their strike action against the Tory government's withdrawal of their negotiating rights, NUT members in Ford workers against apartheid of actions in the plant which had led earlier unis year to une company's decision to Hese late will South Africa. Jointly organised with Rail Against Apartheid, it raised over £200.
London are being balloted by the national union for a one-day official strike on 16 June.
The move comes in One hundred and twenty Dagenham workers attended a public meeting organised by the 1/1107 branch of the TGWU where local Labour candidates spoke on the response to a campaign for action by the union's inner London division who are fighting plans bi ILEA to compulsorily redeploy 1300 teachers.
ACTiON