AS we go to press polling is taking place in the NUM presidential election. But every indication is that Arthur Scargill is going to win. This will be a victory for every miner, a setback for British Coal, and a setback for the right wing in the NUM. But it will only be the beginning of the fight against British Coal and the government's plans.
IT'S clear that it is the government's smash the NUM and that it is prepared sacrifice the livelihood of everyone tne country This is showing up most vividly in the plans for the privatisation of the electricity industry.
Those interested tendering to run a privațedustry have made it clear that nuclear power is completely uneconomic On VOTING for a new general executive council of the TGWU (in both trade groups and territorial divisions) closes on 5 February. The result of these elections will have enormous significance for the future of Britain's largest union. economic grounds the nuclear power proglamlie would be halted.
But the government is insisting that nuclear power go ahead and that it will subsidise it. So much for the claim by the government pit closure programme because it wa with 'economic forms of production. The government concerned develop nuclear power solely because that is a way to weaken the miners.
In calling the presidential election when he did Arthur Scargill outwitted the government, the NUM right. But that has right nockite left in the NUM had planned to participate presidential election called under the government's new trade union act stand a Kinnockite candidate who would have split the left's vote.
That is what they had tried to do, unsuccessfully, with HENC Clarke in the vice-presidential of Scargill's timing in calling the elec tion the Kinnockites were unable to come up with a candidate leaving the There have been numerous knife edge deciquestions, such as changes the structure the only runner in the field against Scargill right winger John Walsh. The Out' manoeuvered. But that mean that they does not have abandoned their policy of aiming towards cooperation with Coa British Coal has made its own plans more more explicit. The South Wales coalfield has seen 15 out of 28 pits closed since the strike and 11,000 jobs been Yet the Have Cut Polish and the South Wales advocated leadership would participating in further massive job loss.
Walsh has made it clear during the election that he is prepared to discuss with British Coal about flexible working as the South Wales leadershio was over Margam. As Arthur Scargill has pointed VUL this would lead to the closure of 20 per cent of pits and the loss of a further 40,000 jobs This makes British Coal's pro mise' jobs at Margam appear small beer. Far more jobs will be lost as a result of texible working than would be gained evel British Coal's promises.
This is why a policy of cooperation with British Coal is literally suicidal. "here is no acal on oric. from British Coal by being reasonabic. Incy wallt to slim down the industry prepare privatisation. A victory for Walsh, for flexible working, would have been the encouragement for further round of job • losses. shitual danger could be faced in the vote for general secretary wher Peter Heathfield retires.
The South Wales leadership disciplinary already unicalle against Tyrone 'Sullivan Tower, Phil Cullen Cynheidre, Terry Dvies secretary of Marine organisers of the Scargill campaign in South Wales The defeat in South Wales, by 69 per cent to 31 per cent, of the ballot for strengthening the overtime ban is undoubtedly a setcuts, detend the NHS.
For all these reasons every TGWU should scrutinise the candidates wno are Stalling for election/re-election. Ig nore ine nes or the meala and the union right wing.
Vote candidates wnd will defend us against the Tories and the bosses. back. But a victory for Ar thur Scargill in the presidential poll will be :
for the vital specia /VUI NUM delegate conterence on 2 February. That must be the starting point for a fight against the leaderships, such as South Wales, which opposed Scargill and orientate collaboration with British Coa Du Field and co will not be Needless Des presenting themselves reelection.
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