DIDCOT power tion, 15 miles south of Oxford, is set to become an important focus the coal dispute. It is the largest coal-fired power station south west England.
NUM members
Merthyr Vale South Wales have picketed the CEGB station trom the earliest days of the strike rapidly stopped coal deliveries thanks rail workers.
Coal stocks were rapidly depleted and in the early summer, with only two weeks SLUCK remaining, the power station was shut 'for maintenance' GOWI Since then no electricity been produced, the NUM pickets have maintained their roundthe-clock vigil.
In addition the miners' position oeen strengthened by the solidarity of the workers inside the power station. BaCK Junc, ailcl strong lead the AUEW district secretary, Malcolm/ Young, a mass weeters voted 3- power meeting power handle scab coal.
This was then followed by a management offensive against the unions the plant, including withdrawal of overtime and union facitilities.
Today however a new reached. Rumours are rife that țeams of fitters are working Lialsicill: the plant from coal to oil burWhether this is true iltie.
not, oil is needed to Ieslali the turnaces: Last week BP oil tankers were turnea away by pickets after TGWU drivers refusto cross picket lines 'his was the tirst time tha oil has tried to go in.
now on the cards that CEGB management Saturday tanker did cross the picket This situation easily escalate. The key factor will be the response workers hsiof Ine plant, who up to now have handle TeLISCU SCAD fuel. . Alongside this the attitude of the South Wales NUM is crucial. Up to now the they. avoided necessary likely workforce.
needed •IODOIL will the alsoj be local labour movement which has already 4 VCL widespread support /to the NUM with over f35,000 so far raised in the /Oxford Colliery
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will try to bring in oil with in oi.