arrives. This spells management in almost all the 2500 miners are working.
Roy Butlin explained to MassIve organised miners London last week:
• We have backed our union's policy to stop all movement for seven have tried to cope by using : ound-the-clock Convoys of lorries to move the coal.
"HUIL LuC 123.000 tonnes of coal we normal handle 60-70,000 tonnes rest 1s being stock'This is becoming MCB. Scab coal has filled problem the capacity the pithead stocking grounds Now the rent or lease new VCB has started ground to local farmers to stock the Coo.
Everywhere mountains coal weather trouble for British Rail Leicestershire, where The Coal Board and British Rail are putting on springing up.
"This situation won't be aliowed to continue for power serviced by STanon. Coalville are in trouble.
Didcot, one of the largest stations served Coalville, has been off the national grid some •The other two stations Drakelow and Rugeley - are trying to manage on smaller amounts oi coa transported by lorries. But danger being According to Butlin, the crunci point and the NCB has.
arriving, only limited ways OI shifting these mountains "It can bring in the drive lorries military style, making the to operation bit MOTE efficient. But it would be politically damaging.
ON WEDNESDAY 24 October 250 pickets blockad'Or it could use Kne army operate the freight side There is railway always. training the They are prepared for any, eventuall! But this option would be 1oo explosive to use today Finally decisiul. could be made to break the rail workers' secondary action and get the coal back on ine trains. In Butlin's view this is what is happening.
We are having pressure applied but it is nothing to what we will see when the power stations are starved of coal.
decision by NACODS to call off their strike disappointed those who supporting strike. But its impact WIl 110L railworkers were skeptica be Local NACODS about welle.
would take strike action.
'For us, the NACODS' decision means that stockpiling will continue, pressure to move coal will increase, says Butlin. Local rail leaders who work closely with the striking miners — IC doing all in their power to withstand the moulilille pressure.
'We've had a closure threat. homes raided by transport poice, and three unionists sacked. rumours are flying that local track will be lifted. We've caused management much pain that they starting to chip away at the depo:.
Over the last few rail weeks, leaders have been taking their case wide possibie an audience in the abour movelliCil every meeting the message has been the same:
'We are being victimised for backing the miners backing our Our members need your support. And when miners win, we want guarantees that the coal to rail, that our sacked members are reinstated.' Butlin will be especially pleased to address meeting called by Agecroft miners strike committee, to discuss how to implement TUC policy. For the first time he will be sharing platform with Knapp, NUR general secretary.
At this meeting Butlin will extend an invitation to Knapp to attendia me tag called THE women's support groups in the South Wales coalfields are holding mass women's rally in Cardiff on 8 December.
The aim of the rally is to give recognition to the role that women are playing in the miners' Cardiff Women Against Pit Closures This rally will provide an opportunity for women everywhere in South Wales to express solidarity with women involved In lit battle against pit closures and put pressure on area executive to provide a stronger lead in massaction ayer the next few weeks and months.
Those of us not directly involved the battle Facing thi against closures, hardship struggle of those living in the pit communities, have a duty to show ours. Pood in a concrete way.
parcels alone will not win this strike. Active support from every section of the labour movement is vital:
• Organise delegations of women to attend the rally This rally aimed women and children. The speeches will be short and we hope to provide food and entertainments. workers on Sunday November. The meeting is open to all in rail who support Coalville. will discuss practical support.
Two coaches Gals been booked London, and supporters In areas are asking Oucl they can come alone well. An invitation been extended NUR. sponsored MPs.
The response to une members' case has neet tremendous in the rank and file of the union. If the NEC took its responsibility seriously. and put the resources of the union behind the etforts of local rail leaders, our union would be enormously strengthened.
The Coalville men are Coalvile doesn't become determined that doleville. the leadership matches that determination, there is no way that the BR Board will come back TOT members once the dispute is settled and the miners have won.
• Messages of support, and details of the open meeting from: Roy Butlin Capston Street, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LES ILD.
• Women in the mining communities desperately need money for transport, so that they can attend the Can your women's group sponsor a mini-bus, provide cars.
Sunday 11 November Hounslow Civic Centre, Lampton Rd, Hounslow Workshops, creche, food, parking Admission free Organised by West London miners' support committees Roy Butlin Phone: 01-572 3764
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COAL STOCKS at the Trent Valley power stations are reaching critical levels as the cold
more pressure to get rail workers to shift coal to the power stations. But rail workers continue to resist. There is no lack of coal
time, and is running on oil. NUR
points are reached rapidly.
women rally for the miners
Labour movement conference in support of the miners