ONE THING that will not be the same following this miners' strike is the attitude of NUM activists to their local Labour Parties and the MPs and councillors representing their areas.
chairman of Blaenserchan colliery NUM, which is adjacent to Kinnock's constituency, how attitudes have changed in that coalfield.
WE disappointed Kinnock's attitude to this been playing at politics for the benefit of the press instead own. He hasn't shown that kind of solidarity we are entitled to expect from a leader of the Labour Party in a mining constituency.
been 150 per cent behind us in the same wav as loca wards and rank and file ac tivists as well as many MPs have been.
There have been a couple of meetings with Kinnock and local Hills try and clear the air. For example he had a very bitmeeling will Wakdale lodge in his constituency. but it was not salislaclory.
Kinnock saying the public and another in private to the Huicis.
Miners will take a different attitude the Labour Party after this.
We'll have no more sheephead MiPs coming out of South Wales and claiming to represent us.
In the past we've been complacent thought Bill Just voling was enough.
But I'm sure blokes like Fred Evans MP don't even know they have pits REDMOND O'NEILL asked TONY DAVIES, part of the South Wales as #Forward to Victory -ngs in advanc Now it's all altered. In this strike we've seen that we ve gol lo the Labour Party to ensure wę get people who really represent the workers and not well off solicitors Cardiff who don't care.
Through the we're getting a mass influx into the Labour Party and the union is taking up our seats on the general management committees and all other bodies on which we are entitled to representation.
A lot of miners' wives and voungsters are also going into the Labour Party.
So one thing is certain the Labour Party in South Wales going to be altered after this strike.
Government & Labour Briefing Ken Livingstone, Merle Amory Out With the Tories!
Tony Benn, Sharon Atkins, Frances Morrell, Bernie Grant •Workshops on Economic Policy, justice freedom a the state, social policy, international & defence, accountability, positive accion SATURDAY 16th FEBRUARY 10am - 5pm DIGBETH CIVIC HALL, DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM accee, Labour UND of railworkers refusing to move coal.
the miners win.' • tion was solid among the areas officially called out.
Unofficial action was taken by IWO main depots in London, St Pancras Waterloo. Stonebridge freight passenger depot in West London also came out.
'We've inflicted
day of pain on the ›assengers, but we've hac t for 42 weeks. This strik‹ will put the morale of my members up 1,000 cent. It's a real shot in the arm' "The most significant thing for me', said Ray, 'was Waterloo which joined in despiagement wal Coll Management about this will ord about this union executive some of whom were reluctant to call any form of industrial action. It's given me great personal satisfaction because the area manager didn't think it was possible.' Waterloo explained why the action had taken place 'We were prepared to take up Coalville's call and the day was an unqualified success. Sooner or later railworkers are going have to face up to the reallty of what's happening to our own industry just like the miners.
'Our picket line was great with miners South Wales, Yorkshire, Kent, delegation from striking CPSA members 11OH Brixton dole office and a Lambeth delegation. Only "They can slander us, sequestrate us, injunct us, screw us from every angle possible even commit us to a lunatic asylum — but we shan't move coal until The industrial action called by the rail Federavalll through Nottingham, Derby and ShefLeicestershire striking miners set up a picket line at midnight of 60 people. 'Chaos' They persuaded a few railworkers not to go in got a commitment from others not to move trains into Nottingham and Derby.
The Hilanager ed from 6 pm. The Dirty 30 feel that this action has she merity are in minority areas tremendous boost.
Roy Butlin explained the next steps: Unless al our demands are met word. We have partially established during this week the principle of alternative work for our members instead of mov ing coal but the BRB locally will not concede on attempting to move the coal.
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Spont Como are on Labour Womens Action
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