THE MINERS' dispute is a fight for the soul of the labour movement. Since last September's TUC the right wing forces of realism' have been calling for accommodation with the Tory government. Essentially they're calling for cooperation in the destruction of the welfare state that the government is trying to carry out.
But miners are not pit losures sell off the jobs of young miners. hey're fighting back.
every cause the labour movement holds tear is at stake in this Some unions have made Ceci uncl realism' is unacceptable a right to defend their members in Wav necessary. The miners' dispute is getting support left-led INSTOS.
MP for Islington North They are getting very considerable support, for example, my own union NUPE, have given £55,000 nationally and will be giving more. And that's not just because the leadership. among the grass rolls It's real feeling membership miners supported us in 1982, we'll support them This isn't returning LUW. favours, it's recognising the unity of struggle The TUC leadership don't want to hear talk. of the dispute. of honourable settlements, I want to talk about an end to the proStatements like Eric Hammond's recently give the media a fieldday. This same union the deliberately pursuing an ann-Laboul course. It's trying reduce affiliation to the to minimum SDP people within its own This the first serious attempt in this country follow the 'non-political' course of American unions.
which doesn't have regard for the feelings of the rest of the labour movement is in a 'ollow private medicine TOI its members (an anathema own and such things as no-strike clauses with companies wishing to set up shop in The parliamentary leadership of the Labour Party should have come out at the very beginning of the strike and givel unequivocal support to They should have forced a debate in the House of Commons.
They should have mobilised much Hall C clearly in support of the dispute.
Despite this, local Parties