Socialist Action No. 73, 12 October 1984

Socialist Action · 12 October 1984 · 12 pages, 16,545 words read by machine

The scan: 073-oct-12-1984-SA-UK.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)

Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Page 1 scan of this page

ACTION

TUC MUST CALL A GENERAL STRIKE

defend

THE HIGH Court has declared war on the trade union movement. Its decision to £200,000 of the assets of the NUM, and threaten to sequester the entire funds of the union, is the greatest attack on the trade union movement since 1926.

It that the hatcher government and me entire ruling class, acting through the courts, have decided to try to break the miners' strike through repression. It is the

No one should have any doubt but that this legal attack is a calculated decision by the ruling class to try to smash the NUM.

The reasons for the decision are clear. The NUM is winning the strike. Already power stations representing 40 per of the coal-burning capacity of the Central Electricity

the TUC guidelines not to handle new coal. More such decisions will come through in the coming days. government must win the quickly or its defeat is certain.

There must be no illusions whatever regarding the scale of the attack which has now been launched on the NUM or the scale of reply which is needed to defeat it. The court's decision unal, after eight months out solid, the NUM cannot call the strikes in Yorkshire and Derbyshire 'official' is simply grotesque. The NUM cannot back down on that even if it wanted

self-governing union could.

The courts aim to smash the power of the strongest industrial union in the country. If this decision is forced through the internal affairs of no union in the country will be free from the continual intervention of the courts. The attack on the NUM is a direct and immediate threat to every

union, every shop stewards committee, and every group workers in the country.

The decision which the union movement faces today is far more serious even than the one it confronted, and failed, a year ago with

No. 73 12 October 1984 30p

All out to

the NUM

the court attack on the NGA. That humiliating defeat was followed imseize mediately by the banning of unions at

GCHQ, and the government forcing the miners out on strike through its provocation at Cortonwood. defeat of the trade union movement now will see a wave of reaction by the employers against every group of workers in the country.

The response of the TUC and entire trade union movement must be the exact opposite to the decisions of the General Council when the attack was launched on the NGA. The victorious fight against the Industrial Relations Act, the freeing of the Pentonville Five, shows that the law can be successfully defied and defeated. The condition for victory is that the movement acts now to take industrial action to support the miners and the TUC is forced to give full backing to the NUM. If that is done the courts will be defeated - and the backbone of the Thatcher governThe ment wil be broken. There are strike Monday, set by the court, to ensure

that the government knows if it acts against the NUM it will face the biggest mobilisation in the history of the working class. Sheer brute power, not law, will decide the outcome of this struggle. The urgent steps now are: • Every branch, every shop stewards committee must meet and decare that if the assets of the NUM questrated, or its leaders imprisoned, start from Monday 29 October - the day the court action to seize the assets of the NUM commences. • The executives of trade unions must meet to decide that from Monday 29 October indefinite strike action will be taken if any attempt is made to sequestrate the assets of the NUM or imprison its leaders. • An emergency meeting of the TUC

of General Counci must be

declare its support for the NUM and trade to declare that if the assets of the

NUM are sequestrated, imprisoned, geral strike in defence or ine NUM TUC

SOCiAList

Any fourteen days from or its leaders

ITATE

No more NGAs!

ATIONALUS MINEWORKERS

KENT AREA

ORGANISE EDUC

Page 2 scan of this page

TUC at the crossroads

Socialist Action 12 October 1984

SOCiAlist

ACTION

Scargillism?

SINCE THE election of the Thatcher government two enormous convulsions have shaken political society in Britain. Their results are the beginning of the greatest structural change in British politics since the aftermath of the First World War.

The first convulsion was the capitalist politics

World volitics remained confined within a simple opposition of he Labour and Tory Parties.

Liberal Party by the

1945, Lanents me vIctory olitical process that had been produced by the First World War itself.

Although much of the British left still cannot break out of thinking in terms of this old two-party system, in reality it is gone forever. The SDP-Liberal Alliance will not disappear. Its goal, and role, is to try to prevent the formation of a majority Labour government and to exert a new form of powerful right-wing pressure on the union and labour bureaucracy.

Alliance is a structural and fundamental feature

To encompass this new political structure, and render organisation is required — British membership of the EEC, and the introduction of troportional representation, and coalition governments.

To create that system in turn British thorough-going reorganisation of the politics and structure of the working class movement. In particular it reand exclusive links of the TUC and the Labour Party, a quires a radical change

Party — one moving away from basing Labour activity and membership directly on its mass affiliated organisations and towards the 'individual membership' basis of

"New realism' and Kinnockism, in short, are just as as are Thatcherism, the SDP, and the Tory wets.

The aftermath of the First World War however pro1926 eliminated an authentic left bureaucracy, basing labour movement. The bureaucracy as a whole came to play the role not merely of derailing

Cook, and the politics of 'not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day' disappeared for two generations as a force within the British labour movement.

This is why the emergence of Arthur Seargill, and the forces he represents most completely, is a fundamental

Scargill has not been dragged behind the miners. He has for seven months led the greatest mass industrial confronted, and fought back against, the greatest direct assault of the bourgeoisie against the working class since

once be described as 'Bennite', but which is today much MUrC 'Scargill/Benn/Livingstone'.

reform in the labour party, has today had added to it

the supercharged force of the greatest trade union struggle for fifty years. The social base it is beginning to ac-

quire is furthermore not simply the cadres of the working

class, whom Benn always dominated, but a mass social

base in the most powerful industrial union in the coun-

qualitative shift in British politics within the working

class movement which is equivalent in its impact and

consequences to the shift in bourgeois politics which has

already taken place. It is a leadership of a type the Marx-

of day to day tactics — and nor can it be confronted at

the level of moaning, sniping,

ultra-left criticism on tactics which much of the Marxist

eft has liked to dress up as 'Bolshevism'. No one need go

to bed at night worrying whether the miners' strike will

political, including organisational, lies

and to 1Qnl

through winning the leadership of the labour movement

masters, are therefore left in control

organisations and can use this position to increasing ad-

vantage in betraying the struggles of the working class

They did this in 1926 despite the leadership of Cook and

others. But what is emerging today is still a leadership

the first beginnings of a class struggle leadership in the

the working class into labour movement, within that fighting for leadership class

and on the key political questions it confronts: it is on

these basic questions that battle has to be joined in the

entire next period in the workers movement.

fracturing of British the formation of the War until 1979 British The destruction of the old events of the inter-war period, and simply finished off a

trade The SDr-Liberal

and a change in the structure of the Labour

politics. The defeat of

of current once symbolised by AJ ane current which gained around constitutional

biggest cities in the country, and the That development, which is only just beginning, is a

The weakness of such a leadership is not at the level

weakness of such a leadership on current pro-

for Fighting to organise the forces which are emerging in struggle left wing in the.

THE THREATENED High Court attack on the NUM faces the British labour movement with a fundamental challenge. not just the NUM. It is ali those who resist Tory attacks on the working o the labour movement scability to grE fight.

the miners they will

this

out of the

The at the

The 1984

the NUM'. The general

mandate.

The for the

will. AS comes closer, cuts are

avoided

one They

using

legislation against the

strongest the

country.

Please forgive this unseemly intrusion.

I'm looking for the Labour Party Conference

The target of the government is

3s. It is aimed at crippling

anise and to

ow getting for

By Pat Hickey

The fact that the attack comes under common law, and the so-called rules of natural CHALLE should fool nobody. The reality is that the Tories have been preparing the ground for the growing use of the law and courts industrial

Never since they came to office. First Jim Prior, then Norman Tebbit, now Tom King, have been steadily tightening the legal shackles on the trade unions.

Unlike 1974, when the Tories set up special courts TOI merely provided enabing dealing time with they the

acts, which employers to use the. civil courts.

But the intention was clear. steadily develop a climate in which the courts and the law could become a central part of industrial disputes

the state could be brought to the aid of employers faced with any trade unions which were prepared to fight.

The intention right from the beginning was to

ACTION

of the

/Ah! And did everyone agree that British troops should be withdrawn from Ireland? "

face • the trade union

leadersh, as d with a con-

tation of the Wilk

And now the hope

government

the C the trade move-

the NICHL. miners.

The greatest campaign labour

policy of and

betrayal of the trade

misnomer realism'

on the NGA.

GCHQ.

the train drivers and health

to be to quote

Any

issue would open the

assault more

that

The NUR,

and

The to defend

retain funds immeasurably would b more The

movement. This is the

days There plenty of

ment who only too

the Hammond, Lyons have doing throughout the strike.

with their

proceed.

stop and prepare for for the from

the NUM today

has not delivered.

ple. • The council

THE COMIC STRIP

MINDLESS PACIFISM?!

we all know what soldiers do - and we're all against it - Right? %

Let's debate violence..?

must meet immediately, to

act on the mandate given

congress. They must

state clearly that if the

NUM attacked, there

will be an immediate

general strike The TUC

should be recalled to plan

the campaign.

• Those unions which

have supported the NUM

have a particularly grea

responsibility. They mus

provide lead.

TGWU. the NUR the

NUS, and ASLEF shouk

now call

executive meetings and

declare their intention to

take solidarity action with

the NUM, if any attempt 1s

made to seize its funds or

imprison its leaders. They

must that the

TUC-act now.

• Key groups of workers

in Fleet Street, the

docks, transport, engin-

eering must pledge im-

mediațe industrial action if

there is any legal attack on

the NUM

The decisive thing now

is for commitments to ac-

tion in support the

NUM. Physical support as

Arthur Scargill has

demanded.

This is the best way to the courts to back off. The best way to pre vent the right win rying to stab the NUM i

the back and set back the

labour movencu

decades. The best way

secure a total victory for

the miners.

•CORNAG

¿Violence?!? 2 We are totally and Y unequivocally opposed • to violence!

Oboy!

Party unity

Page 3 scan of this page

Labour's new left

News

THE REACTION of sections of the press to the left wing at last week's Labour Party conference was almost frenzied. The Daily Telegraph on Friday carried the lead into its centre page analysis of events that its commentator had seen, 'Labour turned its back faith in the future on the rule of street mobs.'

backward glances at constitutionality or legality, has opted for extra-parliamentary action and insurrection,' and that, 'When the main opposition party in the land turns it back on legality and democracy there is something rotten in the body politic.'

While the Telegraph specialises in articles for retired Tory colonels nevertheless the serious press also understood that something fundamental was going. on.

The Financial Times, in its editorial on Saturday, declared, 'The fact that Mr Scargill can win a personal triumph in Blackpool is bad news for Mr Kinnock and the Labour Party, which looks more than ever like a rabbie. But it is also bad news for the government.

the title "The two parties of its Friday editorial column Blackpool', exoduce li that there was on one side the respectable right wing party of Kinnock and Hattersley, and then 'the newer, restless, impatient Labour Party, the Scargillite party, which is 'strong in conference and growing stronger in the

Even given Fleet Street's normal distortion and hysteria something very fundamental did happen during the week. The

Monday of Labour Party

was best day the left in the Labour Party has had for a very long time. The miners WCIC backed. Police violence in the miners'

on constitutional behaviour and pinned its

The article concluded that, 'Labour, with few

stride as whoeheared

denounced. Neil nock's attack on reselection was defeated for this year in all its forms.

Defy

During the rest of the week a decision to defy the law over the defence of the cities was passed. Ireland the conference took serious steps forward oy calling on Labour mount a campaign of opDOS LOI of plastic bullets, calling for

ending of LIC Diplock courts. and demanding the end of strip searching of women prisoners in Armagh gaol.

Indeed something fundamental broke out at this vear's Labour Partv Conference — or more precisely was brougnt to a head by the miners' strike which acted as the driving force •re енше еког ає first time for fifty years, since the Minority VOVe ment of the 1920s, the elements of class struggle forces, and a real class struggle leadership

clearly beginning to emerge labour movement and certain of its key struggles.

Above all, dwarfing all else, of course the

miners' strike. The sheer power of this conflict makes it the greatest mass working class industrial struggle since the general strike. And out of it has emerged leadership which in Arthur Scargill's

genuinely 'stands and Ignits

It is not a revolutionary icaucismp. NOI Marxist leadership. • It is a

the 1C L vul cauliary But it 1s a force which is authentically leading, and not following, the greatest direct working class mobilisation for fifty years.

However while the miners' strike overshadows everything else in its power nevertheless it is

such force which is stirring

the labour today. Labour left which five years ago was around rupee still mainly

constitutional reform, with only CND as a mass campaign driving

beginning le take on quite a different Colorado!.

Miners

What were the issues and groups which dominated the conference? First Ine miners. whole series of Labour Parties in the big cities backed by unions, pledg1ng their willingness violate the law to defend services, jobs, and local government. Most important several of them meant

Liverpool STabbed Party resting i can showed power on the resistance of an entire city.

Also fundamental for the future the fight

Was

over black sections, women's self-organisation

the party, the demand for entelesh an ights, and the etfects dialogue with Sinn Fein.

Miners, the big cities women, gays. blacks, lesbians, , the Irish are not the 'middle class constituency parties or the 'bed sitter/ polytechnic lecturer brig ade' who the press like to

They amount to the most

HIUS powerful and most oppressed groups in society.

NUM

The NUM in particular set incredible record during the week. In addi-

to its own struggle, which dominated the proceedings, the NUM backed illegal action on the cities, moved against Kinnock on reselection, back-

black ported the demands of the

Women's Action Commit tee and sent a message of solidarity to the Labour Campaign for Gay Rights.

So much for the sneerings of the Guardian, New Statesman, and their hangers-on in attempting to present the choice for the oppressed vanced middle classes

the 'backward' workers. It was the most powerful industrial union in the country which took the most consistent posi-

pressed week.

Finally there was huge advance solutely basic question for the tuture - : one that above all others les the Fleet Street press to

foam at the mouth.

Britain has for more unan a centur been une major country in Europe

weight of philistine legalism and parliamentary Cretism has been the greatest. Since Chartism there has been no mass current that

rejected legițimacy of the bour.

state British equivalent to the Communist Parties of Europe or the anarchists of Spain.

Very slowly, extremely uneven v. this 1s beginning to change. What is developing in the labour movement are precisely currents which base themselves on mass struggles and which do not accept that the law

above all else, who do not accept that the violence of the working class is to be placed on the same level as the violence of the police and state. State

The state was once well defined as claiming monopoly of the means of legitimate violence'. relatively large layer people are beginning not to accept that legitimacy on all issues. small

longer prepared to accept its violence. Both develop-

are completely unacceptable capitalism.

'Scargillism', and all that goes with it, is not a political current the bourgeoisie can accept a legitimate in British politics.

There should be strictly no exaggerating as to th size of what is developing. The types of left which are

Socialist Action now cuncil in the labour movement are minority — contrary to the fears of Fleet Street. The Labour conference boosted the left but it is still Kin. nock who remains in the saddle.

Kinnock controls the NEC and cemented still more firmly his relations with the GMBATU, AUEW and other bureaucracies. He won fundamental political vic. tories the debates on defence and economic policy

'he left, in short, is a

Declaration of contempt

culated at Labour Party conference -

movement to sign it:

dustrial action by the National Union of

Mineworkers to be an official strike. By

collectively that this strike is official.

Signature

Address

Organisation

When completed please send to Jane

12 October 1984 3 powerful minority. It can win on some individual issues but not yet take the leadership of the party.

That is going to be a ques tion of years of struggle before the position of Kin. nock can : overthrown Enormous tasks lie ahead of it.

But something very profound indeed did begin to take first shape at this vear's labour • Party conference. Fleet Street exag gerated the tempo. But it got the direction dead right.

THE FOLLOWING declaration was cir-

• with an invitation for other figures in the labour

We, the undersigned, in our personal capacities but with the full intention of involving where possible the organisations we represent, do hereby declare the present in-

signing below we jointly repeat, with Arthur Scargill and the executive of the National Union of Mineworkers, the so-called 'contempt' of the High Court, by repeating Stockton, 31 Cranwich Rd, London N17.

Page 4 scan of this page

Solidarity wins on rail

Teachers pay lesson

4 FOR THE third time since the start of the miners' strike, rail workers were poised to take official action on 9 October. The rail federation - NUR and ASLEF — had called a one-day strike in Yorkshire,

to protest against intimidation faced by members

who are refusing to move coal. For the third time, management made a temporary retreat. by the miners' strike. Many depots exist solely to transport coal from the pitheads to the power stations.

writing in personal capacity, explains his views on

the issues behind the call for the strike. OUR 9 October strike call was direct result management discrimination against •eneratul memocis ra" depot, at Shirebrook WIIO have

followed union policy and

refused to move coal.

The ShireProok depot

• split, just like the Nott

oalfield is split. Our lates

something

figures show

like quarter of drivers, and 40-50 per cent

of the guards, are scabb-

ing.

Those who are working are breaking

every national agreement.

They are coming into work

as management requires,

not according

agreements. They are

working long hours of

overtime.

Signalmen W10

supporting the unions are

being replaced

qualified workers. Train

crews who were refusing to

move coal had their rosters

torn up.

flexible rostering

agreement was uspense

with. They were given an

emergency code 22. This is a strike lan code

bill by over 40 per cent.

union

campaign for arbitration.

right in the end.

The events surrounding arbitration are a warning to all trade unions -NUM and NACODS 1n particular. ACAS is not an independent body, and not to be trusted.

Terms of arbitration in education are governed by

A MEETING in London on 8 October for miners' support committees was attended by over 40 delegates. meeting discussed problems facing work in London, cluding police harassment. was called by

Socialist Action 12 October 1984 In mining areas, rail workers are deeply affected

TOMMY DOYLE, secretary of Tinsley NUR,

code. It meant they were not allowed to book on duty, and so were with National In-

payments. Suralle and And pension they weren't all the other allowances that make up our wages.

In Shirebrook, this sort of intimidation is made worse by the fact that an emergency unit of stormhas been set up right in the railyard. These police units are at the entrance gates.

Two caravans are stored there with riot gear, which is being used against striking miners at Warsop

source intimidation against our members.

But it's gone even further. Every now and then, round Shirebrook village knockino on doors IOr StrIKIle ana on occasion, rail workers get caught up in this police net.

led those oi South Yorkshire to

- beware ACAS

THE NUT special salaries conference, meeting in

Scarborough on 29 September agreed to submit a

claim for 1985 which would increase the total wage

Over the last ten years teachers pay has declined by 30 per cent, and this

year's derisory settlement added insult to injury.

Throughout this year's pay campaign teachers showed they were prepared to fight. The right-wing

executive side-tracked this militancy into a The Socialist Teachers Alliance (STA), the largest left group in the NUT, argued against this strategy, and they were proved

the Teachers. Renumeration Act, which provides for an arbitration panel of three people, OlIC nominated by each side, and an independent chairnominated ACAS.

The employers vetoed

London supports the miners

GLATC, SERTUC, GLC Police Monitoring Committee, and NCCL It agreed that a London conference of trade The unions, CLPs, support the groups, the big boost to the work of tees and so on in- building support.

Delegates were urged to send resolutions to the next meeting of SERTUC,

solidarity action. We wanted to show things. One, 10911 members Shirebrook are no oned. to show management that as far as we are concerned we are no longer going to tolerate this situation.

The call for action was fully supported, in South

Worksop, Yorksle. Doncaster, and the Shef-

field areas. The Shirebrook workers have

NUR

LORLD

UNITED

WECAN

the first three names put

forward by ACAS, on the

ground that they were too

pro-employee. The

chairperson finally agreed

on was a monetarist pro-

fessor of economics, from

the Manchester School of

Business. He was the only

one of the three members

of the panel to sign the

agreement. The teachers

nominee refused to sign

yet despite this the Act

gives the government the

power to impose the ar-

bitration decision - which is exactly what they did. It little wonder that the NUT executive were forced at conference to accept an STA amendment that by IcAl should not go to arbitra- year's pay claim

on 20 October, from their labour movement bodies asking it call such a confenis (name of body) requests SERTUC organise a conference, the earliest possible date, Su trade uminitees, els, trade unions, CLPs, to discuss further steps in building solidarity with the NUM.

be withdrawn code 22 will noW received a commit-

withdrawn; they will be able book all allowances will be paid, and Chese will be backdated.

Management have

been clearly informed that any repeat of these attacks will lead to immediate industrial action.

The solidarity shown

South Yorkshire railway workers made management retreat in

IS

Manchester rail workers march in solidarity with the miners.

Bernard Reagan

The main weakness of the special conference was the absence of any serious discussion on how to fight for the claim - particularly in the view of the fact that over 60,000 teaching jobs are threatened under rate-capping ingly acare of the impos- Teachers increas tance of the miners' strike their own issues. Over €1000 was collected for the miners at conference, as a result of initiatives by STA members on the executive. important ferences are HOW being prepared which will give militants Lambet Chalce U Callse East London Associations

Notts for the time being. But BR Will through the pressure of the government, to try to en workers don t take joint Sult miners action.

Even if we have local retreats or temporary retreats by management, it will last only until the next crisis. If it's not one week, it will be the second week. It won't go away until the miners win, and this dispute is resolved.

By Bernard Reagan

(NUT Executive,

personal capacity)

are organising conferences

to prepare the fight for

next year's pay claim. On

20 and 21 October the STA

AGM will be discussing

and planning tor future

action.

Photo: GM COOKSON

Socialist Teachers Alliance Annual General

Meeting

Agenda: 1) Pay; 2) Rate-capping; 3) Education; 4) Building the left. Sat. 20 & 21 October.

Robert Montefiore School, Valance Rd., con- E1. (Whitechapel

underground)

and

Students support

the miners!

By Karen Talbot (NUS Executive, Personal Capacity)

IT'S THE start of the year now for most students who, if they're lucky, will have got a grant, somewhere to live, and will be wondering how to survive until Christmas on next to nothing. That's the students. Then there are schemes' with no hope of real jobs — an ex- the thousands on ercise which typical year for the education system under Thatcher.

struggles class and labour movement at the moment

'political' purposes such unions that clearly ed on Thatcher's logic.

pithead Plenty resource for their communities,

with closure Lave

'uneconomic'

activity in the community

don Poly.

unity between all

power.

paign

parliament and letter writing

support for workers' disputes

as we mean to go on.

ing force in the

government.

ACTIVISTS DIARY

Apart from freshers'

weeks, at which support

for the miners strike

should be raised, prepare

now for:

• National CND

demonstration Barrow,

27 October. Make sur

transport booked.

Posters available

local and national CND.

• National CND

ference, Sheffield, 23/24

/25 November. Deadline

delegates Bon't

November.

hesitate, make sure your

delegation will attend.

NUS women's

ference, Birmingham

News

ACTioN

slave labour 'training

conveniently hides the unemployment figures. All in all it's another

These facts on their own should be enough to make socialist students realise the importance of building fighting and campaigning student unions

• and that's without even considering the major

going on in the whole of the working

There are many parallels between the student world and wider struggles. Student unions are having battles over ultra vires (illegal payments) for

as transport to demos.

Trade unions come up against Tory attacks on the

have the same philosophy behind them. Unions must be powerless or smash-

Arguments about economics don't stop at the

small colleges, • a valuabl are threatened been shut for being

At another level the growth of racist and fascist

mirrored by the frightening emergency of the National Front and other fascists at many places as well as North Lon-

What is clear is that students can't see their situation and problems in isolation. The need for

groups under attack from this government, and the sort of society it breeds, greater than ever. At the moment students have an urgent need to support the miners. Whether this means breaking the ultra vires laws or not, we must get involved in all struggles going on around us.

As part of a fighting movement we have some

We must use it, turn outwards and cam — and campaigning doesn't mean lobbyin It means direct and concrete action, mobilising financial and physica

We mustn't be afraid of confrontation, even i leaders may sometimes say otherwise. As socialists we have an active role to play in all the struggles against this government. We should start the year

- building a mass, campaign• student movement working with the miners and the labour movement to defeat this

University, 10 November. All women supporters urged to attend.

• Founding conference, 'Further Education Labour Students', Liverpool Polytechnic, 10/1 November

Want advertise meetings or events in the activists diary? Write io 'Activists Diary'

Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street, London NI 2XP

STUDENTS

Page 5 scan of this page

Black sections: the first skirmish

News

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK conference the Militant denounced the black section for being "divisive', for taking black people into a 'ghetto'. tions, explained where the real divisiveness comes from.

ty,' she said. 'But the real apartheid that exists is an all-white parliament, councils, and a nearly all-white conference.'

debate on black sections on the party and on black people.

THE settling after the com-

assault on Partv

of the events of Wednesday

particular,

have

blacks nothing with the

The politically

differently.

tions,

advanced

country

most other or abstained, secHions must have got

if not

ency votes.

IT WAS ALL very low key and predictable. At the end of the defence debate, on noon, the BBC commentator said that the Labour Party had made a 'slight shift to the right'.

that the party's commitment to nuclear disarmament may be on record but, in other respects, the party has made defence.

Many delegates had not read the NEC statement before the debate.

should send to Walworth®

get the document, and discuss it - now.

We must insist the party campaigns for its policy to: refuse cruise missiles, cancel Trident, close US nuclear bases, send all

weapons DICK and scrap Polaris and all other British nuclear wcapUlls We must begin to put these

LIKE TO

UNEMPLOYED

Labour Party

Diane Abbott, moving one of the resolu-

'We're accused of creating apartheid in the par-

an all-white NEC, all-white

MIKE WONGSAM assesses the impact of the

This is in a situation Where come ence confirmed that racism is alive and kicking in the Labour Party, where campaigning has only just started in the trade unions, and where only 26 constituency black sections yet exist.

It is not usual for issues like the self-organisation of the oppressed to even get on to the agenda of a come ene after only a year of campaigning and discussion In this sense then the black sections' lobby must be seen as an unqualified success, a great moral victory although the first skirmish was lost. acente point is that black selfIs now much on the political agenda, black sections will grow in the coming year, and there are many more skirmishes to come.

But the greatest moral victory was the flimsiness the opposition's arguments exposed to

Labour's defence policy

A shift to the right

Wednesday after-

It was more than that. But even he recognised

fundamental compromises on

policies to the voters There was confusion tirin This document the general election. will not up. Many speakers in the debate made this point.

By Joy Hurcombe, vice chair CND (personal capacity)

But one thing clear: the right has not, and will not, give up their attacks unilateralism for the of unity.

CHANGE PLACES?

TUCNI

DEPLOYED

the whole black community on national television.

After the case for black sections had been persuasively put, the trade union bureaucracy ed out its real 'token

The carnival of reaction was led by the EETPU which led out its first ever Dwayneaker Party conference, closely followed by Militant stool pigeons. But they didn't seem to realise the irony of their position.

The fact that the opDOSIROT only black speakers in the debate is had

powerful argument for the black section. Once th argument that only black people are really qualified to speak on black oppression is accepted, then the main argument has already been won.

Similarly one filthiest arguments put against the hack section

that they 'assume blacks are not capable of taking their rightful place in the party'. This without explaining why have been self-evidently unable to take that place in the past.

The argument of the Luton South delegate, that black sections would start

tidal Wave black segregation throughout the labour movement, flew in the face the experience of the biggest at-

people at a Labour Party con-

Alongside this high atRON TODD Gavin Laird of the AUEW called for the rejection of the document from a right wing point of view, and made a vitriolic attack on the Soviet Union; and Dennis Healey spelled out his opposition to removing US bases.

The document's unconditional enthusiasm for remaining in NATO has strengthened his hand.

In the debate, Healey warned against actions which "through lack of

difficult to produce conventiona Strategi NATO by making the Americans, for example, take their troops out of Europe, because then Europe on its own could not produce effective conventional deterrence.

He still opposes unilateral action to remove.

photo: JOHN STURROCK (Report,

galvanised by the black section debate tendance by black people, conference also saw the emergence of a new layer of black activists in party, who are destined to play large

rebuildin a new Labour

ference delegate Elaine

3 deiste, did in this

this debate, in this debate alone naked rightism was sufficient to squash the left • on Diack sections. This despite the

opposition was so weak in arguments and disproved is own cas through its actions. Joy Hurcombe US nuclear bases. He would do a deal with the US to retain their forward bases for nuclear weapons here and no doubt that would that missiles would also stay.

slalencil Coll Urs base on respite tall

bases - CHIC the fact that those bases are part of NATO's nuclear strategy. This has allowed Healey to call for negotiations. He supports stronger conventional defence for NATO, and total commitment to subordination to the US.

Even on Polaris, Healey has not given in. A section of the states that the Tories should phase out Polaris by negotiation in the next few years. Healey rather than decommission Polaris (which is also a

Not the Labour Party conference! This year saw the biggest attendance ever of black people at conference —

There point at which opposition takes on a particularly putrid stench, and in this case it was the intervention of Militant that evinced most disgust. The blacks pleading young pleading with the bureaucrats to deny black people right organise and be most memory

Militant's black youth will have gone home confi-

good job work. But DENIS HEALEY fudge), we should put it into negotiations since are more trustworthy than the Tories.

Composite 41, callin for the removal of al American bases was rejected, and the NEC state ment given a five-to-one majority on a card vote.

Our task now is press for no compromises on In barticular we must take up the issue of NATO, and insist that past policy on reduction in defence spending is put into the centre of the document

Reducing spending on defence and using that money create socially useful products has always OCCI demanded that Trident's Dolly policy.

£11 billion could be better spent on 450 new hospitals, or 9000 new schools

Socialist Action 12 October 1984 hopefully they will only find that they have helped the left understand Militant's real role in this issue more clearly • as a left cover for reaction in the party.

As such Militant is an

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The Labour resolutel COnDUSIL 40, moved by Ron Tod -was also passed by conference on show of hands. It retained these commitments and speller out that cutting military spending must be a priori

during the lifetime of the next Labour government.

CND has its part to play. Il nas adopica lit anti-Trident campaign as a priority.

The arguments against Trident have always cluded the economic and social consequences of defence spending both here and in the Third World. They are not the only arguments, but they do relate to the lives of or dinary workers. Without them the military establishment can find alternatives and continue the phonership con me

with capitalist state

Under Neil Kinnock, the Labour Party has already stated it will • transfer the Trident money to more conventional arms

not tell voters hiat its

does not tell voters country already spends more than any other in Europe on defence twice the average of the

5 obstacle to sweeping away all that is rotten and stink. ing in the labour movement.

Ne lost and gained i

his first skirmisi Black sections are here to stay.

Black

sections

tion to the debate on black sections and how to set them up...

spending cripples the economy increases

Fenner Post from all

Labour must

basic Trident must be and 1021 invested ing and directly

We also egies

sooner cạn have peaceful future. speaker at conference said: war is a class issue and workers have to unite together to demand peace.

Page 6 scan of this page

A leaders

6 Socialist Action

On Thursday at

Party conference

scargill, speaking

meeting organised

Labour Briefing, replied to

the court action against the

Chairman, colleagues,

I must confess that last night must have been a worrying time for some people. Listening worker Lord Denning giving forth on television when he said: 'It will 'ave to be the use of the law against these trade unionists.'

And of course whole series of unelected judges dispensing noi justice but class law against our people who are involved in a struggle to maintain jobs, and to maintain the communities in which they live.

There's been a gauntlet thrown down. That gauntlet is being picked up. The miners' union has been told after seven months of official strike action that the strike is no longer legal or official. What utter nonsense!

In 1981 there was strike of the miners' union and the president the union Gormley. There was no action at that time, no suggestion that there should have been a ballot.

I understand from reports on the media that the High Court today has been hearing an action brought against the National Union of Mineworkers, and the NUM president, seeking the sequestration of the union's funds and eking to commit the president of the NUM to Pentonville prison.

We're also advised by reports in the media that the case has been adjourned allegediy in order that the union and its president can reconsider in order to get clarity that aware of the decision of the High Court I thought we'd made our position clear.

But if there's any ambiguity or any

doubt on the part of the BBC or ITV then in order to dispell it let's specifical ly state the union's position.

The national executive

of the NUM meeting on Monday 1 October 1984 were told that a writ had

been issued against the NUM. Follow-

ing a full discussion the national ex-

ecutive committee unanimously agreed

the following steps.

One, to fully endorse and support

the views and comments expressed by

the national president during the inter-

view on Channel 4 news on Friday 28

September.

12 October 1984

Labour NUM.

Arthur

at a by part of his editing is by tion.

decision. the

that tinue to deal

Three, to reaffirm we've got a

including

tional delegate conference

officials, the secretary, and the vice president.

continue to do alf in its

only an unofficial

was the position.

we were

committee

Coal.

Dhoto ing me

We print here the major

speech. The Socialist Ac- class.

Two, irrespective of the High Court

executive unanimously day, reaffirmed its determination to con- months.

with the mineworkers' internal affairs in accordance with the rules and constitution of the NUM as befits an independent and free trade

as official the strike action in the British coalfields,

Yorkshire and Derbyshire, which has been sanctioned in accordance with national Rule No 41 by a na-

- the governing body of our union which gives instructions to all members of the national executive including the national

president, accial

I want to make it clear the NUM will

power to will support for the miners' official strike in order to force the Coal Board back to figures the negotiating table. This dispute can

be resolved provided closure programme announced by the National Coal Board on 6 March is

with drawn, pits currently threatened with closure are kept open, and the Coal Board honours the Plan for Coal signed by the government, the National Coal Board and the trade unions. They must withdraw their insistence that pits should be closed on economic grounds, which is a clear violation of the Plan for

I'm not someone who wishes to go to Pentonvillé prison. I'm not someone who relishes the thought of being committed in that way. But I want to make it absolutely clear that if the choice fac-

— and I would hope facing any other responsible trade union leader -is to be committed by a high court to Pentonville or any other jail for standing by this trade union or our class, or alternatively having to live with the imprisonment of one's mind for betraying one's class, then there is no choice as far as I'm concerned. I stand by my

There seems to be a blind spot on the part of the judiciary, the government and the Coal Board. The miners' union did not go out on strike on FrI-

we've been on strike for seven We've suffered appalling hardship during the space of that time. We've come too far, we've suffered too much, for there to be any compromise.

It is more important to

stand by one's class, and to

stand by one's members,

than to cave in and accept

the decisions of an

unelected judge, or the dic-

tats of a government that

can't even spell democracy?

On the basis of the NCB official of the 43,141 miners made redundant over the past two years, only

72 (only two per cent) have found alternative work. It's nonsense to suggest

that miners would be in a position to

Police picket at Orgreave have an alternative job, with four and a half million people unemployed.

The figures show quite clearly that for one miner to be made redundant, with all the factors to be taken into con sideration, such a pavments scheme. state benefits, the benefit for his son or daughter who cannot have a job, the total cost at the end of seven years is over £91,000. To KCCU that job available for daughter as well, £48,000.

alone social, political or moral sense. to create redundancy in this or any other industry.

Neil Kinnock in his speech on Tuesday as approximately £2 billion, has been made to look infinitesimal according to the study by Andrew NUM. By September, who has be ecos she British what Nigel Lawson

MINEN WIVES

SUPPORT GROUP

YORKSHIRE CO

*CHER

OT T.-

stands

particularly dispute. more in lost

redundancy the loss of tax, the unemployment capitalists' cept.

that person employed, to keep

would only cost basis the

It doesn't make economic sense, let prolonging it-

make sense.

The cost of the strike described by

Glyn for gramme irrespective of

ILIN

taxpayers of this damaging and costly

There has been £2.3 billion or production. Fifty four million tons of coal have been lost in the space of this dispute.

The Coal Board claim they wanted to take only four million tons of capaci ty out of this industry. They wanted to bring supply in line with demand - the

maxim of the market con-

Even if one were to accept this approach, rather than the social and sensible one of the NUM, even on that

current dispute with Board, and the fact that they are now

with the government aiding and abetting them - does not

They've got 14 times the capacity reduction that they themselves claim they required. They themselves sug gested they wanted a total coal output by 1989 of 497 million tons. That pro-

would have included closure, a programme of about 70 pits and 70,000 jobs.

The Coal Board themselves now

Page 7 scan of this page

on ede duction to he maximum coal

• produchon, output that they can achieve in the next

ive years, by 1989, ls no longer 49/ aitlion tons. It is only 480 million tons. And that can only be achieved with not

ag single pit closure on any count.

"Mr Scargill I was the owner,' says MacGregor,

Your friend Castro, Fidel

Castro, took them off me.

We are entitled to ask therefore why have the government and the NCB still determined to press ahead with their proposals announced in March of this year? I'll tell you why. It is not about closing a few pits, it goes to the very heart of the economic philosophy of this government.

You can either choose the balance sheet mentality of this government of producing a political and economic olution unal constaers pronts ratner tial. people — or you can accept the social and sensible approach from the NUM and the labour and trade union movement that puts at the very centre of its argument the benefit of human beings rather than statistics in the balance sheet of the Coal Board or the balance. sheet mentality of lan MacGregor.

They can tell us there is insufficient money or vern out tnel tney should stop the cruise and Trident missiles programme.

This fellow MacGregor, he really takes the biscuit. I remember during the

Saturday Mick McGahey, Peter Heathfield and I thought we were on our way to settlement. We'd reached a point where we thought seriously that the Board were going to concede, and we adjourned for the night.

We began to drink a cup of tea in the Coal Board office. Mick McGahey says to MacGregor:

went lo Soviet Union in 1954 and the pits had been devastated, but development was their aim, and people were regarded as the most important thing. Today the industry has been developed in a most unbelievable way.

MacGregor says: 'You Michael, was there in 1956, and I agree with you. Those Russians have done a great job. Not as well as I would have. liked, but pretty good, pretty good.'

Peter Heathfield then says: 'I'll tell

ship that

¿ fights'

you what, I went to China. The Chinese coal have got coal where breviously there

Marvelous, paddy

those Chinese

try | think's the best l've seen? Cuba.

mines in Cuba, in the Oriente province, and to compare those mines todav.

divisions and the problems they had under the private owners

There was then what's called a preg-

said: 'Your friend Castro, Fidel Castro

says: 'That's buggered it. And MacGregor changed his mind

Coal Board is it who has no concept of FIN

NUR

ASLEF

SEAMEN

T. G.W.U

the

the British labour and trade union movement? A man who, in the USA, was head of a mining company which was quite openly in associanon will ne development of mines that employed non-union labour. I have no doubt that LIUS will be the kind of philosophy which he will attempt to pursue here in Britain today.

The miners' fighting for their jobs. They're fighting for their communities. They're fighting for a way of life, for a culture.

the resolve of miners is beginning to weaken?' But there is one phenomenon over all others which in this dispute has made mineworkers absolutely determined to win.

and in the course of that meeting one Phot woman got up and said: 'We want to make it clear no matter what anyone says

Call be negotiated.

livelihood, promise.

pen next Wednesday. I do know that

is to continue to declare this strike official

ofticial. Thev too are retusing to accepl a decision of the High Court.

'there is one phenomenon

over all others which in that the prepare a defence against their applica. tion for an interim injunction. It was

some miners wanted to work.

dance with its rules and its constitution had been on strike for seven months. and been in a national overtime ban for

compromise as far as that basic principle is concerned!

betray its members. Often in the past workers and trade union members have pointed to leaders and said: "They sold us out. They betrayed us. They said on thing before they

Photo: GM COOKSON another thing once they got their nice

job as a full-time trade union leader.

national president of my union I made clear that if the members of the NUM becoming a lord, then don't vote for me. I said it was more important not to prostitute one's principles, or to com-

policy and

union today are

Someone said to me 'do you believe

The involvement of

I went to a meeting in South Wales,

whether the miners feel that this or that

You're not negotiating for the future of your pits, you're negotiating for the future of our

our communities.

You'll not resolve this until the Board withdraw their pit closure

I don't know what's going to hap

since the announcement of the writ being issued on Monday there has been the full meeting of the NUM executive committee. It declared that its intention

And the Yorkshire area NUM council have also unanimously agreed that the strike must continue to be declared

this dispute has made

mineworkers absolutely

determined to win. The in-

volvement of women.'

This High Court refused to accept

NUM should have time to

argued that as a matter of urgency an injunction should be granted because

Urgency! After the NUM, in accor-

19 weeks prior to that! There can be no

Make no mistake this national executive of the NUM is not prepared to

power we

were elected and

When I campaigned for the job of

wanted a president who was intent on

word democracy.

Socialist Action

OTTS nuc

promise the policies of the national conference of my union than to have a seat in the House of Lords. I gave a pledge that throughout my trade union career I would do everything I could to lake lorward ine dillis anu aspilauvis of the members of my union.

far I have tried my very best to live up to my pledge prior to my election. I only wish that people in the movement would take on board the way of Jimmy

ing a government that is becoming increasingly fearful and angry. And the twin effects of anger and fear are showing themselves in the wild hysteria of their attacks upon our class and in their aLacks uDon us umon

police have been drafted in from all over to turn our villages mo places where people can't enter without a passport. If people don't understand, thev should go and have a look

lurnea back on lne puone mgnway because 10 miners pickets have been on board. We've had football teams turned back because they might have been

We've had people arrested wille lney were travelig lo court. Civil liberties and human rights

Those of us who do not take warning at what is taking place will do so at National Union of Mineworkers, and they'll come tomorrow for the rest of

We are going to resist with all the

muster. And if that means that we have to suffer, if I am sent to jail, that is something we will have to accept. We will accept the consequences of our actions because it is more important to stand by one's class, and to stand by one's members, than to cave in and accept the decisions eitner of an unelected judge, or the dictat of a government that can't even spell the

Over the next period we're going to be involved in possibly the most major ble

12 October 1984 7

And TEAD

LAM A BILPART

N THa STAKE

MY UTUE®

Dha. Dall MATTOON

confrontation that we have witnessed. We're now facing the full might of the

could paper two rooms the size of this

We've got the South Wales area that's had all their funds sequestrated. We've got an action against the South

sued against the Scottish miners. no doubt writs to come against all the other sections that are involved in this

There are two options available. We can either accept the imposition of the oreansee uncur orude sae. or we car stand firmly by the policies not merel Trade Union Congress, and the policies

'we too have the right to

demand your support.

Given that support we are

invincible.'

Let me remind you that the TUC are on record demanding that there should be no loss of jobs. This party is on record arguing against redundan cies. The TUC is on record arguing against the anti-trade union legislation in all its forms. And so is our party.

Now is the time to turn those words into deeds

I speak not for myself. I am not speaking for the executive of the miners' union. I believe that I'm speak ing for the entire trade union and labour movement when I say that there is an obligation on each and every one of you to stand up and be counted

Time and time again people have said we need leadership. If we had pro per leadership we could win Well, you've got leadership. Leadership that is prepared to stand and fight, whatever the consequences. Comrades, AVCI that leadership, we too have the right to demand your support.

Given that support we are invinci-

Page 8 scan of this page

Nicaragua at Blackpool

The FSLN speaks

8 Socialist Action THE RAPTUROUS welcome ziven to Sandinista leader, Carlos Nunez, was one of the high points of last week's Labour Party conference. It showed just how deep the potential for active solidarity with the Nicaraguan revolution does run in the Labour Party. On the surface it even seemed that this was one issue which could unite all sections of the party. ty leaders' contributions to the defence debate 'the great care needed not to upset our American friends' solidarity is. Huge contradictions are going to arise when the US government's intervention in Central America, and its need for allies, becomes more open and public.

ror tne however, there is a more immediate danger. Whilst the Labour Party is still on paper quite solid in its support for the Central American revolutionaries

even if often it's not much more than words -a major move is already under way to prise the Socialist away from its positions of support for Nicaragua

Mario Soares, socialist

minister of Portugal, has been parading the counter revolutionary contra-leader Eden Pastora around Portuguese TV. Spanish premier, Felipe Gonzalez, has been fraternising with similar ilk.

The governin has. French Socialist Party been backing off from the important stand it took in 1981 when it signed the Franco-Mexican tion recognising the FDR in El Salvador.

The same week as our OWIL Party conference, the Socialist International held its biggest ever meeting, and the first outside Europe, in Rio de Janeiro. Central America was a major item on the

Carlos Nunez.

Council of the State, and member of the nine-strong

he key points of his speech.

Carlos Nunez speaking at Labour Party conference

12 October 1984 Unfortunately, you only have to recall some par-

— to see how skin deep this consensus

agenda.

By Stuart Piper

Even before the Socialist meeting openca, International president Venezuelan tormel Preez, announced to tre Carlos Anres that the pics.

Socialist International still supported the revolution Nicaragua, 'we are very unhappy about Line Nicaraguans' rangements for the coming elections'. (See Carlos Nunez' remarks on this subject on this page.)

All this is a lot more than just One of diplomatic the most game. crucial obstacles creased US intervention in the Cente Amence reluctance of a wide range European capitalists and social democratic governments and Darties. to face the repercussions of imperialist escalation in Central America. This is a fear shared with most Latin American bourgeois states.

The backbone of this 'passive opposition' to the United States unquestionably the stand taken THE LABOUR PARTY conference was addressed president of the Nicaraguan

national directorate of the FSLN. The following are

by European social democracy, with all its influence on Contradora the Latin America groucarlos of countries.

Nunez himself referred indirectly to the

of con tinued support from the social democratic parties: "I1 europe does cussociale itself the US government will be free LaKe the military option.'

message is clear.

COMRADES, the Central American region, forgorten and almost ignored by the world for decades has been dramatically transformed in the last few years into one of the regions of the world where an extremely dangerous and serious conflict is underway.

revolutionary victory of the Nicaraguan people was considered by the current US administration to be an unacceptable situation with regard to its traditional hegemony and control over the region. can only find in this attitude hatred for a people who won and are now defending their right to self-determination, independence and sovereignty.

Nicaragua does not accept this logic. Hidden in the Reagan administration's supposed arguments are the echoes of a decadent nation. If Nicaragua knelt before this imperial

everything would be as it was before and the rejection, the in. difference towards Latin America and those peoples who are struggling for their liberation, would once again rule.

Everyone expects

TrON •Nicaragua would have no • moral or political credibili-ty if it defrauded the in. still less those of its own ' peoples.

The US government has tried In a sustained • way to bring about the col.

national 9 economy with the aim improving the conditions

Fine words are not enough, a campaign of active solidarity by

We in the Labour Party have a fundamental duty to ensure that our party's position on Central America is maintained anc strengthened; and to sure that this stand is carried into the Socialist International and fought for every inch of the way.

But for this to happen

ference motions and fine words from the Parliamentary Labour Everything to date confirms the fact that the

We

for its plans of military attack. How else but as an interventionist war can the foreign financing sources' boycott of our country be explained? How else but as

war cal the externally imposed military situation which is forcing us to direct large quantities human,

économic and financial

resources into national defence, affecting the

for education,

health, housing

feeding of our people, be explained?

The total amount of productive

has risen $200

million. The loss of human life the same period stands at 2311 dead, 1900

wounded and 3720 disap-

peared - which comes to

931 Nicaraguans, the majority

civilians.

XHALL

constituencies and affiliates is needed

Party. The only way is to develop concentrated campaign solidarity in the constituencies and affiliated trade unions. The campaign take up the practical tasks outlined in the conference resolution - sponsor Work Brigades

Nicaragua, collect Inancial support -build up a head of pressure

which cannot be ignored

Nicaragua in the midst of this interventionist aggression is ready hold the first free elections in its history on 4 November, with the participation of seven political parties of different political ideologies and practices, which in itself demonstrates the pluralism and democracy we are constructing

Once again clash with the policies of the Reagan administration, which is trying to de-legitimise those

promoting the abstention some political groups enordento make community believe that the elections are a farce.

The elections are part of the fulfillment of the commitments made by the FSLN to the people. It is

firm decision of the revomnonary. governell to convert the electoral process into a great civic education school, In all evaluation of the five years that have gone by.

The people will choose whether or not they are in agreement with tinuation of the revolu. tionary process by voting for FSLN or, if they opt for change, by electing another party. The electoral process will be a true example of democracy at work on the continent.

by section of the leadership.

This is the best way, and the only adequate

WHATNEXT FOR

Speakers olyneux, ai

FROM 6PM - LATE

In Europe an attempt has been made to portray the political groups which make up the Democratic Coordinating Committee as the only opposition, to the point where the following reached: that the Sandinista government is not allowing the opposition any opportunity lo par ticipate. We invite the Socialist International 10 come to Nicaragua and to find out for themselves if these accusations are true.

We have affirmed in the recent meeting of the world's parliaments held

Europe dissociate itself the Central American conflict. Europe does dissociate itself, the US government will be free to take the military option.

We hope that Neil Kin. nock, soon to Nicaragua as leader of the opposition, will in the near future visit Nicaragua again, this special and trusted friend of the people of Nicaragua, as prime minister of Great Britain.

The National Directorate of the Frente Sandinista and the people of Nicaragua thank you for the declarations of support for a political solution to the conflict of Central

way, , to respond to comrade Nunez' appeal: All of us must now work out the nuts and bolts of how to do that.

EMERGENCY CONFERENCE The sectione in Nice trador

US election

ULU MORET ST WC2

CENTRAL AMERICA

rley, Jeremy Corbyn PENA WITH FOOD AND MUSIC

A merica and especially the conflict of Nicaragua. We thank you for the twin ning of British towns with Nicaraguan towns. We thank you for the outstan. ding support shown by British thed Sandinists unions towards the and for the unambigious condemna expressed by the Labour Party for policies of destabilisations of the revolutionary process.

Nicaragua is anxious for peace and respect for her independence as sovereign country. • We will not back down. We will continue to go forward.

ference, tomorrow we may be on the battle field, but there is one thing you can be absolutely sure of: will win, or we will die in the attemnt to keen our national independence and sovereignty intact.

If Europe abandons us, it will never be able to say that we didn't fulfil our duty and our respon sibility defend every centimetre of our national territory. Therefore, me leave you with the cr Sandino himself PATRIA LIBRE MORIR, FREE COUN TRY OR DEATH!

Page 9 scan of this page

Tatyana Zaslavskaya?

International

IRELAND

UNFREE

Labour's progress

on Irish policy

So you were faced with this

errorist lying there threatening!

- naked, bound hand as you feared he might oper

You did the right thing!

FOR THE FIRST time Labour conference defied an NEC recommendation and adopted its own Irish policy. Strengthening opposition to plastic bullets and the PTA, the party is now committed to campaigning against non-jury Diplock courts.

Progressively, the wielders of the block votes are coming to see that whatever the problem is in Northern Ireland, it is not one of law and order.

Plastic bullets, needed to contain riots. The truth is they create riots; they lethal the nationalist population off the streets.

The PTA, they say is to prevent bombings in Britain. It has not prevented bombings. It has been used to maintain surveillance of Irish people and prevented their participation in legitmate political activity.

Strip searching is supposedly needed to prevent arms being smuggled to prisoners. The facts are different. Remand prisoners who are strip searched each week as they enter and leave prison for court appearances have no contact with outsiders. Those receiving visitors are supervised the whole time.

Strip searching is more important as routine sexual harassment. It is used to try to break morale and lower resistance.

Diplock courts, the RUC and the NEC say, are necessary because of the threat of jury intimidation. But jury intimidation was never widespread.

The problem for the authorities is what they call 'that of securing a conviction. convict on the uncorroborated evidence of a paid

perjurer. A just legal system

'internment on remand' periods of up to 18 months before trial.

The party is building up a policy in bits and

pieces. At a snail's pace, it is progressively oppos-

ing more aspects of the unreformable Northern stale.

The trade unions have still to be convinced of

the fundamental solution

withdrawal. But here too, progress is being made.

From a time when Ireland was undiscussable,

this year's conference saw eight fringe meetings on

Ireland — from the Fabians, leftward. It is from

le 'fringe' that the impetus for change is comin

Note the contrast

reply this year,

policy was posed as a means to defeat the 'men of

violence'.

ly broke the bi-partisan mould.

This year, from the platform, he was promising

a new NEC report which would 'take us further',

rights, and saying

not whether we should reunify, but how to do it.

Amusingly,

invoke the thority of the

Adams MP for his

'You can't have troops out now,

we have to disarm the RUC and UDR first.'

Slowly

shifting.

One thing is certain, if we who have worked to

advance discussion in the party now stand aside, it

will be useless. Only

around existing policy will it be maintained

Only. by pushing

republican, feminist and labou

taking this campaigning appro

dialogue into the unions, we can help shape this

NEC report. The withdrawal position can be won.

since the 1920s,

against strip searching and

the security forces say, are

weapons to intimidate No jury would

• detaining prisoners for

that of British

Between Alex Kitson's NE to that of two years ago. Then,

Tainted with anti-Irish racism, it scarce-

the leadership's stand on democratic

basically that the problem was

Martin Flannery MP was forced to 'legal expert' Gerry endorsement of the NEC line. ' he said, 'because

but surely the terrain of the debate is What will be in this new NEC report?

openly campaigning

dialogue with the movements in

THE DISAPPEARANCE from view of Soviet president Chernenko during widespread speculation in the western press about a new leadership crisis' in the Soviet Union. OLIVER MACDONALD, editor of Labour Focus on Eastern Europe, argues that far deeper forces are stirring in the USSR than doubt about the health of one corrupt bureaucrat.

If there was any doubt about the existence of a sharp struggle within the Soviet leadership then it was removed in September with the sudden fall from office of Marshall Ogarkov — the chief of the Soviet general staff. The crisis of leadership in the Kremlin, which began in the last 18 months of Brezhney'S rule, continues as deep as ever. And the longer that Messers Chernenko and prime minister Tikhinov cling tenuously to life and power, the most likely development is that this leadership crisis will assume a convulsive form.

The reason for this is plain enough. The top leaders may approach the succession problem mainly as a contest among ciques for personal power, for the Soviet establisment as a wnole about something much more tundamental Within the official intercensta there widespread awareness that the entire svstem ot power as evolved under Brezhnev cannot continue and must be substantially changed

One of the first public of deep disenchantment within the party intelligentsia was the arrest in 1981 of a group of young, successful, and

working in plum jobs Moscow social science institutes They were charged WILs forming an illegal, leftist political group. people in such positions feel the necessity and have the energy produce cancere boutical publications, this is a clear signal both the bankruptcy of the ruling elite and of the tact that some circles with access to that elite feel it cannot be changed from within.

Who's afraid of

the summer led to

And in the spring of this year another little incident cast a shaft of light

intellectual of the Soviet establishment. paper presented to a seminar involving economists from the Central the Academy of Sciences and Gosplan (the central planning agency) was published in the West. It was presented by Tatyana

sociology cas avskaya castavskaya. professor and full member of the Academy Sciences. And it calls for a sweeping change in the en. tire mechanism for CON trolling economic and social life in the USSR

Zaslavskaya's paper is not blue-print for reform. Instead it is an attack on some fundamental principles OI thodoxy and its central point iS that revival in the USSR

Blue-print

depends upon tapping the spontaneous creativity Soviet workers while the

as system crushes and stifles this creativity. And her argument carried through onto the social plane by ner insistence uld

ІТА КАТЕРЕГ

the current system is buttressed by the interests of social groups which are antagonistic to the needs of industrial workers.

She argues that there is a profound contradiction between a system or pro duction relations established in the 1930s under Stalin, involving a regimentation poverty-stricken and passive working class, and Ine great development 01 productive forces and above al of ine workers themselves - in the fifty

since the present system was set up. Anti-social

She points out that the present system seeks 1 asc output by ever stronger controls over the workers and adds: 'Is it indeed, that the more strictly controlled the workers' activity, the more successful its results? For a whole series of reasons, TOES question has to be answered in the negative. She then shows how the workers respond to these controls by directing their creative impulses into 'anti-social modes of behaviour'

Zaslavskaya then polemicises directly with

both the Encyclopaedia o Political Economy with the Dictionary Paulosopr their failure to link economic problems with social pro-

blems, and for 'openly af-

that under socialişm there is no group interested in the preservation of outmoded produc tor relations and therefore their perfection takes place without social conflict.'

As she puts it, with, in

Soviet terms, taking frankness, 'we must

express doubt about this

point of view and puts

on the central

problem of Soviet refor-

namely 'that the reorganisation of the ex-

isting system of produc-

tion relations is given over

to social groups that oc-

cupy elevated somewhat (.)

position within

this system and according

ly are bound to it through

personal interest.'

In other words, the

forces that people like

Zaslavskaya must turn to

to reform

system are the one who are

making a packet out of the

present system! Such

makes many

Soviet reformists try

convince themselves that

perhaps the whole system

does not have to be chang-

ed, perhaps one can tinker

with it piece-meal.

But Zasiavskaya

herself rejects this in the

following words: The fact

that production relaare integral

system, all the elements of

which are interconnected.

This shows itself in their

ability to 'reject' those

more effective but

qualitatively different

elements of economic rela

tions which were ex-

perimentally graited on to

them.' This leads one to

the conclusion that it is im-

Socialist Action 12 October 1984 possible to improve the mechanism econome management arrived at many aLU by gradually replacing the

outmoded of its NUIC elements with more effec tive ones' but she ends wistfully by saying this raises a 'complex and deep matter.

The only hope, she says, for overcoming what she calls 'the degeneration of the social mechanism of economic development' which 'at present. 'tuned' not to stimulate but to inwart une popula tion's useful economic activitv is through the work.

strate of for we Soviet

strategy the Soviet Union.

This is indeed the problem. Zalsavskaya, naturally enough, hopes in her paper - • addressed to some seventy estab sil ment intellectuals - that this political problem cal be túrned into a technical task to be carried out collectively by the party in telligentsia. But she gaines ample proof, both of the

of her diagnosis and of naivete of her political approach by what happened after she read her paper

enemies leaked the document to the Washington Post, it was published by Radio Liberiy and Survey, and she lost her teaching job.

Selfish

we wish more

precise characterisation

the social group

Zaslavskaya mentions as

being hostile to retorm.

can use the following

detinition: 'The

tration of enormous power

hands of

bureaucrats has most

serious political implica-

the and side a l to

acquisition special social stratum of a relative autonomy in relation to the ruling class as a whole, and to its being in

conflict with thrusting upon it selfish in. terests of its own.' These are the words, not of Trotsky but of prominent

scientist, V.G. Kalensky, in his book The State as an Ob

of Sociological Analysis (Moscow 1977) Chernenko

Faced with bureaucratic caste the Zaslavskayas in the Soviet intelligentsia placed great hopes in Yuri Andropov believing that perhaps he might be the enlightened strong man who would break the grip of the Brezhnevite bureaucracy from above and usher in a renaissance of Soviet life It was very likely such hope that prompted Zaslavskaya herself to 'come out' at Novosibirsk seminar the Kremlin clique cannot soon produce another

o the Soviet Fabians lil Laslavskaya, then such people will have to look elsewhere — in search of a Soviet equivalent of Atthur Scargill.

The torpor, corruption, waste and petty brutalities of the Brezhnevite era cannot go on for ever.

Page 10 scan of this page

10

LIVERPOOL LABOUR COUNCILLORS

than to break the poor

THE LABOUR PARTY conference in Blackpool last week endorsed a strategy of confrontation with the government over its proposals on local government.

By Valerie Coultas

The first resolutions passed. It called for a joint Labour Party/Trade Union conference to formulate strategy. The second resolution, from Liverpool Broadgreen and Walton CLPs, gave support to any council own section within the party.

The British labour movement is not going to overcome prejudices easily - if the reaction against black sec• tions at this conference is anything to go by. The Militant united with the EETPU to pass a resolution opposing any form of COINCOIS unconscious discrimination Labour Party by 4,108,000

Socialist Action 12 October 1984

Defend local

government

which was forced to break the law as a result of Tory policies and also argued against massive rate rises. This resolution passed against the advice of the NEC, which argued for remission. Two other resolutions called for national demonstrations, a lobby of Parliament, and non-cooperation with the abolition of the GLC and the Metropolitan Counties.

The issue before Conference was what kind of

Who supported black

people in the Labour Party?

THE DEBATE on black sections was one of the sharpest at conference. This was not simply a debate about positive discrimination for black people but about recognising the right of blacks to have their

votes to 2,019,000 votes.

Only 500,000 voles were cast in favour of black sectionshree trade unions did vole Tor black Sectols the NUM, the ACTT and the Dyers and Bleachers.

NUPE abstained because consulted 31210 BIOL their working party.

In the elections Diane Abbott won sup-

opposition the Labour Party would endorse. Derek nanon, leader Liverpool City Council,

support delegates when he pointed

had given Mrs Thatcher bloody nose, by taking her on openly.

Rodney creckerstafte general secretar

NUPE, accused the Tories OI double standards campaigning for a ballot in the miners' while simultaneously abolishing local council elections. He argued that 'The question is not do we break the law? But what laws obey?'. He won the trade union vote on this issue. ASLEF, Dyers

Bleachers, the Furnacemen. the Loomoverlookers and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Interestingly, even 36 London CLPS including

Richmond and Barnes and

Putney CLPs, which have

their own black sections

did not vote for Diane Ab.

bott for the NEC. Hamp-

stead and Dulwich Labour

party submitted resolll-

sion on black sections and

proceeded

delegates who opposed

black sections.

Conference had no doubts about the need for

confrontation with the government and

Rates Act. Neil Kinnock and Shadow Environment Secretary John Cunningham were not in favour of this. Even after the debate, was pointing out that this was 'not what Neil and I have been arguing all along.' It is clear that any council which breaks the law wil not have support from this quartel except to get them back within th law.

Activists must campaign all the harder to implement conference policy on this issue. Keith Vaz, the Yolack see- CLPs voted for tions steering candidate for the NEC They were Lewisham East, Birmingham Ladywood, Ealing Southall, Hackney South Shoreditch, Norwood

and Guildford, Reigate, Surrey North West, Bristol East This amounted to 12,000 YULE Whatever the constitu-

tional position of the Labour Party, black peoblack sections are here to • are on the move anc sLa.

IN THE PAST two issues of Socialist Action Ted Knight and Hilda Kean have debated tactics for the campaign of opposition to the Rates Act. BILI HAMILTON looks at the options.

The complete failure leadership to fully back the cause of local government was personified by Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, in his speech at Labour Party ingham advised local councils 'to hang on at all costs until a Labour government is returned at the next General Election'. That would mean three years of the Rate Act, at least, and existing provisions in the Act will allow the Government to force further cuts on every local authority.

This strategy the reverse of the one we need.

The main objective labour councils and trade unions must be front the government and make the Act unworkable.

Tactical questions must be considered within this framework

By Bill Hamilton

Hilda Kean has reservations about the rates' position, and is right to point to the lack of clear commitment for mass ac tion, in unis postlion. . This would lead to dependence on manocuvie. local council chambers.

is clear that the particular financial situation of Hackney has led councillors and local parties consider deficit budgetting.

Greater London Council Inner London Education

Authority London Boroughs:

Brent • Camden

Greenwich

Hackney

Haringey

Islington

Lambeth

Lewisham

Southwark

1984-85 budget.

GRAHAM BASH,

Editor of Labour Brief-

ing gave us his view of

Briefing's intervention

and the results of con-

ference.

'Briefing managed

to organise with a broad

alliance of hard-left

groupings and we clear

ly managed to have a

positive effect

throughout the con-

ference with the daily

bulletins and above all

with the organisation of

the meeting on Thurs-

day night in defence of

Make the Act

unworkable

of the parliamentary

John Cunningham,

conference. Cunn-

There is little chance of uniting the 17 rate-capped authorities on this line.

Ted Knight has argued that the refusal to set "Tory' rate can unite not only rate-capped councils but others faced with cuts in Rate Support Grant and government penalties. One problem nenes that this can appear to be a figh around the council right to raise the rate — a policy which can be used to hit the local communities.

Sliding over this problem is an attempt to unite those who want fight the Tories and those who don't.

In reality, the emphasis must De placed on the budget-making process, and campaigning on budget to meet the needs of the community. If this is not done, weaker local

The councils rate-capped for 1985-86 On 24 July Patrick Jenkin, secretary of state for the environment, announced the list of councils selected for rate-capping in 1935.

Merseyside

Sheffield This list was arrived at by picking out councils which in 1984-85 are budgeting to spend more than 20% above GRE and more than 4% above their targets. The councils listed have been given expenditure levels for 1985-1996. Fifteen of the eighteen are allowed to spend no more in cash terms than the amount pre vided for in their 1984-85 budgets: the Greater London Council, Inner London Education Authority, and Greenwich are deemed to be worse offende and have been set a level requiring a cut of 1.5% in cash terms below their

Briefing at conference

the NUM.

'I think conference

Was contradictory. very positive because it was dominated by the class struggle outside conference and also showed in its decisions that the leadership could not get away with ignoring the will of the delegates, both from the CLPs and the trade unions.

'But conference

avoided the critical question of how it was going to respond to the

News

authorities may break and negotiate deals rallKs with Jenkin.

This campaign to defend government will after the miners' strike, be the single most important struggle with this Tory Local Labour councils must Take the lead defending the tracking class, from this attack Labour presents a united TUlL Tories will find it impossi- On this issue, the

Able to carry through their plans.

Reaction

Councils must state categorically that they will make no cuts in jobs or services, will refuse recognise the Rate Act, and will campaign in the unions CoCa and the community for a budget based on this posi tion. It will be necessary to

For sondarily any council which Jenkin tries to pick off.

Tactics must remain flexible, bull thing must be paramount. Never again must working class communities be forced to bear the burden of Labour Council's refusal to face to Tory attacks. And there is no solution which remains within the law.

They are:

Metropolitan counties

South Yorkshire Metropolitan district:

Non-Metropolitan districts: Basildon (Essex)

Leicester (Leicestershire) Portsmouth (Hampshire) Thamesdown (Wiltshire

High Court writ challenge to the NUM. The retreat of the TGWU leadership particular on this issue was an utter disgrace.'

Labour Briefing hopes to hold a one day conference jointly with Target Labour Government late January in Birmingham.

Next Labour Briefing Editorial Board meets Sunday 21 October at 12 noon, Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham. Next LonLabour Briefing Editorial Board Monday 22 October. County Hall. 6.30pm.

Page 11 scan of this page

Sisterhood is powerful!

YOU MAY have been women's debate at conference, to speaker called was a man. Indeed some delegates on the floor of conference booed and hissed.

composites arguing for women's greater participation in the decision-making process.

The women who

prepared the composite

composite meeting which is attended by all delegates to thrash

of wording resolutions and to decide who will move and second.

By Eve Oldham, women's delegate, Greenwich CLP

As new delegates most of us were unprepared for this procedure, unlike Militant SUDDO LCIS who came with a prepared composite.

The Women's Action Committee had done good job in circulating the COLOIS passed by women's conference but there was no organisation

compositing

leeting From then on

re had to do it ourselve

The women decided to meet to prepare our speeches, but quickly became clear that there were many other tasks to fulfill. We had to lobby delegates, get out a leaflet explaining our case, and even lobby the standing orders committee.

When it looked like the debate would, be cut and

the composites taken, we argued with standing orders that composite 56 should be the one to go. This was the resolution put in by the Militant supporters and didn't

women's ference policy. On this issue we won our position.

Throughout conference met daily, sometimes twice daily, and

no organisation at all, we developed an effi-

Miners support

AFTER 83 years of

silence and neglect the

Labour Party confer-

ence decided against

debating lesbian/gay

rights, albeit by a nar-

row majority. Hetero-

sexuality still rules but

cracks are beginning

to show.

By Frank Elvy

The Labour Cam-

paign for Gay Rights

(LCGR) and Labour

Movement Lesbians

organised one of the

biggest fringe

ings at. conference

with 250 people in at-

tendance. They were

to experience some

surprising events.

The NUM executive

sent a statement which

read, 'Support civil liber-

ties and the struggle of

lesbian and gay people

We welcome the links

forged in South wale

and other areas Our

struggle is yours. Victory

to the miners.

Gerald Kaufmann,

shadow Home Secretary;

spoke out in favour of

surprised, watching the

see the second

But the NUM delegate spoke in favour of the

cient and effective lobby.

The NEC recommended opposing two of our composites and reference back of the other two. We decided to have a card vote on all the composites as we needed to establish exactly where support was coming from.

But the card vote did not at all reflect the sup. port that actually existed on the floor of conference. Many union delegates personally supported us

bound by decisions taken at union conferences.

Photo: JOHN SMITH (IFL,

Mandy Moore

The AUEW delegation were 'passing the pad' to see vOte the delegation as they had no

members of the delegation were in tavour oI WAC: positions. Even though we ost on the card vote, the orinciples were not lost. We probably had a majority on the floor of con-

ference itself. Photo: PAUL MATTSSON

Next year WAC will have to be much more well-organised right from the beginning. WAC did get involved in helping us from mid-week, Dil WeR important for the women delegates to go through the experience of organising ourselves. We learned practice that sisterhood powerful.

lesbian/gay rights

'homosexual rights', and deplored the recent state attacks against the lesbian/gay community.

Chris Smith, , MP for Islington South out' Thus we have our first open v MP in Parliament. Will others follow?

Finally the chairperson of Rugby Labour group, Jeff Coupe, came to Blackpool specifically to speak meeting in order to condemn his council's recent decision to ban gays from employment (les bians in their view don't exist!)

These events were both exciting and imporLaL DUL CONt sate for the lack of a debate in the conterence itself. We, and the black section, are intending to organise an the hope

ful in the Cis and

trade unions 'for a share c of the power'. Together

v of the working clas

White male hetero.

better support us!

NOW THAT the mass action in September is over women at Greenham are expecting a major assault on the camps at Main and Orange gates.

By Ilona Aronovsky

Building up to this the whole of the north side and the land around the base was evicted on Saturday Women's and possessions were removed.

tual silence in the press and on the television about the mass actions at Greenham nor is there any mention of the evictions.

London Region CND has unanimously an emergent colone go to council this weekend, calling on CND

maximise publicity about the repression of the camp and the police violence towards the women. It calls on CND to do all it can to support the WUlICH.

So far CND has distanced itself from any significant support. The

Greenham eviction stepped up

press off even porce

recent police violence, and the trampl ing of Dana Schuerholz by a police horse, refused to use its channels to inform the media.

It is hoped that Joan Ruddock will raise these

and the silence on ISSUED Ine September tion, at the joint public meeting with Campaign for Press and Broad casting Freedom on CND

What the papers don't say'. The meeting is in London this Friday.

Please send information about" incidents of police violence Greenham to London Region CND and to the GLC Police Committee Support Unit.

The current attacks on the camp make a national meelng Greenham groups more urgent. In

light the decision by the Nottingham Women's Peace group to arrange a national conference women's peace groups is particularly welcome.

All ideas for the conference should be sent to 30 •Colville Nottingham, phone 0602 473145/625363 for more

Socialist Action 12 October 1984

NUM says:

'Ignore women

at your peril'

IN THE debate on women the NUM speaker got some of the loudest applause - including

from feminists. We reproduce sections of his speech. •DON'T cheer too loud lads, you might be making a mistake... John Burroughs,

Mineworkers, moving support for composites 58, 59 and resolution 12.

of being the comrades in this movement, their our female comrades in this movement, struggle for equality in society, and for positive ac-

tion to extend their activity in the party

not debtedness to our wives, daughters for their shoulder to shoulder struggle with our members while we are on strike, valuable as that obviously is. alone has awakened our women to political consciousness is only perpetrating the sort of patronis.

ing attitude that we males have used throughout

history. comment of David Basnett the other day: "Don't

let them provoke us.'

reasons. One, to show that people who haven't ex. perienced directly the picket line violence that the

male and female members of my union experience

shouldn't give advice.

chauvinistic attitude of the British police force

A senior police officer, speaking in a loud voice so

that everyone could hear, said: 'You don't actually

breed off of them cows, do you?'

provoked into the sort of actions that sometimes you might see on television.

"The miners do not because of the miners' strike.

action group in (nestermela

directly as a result of this strike, but out of the by-

election that successfully returned Tony Benn to

Parliament.

on the knocker and elsewhere, so effectively that

they soom became labelled the 'A' team. That 'A'

team campaigned on issues such as education,

and

Their successes then are reflected in the ever in-

creasing numbers of

membership in Chesterfield at the present time.

tions.

read the resolutions, act upon them, and support

our sisters - 50 per cent of the population.

'Ignore them at your peril!'

STOP TRIDENT

11 National Union of

*I'm not doing this to experience the sensation

because our inmothers,

To assume that our struggle

•I want to give an example in relation to the

I want to do this for two

Iwo, to demonstrate the 'A picket line in Derbyshire, jointly organised

wives and mothers.

members are

support this section In fact the women's was not formed

'They campaigned on the shopping precincts

trade union legislation. women coming into our

"Conference, it's time to read these resolu-

For the males to forget their natural bias,

WORK FOI

PEACE

BEGIN Ai

BARROW SATURDAY • OCTOBER 2 CND NATIONAL DEMONSTRATIO BARROW-IN-FURNESS • CUME=.

Assemble Trident Dock 1pm. Ray:

Page 12 scan of this page

Bill Albertina, chairperson of the Cammel Lairds to join us in our struggle to save the yard.

yard — join the picket.'

with tae rost Urice

SOCiAList

ACTION

occupation committee, speaking at a miners' rally earlier this year.

"We have been jailed for fightng for our jobs and against anti-trade union laws. Any staff members who enter the yard to work during the dispute is as responsible for jailing us as the prison wardens who lock us in our cells and the police who took us from the yard.

'We appeal to all staff not to cross the picket line, to turn back and

'The courts, the police, the Lairds management will not prevent us. fighting for our jobs, the jobs of our children, and the future of our

'Our fight is your fight, our victory is a victory for the whole yard. 'Don't leave us in Walton. Support the occupation — save the

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jailed

AT THE BEGINNING of last week, quietly and without fuss, 37 GMBATU members were sent to jail for a month for contempt of court. The Cammel Lairds workers had been in occupation at their Birkenhead shipyards for 14 weeks, in an attempt to stop the yard's closure and the subsequent loss of

Their dispute is official: And perhaps the most disgusting aspect of the case is that the Basnett leadership has taken no action in support of its jailed members. to last week's Labour Party conference refused to meet a three-person delegation from Lairds or to support a resolution to party conference condemning the jailings and supporting the occupation.

This Monday a mass picket of over 500 people was mounted at the Lairds yard. It failed to stop white collar and other workers entering. But the

must mobilise in support of the 37 and their just

Lairds Occupation Support Group reports.

you

what

Lairds Liverpool's Walton jail

So strong was the feeling against jailing the workers, that even a special meeting of Walton Prison Officers' Association voted by a majority of only two that the Lairds workers should be inside at all.

When even criminals echoed the support of the whole Merseyside labour movement. I was surpris ing that the workers' own union leadership and their local MP Frank Field were reluctant back the Lairds workers, jailed for

SOCIALIST ACTION

made a big impact last

week at Labour Party

conference - even the

Daily Mirror felt it

necessary to mention us

in an editorial. They

knew what side we were

on and who we sup-

ported.

Sales of the paper went second part of the

week. The success

though was the pamphlet

on black sections, the first

part of our winter schedule

of fund raising. Over £50

was collected by the mid-

die of the week and there's

more to cont.

Remember all the

money goes to the fund

drive.

It's a pity that Robert

Maxwell's concern doesn't

extend as far as supporting

the left press rather than

37 trade

unionists

Furthermore, the GMBATU delegation refusing to leave an unfinished destroyer and

They had occupied the

and the yard being

to jail for a month for contempt of a bosses' High Court order to leave the rig and join the dole queue.

massive police task force told them: either get off the rig or face long

for resisting the police attack.

the workers were forced to end the occupation whelmini support of the Despite local labour movement including Wirral and Liverpool Trades Councils and Birkenhead and Livernool Labour Parties - the GMBATU leadership have failed to rally full support

Support the paper

Robert Maxwell loves to hate!

destroying it: he must

spend more on cigars than

we get in a week from

Preparations for the

move to the new bullding

are well underway, now

that we've seen one which

suits our needs.

And our schedule of

fund-raising events is well

underway. The next one,

later this month, the

Miner's International

Solidarity Meeting.

looks like being a big suc-

cess.

Preparations are also

underwas for Xmas

party and while we're

the subject: when

you're thinking about

presents, think about giv-

ing usione too!

Southampton readers

have come up with a small

donation again. They're

becoming our most consis-

tent contributors, and

their target will soon be

for their Cammel Laird members

The GMBATU is the biggest union in the industry, with getting on for. tionally. million Although members 37 of 1icl

member nave cen jailed for taking part in an official dispute, their support has been minimal.

At last week's Labour Merse side detention had

fight tooth and nail against the Basnett leadership to get conference to adopt a resolution in support of the jailed workers.

Birkenhead MP Frank 'Rainbow urcie) SHed

played most disgraceful role. the September general committee of the constituency party every delegate voted to give unconditional support to the occupation -except Mr Field, who abstained and refused to join the, mass picket at the

Of the original 40 Cammel Laird workers occupying the Birkenhead yard, only three are not in Walton jail. At Labour Party conference last week they told TIM RIGBY:

At 4.10 on Tuesday, police boarded the gangways of the rig and issued an ultimatum: if the occupiers wanted violence they could have it, or they could come off peacefully. After a meeting they decide to come off and were taken to Birkenhead police station, and later to Walton prison

hours and day, and can have only one visit for the month while they're in prison. The food is appall-

shipyards and asking for local support. major picket this Monday and subsequent Mondays, and will maintain a picket at the yard every

workers continue to work at the yard.

reached. Thanks also to

Liverpool readers for f50

towards their target; and

to Ealing for £40 as the

opening

towards theirs.

yard.

At conference, he was his absence when Liverpool Labour Party leader Tony Mulnearn, MP Eddie Loyden the NUM SOGAT, the POEU, and many others got through a resolution condemning the jail sentences and supporting the Lairds workets Lol Duffy is chairperson of Wirral District Labour Party. He, and his fellow Lairds 'in-mates' have sent a message to the scabs who want to cross the picket line It ought to cause Frank Field and David Basnett to hang their heads in shame. • Picketing will continue.

A major picket is planned for every Monday. Offers of help and messages of support Cammel Lairds Occupation Support Group, c/o Wirral Trades Council, Argyle St, Birkenhead.

They are only allowed out of their cells for two

We are in the process of contacting other

We plan a

day. The dispute is official but so far AEUW-TASS

We want to see the rest of our readers meeting their targets in une nex couple of I months. Get the money in now, support the fund drive. Miners' International Solidarity Meeting

organised by Socialist Action Saturday 20 October — 10.30 to 5.30

Bold Miners' Welfare Club

Fleet Lane, Parr, St Helens, Lancs

A rare opportunity to meet miners and women against pit closures from all over the country and trade unionists from all over Europe

creche/accomodation available

registration contact: PO Box 50, London NI