miners' wives in Manchester town hall.
WE started our wives support group six weeks into There were two reasons ior Inis - - support for our men and concern for our families.
We're now 11. months into ine strike. We still support our men and we re still concerned for families.
Women have working in the kitchens 12 hours a day. Women have worked in the food centre. Women like myself, who'd meeting never beet 40 d before this been going round speaking at meeting, saying what we think.
war suprised to see women on the pickets than the NUM and our husbands. went picketing. Now stand side by: side with the men on the picket lines.
We've been out collectng money: on pub collections, on sponsored walks. We collected money the children's days out, for LORRAINE JOHNSON is a member of the Bold Her speech, reprinted committee. below, was made at a recent Labour Herald meeting children's parties, clothes and food Everybody's supported us a lot. the trades unionists, the councils.
Without the support of the councils we'd have been finished. They helped out with gas our bills, which was what was worring a lot of people.
been We've had our phones tapped, we've sultered harrassment. had a 13 year old girl artried rested charge her with soliciting.
have We've been followed by police DIkes - 'chips' call them everywhere we go.
more Our lads have had windows smashed. It's all over the news when working But we their minels get smashed. our laas nave had their windows smashed — you don't see that in the papers.
We'd never till this When came to power she took milk off our children. We let it go.
When the strike started she took f15 a week off us now it's £16. atisfied with taking mill for off the children, taking the bread off them We to Lorraine Johnson we Some single lads have months, except we've raised them. Some of them have got no shoes on their feet, windows La ne callarel alc ing shoes from last May. That is our next step make sure they don't go back to school with card been board on their feet.
miners' Thatcher everywhere Walt thank everyone for support we've Especially before ChristThatcher Not the miners' hey'r back wanted work. the NCB When phoned up suade him out.
thing for Wcal -WIves the father worker, so I was brought up to vote Labour. didn't understand All the women Labour, not knowing why they were putting cross on a piece of paper.
Now we know.
Tenter know what it's like she people who are victimised, they for gays to per- blacks who are victimised.
want to finish fought with a poem. It's from the her hook women Against r Closure, and it was written to by a woman called Betty, from Darlington:
PIT CLOSU RES Exhibitions * Stalls For more information contact:
Kate on Chesterfield 79729, Kath on Sheffield 381954 you were there.
We needed food and donations you were there. you were there.
When we needed help to picket steel Whatever help or task you were there. But I We need not have worried we only had to ask. voted The papers tried to tell us you were there.
. #121 Maggie tried to tell us you weren't there.
you weren't there.
Now 1 Oh where could they be looking for You certainly showed them Words can't express our thanks you were there. off We will always remember for being there.
you being there.
And if you ever need us you only have to call us And we can guarantee we'll be there.
tion in Lancashire been slowed down since a week last Thursday due to lack of oil and coal supplies.
This is due to the action of ASLEF and NUR members in the area at Warrington Quay depot and TWU members inFidler's Ferry power sta- side the power station has Bold NUM commented 'If all the power workers in this area had followed Fiddler's Ferry's lead we would be The TGWU has been helpful in giving us sup. port.'
Socialist Action 15 February 1985
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and electric the
NATIONAL MARCH TO CELEBRATE INTERNATONAL WOMEN'S DAY Chesterfield - 9 March
Street Theatre * Speakers Corner Rally in Saltergate Football Ground, 11.30
We needed strength on demonstrations what did they think they were cooking? Fidler's Ferry shuts