Socialist Challenge No. 185, 19 February 1981
The scan: sc-n185-feb-19-1981.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
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Page 1 scan of this page
Challenge
CLOSE THATCHER NOT THE PITS
No. 185 By Ken Capstick,
Area NUM
They coalfield to take strike action to protect their pits, their valleys and their from the onslaught of Margaret. crazy policies.
It is not surprising that the South. miners have themselves vanguard of the fight for jobs. is one that has suf-
By Paul Highfield and Barry Wilkins
'WE ALL want this to be a repeat 1974 - the start of a movement to out the Tories.
That's the shared view of
Price, and John McCann
from colliery, Maesteg in South Wales.
19 February 1981 Parkhill delegate to Yorks
IT IS now imperative that every other coalfield takes immediate strike action with their comrades in Wales.
are the first
communities
Thatcher's that monetarist
Wales thrown into the
The coalfield of
kick
three Alan Tom Watkins
Coegnant
by
20p fered tragedy misery throughout its history.
But it is also typical of the Welsh miners
they unselfishly will not return to work until the closure is lifted from every pit in the British coalfield.
The miners Yorkshire, 85 per cent in favour of
Total stoppage in South Wales
There Was Taneous wak-our armer ou last Sunday when the miners learned that it is to be clos cu. huch acuul Has spalnc. On a wave or sunikes Dy the miners against une lories job-slashing policies.
bv oam on ruesaay
was out, and the Kent Scotlad announced strike ac
HICAL
walkcu our on neare lid
It was the action by the 425 Coegnant mi began the landslide. wereraDay oncu onsuIKe
miners
Unemployed and strikers 10p.
Socialist
VICTORY
TO THE
MINERS!
strike closures, unan fight.
over with. and
given
say that they
of by side
frontation in who voted the
Panel
Board axe.
Lady.
Wales
Monday:
Troops he said, the
action on are for the The feeling in the pits Is that now they have their coats off they want to get it
It is crucial that the mood of the miners be
immediate leadership.
The lads at the pits are also expecting that others will fight
with them in this battle which they know is a direct con-
WIth government. Already
Lady' is showing signs
Brynlliw-Morlais pit near
WICH threatened by the
South Wales NUM was obliged to bring forward its area conference to last Mon-
unanimousiv to orine out all 26,000 South Wales miners the next morning
Emlyn Williams, South
miners oresiden old his area conference o
There is no roor Our dirt thar go back to work before the closure threat is lifted.
might be used, but We have to fight and fight hard even if
pit more ment
meet the NUM.
should
from the clear
closures,
tion, and
side
tion there
saved.
cher.
fighting Coal emolovmen
else in South Wales.
South
Glynneath
jobs; nia in Gwen The 2,885, not
threat withdrawn'
40
of fear and the govern-
offering to
such meeting take place without first receiving
government undertaking that there will be no pit
except on proven seam exhaus
that there will be no loss of jobs in the mining industry.
But if the miners end up on strike and others join in their ac
can be no retreat unui aujoos are
And that means the end of That-
we all end up in jail. We're
battle ENC
miners but also for everyone
OUS.
Cognant nemeste
Tymawr-Lewis, - 680 jobs; Britan680 jobs. total Jobloss including ad-
Emlyn Williams hastappealed for support from all
unionists until to every pit is
Page 2 scan of this page
Not a single pit
The flames of revolt must rise higher.
the Tories: Enough is enough.
1 fight sackings
enough and Arthur Scargill's speech to miners lobbying the NUM executive last Thursday.
WE HEARD Ezra the Fekruary giving out the forebodings of that sister of Nero in over a collapsing economy.
Make no mistake a0Oll it, une present threats are part and parcel of an overall plan by the Tories. Thatcher has never forgotten the defeats of '72 and '74.
But neither have we forgotten.
15 years leading «o to tne saker of 77 and "74 we had seen halt a million jobs lost and 800 pits closed.
Miners were turned into industrial gypsies, trailing round from pit to pit We cannot ever let tha situation re-appear.
We hear people talk
pay. But no one has the right to prostitute their jobs for a few pounds.
No one has the right to salute prospects of future generaLIUlIs.
Against the atempts by Torv DeSS seduce miners into selling jobs, we must assert the lessons of the '50s and '60s. Then
LOW cheaper foreign fuel was the argument for closing pits. We were told tha cheap Middle East oil Was prelerable lo coal Then what happened?
The price of oil
was
Socialist Challenge
Five policies to
fight the Tories
WORKING people in Britain today are fed up.
After nearly two years of Tory rule the threat of the dole queue hangs over us all.
Margaret Thatcher's campaign for "individual freedoms' has been exposed as support for the right of the bosses to treat workers as expendable commodities. Three million people have Thatcher to thank for the right to choose from 100,000 job
The huge turn-out for the Labour Party's demonstration against unemployment in Liverpool last November and the swing to the left in the Labour Party are indications of a growing revolt.
This coming weekend the Glasgow demonstration against unemployment, by mobilising many, many thousands, can thunder out a challenge to
focus the hostility against the obscene policies of the Tories and set in motion a nationwide move-
That movement must fight on five points:
The miners have shown that workers want to fight against the loss of jobs and that they are powerful
determined enough to do so. They have answered every pessimist and cynic who says
will close
executioner on 11
number 10, presiding
quadrupled.
We have similar mad-cap scheme with cheap coal imports.
I recently went to the US to see the miners there.
At first I was prevented from going by the US embassy, undesirable alien. an Joe agreed! visit showed up the nature of Thatcher's mad-cap scheme.
German coal is being shipped to the States at €45 a ton - subsidised to the tune of £35 Then the same ships are filled with US subsidised Coal Dack 10 europe and particularly Britain.
To say this represents cheap imported fuel deserves prosecution the Trades Description Act. We still £12bn for power staLous. which has nothing to do with cheapness.
Ezra admitted that 25-30,000 jobs are threatened and 50 pits could be closed vote of 86 per cent of my MOTE The membership showed what they thought of that. We will take action immediately if one pit is 19 February 1981 Page 2
fronted by mass action. 2 Fight for jobs not bombs
cannot Labour Party
demand.
the Labour Movement
3 Take the fight for
closed.
Bear in mind, in our ballot we never spoke of Yorkshire pits. There is British coalfield. We will only one coalfield strike any pit threatened anywhere.
Just before Chri cala, al she Scot-
Gala, said that there was a hit list of 50
Some members of the executive allacked me saying that no such thing was in the air. Who was right? Who was concolcu dovut une murare of the industry?
The ecutive resolution today
tion. But we need to state here and now that ballot or no ballot we are going out on strike to defend our ODs
Editorial
Socialist Challenge Revolutionary Socialist weekly PO Box 50, London N1 2XP Phone 01-359-8189/8180 (editorial and distribution)
there is nothing to be done.
Strikes and occupations, like Gardner's, show the way forward. That's what stops sackings. That is what must be done at Talbot, Linwood. Otherwise the jobs will disappear. employers only start talking when they are con-
The priorities of Thatcherism make clear why we
tolerate such government. decline, as the Health Service deteriorates, as industrial investment declines, the Tories jack up their expenditure on Trident and Cruise missiles.
This horrifying madness must be fought. We have to build CND and we have to fight Foot and the Labour Party leaders who want to scab on the
conference nuclear disarmament. Jobs not bombs must be our
A good start in this campaign would be to build
Missiles in Manchester on 28 March.
democracy into the unions The fight against the right wing in the Labour Party is part and parcel of the struggle against the Tories
They say there is too much coal. So let's implement the proposal Sankey in the early '20s, for 4-day week with no loss of pay. et's have retirement on full pay at 55. Let's stop working the equivalent of an 8-day week and bar all overtime.
If logic, clocuence or justice could win our then sullie of would not need to be here today. There 1S. ho were and that say only one way win, demonstrate the unity solidarity that showed in 1972 and 1974.
At the end of the '72 strike I was asked to say what our most important victory had been. thought about this for a anen shortly
Governments and
As jobs 4 decision to support
Conference Against The
about after, I was crossing the street and this ex-miner in his eighties Calle
Ine traffic towards me and he shook my hand with tears in his eyes and explained that we had restored the dignity of the miners lost in 1926.
We will this up again. Wewill ask all trade unions, we will approach the triple
in a battle the like of which we haven't seel before. There is no doubt inat in this way we can save our iobs.
We can also bring about the conditions where we can force an
get this Tory government once and for all.
- people like Williams, Owen and Rodgers only sabotage the anti-Tory campaign.
The struggle for democracy and accountability in the Labour Party has pushed it to the left, and enabled the rank and file to impose left-wing policies. But the fight is far from over, and Michael Foot shows every sign of siding with the right wing - hence his attacks on Tony Benn.
The best way to push the struggle forward is to take it into the unions. The essential props of the right-wing are people like Frank Chapple, Terry Duffy and Tom Jackson. They have to be taken on in their own strongholds.
Fight the cuts and the
rent and rate increases Heseltine's attack on local councils and welfare facilities is a giant step towards the destruction of the welfare state. But avoiding cuts by making rent and rate increases is no answer - they are just another attack on living standards. We should fight for no cuts and no rate increases. But there is no solution in one borough — only a nationally coordinated fight can succeed. 5 for a Labour government Kick out the Tories We can't wait till 1984 to get rid of the Tories! Like the miners in 1974 we have to mobilise a huge mass movement to isolate Thatcher and Co and make their government impossible.
democracy and the ballot box million unemployed can't wait!
What the
Dave Douglas, Doncaster The Tories are out fo There was a cabiner meetine lay week which
power would be developed in Britain 10 supposedly prevent the rels 10880101 he county lo ranson? 'They just want to break our backs and unaermine our leader ship of the whole work. insalassed in 22 und established in 'It's wrong of
Une tnt 0 10 0
hear where it belongs -on the Tories, not foreien workers 'If rou get cheap coal vou get cheap steel and then cheap cars But that's not what / hatcher wants.
John Marshall, Blaenserchen, Gwent branch secretary. 'What we need above
Doss tere 1o l vote in Yorkshire
South Wales We decid ed nearly unanimous/l ugo after pit-head meetings. his Tory govern
large amounts of coul are all about these imports are stop massivelv increased .SHOSIO1 'Our coul is sub sidised be about f1.50 a
10BS
NOT BO
Foot may prattle
- but 3
militants say:
ton. German coal bi
624 a 1011. So rou have
south Hales of the bes
coking coal not beins
used for the steel
plants, hut inferior cou
being imporied. Is a
Jim Cuthbert
Killock, Ayrshire
'In Ayrshire in 1969
there were 18,000
miners. Today there
are 3,500. Our pit
employs 2,300
miners. It supposedly loses £9m a year
Although five new lines are opening up, no one is safe.
'The atmosphere is for a fight. We'll lead the rest against this government as we did before.
Keith Morris, Derbyshire area executve 'WE ARE not going to let them 1 do to us whal
they did 1o the steel ana British Levland workers. saloin assault on the working class it needs a tota reply. If there's th leadership. there'll be me action. ivo ques-
'As for the pickerling laws - - We Sovn law is an ass All Of us are prepared to go to jail if we have to.
There was no figh on pay this time round, but Thatcher's fooling herself if she think.
, scared Jobs are
- here is по pay ar an wunou. jobs
Page 3 scan of this page
IHT
ER 'S By Barry Wilkins and Paul Highfield INDUSTRIAL action other unions is vital given that there precedented stockpiles coal inside the power stations and at pitheads.
The transport and workers have already pledged support to the South miners. Not one ton of coal will be moved.
Steelworkers from the Port lalbot steel action group have organised 'triple rank and file meeting miners, rail and steel workers
mobilise support for miners cans union venor of the Electricians'
the WOrKS. believes the reduction of funds to the Board is a cover political attack on the miners.
IF THIS is the first time you've bought ¿ Socialist Challenge you'll notice a few
: things that are different from the Fleet
Street newpapers.
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Behind Socialist Challenge is nothing but
, Ine dedication or is readers and sup-
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While the Tory press has been busy
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Socialist Challenge has:
• Exposed now
, Reagan's war plans are turning Britain into
, a number one nuclear target
• Revealed details of the secret con-
nections between NATO and the Gang of
Three
• Argued the socialist alternative to
Tracised sider mom orien
: organised solidarity
those at : who are fighting for the right to work
INVEST
IN BRITAINS
FUTURE
SUBSIDISE DUR COAI NOW
MINERS. FIGHT
ANY FURTHER
JOB LOSSES
MINERS..: FIGHT
SY FLIDTHER
NERS..I FIGHT
AV FURTHER
Miners lobby executive for fight against job loss
Solidarity action needed
The said. Solidasity haction s said. by vital so that the strike bites immediately. unlike strike last year. of Port Talbot asking why the Tories refuse to British their Common Market counterparts. brilisn coal costs about rail €29 a ton receives a f1.62 a ton subsidy Wales from the government.
with a f14.85 French coal, receives alliance' These subsidies are nine and for leven times subsidy in Britain. the The NCB uneconomic pits have to close con. ThAT investment maintained for the future of the steer OUT Tories' plans to invest f600m to extract Coal coking coal direct Margam forest, two miles from the steel works which relies en-
SocialistChallenge
fights for YOU
rights, Thatcher and workers Gardner's and Talbot-Linwood fund;
MINERS FIGHT IN POLIC It s time someone aot the
face steel yet. ine
workers are
coal, unlike If
closed produce and
German coal costs f41 a ton Jones,
subsidy, while dant €45
£17.96 subsidy Talbot.
greater than the
'If these claims that
Carl be 'It's
nas she vee
tron • Championed the fight for women's the drive tor positive action for women's equality, and the movement that smashed Corrie's anti-abortion law.
• We have carried weekly on-the-spot reports of the workers' struggles in Poland
but not in the same wav as the Fleet Street press, which uses Poland to attack socialism and British trade unions.
We organised shop floor workers to visit Poland, to share experiences, and set up links for a common fight for socialist democracv
• We have published coverage of the wars that Fleet Street forgets, the resistance to Britain's rule in the north of Ireland and the civil war taking place in El Salvador.
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Home News.
MINERS- FIGHT
ANY FURTHER
JOB LOSSES
MINERS- FIGH
ANY FURTHER*
JOB LOSSES tirely on overseas coal.
So it looks like the Tories
their biggest challenge labour movement should realise the importance of this struggle and the consequences of victory and defeat.
the Coegnant colliery where the strike wave began is
the present Maesteg unemployment rate of 13 per cent will look quite reasonable One of those 13 per cent is Paul
recently made reduntrom the Borg Warner transmission plant near Port
He told Socialist Challenge:
closures go through there will be no jobs left for anyone around here.
about time someone took on the Tories. The Labour Party and the TUC should stop talking and organise strike action to support tne miners. The only way to get rid of the Tories Is by general strike action.
detailed the
STOP
ALL
COAL
By Patrick Sikorski THE Tories are out to smash the miners.
The Coal Board claims that their decision to close up to 50 pits with the loss of 30,000 jobs is due to the cash limits imposed on the industry.
The real reason is that the Tories think that this is their best chance to defeat the miners.
There is no sound economic reason for closing 50 pits.
The recent World Coal Study estimated that the international coal trade will double or treble by the year 2000. The only good reason for shutting a pit anywhere in the world is if it contains no more coal.
Future
Coal is now the fuel of the future. Oil prices have quadrupled
FREE
THE BRITISH
ECONOMIC
LEASTEI
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Pluto 4A Press
with a 12-month subscription to
Socialist Challenge! 442222
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OT BC
atomic power faces
development
costs and political op-
position.
So the Tories have
been preparing for a confiners. The Steel Cor with
miners.
poration and the Central
Electricity Generating
Board have been
deliberately switching
away fis a record 31.
There is record
million tons stockpiled. Fight
But instead of
vigorously pursuing the
jobs fight, NUM presi-
dent Gormley has
condemned South Wales
taking
precipitate 'unconstitu-
tional' action. He wants
to talk to the Tories first
aDOl stopping imports
of 8 million tons of coal
and increased
redundancy money.
Import controls are
no solution. The fight
should be to turn the
heat on the Tories by
demanding that they
subsidise coal to protect
jobs, rather than spen-
ding it on missiles
Gormley should demand
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Socialist Challenge 19 February 1981
four-day week for miners and retirement at 55.
The miners' struggle and livelihood to and livelihood whole ctories of 172 and With the victories of '74 behind them, many
are aware that their strike can • be an all-out fight to kick out the Tories.
Boycott
Already the rail and road transport workers in South Wales, together with the seafarers, have picuget complete boycott of the movement
other areas strike this support must spicau lo every part of the country.
The national unions should make the support otticial. There should be
repeat the shameful delays by transport union officials during the steel strike to give Clear written instruc tions to their members.
The solidarity that steelworkers could offer would be boycott coal and turn the 'cripple alliance into a fighting triple alliance.
Claims
This alliance should be extended to the water workers and others like the civil service workers who are fighting for their pay claims. Solidarity rallies and demonstra tions should be organised around the country
district tees, trades councils ars the Labour Party
This will provide the basis for putting up miners involved in flying pickets and bringing them solidarity the picket lines the police and SPG attack
Picketing will be crucial in this strike. The Tory Employment Bill will be at stake
The TUC has a Week of Action for Jobs in April. Whether this has any meaning at all wil depend on what happens to the miners
London Page 3
Page 4 scan of this page
LINWOOD - OCCUPY
BOMBS
By John Parkinson,
secretary Preston
Trades Council,
personal capacity
THE world car in-
dustry is in the grip of
a massive crisis. UK
sales are their
To L
lowest level for five
years, and last week
sixteen major Amer-
ican car plants were
idle.
Last year,
Peugeot-Citroën
made a loss of £140m,
f20m of which is
blamed on the Lin-
wood plant.
So how Goll
Talbot's Linwood
workers fight to
save their jobs?
Ten years ago a similar situation developed in the ship-building
wuustly.
The '60s witnessed massive increase in the demactive capacity had Pro-
ductive capacity panded enormously and as the 'boom' declined shipbuilders were looking lo 'rationalise' their least profitable yards.
Target
British yards, with their lack of modern technology and their bad siting, were a major target. Chief among these were Upper Clyde Shipyards, a
1968 to ward off foreign
elected
LICY withdrew their support for the company which declared itself bankrupt making 8,500 shipyard WULACIS redundant and threatening the jobs of 20,000 other workers.
That's how the famous UCS 'work-in' began in defence of jobs. It received enormous support from the British working class: over half a million pounds was collected and 80,000 demonstrated in the streets of Glasgow in their support.
Two years later however the yards had
with 2,500 been soll up redundancies. Those still employed in the Marathon and Govan Yards had to lorsake many urdue umon rights and ensure vastly increased productivity. Lessons
What UCS, what lessons can be learnt for Linwood?
First, the occupation of the yards undoubtedlv inspired enormous support from every section of
Britain.
THE LESSONS OF UCS
PPRENTIUEO
- US WORK
UCS apprentices demonstrate
Cal Torce ine
ment's hand. The UCS work-in signalled the end of the Tory's 'lame-duck' policies, which would have willulawn support from firms facing bankTunitic
It prepared the ground for the massive anti-Tory movement which developed around the 1972 and 1974 miners' strikes.
One in eight without
La job in Scotland
OFFICIAL unemployment figures for January
1981 show 286,000 unemployed - more than
one in 8 of Scotland's working population.
These figures don't include 70,000 others on
government 'employment' schemes.
tunities programmes and 40,000 workers in
Scotland are receiving
short-time working. The figures do not in-
clude the many unemployed women who are
not registered as unemployed.
Investment surveys
get worse. The Talbot Linwood closure could
involve up to 10,000 redundancies in the West
of Scotland.
is threatened and up to 3,000 miners may face
the sack from the Coal Board's pit closures.
The most important
cupat: or
=:::
To do this the Linwood WOrKCIS, the miners and other sections of workers should directly challenge the Tory government.
Militants
The leadership of the struggle Communist Party militants Jimmy Reid and James Airlie, fully supported by the Scot20,000 young people are on Youth Oppor-
compensation for
suggest things will
British Steel's Ravenscraig mill
TUC refused allow such a moreme.
'Many of us will think
that nationalisation is the
answer. Some mont say
bring down the govern-
ment greetec with rap-
turous applause). well
shipbuilding on the Clyde
is not saved perhaps this
might happen.
Business
'But are not
business at this stage to br-
ing the government down
or to indulge
demagogy from the right
or left. We are here
oreserve shipbuilding on
the Clyde.
Instead of harnessing
the massive groundswell ot
anti-Tory feeling develop-
ing throughout the coun-
try Lae most popular
chant on all the demon
sui allulls was 'Tories Out'
— the STUC and the UCS
shop stewards committee
concentrated on winning
the support Scottish
business peopic ana cnul-
ches.
Praise
They were at pains to
ensure that the creditors of
UCS were not threatened
by the 'work-in'. Even the
official liquidator, Robert
Smith, praised the shop stewards for the 'respon-
sible' way in which they mae acted
From the start the UCS shop stewards and the
STUC paraded the virtue
f the Clydeside workers
were 'moderate and hardworking' and prepared to do deals with any employer who could willise lu save Sonic ui the jobs.
Instead of insisting that responsibility for the accane shipyards rested totally on the world slump and the 'anarchy' of the world capitalist system, they promised that the workers of UCS would work harder and forsake hard-won trade rights to save jobs.
Instead of insisting on the nationalisation of the yards without
compensa tion to their former
they negotiated with any profit-seeking, ware calling they could find Even the early stages of the fight in Linwood call see these policie being put
orward again
Restraint
The shop stewards are urging restraint while support is built up from the
CBI, and local authorities. Jim-
Livingstone, the lily Transport union convenor, has promised full co-operation the company as it goes on tive-dav week for the last three months.
The STUC is concentrating urging Tories :0 force Japanese car manu:asurersio come
and peraise Penged: Citroen.
Lester trom UCS
jobs.
em hey should be linked
campaign to bring Jown the Tories and nationalise the industry.
on jobs
By Des Tierney
THE NEWS came through on
Wednesday morning
Talbot car plant at
was to be shut with the loss of
4,800 jobs.
While the shon 'upstairs' getting the news from the
manacement
letter explaining
the reconcancy
would receive. An
aiven — atortv-vear-old worker witr
eleven years at Linwood would get £4,000.
Payments
For a time it seemed that the management's plan work the immediate reaction of most workers was to calculate how much they would receive in redundanc paylells Manv thought the only thing left for them to negotiate was a higher redundan
oy payment and then they would be
Perhaps it was theithought of the 2. This mood didn't per cent unemployment in the town of Linwood or the other 286,000 Scottish workers already which shop stewards met in the afternoon and decided to call a mass meeting of the workforce.
At the meeting the next day there was an overwhelming vote to reject
shop stewards the organise the fightback. stewards convenor ingstone was quoted as promising as big a fight over Linwood as there had been at UCS.
It's already clear, however, alterences are emeraina over now the fight should be shop stewards committee is coming
pressure from TUC to prevent any action at Lin-
Greenock women vote to occupy
Occupying to save jobs!
By Jean Mackenzie 'WE will stay as long as necessary to save every job even if it means staying indefinitely.
Inal was te message from 200 women occupying Lee Leisurewear factory in Greenock.
The workers have been sitting-in since 5 February when ten american doss saletne factory was close. The turned down the workers' proposal WUN be snared between
Linwood: savage attack
The Tories to Linwood through
tish population.
stewards were
une workers rece ver the closure and Frighten payments une!
example was
tion frighten off
was goina
have been ingston,
sale 'and throughput is.
Militant different idea
on the dole immediate
Bain, Socialist Challenge:
give the
go-ahead to if joint
Shop under
Jimmy Liv-
wood nationalised
that
taken up The
wood,
the Scottish See workers
group s tour tactories ir Britain
The workers, members of the Nationa Union •ano Garment Storkers to have received support Talbot wooc and
workers • Local crocers dre suppiying TOO ano post office engineers have
phone after management asconnectco une lactory s onones Greenock has 15 per cen unemoiovment ano IT C rising. Many families have more one
wood which would lose the support of 'moderate' Scottish opinion.
STUC hopes to force the provide jobs at Linwood building 'protest' move
ment from all sections of the Sco1 have been eld with Tory Mist Already Chamber of Commerce and Scottish CBI representatives.
The trade unions will be expected to campaign without industrial ac-
argued, would business people. And any campaign which is developed won't be allowed to develop into a campaign against the Tories.
The pressure is already being felt The company's plans to run the plant 'flat-out' for the next three monins
accepted Jimmy the TGWU convenor, has bragged openly about how 'respon sible' the workers are going to be
'We intend working normally,' he
we'll show them what No one is going point the tinger at us. No one is goinc to say that we are the wreckers
shop-stewards have "nev • are arauina fo industrial action Peter TGWU shop steward, , told 'We need to go into occupation as soon as possible
an occupation is the best way of developing solidarity.
Massive support can be won in the working class throughout Britain
action with other sectors threat like the mines and steelworks is linked to a campaign to kick out the Tories and to get Lin-
The demonstration in Glasgow called by the Labour Party is going to be very important. Ihroughoul Lne demonstration the workers at Lin-
the miners and the must shown that they are backed to the full.
member working factory and there are
especially for women The workers will marci
Their fight for the right workers including
ano inell militant occupa tion should be an example the whole demonstra tIon and to the worker. al talbor Linwood in pal ticular.
Messages of sunport io Mrs a Mongonan (onrenor Cambridge Roud Greenock
Page 5 scan of this page
TO SAVE JOBS TALBOT Home o the Avenger & Sunbeam
Import controls
are no answer
By Pat Hickey, TGWU steward, Rover Solihull
Talbot plant at Linwood in Scotland.
In both countries. the demand for import controls is being taken up as a 'solution' unemploy-
The TUC General Council has asked atfiliated unions to develop
policies and publicise them among their members.
The Transport and General Workers Union position is stated in Import Controls Now. This 52-page pamphlet is summatter for Import Coin narised trols and Planned Trade'
Nine of the ten points dea with import contros Even the one point which deals with 'planned trade' states that 'pressure should be mounted CLOT general planning of trade in addition to selective im-
Import penetration sing controls
penel alon rolling basis related to policy of economic expansion'.
Campaign
The campaign for imTaw is trot intended to controls the confront the employers or the Tories.
Point three of the Charter Sales. *In preparation for the
Linwood workers — out of the gate for the last time? TWO weeks ago British Leyland announced the sacking of 2,000 workers at its Seneffe plants in Belgium. Last week, the French firm Peugeot announced its intention of sacking 4,500 at the
Pat Hickey pected "U-turn" in the government's economic policies the Labour Party and the unions should together mount maximum pressure on the government..
This whole approach is based on the belief that government polle is due to a mistaken faith in free enterprise and monetarism and that it is possible to force the government to 'change course'.
Controls But a closer examination reveals that import controls are not in the interests working
class. In shrinking Markel. success nicals 101cing competitors out
This will only be Dus lics. done by cutting wages, im-
speed-ups and sacking workers. Every success tor an emplove won at the expense of the WULACIS
It is a battle that the working class cannot win without imposing its solutions. If Britain im-
controls, other countries Will inevitably retaliate Import
unemployment. they merely export and Inen t only term. Racism
The openly nationalistic character of the TGWU's policy has its logical conclusion in the
reference o the Honda
reference to Honda bounty, being built Cowley, 'Yellow Elephant' Such policies foster racist divisions, put-
15 M.PH
GLASGOW
unemployment
ting unity with employers above working of class unity.
Import controls would have another effect which is not in the interests of the working class they would increase the price of consumer goods, thus eftect acting as a direct tax on British workers
of Britist lavoul employers.
Solution
A confrontațion . with the employers is inevitable in the long run. Any solu-
tion in the interests of the working class has to start
from the position that workers are not responsi-
ble for the crisis
Instead of demanding import controls, we should
be starting a real fight for the 35-hour week. many unions this is already conference policy, conveniently ignored. Yet such a policy if imposed across the country could generate 750,000 new jobs at a stroke.
JOBS
NOT BON
the In addition to
35-hour week, we should demand tion without compensation of all tirms declaring redundancies or closures And should demand the indefinite extension of the working in
subsidv to detend wages The nationalisation ot bankrupt firms should be on the basis cancellation of all debts to banks and finance houses, and the firm's capital and equipment should be integrated into a national plan based on social need Finally we should demand Jobs not Bombs -we need a programme o public works, using money spent on detence to build homes, schools and hospitals Such programme For would require the TUC to
break with the policy of but 'pressure on the
and alliances with towards frontation with all those oppose the interests WIlU of the working class.
The history of
Linwood
By Roger Rankin
Rootes commissioned plant. Now,
that time, as
real security here.
development area. they'd rather
pliers, Midlands.
poration.
one of the
continued to make a loss.
tain.
at Linwood -Shop stewards
pulled out.
Labour
nationalisation stewards to
Ultimatum So when
sackings or we'll close the lot workforce
the
and ran. In operation to Peugeot.
company unions. the
secret report
Eurofinance SA, Peugeot's main
drastically pruned the
Not at all.
Instead they
Tories this would the
last fifteen result: closure of the plant.
IT WAS in 1961 that the British car firm
the Linwood twenty years and three owners later, it is to be closed. And in all
convenor Jimmy Livingstone says, 'There's never been any
Geoffrey Rootes explained at the time that they had wanted to build on one of their existing sites. But, 'Government policy changed and we were persuaded to start this new project in a
It was hoped that Linwood, together with the Ravenscraig steelworks, would become the centre of a new industrial complex in the West of Scotland, and that this might give it a long-term future.
But capitalists are stubborn people They're not much interested in planning
go for quick profits every time. So the sub-contractors, sup.
and others stayed put in the Linwood made a loss each year, and in 1967 Rootes were forced to sell out to the US-based Chrysler cor-
In 1969 Chrysier built a new paint and machine shop to accommodate the incoming Hunter range. That was the last major investment at Linwood; it is now
most out-of-date car assembly units in the world. And it has
By 1975 Chrysler was in deep trouble under the impact of the world recession. It came to Britain and demanded £162m in public money and thousands of redundancies as the price of remaining in Bri-
The initial union response - at least
was extremely militant. demanded that the Labour government nationalise the firm without compensation, and announced their intention to occupy the plant and seize all the company's assets if Chrysler
But they were stabbed in the back by the trade union leadership, acting for the
government in the spirit of the Social Contract. The leading 'left' in the AUEW, Bob Wright, refused to back the
call and urged the 'play it cool' and try to understand the government's position.
"noto.
government GM presented an ultimatum - 'accept 8,300
COOKSON
not suprisingly knuckled under since they had no alternative to
That was the beginning of the end.
Chrysler took the government's money
1978 it sold its entire UK the French company
Challengel
Peugeot's reputation as a ruthless operator is second to none. Several of its French plants are policed by fascist-led
Just 10 days after the takeover a commissioned by the unions from an economics study group.
pointed out that interest was in Chrysler's dealer network. Car manufac turing capability, it forecast, would be
But did the unions act on this report? Did they launch a campaign among their members for action to defend their jobs?
massive redundancies in tee that gave the
somehow avert catastrophe. Some 2,500 workers have already been paid off at Linwood in the
months. The inevitable
Socialist Challenge 19 February 1981 Page 5
Page 6 scan of this page
How we fought...
March
for jobs
ON 1 May the Liverpool Trades Council march sets off to London. reaches the know that the labour movement has had enough with dole queues and Giro cheques.
As the march wends its way south shop stewards committees, Labour rar. ties, Trades Councils,
MPs Labout Labour councillors, can turn out to greet the sisters and brothers wint are fighting to save the future of working people. Everyone opposed
unemoiovment should support this
JEFF WEST secretary of the Stockport branch of the Boilermakers Union told Socialist Challenge what he thinks of the fight back against poverty and misery.
"Atter months of bad
more redundancles and short-time working, and with ten per cent
our members not working there are signs of a fight back.
Glasgow
'At Lightnin' Mixers in Stockport the workers have occupied the factory to save jobs. As a result of the demonstra• tions in Greater ManChester LICIOUOL. the turn-out for the demonstralon Glasgow Call be
'The biggest factories in the town are all sending My
uciczallulls. own branch is sponsor-
unemployed members to go on the march.
The next step is to build the LIverDOol London march. We are
and make sure that when the marchers reach Stockport on 7 May we bulla ine biggest possible display of solidarity.
"That's WiV branch is sponsoring number unemployed members to WalK in unc Stockbort
by the TGWU shop
or Poland and the Tories' Employment Act.
How
caught by the Tory Employment Act:
tion of liabilitv on at least six counts.
dispute. They also had political objectives.
Socialist Challenge
By the time it capital millions of people will Jeff West
section, and we are calling on local stewards to do the same. 'By fighting Wichil ployment through ocLuvaluis and massive demonstrations we can show people that we are strong enough to fight Dack.
'A young unemployCAll they offer us is a job worker said to me: pickig daffodils in the Scilly Isles or a Career in bloody army' know what he meant, unemployed welder myselt.
Unemployment make feel isolated You start thinking there is no the have begun o you can do.
Now see that this is not true.
Gardners won. One hundred and fifty thousand angry people marched in Liverpool. 'We must make sure Lightnin Mixers win.
From Glasgow on London via Liverpool, that is our slogan. 'We are beginning to build a mass movement
Wing and nailer a government do sunchillig about jobs not bombs.
Messages support 125 Wellington Rd SKI 3TY Stockport, Cheshire BELOW we publish part of a leaflet produced
stewards at Linwood
the Polish strikers would have been
What would have been the position of the Polish shipbuilding workers who were on strike in Gdansk and other parts of Poland if they had been subject to the Tory law of industrial relations, including the new Employment Act, or to the Tory government's draft code on picketing? They would have placed themselves in a posi-
1. It could be argued that they were not acting in contemplation of furtherance of a trade
2. Some of the workers broke their individual contracts of employment by striking without
19 February 1981 Page 6
niture Union (FTAT) convenor at Schreibers in Manchester, told •ocialist Challenge, how the workers stopped a closure.
Before Christmas we received two offerings from management; card wishing us well for the new year and a refusal to pay our national pay rise of f7 on the minimum rate.
Our boss, Chaim Schreiber. pretends to be
socialist. He said wasn't his tault. It was Maggie Thatcher's.
But he's implementing Tory policies and
Talbot stewards back Polish workers
proper notice.
which they work.
4. Workers
have been peacefully persuading others to abstain trom themselves work.
dary action, section 17 of the Employment Act.
gates in excessive numbers to control the trance and for the purpose of persuasion. draft Tory code states that, as a general rule picketing will be limited to six and 'frequently a smaller number will be sufficient.
The T&GWU Linwood workers who struggle for unions free from state control.
Home News
Managers picket occupied factory at Lightin' Mixers, Stockport
Schreibers workers in jobs fight
and WON!
LING
BLIC!
Phil Davies GEC which owns the compan donor well known to Tory Party funds. all started with Michael Edwardes Leyland divide and
3. Some of them occupied the premises in
communicated information or
work at places other than where they
5. Some of the workers engaged in secon-
not protected under provisions of
6. Workers on strike asembled at shipyard
enThe
support all
game. They're all doing it now.
The Schreibers action committee put out leaflet to the workforce saying: constaering all the broken promises and suffering of members, the FTAT within Schreibers saying enough is enough, and members must prepared to fight for our basic union rights.
'We have over the years made many frenas in the trade union movement and we call on their support. we should look at the victory of the workers at Gardner 's as a shining example of
solidarity and workers their slogan — unity in
should become action our slogan. Closure
Then came the bombshell. On 12 January
Closure are pane
closure plant. Alter lunch we ad mass meeting. The workiorce didn't want any more bullshit. There was a unanimous vote for a fight and we immediately slowed down production.
Schreiber blamed the recession for the closure, but saw technology His profits were still high f4.3m in 1980. After few weeks our action had cost him Elm lost deliveries we'd cut production to 70 per cent.
We had also publicis-
ed our case. We visited Tom Macafee, Gardner s got agreement from the docks about boycotting
goods and meetings with other FTAT convenors all over the country.
Schreibers managelicil Kicw we welc will ning the argument over closure. Everyone knew that if Gardner's could win by occupying, then
could we Everyday we had mass meetings to Tunne In the third week of the dispute management called us in for a meeting.
Chaim Schreiber said it was the saddest day of his life. The company had lost orders for all its plants because of our ac tion. Regretfully he said tht he was forced to keep the plant open! We were over the moon, another victory like Gardner's.
But our problems weren't over. Management sent troubleshooter. Mr. Southan. The day he arrived he told us to stop having so many meetings as they lost the company
much production. Within ten minutes we had stopped the factory and marched through Trafford Park for a mass meeting.
We voted unanımously for no interference in our custom and practice. Again management climbed down.
Southan's next move was to ask - that is, tell
me and the Schreibers' convenors al four other plants to
JO
NOT
resign. Again we stopped work and held a mass meeting which i called for
was recognised.
In fact the shopfloor voted not to recognise Southan! Every time he went on the shopfloor, everyone downed tools.
After national meeting at the weekend we were set on an oc-
On the Moncuballull. day, we leafletted Schreibers Bolton, urging them to join us in the battle.
Workers
Once again the management reeled was recognised as con-
The strength of increased enormously. The message went up on the lines: Schreibers 0, Workers 2.
Now we're going on further. We have a coach going up to the Glasgow
Two weeks ago we had 150 on the torchlight march
ahalils ployment in Manchester. And a number of us are joining Labour Party, where the
Meis supporter cial
Council Social Democracy.
I don't think there's a problem putting the Labour Party in at the next election - the problem Will have socialist policies? I agree with the idea of Jobs not Bombs That's why I'll
FTAT executive to the CND labour HIOVC ment conference.
Page 7 scan of this page
Massive support for labour movement
By Toni Foster MASSIVE support is building up for the CND Labour Against the Missiles, to be held in Manchester on 28 March.
An increasing. number oi trades and labour activists are seeing the battle against missiles as a fight against the Tories' priorities by WICH WOKeS pay for bombs at the expense of UOS.
At the beginning of the year, Jimmy Milne, the Scottish TUC general secretary, called for 1981 to become une ved o unc "Fightback against Tories' While ployment in Scotland has
50 per almost cent in 12 months, Tories plan to spend £15 billion uc-luxe nuclear weapons system.
Hospitals
The money used on the nuclear marines which at
outside Dast Glasgow could be spent
things DCUDIC need. Each Tridentarmed submarine, for example, will cost the taxDavel unc coulvalcil of two hundred hospitals or tive thousand new council houses.
While billions get wasted on weapons of destruction, millions OI people sit idle. All over the country the roads crumble, col-
lapse, children aresed
into overcrowded schoolrooms, and people die from lack of kidney machines. it is estimated that over 1.5m people are
urgent need of rehousing.
The people whose lives are wrecked by unemployment and by te lack or nousing, proper food, and medical care could be using their abilities build the houses and hospitals that we need. Enemy
The 'enemy' of the British working_class is not the Soviet Union as the Tories would have it but mme dory governed itself.
The demonstration
Glasgow* on Saturday dutc miners strike Is
part of the growing fight
by the working Class lu bring down the Tories; to
Tory priorities Iculale win se al ur beople first Jobs not Bombs.
The next step of the 11ght Will be ine (NDS Labour Movement Conference Against Missiles, al which the
National Executive Committee the Michael Foot to speak.
conference supported by Ine
Transport and General Workers Union, the Public Employees,
Agricultural workers,
the Fire Brigades Union, Sheet Metal, and Furniture Workers.
Movement Conference MARTIN COLLINS, a Manchester engineering worker who has been delegated by his branch of the and Municipal Workers to attend the 28 March conference, told Challenge about how support is being built in North-west.
'The trades councils in Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, and Stockport are already giving their support and have circulated their branches TOT Inee Labour Parties - Manchester
'People object to being
fried alive' - Manchester
engineering worker
City, Bury, and Bolton Circulatine material to their branches.
General
CND cnaineerinc Socialist committees North, Manchester
the lare numoets send out stewards branches. of the Union is doing the same. asking 'In the plant the shopfloor are being circulated.
Stop the missiles.
anti-missiles conference
SCOTLAND (HIGHLANDS)
Stirling *
RAF Kirknewto
rgeantiaw * Lanar
SCOTLAND (LOWLANDS) are tion to conterence
'We have had a really good one largel.
the unions.
Union district Manchester South, Bury and Bolton have taken against the
of leaflets their shop and committees The Stockport com Trident. •one makers tend Shell Chemicals workers ailernalive plans.
Key do Command post - Air bast - American tacticy Radar, communications • ArMish adar base Al or lear power station * Or city Weapons
radius of base 11 sub-regional seat of government etc ENGLAND
'People do have an objec
being fried alive, and siting bruise missiles in britain makes sure we are the number
'The best thing that could come from the 28 March conference is a CND call for a joint
Party march missiles this year.
We need at least a quarter of a million people to demonstrate their opposition to Cruise anc
'Such a march would ex-
June within the working class for an
_LO the Tory wal
CND
LABOUR
MOVEMENT
CONFERENCE
Cool or come ted by secretary of delegating body and returned 1o CND. 11
Organisation:
Political party:
Address.
WHAT'S the missiles? The following listed by CNN If you. have film-show demonsiraon public meeting orne an -nuceal event, please send the details to us and CND
WHAT's missiles? against unt If you have a film-sho demonstration a public meetine owner anti nuclea event olease send the details to us and CND
dent North London Road velesale cach iron a sluach UnIon or studen group
rebruary: No Cruise Missiles Oldham Against the Missiles public
Michael Meacher neeting vir socanci. vy cruciura Music Room 7.30pm
28 February: Socialist Challenge Open Forum i Manchester. 'Detente can i work?' Redmond O'Neill author die for Thatcher?' Labour Clir A spencer and a speaker trom the Communist Party UMIST, Lecture Theatre, Sackvilie st Renold Bldng.,
Sicker or locat civi CND picket of civi defence bunker
7 March: Bristol CND
movemen con ference: 'Jobs not Bombs Sponsored by Bristol Trade
Hall, 10am-5pm. Films, varket. workshops, creche.
March Jobs not Bombs march Common t Wandsworth Tow! Hall Assemble Clapham South
10 March: Picket Stockpor Council agains ineir civil detence pians o'clock at the Town Hall.
March Sheffield nuclear disarmament demonstration Assemble 10.30/11.30am Carlisle Si . Rally in the City
Kinnock MP. Rav Buckton
Bruce Kent CND March: Labour movement conference Manchester. Delegates oc accepted nee trade union and anou
Trom each Labour Party branch constituen trade union branch, trade
Socialist Challenge
AGAINST THE MISSILES
Saturday i sch in UNCHESTER
LABOUR MOVEMENT CON
Anti-missile
Action Guide
council or shop slewaru committee, at f3 a delegate Applicatiors from: 11 Goodwin St, London Ni
April: noi bombs' march in Stockion (Bill
Koaders consulten CND. Speakers irom Lr
Trade: Council Assemble Nortor Gree 2444316 Details tel. 0642
11 April: Youth CND conference in birmingnam
12 April: Trans-Pennine march starting in Leeds through Rochdale to Manchester.
Mass demonstration called CND Mancheste Ae Tranhe Miniles
To gre Trans-Pennine Details tel 061-236 4905.
April: Demonstra tion NATO head
outsiut ouarters will be in Brussels joined by anti-
nuclear demonstrators from several countries
intormanor from Sebastian Halliday,
Anu-Nucieal committee Laneside Woodtop Heb-
• April: March across the Disarmamen demons. duous across wes Yorkshire, featuring flares and fireworks Bradford BDIZ 9BS
18 April: Hillingdor CND march from NĂTO
Northwood to
bridge, KAr INUEUIL AI port and CoAr Kulsio
Easter No will der maston march Wlalt There will be lala evens in an regiona cen
May Day: Nuclea disarmament to be a them. on vav say events
9-10 May: Nationa: CND
normalo from: Goodwir
London N4. Tel 01-26: 4954
6/7 June: Scottish CND
Faslane Polaris base on the June for rally and festival
19 February 1981 Page 7
Page 8 scan of this page
HOW THEY SHOT B
I would say it was about eight o'clock in the morning. Both Bernadette and I were in bed, asleep. Our youngest child was in bed with us, although I didn't know that at the time. Sometimes he cries at night so we bring him in to bed with us.
I, and i noise the ip at door, woke me up at once. I jumped out of bed and ran to the I opened
and saw two men at the door.
I couldn't get a good view of one of them but I could see he was swinging something at the door. Now I know it was a sledgehammer.
The other man was about a step behind him. He was wearing a blue, knitted woollen mask. It covered his head and face, and ended at his neck.
I ran back towards the bed and shook Bernadette. was half-wakened anyway, with me jumping out of the bed so quickly. Bul I SUH shook her and told her to get under the bed.
I don't remember what exlike, *There's men at the door' or 'There's boys at the door.
Children
I ran out of the bedroom, HELO Sane towards the door which leads Into te tront poren you would call it. On other side of the porch is the children's room and I wanted to try and get there.
I got to the length of the inside door of the front room, but by then the boys were actually through the front door. All I could do then was try and hold the inside door.
So I held it, trying to stand
angle that they couldn't shoot me througl the door. Then they hit that door a thump a couple of times. It bounced back but then closed again
At right angles to that door there's a small window we call it a jamb window. One of the boys put this handgun up to the window and fired in at me. The shot missed me by
good bit, but I knew couldn't stand there anymore, trying to hold the door.
I turned round and headed for the door which opened into the kitchen. I was trying to get to the back door, trying to get out of the house. But the first man broke through the front room door. He fired at me again, as I was closing the kitchen door. But the shot missed me again.
Point blank
Once through in to the kitchen I got to the back door. It was locked but I managed to turn the key and then reached down to open a bar al tne bot-
down callic halfway through the kitchen door and started to fire at me.
The first bullet hit me in the back, then the second one shoulder. That took the main
away. blood started to gush, jumping out orne
By now he was just a couple of feet from me, firing at point blank range. The next bullet hit me in the head didn't do me much harm, in
Socialist Challenge 19 February 1981 Page 8
story
tempt.
or
She soon.
the
Michael, the
fact I thought at the time it nad only grazed me, but as it turned out the bullet did lodge
The next bullet hit me in the back again. That was the one that came out through my stomach. It did the harm.
At that, I decided to pla dead. I let a big ah out and collapsed in the corner.
Whether he had no bullets left or whether thought I was a goner I don't know, but he left.
Bernadette
At this time nobody had gone near Bernadette, then thev went tor her. one or two of them I'm not sure. The next thing i heard was more shooting. I now know she was standing up when they shot her again at close range, about two or three feet away.
She had put the under the bed, or was putting him under the bed, when they shot her. hev tired seven eight shots, something Lilal.
They had been very cool on the iob. hev had made a lot of noise when they were at the front door. They had been shouting, going Whether they had psyching themselves that stage I don't know, but once they had come into the house they had very quiet
They had never spoken at all. ne man wno snot me never made a from the gunfire. never spoke when they shot Bernacette. Never word.
Exclusive: Michael
McAliskey's own
ON 16 January this year the socialist world was stunned with the news that, early that morning, Bernadette McAliskey (Devlin) and her husband Michael had been victims of an assassination at-
For a few days Bernadette hovered on the brink of death. Then, after her condition stabilised, questions started to be asked.
Was the British army watching the McAliskey home when the shooting took place? What was the truth about their 'rescue' by the army? Why had the Royal Ulster Constabulary refused Berndadette and Michael a firearms licence? What were the exact circumstances of the shooting?
Now, for the first time anywhere, Socialist Challenge is able to provide the answers. Early last week we received a message that Michael McAliskey wanted to tell his story in the pages of Socialist Challenge. GEOFF BELL flew to Ireland and met Michael somewhere in County Tyrone.
Michael is now out of hospital and, from some numbness in the right arm, is completely recovered. Bernadette, too, is well on the mend and hopefully will be out of the hospital
As Michael's dramatic story makes clear, the McAliskeys have enjoyed a remarkable escape. No one is better able to tell of that escape than
only eyewitness everything that morning. Here then is his story.
Then the firing and all went completely quiet.
They went out the way came through the front door.
They left content: they were concerned we wer dead. most lying on the kitchen floor. caught hold of the handle of the back door with my good He arm, the one that hadn't been shot. I pulled myself up and he looked through the window of the door were driving and then I saw their car parked right behind mine. boys who had come into the but house. They each other. I couldn't make out exactly what they saying.
right boys'
The third fellow came across toucer mie ouserwo menad child been cutting wires outside the dropped down to the again. I had just landed when like I heard the English voice.
Army
'Get your against the wall, was the first beserk. thing he said. been Get your hands on the top of up your head.
Led at that stage, but I was conbeen very, fused with the English voices coming on the scene so quickly. Then the again shouted. One sound, apart bastards move thought ther were definitely caught, said a was still a bit contused as to the exact situation.
apart who saw
stopped they
as tar as
When they left I was still
I wanted to see what they
I could hear the two
were talking to were Something like 'Are you but with
For C'mon boys'.
the telephone nouse. floor too weak;
place when they
hands up nadette to ask was. She Then he said: badly hit from the I thought they were nabb-
younger voice was of you and you're were. they but I After
Michael and Bernadette McAliskey
I got hold of a towel and started trying to tie a tourniquet around my injured arm
only one hand i couldn't manage it. I was getting a bit weak so I started to crawl towards the front door, near where the phone was.
and stretched out for it. But I was away and i collapsed onto pee arm dropped Where l had been in the first iront door
came in
I shouted through to Ber
her how she but said she had been and was bleeding either. chest. Then shouted through to Roisin our eldest daughter, and asked if she was alright. She said and she was, and 1 asked if our
Caugste Deirdre
okay, and she was, too. 1 told them to stay where they
La short time an English voice came front door, into the hallway.
Children's room
Two children sleeping here He shouted: Is there anybody in there?'
At this stage I wasn't sure whether it was somebody who had come to finish me off, so I didn't answer. He shouted again': 'Is there anybody there alive?' still didn't answer, and then he shouted a third time. 'Do you realise who it is, it's the British army. Is there anybody in there?' Blankets
I don't know why (laugh)
still кері quiet The children didn't say WOrd
Then Bernadette shouted out: 'Here, here'
There were two soldiers at first, then another Oc Calle
they went to come through the front door, but I was on the floor, blocking it
they four or five inches. One of them said: "There's somebody lying behind the door.
I had a peep out of the corner of my eye and saw his gun. It was one of those big
Sh Door to children's room SLRs. Then I got a look him. His face was blacker and he had one of th camouflage outfits on him not the normal soldie uniform.
Two of them squee past me and went in to B nadette. Then one of th came back and asked me there was a phone. He said radio was out of action,
something. I told where the phone was, bu was acad
They left again after th they seemed in a bi panic. They went outside a
crawled in to the where Bernadette was beside talking but couldnt state cold, I v • shaking, vibrating,
Bernadette had plenty blankets round her She l pulled them on her after had been shot bef she had been shot, , like newspapers have said. hold of the bed and pu myself onto it. There was c blanket left and I got tl
Page 9 scan of this page
RNADETTE AND ME
Kitchen
nt room
fired here
b window all
Door to front room ront door
pulled over me.
Ane uner don't know
exactly how much time pass-
cu. but there Scottish
soldiers — the boys who are
based in the area. Bernadette
says it was one of them that
tied a tourniquet on my arm.
tell okay then. Bernadette
was still conscious this
stage, but we weren't talking
much, we were both bleeding
badly.
The next thing
copter arrived.
Bernadette first of all. I must
sav was too picasea unall
left me (laugh). Then a second
nencopier Calle
know how long after the first,
TO A ROGE
Anyway, they carried me
outin a makesmit suretener to
the helicopter. It was no time
DID PAM 01201P12
near Musgrave Hospital.
hev wheeled me into an am-
bulance. I remember one of
them asking
group was.
next thing remember was
waking up in the hospital.
Michael shot here
Back door
Kitchen Door Michael
runs
from
gunmen
Shot fired
through here
AS McAliskey's makes clear, there were two seperate the British Army involved in the aftermath of the shooting.
First on the scene was a four-man squad English accents; a later Scottish soldiers arrived.
There no about this second batch of soldiers: thev were based locally, on a regular tour of duty. What is not so clear is who the four were who first arrived on the scene. Michael has his
Door to Bernadette & Michael's room Bernadette shot here Michael sees gunmen through here
Window
The role of the
British Army
Michael suspicions: story 'The must have been very near.
I heard later that they had of been dropped helicopter evening quarters of a mile away. 'The police with me since soldiers were "a distance' little away from the house; that they saw mystery up the lane suspicious. police said, moved towards the house. 'There's soldiers spot, about 60 or 70 yards away there s
One child hiding under here
Bernadette & Michael's room
bushes, that's
'But given where
doing there don t
Can u English soldiers
SAS.
out of a
the previous
about three- English soldiers
arrived. have told that these
the the car
peared. and were
And then, the Neither
the soldiers
particular
the hot set.
" TH
the police threat.
the
off, We've the
threat the and was told they where were when they heard the shots.
the police have real idea the soldiers came or what they were - maybe they know themselves Looking at it everyway,
see that those soldiers were anything but As une actions o con-
actions the once they Michael now Scottish esumates mat mustnave while been 20 to 25 minutes after the first batch of soldiers for help. arrived on the scene that
second CruD that firmed.
Michael nor
Bernadette were given any the emergency medical treatment during this period. stabulary
It is also unclear how the Scottish soldiers were summoned to the scene
MeAliskey weakens
after UDA attack
Police laughed off"
murder threat
MICHAEL McAliskey has now revealed that approximately two months before the assassination attempt,
north of Ireland the Royal Ulster Constabulary visited Bernadette and him to tell them that an attempt would be made on their lives.
But, says Michael, the RUC was unwilling to attach any importance to the
Michael reveals:
The police warned us of
attack about eight weeks ago. They laughed it
saying 'don't pass any remarks about these things".
Threat
It was the first time the police had ever come to us to tell us about a threat.
had threats ourse ves mav a unc bullets through the post and that sort of thing. But that was the first time the ponce ever callie to us
*In fact they even said where the threat was com ing from. That's the amazing thing
'We had always assumed that if we were to be attacked it would come from the local area. But when
police visited they
specifically told us the
was coming from Belfast direction, which of course was where it did come from.
*They told us they had
Why / went to
Socialist Challenge'
'I WENT to Socialist Challenge to tell what really happened because the truth of the matter is that it is the only paper I do support. 'It's the only left paper I read and feel at one with.
I told Bernadette what I was go. ing to do in coming to you and she agreed it was a good idea!
Michael MeAliskey
According to Michael, have since learned that the
soldiers arrived the English ones were on the phone asking
There was some talk of a flare going up, but
hasn't been con-
Bearing in mind that
Royal Ulster Congiven definite warning about the attack approximately eight weeks before it happened Michael sums up his feel
some new information,
aL we were too or som
hit list. But they laughed it
Michael has also detail-
ed how the RUC had
refused the McAliskeys a
firearms licence.
in 1974. The local police
agreed, but the application
went through the RUC
headquarters and it was
turned down there.
Unarmed
Michael had permis sion purchase
shotgun, and was in the
process of doing so around
the time the attack took
place. But even if they had
had a shotgun it would not
Have been an adequate
defence: because of the
HOL COCCe of the three
children, Bernadette and
Michael could • not have
SenI oate shotgun
around the house.
A loaded pistol would have presented less of
ditticulty. The police knew
all this and, says Michael,
the knowledge would not
have been confined to the
RUC:
'Obviously the gun-
men who came knew we
You wcabolis
don't come battering on a
door if you think you'll be
met by a gun. They must
have been very, very sure
we had nothing.
'There's only one way
they could have know that
and that was through
the police. ings this way:
'There's just a possibility that they knew it was going to happen and they decided to kill two birds with one stone - have us done in, and catch the boys who were doing it.
'The army saved ou
lives alright, bad lette
after the boys had left. we had been dead then we wouldn't have had lives to save.
Socialist Challenge 19 February 1981 Page 9
Page 10 scan of this page
The Polish workers struggle for
power
THE new Polish Jaruzelski, has called for a 90-day halt to industrial action.
union movement Solidarity have replied that they reserve the right to use strikes to defend dissidents or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome to negotiations with the government on other disputed matters.
of the Polish workers and farmers, the threat of a Soviet invasion and how to build support for the Polish workers in Britain.
WHEN the Polish workers launched wave protests against meat prices last summer they could scarcely have realised that within months the gaze of the world would be on their struggle for power.
Since then every struggle to extend their rights and improve their living standards has brought the workers into conflict with the authorities.
They have fought to have their own unions, Iree trom stale control.
They have argued for the right the union nebspaper and for acon publish own
the state-controlled media.
Democratic
Further, they have demanded that dissidents should be allowed to express their political views without harassment, and for the sacking of corrupt officials. Most importantly thev have insisted on their right to
fight for their views.
These basic democratic demands are not dissimilar to those raised bv workers in Britain and other capitalist coun-
But under the bureaucratic system
What you
can do to
help
Solidarity
* Affiliate to the Eastern European Solidarity Campaign at 10 Park Drive, London NW11. * Organise within the unions and the Labour Party to win donations to the cro sondarity fund to send equipment to unle workers and build solidarity campaign in Britain. *Support the resolution passed by Birm-
nghan South district
AUEW to raise funds to send a small printing press to Solidarity
Socialist Challenge
premier, General
Leaders of the independent trade DAVY JONES looks at the demands Poland they have an explosive logic.
Though capitalism as been over own !
Poland the bureacuratic
La cullicle monopoly political
All the economic and political Gecsons are taken without any democrauc by the Polish workers.
When the workers begin to fight for their rights the power of the bureaucrats begins to crumble.
Some mutants have expressed doubts about One WOLKCIS struggle. They argue that
UlUl movement might lead to the restoration capitalism. But none of the workers' struggles has demanded this.
What the workers demanded is a say in the running of the country, and improvements their living standards at the of the privileges caucase of the bureacurats. Sụch demands would strengthen workers' power they would not lead back to capitalism.
Church
Nor should the involvement of the Catholic Church prevent
DEMONSTRATION
Hands off
Workers' Poland
15 March, 2pm
Hyde Park to Soviet embassy called by Labour-Poland solidarity committee
in Poland. Send donations to: Polish appeal, cio k7 Diabeth. Birm. ingham B5 6DR.
*Send through union bodies TOT TEne ship to invite speakers
from Solida co
tional union terences this summer Already the General & Municipal Workers'
19 February 1981 Page 10
International.
socialists from supporting Solidarity. Historically the Church gained DICSUCC helping to protect some dissidents agallisi the government's security police. But now the caone merarcav s own interests are increasingly coming into contlict with the workers' struggle for
Changes
For decades workers throughout have been told that the only choice of political system between capitalist 'democracy' and Soviet totalitarianism. But the Polish work-
charting a third
for socialist democracy and workers power. Union and the National Union of Students nave issued such invitations. * Twin your factory or workplace with a corresponding workplace
Poland and invite speakers from their independent over to Britain. * Organise within the unions and the Labour
Polish miners, like their British comrades, are in conflict with their government
By Davy Jones
The of Soviet invasion Poland is real enough The Soviet army was sent into Hungary in "56 and Czecho slovakia in '68 when Tine Kremlin felt model of 'socialism was threatened.
Moscow certainly disapproves of the newly-won liberties the Polish workers. The Soviet leaders know that bureaucratic control incompatible with independent trade unions and the right of political expression.
There are, however, three factors against Soviet intervention. The
Party for the trade union and Labour leaders to give greater support to the new independent union movement, and urae a labour movement delegation from Britain to Poland. *Discuss with the local Communist Par ty branch about involvement in solidarity work for the indepenGenu ment. If they decline, organise public debate with them. *Get your union Labour Party branch to order buik copies of Labour Focus on Eastern Europe, especially the latest
the Polish issents. IoUC
Available from: Box 23, 136 Kingsland High St, London E8.
most important is the massive support which ine new union move ment, Solidarity, enjoys.
the resistance of millions of Poles, including probable military resistance from sectors the
terrible bloodbath would be likely.
Secondly, invasion would have huge international repercus-
could lead to a breakdown of 'detente' with the West and the Soviet Union's political isolation from the 'nonaligned' third world countries.
Then there are the economic consequences Austrian trade unionists
Will the Soviet Union invade?
for the soviet Union Polish farmers could starve cue. agricultural produce
WOul slow industrial
The Western economies would withdraw their billions of economic aid the Soviet bloc to bale out the Polish This would place an inloicrabic ourucil on the crisis-ridden Soviet economy.
Regardless of any invasion plans the Polish rulers will pursue every method of taking back the gains made by ine Polish workers since last
They will put Lech Walesa brandishes the money raised by
up a desperate fight to win back their monopoly of political power.
The worst advice for the Polish workers is that they should moderate their demands, associate themselves from political dissidents, and scale down their union's activities The stronger and more united the independent union movement becones. more difficult a Soviet invasion becomes.
Similarly the greater • the support built now for the Polish workers inside the international labour
the higher becomes political price of a Soviet invasion
SOLiDARNOSi
Page 11 scan of this page
Sexual harassment at work-
Self-defence class in Saltley
SEXUAL harassment is
workplace. In Canada,
of Provincial
their unions on how to fight back.
is an expression of authority
male supervisor who
his demands.
of this problem.
Myth 1: sexual harassment is not very common.
Recent surveys have
shown inal 80-90 cent of women in the labour force perienced sexual harass-
some hane in their working lives.
Myth 2: woman invite sexuai narassment by their behaviour and/or dress
Sexual harassment is an expression of power. Generally it is not sexually motivated. Harassers
behaviour or dress as being 'enticing' in order to justify their aggressive actions.
Myth 3: women who object have no sense of humour
This implies that harassment Is harmless fun'. degrading and humiliating.
It is important make a distinction between an office flirtation, where the mutual and where no intimidation involved. When the interest is one-sided ind insigated by becomes harassmen. authority,
Myth 4: sexual harassment doesn't hurt anvone
Besides the threat to economic security, scA-
La serious and widespread problem affecting women in the
the National Union Government Employees (NUPGE) has produced an information pack that explodes the myths surrounding this subject and offers advice to workers and
According to NUPGE, sexual harassment
- usually a has the power to retaliate if his victim refuses to comply with
Attitudes created by traditional sex roles contribute to the persistance
Dual harassment can SCVCICV VICtim's health, through alixicly. anger, fear and frustration.
Psychological effects often show themselves physically as headaches, ulcers and other nervous disorders.
Myth 5: a firm 'no' is enough to discourage any man This statement another more serious myth that a woman's 'no' means 'yes' long as this myth survives women have no credibility relusing sexual ad-
Myth 6: women often make false claims of sexual harassment Victims face a credibility Droolen. False claims are the exception, not the rule. vet because they receive such attention, legitimate claims are automatically ques-
Women who report abuse are subjected to ridicule, disbelief, cusations of entrapment and further humiliation.
Reprisals may follow, ranging from creating intolerable working conditions to firing and blacklisting the wullallasd troublemaker.
This is very effective and it's unlikely that lost wonnel would venture to make false claims.
exploding the myths
- IS no srime to letend ourselves from men
0101
Sexual harassment: the solutions
WHAT CAN I, AS A UNION MEMBER, DO?
Support the victim: don't fall into the trap of blaming her. Approach her and offer SU DOL Tell her that solutions are available and refer her to the shop steward. Discuss at union meetings: organise inose concernea and use your to raise the Issue al a poncy-making level Tell your union officials: and if they don't respond remember them at election time.
Equal rights commitTees may nons nave such that could deal with the issue and recommend further alton.
WHAT IF I'M THE VICTIM?
Don't ignore it.
Women's Rights
JACKIE Hudson is a black belt in karate and she teaches self-defence to women-only classes in Birmingham. She hopes to set up a countrywide network of women's self-defence groups.
Socialist Challenge talked to her. 'I first took up karate as a joint hobby with my husband but finally brought my divorce because I did better at it than him. Watching instructors pertor. ming appealed to my
sense of art.
'When I was learning
karate some of the men
refused seriously. I was fighting a to take Lilc
bloke tront Japanese instructor and
SAULT RIPE
AND MUKDER
WOMEN
EVIRYDAY!
Approach your shop steward: s/he can act as a mediator and approach LIne harasser on your behalf. S/he can also assess what other action can be taken.
Keep a record: every incident should be recorded with time, place, what W di can be used in building a said uvic This
case.
Arm yourself: make a record of in cast Leonsas. Harassers often use the firin not compice who
Will their sexual demands. Don't feel guilty.
The pack an elaborate of policy statements, educational campaigns, legislation, legal assistalile counselling, training of shop stewards, monitor-
Women's
offence!
the guy was just slapping
me around, playing
about, and i scored a
half point against him
with a karate technique.
'The instructor praisOf course
the guy lost face and
began
take me more seriously
and he was a black belt at
the time and I was only a
(half way to
black belt).
'Teaching karate as a
woman also causes some
problems. The male
icachel. allow
teach short period begin-
A 32-YEAR-OLD
who beat up his wife during a row at
their home was given
discharge by
magistrates last week.
been
been more severe.
From the Kent and Sussex Courier
ing systems and the role of the union in fighting for social change.
It also takes up the solutions that are available to women who tall outside trade union protection.
Action in Britain on this developed than in North America. but no one car doubt that the scale of the problem is just as immense.
Sexual Harassment Work is available from the National Union of Provincial Government employ-
self-defence is no
ner courses. There are exceptions - my instrucLors one he wanted lo come along and see some ot my all temale long-run classes in Birmingham.
'The male students don't like to be taught by woman and a lot of them hate fight woman claiming it's unfair because there's "nowhere to hit"
karate there's such a thing as a female black belt (Jackie got hers in 1978). People come into my
MEN
KILL
WOMEN
EVERY
DAY
Paddock Wood man
conditional
Tunbridge Wells
He was told that had the victim not his wife the penalty might have
Fees, 265 Av Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, KIS 2E1, candad
Sexual Harassment at Work Socialist Challenge
shop (Giko, Martial Arts
Birmingham) and
when they find out I'm a
black belt the men start
prancing around saying don't hurt me hurt 'Oh don't Hit'em
'A lot of women don't realise the weapons they have at hand when it comes defending themselves You get questions like what
I've got heavy shopping and the simple answer i "Hit 'em with it
'Also women say they couldn't bring themselves to hurt anyone But when vou make them realise that this person is actually trying to hurt Kids or a happy, healin and mother they're quite will ing to learn how to pro tect themselves.
'Anyone can do self defence. I like to make it
as un thie exercises are
only Minor ones best hey ble. exercises get you in trim and keep you fit. Fit enough to be able to run faster than your attacker which the object of the exercise — to hit and run.
Compulsory
'Women gain a lot of confidence from these courses, hopefully not to the point of overconfidence. I think that loca
self-defence classes at
self-defence classes over the country and make for compulsory subject school.
'You've got to be careful about carrying weapons defend yourself might find yourself all because
tacking an innocent perSOU preter worsen li use their hands and feet.
"The law as it stands - which prevents married women having any
sexual violence in the home disgusting. Most of the attacks seem to come in the home. . trom the hus band, husband's friend or father. Difficult
"These are very difficult to bring up as a subject either within the
outside. consequently you don't realise how much is going on until you speak to the people who are suffering anu well uncy start over ing up
women can defend themselves then the lack of laws to protect them won't matter much. My aim is to have a register of ladies-only sel -cerenci groups throughout the whole o Britain •wit competent people teaching women seriously.
If you're interested in self-defence ring on 021-773 9247 and she'll help you find out about local classes.
19 February 1981 Page 11
Page 12 scan of this page
The battle for democracy in the Labour Party
RUZB
SID WEIGHELL, general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, union leaders anxious to give MPs a majority vote in the election of the Labour Party leader.
He would be happy, he had said, to 'spit in the eye' of anyone who supports the 40-30-30 decision taken at Wembley. statement is from 13 members of the NUR's national executive.
'We wish dissociate ourselves TTOM recen Unwarrantee ano SCUTrilous attacks by our
sidney Weighell,
the members Labour „rarty ano its National Executive Committee.
We consider that these ments, given pro-
witch-hunting
By Mike Picken, Oxford CLP THE witch-hunt of socialists in Oxford City Labour Party continues.
Two years to the day after Socialist Press supporter Heslin was expelled party, the general management committee in January refused to accept an instruction from the national executive to reinstate nim.
By 53 votes to 32, the GMC voted not to readmit Heslin until an nc speaker had explained how the party was to implement
INSTICUOM. SUCK Last Monday decided not to consider the matter berore April.
Heslin is not the only target of witch-hunt.
Socialist Press Challenge supporters have been excluded from membership
On Monday the GMC refused Dave Worsted as a prospective endorse the short-listing
Socialist Challenge
NUR leaders condemn Weighell
is among the
ship.
that The following the
made minence by the news meota. are ЛОТ only harmilk to but also the tract
and Labour
movement
ment.
John 'We wish to make
cledu Sidney
wetonels unerances are made solely in a personal capacity, not Dunn.
Kaler, the National Union of
Oxford CLP carries on
press. because ot his the Workers and Socialist Press.
BUT no presented for Ted isn't from the Whitfield does
newsbober. as
Heslin. so happens Evan Luard signatories of the Social Democracy Vid posed the GMC membership
Grant's
Other 'another political party'. Socialist
vver need Tarole ouT ine
and against une support the Democracy.
19 February 1981 Page 12
BRYAN STANLEY, general secretary of the Post Office Engineering union's sponsored MP, John Golding, fore in the moves to overturn the Wembley conference decision.
POEU supported a proposal for MPs to have half the votes in electing the Labour Party leader. JOCK CAMPBELL, an elected member of the union's delegation, Socialist Challenge about the POEU leadership's style of
Railwaymen as they
certainly NO L
retect ine
nion of our member-
'We wish add Labs ur Parte. affiliates of WV t
are deeov concerned
Ine statements by our could inderstanding all Wilell are needed attack me doncies
or unis vicious govern
Milligan,
Cogger , I Williams,
Rutherford
H Sealey,
Nicoison budsay A • Revell,
Ritchie, Turton,
McArdell candidate in the city council byAccording to the local Whitfield was rejected
Socialist League
evidence was the allegation, surprising since not sell any
the Oxford Star pointed out, is that he has been a
defender of Ted Bill
that ex-MP
who is one ot the
Council for doocal application for of Socialist Challenge supporter Peter Grant on the unfounded grounds that allegiance was
campaign Party against bans and proscriptions,
wreckers wno
Council for Social
Labour Party-
for democracy
democracy.
JOHN Union, and the
something have been to the ference,
At that conference the ao certain unings
delegation ference, pointed by union When told Audrey Wise on the battle in USDAW THE delegates at the Labour Party's special conference last month had barely left Wembley when right-wing union leaders began planning to overturn the new method of electing the party leader.
Their version of democracy in the Labour Party is matched by their own lack of accoun tability to union members.
AUDREY WISE, former
Labour MP and currently the Broad Left presidential candidate in the shopworkers' union, USDAW, told Geoffrey Sheridan about the moves to challenge the right in the
The successful resolution at the Wembley conference, for a 40-30-30 vote on the party leader and deputy leader, was put on the agenda by the USDAW executive. Therefore union's general secretary,
Whatley, has authority to cast doubts on that proposal, as he has been doing.
stand by its resolution. It has n presume the executive will hypocritical and foolish if it backs IcasUll down
If some people expected the proposal to The USDAW delegation to Wembler Concenco unanimously support 40-30-30 proposal the day before the
Post Office engineers push
issue.
Golding rules the roost with the delegation. If secretary;
happens at con- should be he'll rush off the platform — he is on the party
- and talk to Stanley.
Then we more or less, have to call
Six members of the union te floor of the ed com elected from
We and seven are apleadership. ample, delegation come. VULC there's no chance of the left vole tol
The VULC Common Blackpool was 10-3 on every
'It's very healthy that
the Labour Party is being
debated in the union'
conference, elected delegates hearted in that support.
USDAW
calling on the executive to stand by lis position tion so far that it will be doing otherwise.
conterence are regarded as a man. date to the Labour Party delegation itself decides only where there is ambiguity, or an issue is not directiv
us Wontence seeks to ener
resolution
that elected delegates are in a ma-
Party as such cedures and so on debated in the union. This happened for the first time at conference last year. It means a much greater tie-up between policies Militants Until now the never discussed the a mandate on whom to support for no the party NEC the electoral college, there will be a focus for casting dividuals the leader
keener mierest m be pally.
cising a block vote at Labour Party conference, and so be casi than splitting it by casting votes in to the tor-and-against position in ine
would be the USDAW could not have a say as a voted the vote. I am also in favour of increas-
Apart from the all the delegate picked from the floor of conference.
In the delegation, they go through a form of what they discussior but it lt's democratic discussion you're looking for, you won't get it.
voted Shirley Williams on the NEC, for exand we asked our how they could when on the Market and INcomes policy she was opposed and a majority of the Were waole
niculocis should be
• but inere is no indica
Decisions by the union's annual
delegation attending conference. The
affiliated COnICICHIC
next
It is very healthy that the Labour Party will
ILS SErUCLUeS DIU should be
composinon
and how to get other reasons.
veds. with that. conference has individuals in the There has never been ecutive With for example delegations Left vote for in. acted in the and deput and I'm sure this will lead to a
1 am in favour of the union exer-
that this vote for USDAW in its entiretv ratner £80
If the latter were adopted, it
• tantamount to saying that
While I want to protect the block branches
to the union's policy. They couldn't explain that to us. voted for Shirley Williams because she's a right winger, pure and simple.
There has never been a discussion union conference on political matters. I nev ve never even askeo us submit any about issues that were known in advance.
• The POEU Broad Left will be backing resolutions for this vears union conference calling for support for the 40-30-30 decision.
Audrey Wise
ing the weight of the constituency
that me have volg parity with the unions.
The constituencies are not made
unilul. branches.
CLPs are federated bodies, and increasing their vote would act
centralised vote of the unions nationally.
I don't think at this stage that the developments Labour
have direct impact on democracy in USDAW. • The nearest we come to that is taking up the
issue such as the election of full-time umon ricials may come about Io.
The problem in USDAW is that the executive is elected every two
we don't do verv well We could get an indiges-
middle of elections the ex-
divisional councils. and and while the Broad is saying that the executive best interests of the over the decision on the Labour Party leadership, left can didates are opposing the existing executive members in revery division.
1 am the
week maintenance and improvement of staffing levels, and the full participation of women
Note to USDAW members: The deadline for voting is 2 March. The union rule book stipulates that
nave to meer to allon members to vote.
Page 13 scan of this page
Stop US threat to El Salvador
By Phil Hearse 'WE haven't finally decided what to do in relation to
Salvador! said secretary of state ander Haig last Sunday, 'but we are prepared to do anything necessary to pre-
Communist takeover.'
In other
words, •overnment is orepared to im vade El Salvador to prevent the victory of the left-wing guerillas who are fighting the
To back up the munist takeover' argument, the US is stepping up tions that the Soviet Union is
the rebels arms. There is no evidence to support this. Death squads
Recent raids by ment soldiers in El Salvador
discovered back-yard factories which the fighters of the FMLN (Farabundo Marti Liberation Front) are using to manutacture rockets and bombs. The dutomatic weapons used by the FMLN fighters are readily available
illicit Trovonour Lalim america
The repression being carried out by the right wing jun-
continues unabated. week, 21 leading academics from the University Salvador were cluding the rector. Eight them are being held by the
Tune in
to death
WORRIED about getting caught short with the bomb on your way home Trom Relax. Now you ouy your own portabit fall-out shelter, , manu-
by the welltactured named Aftermath.
When the sky lights up and your friends start vaporising. you slip smartly into your silver foil blanket.
Then you eat your iron rations and switch on the radic which presumably will
burn-byburn account of the big bang, interspersed with hit tunes like Chopin's Funeral March.
After the blast, the firestorm. and the tali-
roll up your and catch the first 68 bus home.
There is one small snag. Aftermath does not tell you that Its shelter is designed for one-megaton somos. while most bombs are now in the two- and the megaton class. So you get the
US Alex-
the US
'Com-
allega-
with
govern- Jon Snow
Monday, be seen again'
Every day bodies of peasants are found in the capital San ano lne countryside ds right-wing their work market In the east of the country
FMLN guerillas have carried out a number ot attacks aimed at securing their bases in
Last the area. Eleven
been blown up, of San roads severely damaged, and
power stations blown up. of Representatives
The Insane Society
JOIN HERE
Slippery Sue
sized bomb, you may not be around afterwards claim your money back. * da YOU thought the City of London did not care about history and culture just because its
DOR
15,000 demonstrated for FDR in Frankfurt
commented on that these 'They are unlikely to
the offensive. dozens of Although
workers and
dumped Salvador Salvador the being death squads do
thrown,
goes on.
bridges have Solidarity
While the
Danaing
Photo: GM COOKSON (Socialist Challenge)
councillors fought against the preservation Billingsgate fish marker? How wrong can you get.
City has just discovered the Old Estate runa which the New Standard JUVS has lv1-
International
AGUA HAT GESIEL!
FGEN
tionary Democratic Front) say
measures are preparation for a new wave of
the huge plies of American and NATO weapons being flown to
have far prevented the regime from
completely over- the the junta backers must fear that defeat is inevitable if the civil war
junta is totally El Salvador.
together
calculable funds'.
Thus inspired the bowler hatted brethren are launching UrU• gramme of 'public works' to build a bridge modelled Bridge to link the City to the sites created by the collapse of London dockland.
Tired city 'fiddlers' who have spent a hard day robbing the working lass and the peoples of the third world can save themselves all of 10 minutes walk the present bridge is 400 yards away - by using the new bridge.
By recreating the old architecture and the old traditions, the City can show that ироп which Britain's wealth was built is still alive and well all nanced from 'charitable funds'
SLIDING at breakneck speed down the slippery path of the British Road Socialism,
President Slipman has landed in the Council for Social Democracy.
- T
defeat the revolution.
Guatemala's powerful army crossed the border into El Salvador several times dur ing the recent offensive to attack the FMLN fighters. The Honduran army is poised on the El Salvador border.
But behind them all stands
United •Tates and threat of intervention. In the Conse weeks one monus e gigantic movement of international solidarity has to be built to prevent the threat becoming a reality.
Picket US Embassy - No intervention in El Salvador!
Friday 20 February at 5.30pm. Grosvenor Square, London W1.
Sue, who CUlt demns socialist •alties as patriarchal, can now unite with superfeminist, Lord George Brown, who might have been on the last women's demonstration if a heavy session the night before had not left him feeling a bit rough the next day Always keen on 'broad democratic alliances', Sue can also unite with antiabortionist Shirley Williams against the proabortionist left.
But Sue and Shirley have mel betore you could almost say they are old buddies Despite ine fact that Williams as Minister of Education was axing jobs and banging up overseas students fees, the then Communist NUS President could not conceal her admiration for the minister.
This 'objective' approach had its advancages and Shirley was not unappreciative. In 1977 when Sue left the NUS, she got a job as a research officer at the Department Education Science.
ABERDEEN: SC sold Saturdays oul
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women is starving herself
women. By telling
adolescence,
and anorexia nervos tony Wilkinson
streets of London as
discovered that attitudes
the victim'
Socialist Chatlenge: 19 February 1981.
Where you can buy
Socialist Challenge
this sales column.
SC Events MANCHESTER: H
Speakers trom Socialis Labour Party Challenge, I building lec-
1 and Pacid te
movemen Sackville St, Manchester. Open to ali ol supporters International Marxist Group notices IRISH LIBERATION fraction on d. Ring entre for deat on I Mar.
Sum 8 March at national centrion on
Sun Math Marth 5pm a Manches er.
What's Left KUPE, Ai Rank and File mentar delegates). discuss forthcoming nationa Cretact John Hill on 061-449 8470.
Hai. Red Lion 3q: Londo racism
Logan: Fight Racism Irganised by Fight Racise Fight Imperialism
THE (BOOKSHOP Sheila MacLeod The Art of Starvation Virago, £2.95 At the moment one in every two hundred young
- Dossibly lo deall Sheila MacLeod shows how this is a reaction to a society that imposes a "feminine' role on young
the story ot her GWIl Sheila explains some of the conmystery surrounding the illness
Down and Out Quartet, £2.50 This book was written from a diary kept by Tony Wilkinson during the month that he lived on the
'down and out' ana conditions nave changed little from the days of Dickens and that the welfare state still has an attitude of 'blaming
Page 13
Page 14 scan of this page
Black workers call conference
By Raghib Ahsan
ABOUT 80 black trade unionists from the West Midlands attended a Commission for Racial Equality-spon-
to discuss black workers and the trade unions. The composition of the conference was overwhelmingly male manual workers.
They discussed the day to day problems at work, unemployment, low pay, employment in certain categories ot Jobs, worse conaltions for black women
and so on. workers After criticising the unions for lack of posi-
they reTve nuauve jected the idea of
black trade Secrete unions.
conference unanimously agreed that the way forward
organise as blacks within the unions well as at a national level. It decided to set up black workers association and elected steering committee of 4 men and 2 women to organise a national Con ference of black trade
and caucuses within the trade unions.
Labour right
By John Schweik
have joined the three which make up TinA
racism.
move was demand that Brent council, controlled
from Barclays Bank, one of LIC Huancial DrODs O ne wille regime South Africa.
When the proposal
councillor Seeley, a West Indian,
illors abstained
while the icader JOnn LeDor. with the Tories against any rants. The proposal tell.- transfer bank Drive
Behind the membership drive is the Asian Labour party A Sociation tormed last December with the aim of eliminating sion of racial minorities and representation minorities in local and nanona covernment
The Brent Indian Association played
las Dall lICW groud. and une borouga was chosen as a test area, where
formed alliance with Labour Icil.
meeting the Stonebridge where tanuiualc. chosen lor une counci eleccons urned our to to betne largest selection meeting in
Asian.
Wect indian allu all Aslall
Socialist Challenge
By Charlie Baird
IN A tremendous show of solidarity, and in spite of severe Loyalist harassment, over a thousand SIOporters of the H Block and Armagh political prisoners
41 Camberwell Grove, London SES.
Asians take on
THE Labour Party in Brent is not quite what it was. In recent months more than 500 Asians constituency parties North-west London borough, and they are determined to challenge
were put forward as candidates
The Labour right, which runs ine council. is becom1ng nervous, according Subhash Patel,
association worker at Brent Indian
community Grant
Since 1978 the centre h an annual stall
trom
accision over tne grant
1980-81 has been delayed by
possibility lilal
money wil be torincoming
TOr the present financial year.
Has unis anvining to do
with the role that Asians are
playingarry? in local
Labou The
thought never crossed
All y
mind, Len Snow, chairper-
son ol brent ecuadon committee told Socialist
Challenge. 'If anything I'd
help them because
of the work they
LaDoui ranty, Dul
ine grant is a council mal let Links Subsian Patel saS thay Asian
Association
Lampeln. Wandsworth
Birmingham, and Leicester.
At the local level the
19 February 1981 Page 14
Glasgow marchers defy Loyalist assault
marched Glasgow's city centre on saturday.
The march called by Glasgow DIOCK/Ar magh committee, was demonstralainst British policy
Scotland in soci celll yealo The composition of the demonstration
Campaign Against Racist Laws National Demonstration
Against Tory
Nationality Bill
Sunday 29 March in London For details write to: CARL, c/o Lansbury House,
Photo: PETE GRANT
La racist attack
association wants to take up housing, education, and ourer issues allecue elnnic canonaly wants the immigration laws Brent is just
The association can be contacted 36 Cecil Avenue, Wembley, Middx. 0-902 5993 or 01-902
S
OT BOR
Home News
HERE mainly pro-Republican YOULI = made me bor tal mere is a aree boo of working class support for the Glasgow.
Unfortunately march also
numbering 1,000. They pelted marchers with bricks, bottles and smoke bombs.
Fordham Park next to Moonshot Co
POLICE SOLT"
Stor PICKET in Southall against cops who beat up the victims of
Anger grows in
Southall at fascist
meeting plans
may be repeated. stitutional Movement (led by führer Tyndall) is planning
vocation on 23 April -from The noice attack teacher Blair Peach was murdered
munity has been Last Saturday picketed after two policemen
Stacks.
broke out between and the Lovalists at the end o'
Ine marca wit over ou Loyalists being arrested.
The Glasgow Troops Out Movement sizeable contingent on and demonstration Is now in a good positior consolidate support for the coming hunger
SUPPORT Black Peoples
Day Of Action
DEMONSTRATE
On March 2nd 1981 Assemble at 10am at nondon SErumity Centre Pagnel Street The so-called 'Southall riot' of two years ago
The National Front ConJohn to hold Southall during the coming GLC elections. Their stated intention is to carry out this pro
two years to the day Southall when Ull
Hatred of the NF by Southall's Asian com
fuelled by the growing number of violent attacks on black people.
Southall police station was went so far a to beat un the victim of one of these racist ai
Teachers back
suspended NUT
militants
Teachers:
cil workers' strike on 4 February.
The assullalions
local NUT branches
represent teachers in
Lambeth, East London,
Hackney, Wandsworth,
and Newham.
The teachers who have been suspended by the right-wing leadership of the union have been asked to appear before a
disciplinary committee this Friday.
The hearings will be held during working hours, obliging teachers to disclose to their employers the reason for their absence. This will lay them open to victimisation.
Among the eight are three union militants, Dick North, Dave Picton, and Bernard Regan, who were candidates the Inner Teachers Association (ILTA) this Their suspension was prompted by the concern of the right wing to bring about their defeat in the election.
Campaign
The right mounted a determined campaign, including circular issued by the NUT national president, Peter Kennedy, attacking election statements made by the left candidates.
The ILTA results were: vice president King 2,510 votes, Regan (Socialist Teachers Alliance) 2,206; treasurer Yardley
Picton (STA) 2,227 chardson general secretary North (Rank and File) 2,131.
The returning officer, Heather Mckay who declarec Richardson supporter refused to accept the
By Pat Sikorski UNION officials
own truck drivers.
The drivers struck more than three weeks ago when Ford broke guaranteeing
Belgium, when necessary
defiance of Ford the Dagenham rane UnIO! anc con venors. shut down
industrial Eventually the officials forced drivers' behalf
On Tuesday 10 February
which conceded some of the orivers cemands This was the first victory in the fight to keep jobs at Dagenham the during
5,000 have disap peared.
refusal of Silcoci and Collins drivers to cross the picket
recaruless wild Ine wazennam said was decisive
However, at the start of
roros strike eight
SEVERAL teachers' associations in London are now calling for the full reinstatement of the eight members of the National Union of who have been suspended from the union for supporting the Lambeth coun
ballot
than 370 voters, because sne was not prepared to allow extra time to check their membership records.
This procedure has been carried • previously, and the records happen to be in a chaotic state.
A further 180 ballot papers were not accepted because of minor technical errors
Recount
Observers for the left candidates at the count
say that the overwhelm-
ing maioritv of the dis
counted votes were for
Regan, Picton, and Nor th. At least two of the
scrutineers who decided
on the validity of the
ballot papers had cir culated a statement
Southwark support the right-wing candidates.
The left candidates
are demanding a recount
vandallon ballot papers by independent scrutineers.
Attacks by the right are not confined to inter nal union affairs. In Leicester and Southamp ton there are moves to block militants taking office in local trades councils.
ecutive members been called by the ILTA Eight Defence Commitfee. • held at the
Hamilton
House, Mabledon Place
London WCI, on Fri 20 Feb, from 4.30pm.
Donations and messages of support 1o the defence committee c/0 12 Albion Drive, London E8. Speakers are available.
Ford drivers' strike
and convenors at Ford Dagenham last week gave the company a free hand to smash a strike by 440 of their
Silcock drivers were sacked
for obeying shop stewards
instructions return
depot for a branch
Silcock drivers
started picketing. deman-
ding reinstatement withou
surines DUI SLOTTY
meeting tollowing toeir owr
return to work, Ford drivers
by FRon chairperson
trade union side of the Ford
Hallond Com
mittee. cross
pickets. Scabs
drivers' rore
response was to strike
definitely support re-
instatement of the eight.
220( infamy
treachery. the Dagenham
Panel asked shop steward
resolution which simply
said: lo carry on working
Page 15 scan of this page
Allied Breweries
sack 1,000
THE giant Allied Breweries company has closed Ansells brewery in Birmingham, sacking 1,000 workers.
The closure is fre larest
tactic did reneral Varkers tor with the Transport
Jates WIlICE
that time Allied Breweries demanded 130
Ansells, waich i owns. out strike al hon orced ine company lu abide by the decision of independent enquiry which eventually recommended nine reaundance
Management wasn'i
For with salishica Willl the acknal 'onlv' 25 i0b: had been lost by the end of last year. So it lore up ex-
agreements staffing levels and pras
January workers took me oil up tion left open 1o thein and
walked out.
Management responded
10 negotiate until the worker
Then renruary a the closere or announced the closure
Ansells.
officials walle
hilitt air Derick noiach-
Brown, vice-chairperson of
said the
ecision is 'irrevocable
Given the present depres sed state of the brew-
ed a 3.8 per cent fall in pro industry. which record
this state men needs De kell
and confronted.
Certainly Allied is not a facing
disaster lis pre-lax profit
for the vear ending i March
1980 was £133. 1m. of which
the beer division
tributed just under half
1o 13 Secies ver 1 per a tur
: September
recorded by this division.
Negotiations between
Allied the
and General Workers Union
have now laken place. bu
the results are unclear and
sacked workers need all
he financial asvistance the!
call Denations und messase
0 40001 . The strike
Aldridge Perry Bar.
Birmingham.
sabotaged
no matter wnal that mical».
wnai that means'
became all loo
of scab shipped
into the Dagenham estate 10
do rore arves worn, bica.
their strike and force them
back to work Union
Normal delivery drivers
were to alo cross bickels vli
week-end Inel (Wil OUS
overtime Was
sanctioned Oad scal
drivers wnere
short-time working has been
rampant for nine months.
This strike-breakine
operation had the complete
support
licials The
licll
rora's inreal lo aralli lay
off 20,000 workers without
pay.
These officials name
done nothing to fight the lay.
offs and los:
a fifth of Ford workers
In-
nave suelticu ivi aycal.
stead. wnen Dagenham
assembly nickered
unpaid lay-offs mructed the stewards to lili months Ron Todd in-
By Celia Pugh in Cardiff FRIDAY 13 February certainly unlucky for British seafarers. National of Seamen executive members called off dustrial action in order to arbitrate with the General Council of Shipping.
NUS general secretary Slater claims a victory owners prepared negotiations on increased overtime
fare rises
By Chris Nash
TGWU 3/111 branch
Bristol reads: 'We
because we refuse to rob the public'.
The message
displayed at our picket
line, and it sums up the
struggle Bas
Bristol's buses off the
road.
The reason there are
no buses, and the reason
busworkers nave Deen
locked out is because we
refuse to implement new
fare rises and to accept
cuts in Jobs
head on Sundav.
February when Bristol
Omnibus company
issued new fare books.
I nese sougnt to put into
effect the third fare rise
in a year. Journey
They would have
meant, for example, that
four-mile journey
50p.
The bus company
Tried
new fares despite know-
ing inat the bus branch
the Transport and
General Workers Union
had voted not to imple-
ment the rises.
4am on the 8 Al
their pickets or lose their
credentials.
Defect
The consequences horrific. On
hese actions Is
Monday the Ford
returned the
Silcock drivers wilnarew
nickers to ter ow! where they
could stand for weeks.
he horo drivers now nau d
serious defeat intlicieo on
them by the officials.
Threat
By their activis the
union officials have set the
haroline TOr
become another British
where manage-
ment can cut jobs, sack and
And sure enough, , at the Week LI rora
arivers Including inree
stewards were threatened
for an alleged incident the
DICKel rurunic VIL-
misations cannol be rued
out.
I ales. foreign-going, was ject this as a 'phoney victory'.
Union
in- and manipulate their overtime.
The central seatarers is basic pay.
Jim negotiate because entel Oul.
THE SIGN at Winterstoke bus garage in
are locked out
February
started to suspend all
those workers who refus-
ed to accept the new fare
books. By that
nine had been sacked and
as many as 300 suspend-
everyone who had
ec —
turned up for work.
The next day
management told union
branch secretary Mike
Hall that the busworkers
would only be allowed to
return to work if they im-
plemented the new tares.
Depots
When Mike said the
union members would
work on condition that
the suspensions were
lifted, that those sacked
were reinstated, and that
The new REVOLUTION is now!
deadly policies the
Thes age
more.
Get your
Home News
Sell-out in seafarers' dispute
Bitter seafarers from the deep-sea sector re-
Year after year they have seen nationally agreed pay deals whittl ed away to noling as owniels cur
issue TOT They regard the decision by union ornicials o
the employer's original offer of £70 as a total sell-
The officials have ditched the
Locked out for fighting
the new fares would not be introduced, he too was suspended.
By mid-day the entire passenger transport workforce been locked out. All bus depots were immediately picketed.
Two days later, on Wednesday 11 February, TGWU national passenger trade group secre tary, Bill Morris chipped with advice 'Unite' and save jobs he issue of out
For all youth fighting the
of the
Tory government, there
are articles on building
Youth CND, the special
Labour Party conference,
revolutions in El
Salvador and Nicaragua,
of consent,
violence against women,
Ireland, fascism, and lots
copies (10p
each, 25p each including
p&p) and more details
about Revo from PO Box
50, London N1 2XP.
union claim for a f80.43 basic rate of pay. Musa Nogan, NUS na-
executIve substitute member, told Socialist Challenge: 'We have seen a systematic shattering of our claim by an invisible hand at head office. No meetings have been held to agree to change ine claim or ena lne action
'This deal makes a nonsense of democracy. We now have to organise ourselves in the membership in a unified way to use our
challenge collecuve Slater and the national executive'
said - by implementing tne rare rises
Mood
The 800-strong mass meeting shouted him down. The mood was clear that we refused up and that this would be to allow the fares to the best way of stopping managements plans 500 busworkers ir May and cut the city services by 50 per cent.
10p
We have received
overwne ning public
support for our struggle
One Labour councillor
backing us blamed the
Tories for not providing
sufficient money for the
bus service
But four years ago
the then Labour-
controlled Bristol coun-
cil sold its half share in
Bristol Omnibus against
union advice to instead
the half the
Take novel
council didn't own
REVOLUTION
FOR A UNITED REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH ORGANISATION
BOMBS
Socialist Challenge 19 February 1981
Camden Socialist Challenge Public Meeting Thursday 26 February, 7.30pm No cuts in jobs or
services!
No rise in rents or rates!
Speakers John Suddaby (secretary, Camden
NUPE - personal capacity) Vanessa Wiseman (president Lambeth trades council — personal capacity) Camden Labour Rooms, 8 Camden Rd, near
Camden Town tube.
The struggle over fare rises wasn't unexpected I ne unlon branch had taken its non-implementOCCS Uli Tauw official Bill Mor that time Photo Socialist Worker ris had supported thi policy. But did or to fight for such a tactic na tionally.
Nevertheless an tion committee port the busworkers fight has been in existence tor five weeks The major focus for the struggle will be • on 21 February wher Tony Benn, local MP will be one of the
in bristols morn aly
Bristol's Corn Exchange.
All the many local protests against cuts and will unemployment raised at the rally and, it hoped. brought together in a united campaign.
Support, including money, for the busworkers should be sent to Brothe Action Commit- TGWL 3/11 Action Victoria Street, Bristole Transport House,
JOBS
NOT
Page 15
Page 16 scan of this page
JOBS
Michael McAliskey's own story BERNADETTE AND ME'
NO
Socinlist Challenge Meeting
Jobs not bombs
Speakers: Pat Hickey, TGWU steward, Rover Solihull; Denny Fitzpatrick, POEU Westminster; Stewart MacLennan, Branch Chair CPSA, DHSS Glasgow North & Central Scotland
Stalls, Food and Books
Glasgow 21 Feb ,
2.30pm, Dixon Halls, Dixon Avenue (off Victoria Rd), 5 mins
from Queen's Park
ddy canimal Enterprites, PD Box Box50, London NT
HOW THEY SHOT
World Exclusive!
Socialist Challenge
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