ACTiON AS WE go to press an unholy alliance of the Tories, the media and the Labour right are stepping up their campaign to force a ballot in the NUM. Their aim is not democracy. There was no similar campaign in 1977, when Joe Gormley ballot to impose the divisive bonus scheme. Their aim is to divide the miners and isolate them from the rest of the working class.
The argument against this spurious democracy is well put by Jack Collins who says: 'No one has the right to vote another worker out of a job, by putting a cross on a ballot paper.
the mealy-mouthed hvpocrisy of the and their neai the breach' in the N.1l. is a simple refusal to take on 'new realists' In the TUC was well our oc bulor help from the seales y in response to a re saddened that the NUM has not obtained the unity that is needed to defeat an employer' (President Kent Area NUM) overturned a national of the left on the NUM Executive to base themselves on the areas where jobs are threatened absolutely correct. Only mass action can stop the threat to jobs. The issue facing the Ex• ecutive 'democracy'. It is how to will There is no doubt that the first phase of the NUM left's strategy was oversuccessful cant of med as on strike, of miners the support of the main transport unions to stop the movement coal. Despite the sabotage OI right support growing at the base of the movement.
Across the country, acuvists are bulaing rames, establishing labour movemc support commutices.
organising factory tours. This kind of sup port, along with stopping the movement of coal. and preparing solidarity tion. can win.
When Bill Sirs says that he does nOl wall steel workers 'sacrificed on someone eise s allar ne betraying the whole work ing class. If the miners are defeated the Tories' attacks on the closed shop, on the links with the MI Labour Party and against local government will b greatly strengthened. victorv for the miners will be a huge blow to Thatcher The refusal of the TUC the leaders to give full suppor to the striking miners and to call on Nottingham join the strike has. aided the right and deepened the divisions in the NUM It has undoubtedly helped to slow down the momentum that had been built up in the last few weeks.
Had the leaders made a clear stand in support of the decision of the Notts Executive could have been very different. Their deci sion to cross picket lines has dealt a serious blow to the NUM.
Clearil. a fresh initiative is needed. The demands for a ballot are initiative to win the strike aimed at revere striking miners their leaders have SWIl that they determined to win. This is prepared fight in striking contrast to sirs Duffy, Murray et al As a result, the miners have tremendous support at the base of the movement. This support needs organised to force the TUC and the Labour Party leaders to stop thei sabotage fight alongside th miners NUM transport leaders with the Labour Party left should launch a renewed massive campaign to build solidarity, picketing, and defeat the sabotage of the right.
Included in that should ine demand that the TUC name the day for solidarity action with the miners.