By lan Gault, Hillhead Labour Party RAVENSGRAIG. MONDAY. Miners pickets were joined this morning by NUR and ASLEF as well as other unionists members of the local Labour Party.
The turnout. Sub. was a bit disappointing, and a Colo oi Drivale contine. tors lorries got through. But over 1000 pickets con. fronted even more police Hunterston terminal in Ayrshire, where coal alves for Ravenscraig.
After a bit of a punchup there. Twelve pickets were arrested. Nonetheless things are definitely looking up.
ASLEF have promised to cut off all coal arriving by train for Ravenscraig.
they're discussing cutting off supplies of ore to the plant. unless the lorry convoys stop. This would make Ravenscraig inoperable.
TGWU dockers have made it clear that they'll respect the miners pickets and refuse to unload coal.
And they say if anyone is victimised for this, they'll escalate the action throughout Scotland and nationally if necessary.
TGWU haulage branORGANISATION is advancing Nottinghamshire coalfield will be housed in Nottingham, courtesy of the At Ew who are providing premises.
ween the north of Notts, where most miners are striking, and the south, where ironically enough pits are most threatened but few miners are out.
There has been a big explosion of Nottingham including a women's support committee which had its Ravenscraig Ches the Hunterston have threatened stop their drivers delivering diesel the scab haulace firms. company has already withdrawn.
Finally. miners England are expected to travel up this week to sup port the Ravenscraig and funterston pickets. apace in Nottingham since the rank and file forum of striking miners was established a few weeks ago. Starting this Wednesday, the strike centre for the whole of This will lessen problems of coordination betfirst get together at the beginning of last week.
The idea came women in the local but the a well-deserved attack in the early '70s.
Hospital (pers cap) Scotland.
The unity of the Scottish miners has meant no secuon o me race anon leadership has beer able to USt divisions within the NUM get off the solidarity hook. From the beginning there has been huge pressure for solidarity action, culminating the Scottish TUC's call for a day of action on 9 May.
But the issue of coal supplies to the Ravenscraig steel works has divid. ed an intitially unified Isoonse 10 mers Right now the miners leaders are demanding support for the picket action which will strengthen the strike and help heal the disunity of cabour movement The Scottish TUC has reluctantly supported the all-union DICke Ravenscraig last Monday. The Scottish Labour Party leadership more VOUS but SUll Dissure to unamoizuous ly defend the miners Ravenscraig. by Communist party dominated sections of the trade leadership, has five-year campaign against closure on a DONCY mobilising 'bishops to brickies' to de fend the Motherwell plant Saving Scotland's steel was posed at the expense steel production in Wales of England.
Now the chickens have come home to roost: the Kavenscad leadership demanding the right of full SLCC They have collaborated with British Steel management an enormous scab group is a loose collection of women eager to get on with organising practical support for the strike.
One job they've done so far is setting up a collection point in Nottingham LOWI centre. Last Saturday, they were joined by Cotgrave miners collected over £201 plus donatons or tood The Nottingham wogroup alsd joined pickets at Thorsby pit last week. Carol Keely told Socialist Action:
'We went to picket the on Jimmy Reid, former leader of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders occupation Now a writer for the Scottish Daily Record, Reid has found a place in the sun writing a weekly page wailing for a ballot and lecturing the miners on democracy. He speaks for the right wing of a severely split Labour Party and trade union leadership in operation.
The miners' pickel there are designed to stop all coal except that necessary for the safety of the plant. And the miners calling on the rest of the abou movement back them up This heart of the problem faced the leadership will reflect • neavily or the prospect of success or Scab Reaction to the day c: action is mixed. Not surprisingly, the response of health service workers has been good. The Victoria Hospital and the Western Infirmary in Glasgow will be out for 24 hours, along with many others. 80,000 in Scoreand employing 80,000 in more of a mixed bag. Major plants like Weirs Glasgow win half day However, systematic levies and fund raising have now begun.
In the ship yards, Yar row will work on 9 May, wale Scott Lithgow, despite part time working threats of major redundancies, are out for a full day. In Strathclyde railways will stop, buses won't.
docks throughout Scotland is on the cards, regardless of the lill Calcute dismissals they refuse to unload scal The miners strike is shaking the movement in Scotland from top to bottom.
of night shift workers. About a quarter of the picket was women It was well attended but there big two men were arrested 'The pickets gave us a friendly welcome. We'll b going back again as soon as we're invited.
• The Notts strike committee can be contacted at the AUEW offices, Mansfield Road, Nottingham, phonin Nottingham 609626.
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i Miners' Notts women support strike
'I HAVE A MESSAGE for Jimmy Weed.' Dennis Skinner began his May Day speech in Glasgow with