MY NOAH ABLEIT ERDIN WILA NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS apnone: 0742 7003B8 13th suiy, 198% concily d UsA. P.C Yours fraternaily SINCE DAY ONE of the miners' women from the mining communities have stood solidly with the men — not behind, not at the side of, but right out front with them. Women have picketted, demonstrated, spoken at public meetings, and provided the material and moral support that has held whole munities steady throughout the strike.
They have robbed the Tories of the invaluable propaganda of the 'women demand their husbands return work' type we've seen in other strikes. No in the slightest doubt that women support the strike and are up front fighting for it.
By their actions they have advanced the cause of liberation by giant stride. During the dispute they have learned the lessons of how to organise and how to win. As the weeks go by their activities become more and more effective.
Women in the mining communities have made valuable links with other struggles the fight of the Greenham women refuse the nuclear missiles in Britain, and the fight of women in the Labour Party to make their voices heard their opinions count.
These lessons will remain long after the dispute is over.
On August Women Against Pit Closures are organising a national demonstration in London. On 1l August women will lead the way - by linking all parts of the working movement in a tremendous show of solidarity with the miners. •..
that's great. It's the first time that most wives have ever been involved anything of this sort.
Before I just voted Labour and left it to others to get on with things. We voted Labour because our parents before us had.
The strike has opened up a lot of wives' eyes. Now I'm joining the and so are some of the other women Maybe some of the wives will just drift back to the kitchen when the strik! is over. But a lot of us have had our eyes opened to what's going on in the world today, and we wan to be involved in changing things.
— spread the word to trade union and local wUkulac. women's organisations, peace groups and other groups in your area. Get them to join support the • Support — get your MPs and local councillors, publicly suppori the demonstration. Ask any well known figures if they will support the demonstration by joining it and by publicity surrounding the demonstration will help raise more money for the miners, but to get things off the ground, especially to organise transport from the pit villages, money Can vour organisanon sponsor coach seats? £6 brings someone to the demonstraLeaflets, posters and more information from: Kate Bennet, Trade Union Support Unit, Braganza Street, SE17; or phone 01-582 0987. Donations Closures', NUM, Si James House, Vicar Lane, Sheffield, South Yorks
----- pull-quotes -----
Socreary P E HEATHFIELD it the: Bersy Heathfieid