IN THE TENTH WEEK of the miners' strike, two things are clear: that the NUM remains determined to win, and that the strike is fuelling an upsurge in the class struggle more widespread than anything since the steel workers' defeat in 1981.
In rail, Ycals, employers and the government are facing growing opposition. determined than ever to pursue their fight.
Last week the changing situation was illustrated by the huge success of the teachers' one-day by victory for the Longbridge workers and he trike at nd ASLER decision to call for the NUR action on pay Combined with the local government election results - most notably the Liverpool victory, which prepares the way for a real fight with the Tories on rate capping and abolition there is no doubt that Thatcher faces a long hot summer.
real situation the NUM was also neatly lustrated the end of last week. At Manton the South Yorks coalfield, a back-to-work call by media-inspired scab was decisively crushed. While at Ramsgate, Kent, pickets charged with obstruction were urged by wives to reject a bail condition prohibiting parțicipation on picket lines in any part of the country. They have said, ignore this attempt to ground them.
The fact of the matter is that miners are more determined united than at the beginning of the dispute. Then. it seemed possible that South Wales and Scotland vould face deep division over the strike. Now Nott:
the main Tesslace even here, between 10-12,000 of the 29,000 Notts miners are out, with an increasing number of strikers taking part in pickets.
Nipped In the mining COllmunities, a remarkable feature of the dispute has been the involvement not in the traditional role of staffing the kitchens, but building demonstrations speaking at meetings, and picketing. The slogan Greenham wolici everywhere' understates the case.
The active participation of women huge 1s a strength for the strike.
nipped in the bud Ilas media efforts exploit the position of women to SOW alvisions. Scargill's call for women to join the picket lines should also be the signal for the committees to fully integrate women in running the dispute.
That the tenth week of the strike should see the miners more united determined is remarkable achievement.
The Tories clearly set their sights on dividing isolating the strikers. The reverse has happened. It is the scabs who are isolated.
And support in the wider movement is growing.
Only per cent of coal trains running.
Support committees are blossoming.
the miners there are no musionis long this strike will last. Rank and file miners are already talking about a public sector, the And in the mines, strikers are more tough Christmas. In one headquarters visited, the picketing rota was for 1984-85.
with 74 are no longe relevant. In lasted from 9 January to February weeks. In 74 for about a month.
In both these disputes the miners were able to swim with the tide. The battle of Saltley was the best example of that. This five years of dILCI Thatcher, they face task of turning the tide.
This has begun to hapen. But is has only begun Victory is possible, but by no means guaranteed.
The Tories prePared los streete for massive deployment police and the 2,500 arrests since the dispute began demonstrates that. So does the strategic planning which has mauc power stations less vulnerable.
the movement the situation