London Labour Briefing no. 70

DISASTER LOOMS FOR LONDON’S

SCHOOLS —e tA at tte

Annual income £1 billion, annual expenditure £1 billion, result happiness.

‘Annual income £873,000,000 annual expen- Lichman

|LEA-watchers

by Keith Crossroads

Soi thoceaest aoe tes 3.000" of “thar marched Brough ‘lized ‘condone is about to be taught a (London Labour Party Setving not ony the weathet

ii i the maximum rate allowed j.1'the threats of ILEA and the etnke Becignel Execesive by Tory legislation and got atonal NUT. They realeed

about to happen is desperate. The only question left 10 delegate to ILEA by.on reserves. ‘that Baker's attempt 10 stnp

answer is whose fingers are on the trigger?

ww

"9h February

Labour Group meeting was lobbied by what I guessed (0 be 300 to 400 of their employees, mainly NUPE, but

h some other trade presented,

ding teachers, The | NUPE leaflets demanded no cuts in jobs or services, They also” stated that the Tory government way deliberately starving the ILEA of funds, (ILEA has feceived mo rate support ‘grant since the Tories came into office and has been

heavily rate

increasing! capped),

Tt then went on to say “Nevertheless — ILE Councillors must fight, 10

keep Jobs and Services."” Nev

cemploses speaking their mind The ILEA members were oly {oo ready tr assre them oftheir bea intentions. The message from the top. was. in elect Trust us and we will do. our

best to save sou

Only one of the club let the pretence fall with "h's my fucking house and it’s my car that I worked for.."* basically fenunciating. the point that he had no desire to be surcharged "An understandable position but one that found no sympathy among. the highly "vocal deputation. As one NUPE member pointed out, Everybody im this room will lose their jobs by the thousands Good intentions, however are easy (0 come by and cost ‘ery litle. The members may Suceed in riding the Authority through 1987 without making redundancies or they may My view is that they won't ‘But either way, with without heroics, the service

Continued on back page

"The coffers are now bare teachers" unions of their

‘and the government is call- negotiating rights isa threst to ing the tune. the whole” trode union

in response, ILEA is con- "ovement. sidering 2 package of Cuts The nstional union is beginn

including: ing to get the message and is ‘@oniy filing one vacancy in. now caling for nationwide i ee Sustrial action.

ising school mesis prices “tne ‘Bl becomes. law. Scompusory redeployment teachers wil have to take Sc off teachers. ton te stop Baker imposing The budget wil be set on Conditions of service by Oktat March Sedat the moment The 'nocever acton. and {Seti not cleat what ecisons ythdrowal from | voluiary Sour outside the “normal : School day must contine By Mike Loostey LEA's response to its Secretary, ILTA tusdget rise wil ony rok the povernment's task easier The redeployment. proposals ILEA wi take. Butac'fer,WEA are. ‘the most Graconian fas rolused to take the trade measures yer seen by London tmionsinto confidence and fun teechets 2 jot campaign to show the jot compaign to show tm? LEA leaders have dressed Romeuts ae nor ie anewer, uP this £19 millon cut’ as Tove the LEA leaders ““eveating coreer opportunities forgotton that was scton'ny for teachers.” iT REA. gots forgotten snat i wag ection Dy Srey arin this attack on tive WEA tror’tho biuspeon teacters other groups of LEA which smashed the GLCP workers wil be next ot "ths fal part of 8 process called

tuned’ by the ‘NUT national ""harmonsation odors’ butpension cf ILTA , We should reject Frances seeret ee MSake” Ba'"se trade union delegation Soa 13th Tesve it tous and tt Us

What they said at ILEA Labour Group

“We have to swallow a lot of our socialist principle management decisions — after all, we are managers, “Anstey Rice

take

“There are 8,000 teachers paid by the authority not doing what they are employed for. are we brave enough to do the job for which we wore elected? Only the most irresponsible and lazy people vetuse to work.”

im Matha

"You can use your brain, Norman ot Carr to Norman Lucas, Chair of ILEA Labour Group

t's my fucking cat and it's my house that | worked for Charlie Rossi

London Laboue Briefing No. 70 Feb 25-Mar 10 1987 page 2

Victory with wider implications

The picket of the South African production of The Bijers Sunbird at the Lyric ‘Theatre (LLB 67) continued ‘until the planned close of the play’s run without any response from the theatre's management.

Nevertheless, this was a victory for "the | Anti Apartheid Movement.

By Steve Parry Hammersmith & Fulham Anti-Apartheid

Had the production had a successful ‘run it would presumably have transferred «0 Another venue, in the West End ‘or elsewhere, and the floodgates would then ave been opened to South African penetration of British theatre, by way of a tractive commercial offers that cash-strapped British ‘managements would have found it difficult to refuse,

Now South African money ‘can see that any such venture ‘wll be weecked on the opposition of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and its. supporters, and while apartheid South ‘Africa’ ill continue its efforts { promote cultural contacts as a means of legitimising itself in the eyes of the world, time Is against i

tis a pity that this victory should be'greeted by an attack in LLB, of all places

Picket ine at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

sary message, plus one blatant misrépresentation, donot, of Course, argue against a poliey ‘which the ANC itself inspired and stil supporis

If van Gelderen honestly op. poses the cultural boycott, he Should argue with the ANC (and the other South African ‘fganisations who echo their ‘all for a change of policy, not lurge Britons to break solidarity ‘with the South African struggle

‘As time runs out for apar thei, its supporters and fellow. travellers become more desperate — and more subsle ‘Away from the froat Une, the

Let it clearly be said: a policy of openness should nor be used to allow the publication in LL Of tight wing oF opportunist at facks on socialist” actions. or

The editors of LLB would never have printed such an al-

Lewisham Left Forum, 2 rapidly expanding broad ieft group, has decided to mount

tack if had been directed st, only Correct course for socaists | % political campaign to Sy, sriKing miners or the (solidarity withthe organised | challenge the increasingly ‘risers; why isan action in sup- support" for’ the’ liberation | rightward-moving leader-

ort of the people of South Africa treated differently?

‘As for the “arguments” in Charlie van Gelderen’s article Boycott isa sacrc, not a pine ple. The AM has stated that it has no wish to make the boycott ridiculous by rigid application. Highly selective qootations from the ANC’s 75th anniver-

struggle Tm Britain, ‘Black Sections have a right to their own post ‘im, but other Labour Party members must regard themselves as comiitted 10 the ‘Anti-Apartheid Movement, and should “always look to it guidance on South African

ship of Lewisham Council

‘The twin prongs of the camsign will be anced 10 Tight Back against central goverament ‘and accountability te the Party. ‘The need for the Left to fake the ‘offensive following. the over ‘whelming support given bs the Party to. the receat/-NALGO safety strike mas'a major theme.

ee LEWISHAMS 3 2 2 2) Left forum challenges

for Leadership

Where next?

‘An aggregate meeting of Haringey's Local Govern- 5 Craig Brewin Haringey Councillor

ment Committee and the Haringey Labour Group decided on February 14th to proceed with the full implementation of our Elec. tion Manifesto, backed by a political campaign in the Party, the workforce, and the community.

mation to know how much Growth can be sustained ‘Some members of the Council leadership appear to bbe suggesting that important Manifesto commitments. will have to wait until the election

Attempts by — LCC of a Labour government. This members to deride the pre- is definitely not a strategy ac sent Council leadership ceptable to Briefing ‘and-push through a thinly- supporters. disguised "cuts" policy _S0 far the Party and Group Wierd resisted. members have received much

Cre resisted gus pro _uselul information. regarding

plans to. Implement the Manifesto. and the funds re: Quited to do that. What we are

lems remain. A large 3-year ‘copital programme Is now on

stream "but | government iesing is information on festrictions moan that iis financial resources. Just how cannot be further expanded 0. Much ean we realistically ex ioe ad SO pect to tise by borrowing oF Geoperstery needed. funding comets, Haringey, wil

manage this year to "close the gap" between income and expenditure, But, of course, at this level of funding, we con only begin. to implement our Manifesto, not’ to. montion meeting the rapidly increasing fneeds of the people of the Borough

Dear Comrade,

T wish to clarify’ corsction sem in resarding Brent LCC land McGoldrick (see last LLB).

‘While they asked for Briefine fo point out thelr position, they Feally also need 10 answer (Wo questions. Why did their com: faudes vote agains! or abstain on the vote at Brent East GC sup. porting. the inquiry and why fave they failed to condemn the disgraceful role of the Labour leadership?

Clearly the LCC want the best of both worlds, which quite Sften means the worst for the working class

Perhaps “LCE dissidents" in

{or the under sevens" commit: tee to develop childcare prov Sion and. to the Economic Development Unit for job eres ion and grant

‘We ate told thele can be some expansion of revenue ‘Spending — but we stil have Rot received sufficient infor

leadership elec-

tions and decide on candidates

fon Wednesday March il ‘at Spm:

be on Tuesday March 3st at Spm at Depitord

By Dan Carter

ing and the Irish community

Town Hall, where amongst | grogi may want to leave and the cr kemtbe Counctsbwapet | BEM TAY Wane 0 leans and

Group ° will be discussed. they have really understood the

decided on a plan of action Copies of the “Lewisham | Jessons of McGoldrick. 1 doubt

here wil be fringe mecting ol ae | Yous comrade, ‘at the recall Borough Local George Lane, London SEi3. | Ait pic

Goverament Conference dun-

rice 1p each plus large Ghtime. Sunday March tsty's [nenped 2

Stamped addressed envelope peg Sel

Briefing supporter

Continuing the debate Fight their rotten

system!

In reply to comrade Peter Chowney, I would say that it

Liverpool and Lambeth, left

By Cllr Ian Hughes isolated, were betrayed by the

is very important for Left Bridgend, Mid right wing Labour and Trade ‘Wing socialists in the Glamorgan union Jeaders who were more Lite fee to che ee et te arte ee struggle into the Council foiow tat scialiom has rived {has the Tories chambers, SM fo meee Sou be 5 aahing stor of would be a disaster jus treat scandalous that the former tolhual over the Coureits _ Hastoer Council's decision fi ie Blanket, Marsae ft Tate contro tack SRLS Premieres Os fiatpe set We toca

to the Right Wing.

Subsequently calling the police ‘Surely we can not allow the

‘while the occupation was taking

‘and fares with their drift 10 the fight, have joined in the

‘every level of Council decision fight. the left within the Labour

playing, where we can draft nice Sounding. manifestoes, then renege 00 the working people ‘who elected us, when the soins sets 2 bit tough

Hackney shows what is wrong with all: these so-called "eft

hiring and firing, workers The Council must take its arguments in defence of Labour Policy to the workplace. "There is absolutely no_point in just getting elected and siting in the Council chamber, making

Tam sorry to have 10 bso hagsh on these

swith the can

nd their system are saflicin 0 the lives of working class people in this

decisions thal affect working wing” Councils. In 1984 over people you twenty Labour-controlied

Fepresent, whi "Jel" Councils drafted a policy fight and take on’ this

and. geting support from committing themselves’ 10 system, make way for socialists ‘working people to. defend defend Labour party policy in who are.

Taboue’s ‘manifesto opposing the Tories’ planned —” Working class people have

commitments. rate-capping. United, with the had enough betrayals and sell ‘OF course, Jocal authorities. support of the local trade outs inthe past. Wedo not want area piece oh the state umions; the’ Tories would Fave'Sv anymore ithe. future, ‘machinery, ‘been. forced to back dows. All. expecially by” middleclass ‘Wien the Watt are elected’ But Two of Ihe Councils people who call themselves le ‘onio the Council it does not capitulated winger

among new Councillors We’ve no illusions in

local government

Like Peter Chowney_in certainly would’ not_ get Hackney, 1 was first By Pat Waylett Fi nen flected (3 councillor (in Hither Green Councillor Seite ian ena ooo swisham) ast May. East Lewisham CLP hovsng nd improvements teresohsien contlct workers? deri from.

between socialism and start. ‘SDP threats

We worked hard to. build

British local government.” 3 support for the strike in the

As for allowing policy to be Iwas aware of that before.

determined by SDP thrests of

Nor was | under any Paty, spoke at NALGO Court action, | think the Party meetings. marched with the iusions about socialism in Tetnot, marched win, tue would have erected gallows one jh outside “the “Town Halli eae duty. nyone had dared to suggest Support Isolated acim Lewisham. ‘The most that can be The result was that the getting swept away by achieved by socialists in local Leadership. of the group “pragmatics”, voting for

became totally isolated: from the Party — to the extent that

things he knows to 02 wrong

Government ie to give support ‘gainer all his instincts,

Gnd. expression for working

Glass demands and educate the Leader refused to come to “

people that i i the capitalist the East LewishamiDepttord Principle

System thet is preventing Xmas party because he was

them. ‘schieving” those afraid ‘ofthe eception he _ There 1s only one way to be

demands would get! iy tocal_ government and itean also, by implementing Since’ the stike some remain sane: always act and

Vote on socialist principle and

what socialist’ policies. the . H Hf the pregmaties ifthe

have the power to achieve

members of the Group have told us that they realise they

(the GLC being one of the best were used during it, and Group takes on action that examples|, show people that deeply regret their part in goes against all your basic | Sociatism can work and can iG the attack on _ beliefs you light them, Most of

ail you relate to your ward and

the Party, Industrial action Decision T someiimes think that if | went into a Group meeting

Peter seems to have been Nor would we have tamely Soaking. wet and put a

faced by industrial action 3s accepted a decision” {0 _ resolution that it was raining it ‘we were in Lewisham. In — postpone indefinitely. non would be beaten, but as long (owsham- “lett counsilore..-housing ‘monfesio--- us } Neve the suppor of he ‘ded ust “ahiitcommitiients — but. such 9 Ward “and the majority’ of uncomfortably in their seats”: proposals unikely tobe made activists in the Party, | will we fuly supported the by the current Leadership and stay there and fight

“There is now a commercial appreciation of the

London Labour Briefing No, 70 Feb 25-Mar 10 1987 poz

Labour must fight LDDC

development potential of the Isle of Dogs as a

finan accessible to the City.””

|. banking and office location, easily

London Docklands Development Corporation Corporate Plan, Aprit 1986

London's Docklands are now the scene of the most spectacular experiment ever in subsidising the UK property market.

In the absence of any declaration to the contrary, one can only wonder ‘whether the Labour Teadership endorses the Lppe ‘marketed approach, which could have come straight from « Milton Friedman textbook,

Labour's failure to take a position on the South East's booming property market will sooner oF later cost the early at the polls

‘An Unelected Quango Follossing the closure in 1981 of the last of London's docks the Royal Docks in Newham Michact —Heseltine, then Seereiary of State for the En Viromment, set up the London Docklands Development Cor poration — the LDDC

Tis brief was 10 “regenerate 4S" sq. miles of London's Docklands, stretching from Ber mandsey through Wappins. Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs. to Newham's Royal Docks in North Woolwich and Silver iowa, All executive pawers for this are Were taken aay from the three democratically elecied local "authorities and” handed over to an unelected and unac ‘countable government quango.

"The LDDC were also granted enormous powers of “vesting public land and. purchasing privale land through Com pulsory Purchase Orders under the 1980. Local Gosernment Planning and Land Act.

‘An “Enterprise Zone" was created onthe Isle of Doss ‘there the LDDC were 10 own the fand outright and nor to be hampered by the cxisting plans ing process.

‘Oh this ste is planned- the sigancic Canaty Whart develop: rent — 12 million 5a. ft. of of fice and commercial space — ‘which has more private money tied up in it than the whole of the Channel Tunnel. if Canary ‘Wharf goes ahead, the world's largest private Investment project will have needed no plann Ing permission whatsoever.

"The LDDC's pockets are lined by public money from the Deparment of Environment.

By John Turkie Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

Because of the proximity of Docklands to the City of London, it has become peime land, land thus also attracted buckets Of private investment

The Tories hail the LDDC as the saviour ofthe inner city, and Tebbit makes Tory. political broadcasts from the Isle of Dogs’ Enterprise Zone

Regeneration? The net effect of the “regenera: tion” of this once heavily inustralsed arca ie to squeeze ‘out local people and local in dustry. The “up-market” aproach of the LDDC combines Private luxury housing with of Fices servicing the financial and high-tech worlds. As big money has rolled in, local people have been pushed out

The closure of the East india Dock in 1968 and particularly the West India Docks in 1980 had severe consequences for the overwhelmingly working class population of the Isle of Doss.

Unemployment inthe area now stands at nearly 30%. Pr perty developers. ave. fore Sut traditional riverside in Sustries which employ predominantly local labour. tf Canary Wharf goes ahead. it will not be long before whole hhovsing estates on the Island are ‘ought up for what will Become “prime development land” Already. “residential tnd is changing hands at nearly © milion per acre

In South Newham, three consortia ate currently negotiating ‘vith the LDDC to redevelop the Royal Albert and Victoria Docks. Promoted by a highly profitable US/Swiss banking Consortium, this private development is 10 be subsidised by up t0 #2 billion of public money, made up of enterprise zone rate and tax allowances fad spring "anspor

Environmental Disaster The Docklands Light Railway ‘and_the proposed Docklands Highway (which wil involve the demolition of a few thousand homes. in. an_area of chronic housing shortage) will run along parallel routes, from the City 10

Surrey Docks — as it used 10 be

Canazy Wharf and onto the (eewly developed?) Royal Docks, where there is already 2 Short Take Off and Landing (GTOL)port, with runway ordering on back gardens, a school playground, and Overlooked by housing estates The Docklands Highway will ‘meet the proposed East London River Crossing from Newham to Greemwich, which in turn will (ear. through Greenwich and eventually link up with the M2S. £0.75 billion will thus be spent servicing Cy workers from Kent and Essex — money that could be spent on impcoving Eas and South Eas: London's public transport

Canary Wharf, however, re mains an extcemely speculative ‘evelopment. In some comers ‘of the City. even post “Big Bang", doubts exist concerning the demand for such a massive ‘Scheme which would comprise ‘one fifth of the office space cur rently existing fa the City of Condon

‘Given the level of public sub sidies enjoyed by the developers t sa cheap gamble for them, but a very costly one {o local ‘communities. Canary ‘Wharf — which is opposed by Labout local authorities and the London: Labour Party — will change the face of London and

have devastating impact oa the predominantly working class communities of East and South Fast London. Yet the Minister is refusing a Public Inquiry

The Choice for Labour ‘And what is the Labour leader Ship's response to this Tory of femive? To date, a Dockiands’ representation 19 Cunningham ‘and his colleagues has failed 10 move them to demand a Public Inguiry into Canary Wharf, never. mind commit” a future Labour government t0 abolish the LDDC.

Indeed. the LDDC and the developers behind Canary Wharf have far greater access (0 the Labour leadership than do the representatives of the Docklands communities. At the time the Labour leadership were ‘voiding 2 meeting wilt the Docklands "representatives, they were being wined and dised bby the developers and taken on helicopter tours of Docklands by the LDDC

‘After meeting the developers, Cunningham claimed he “re mained of open mind” Nonetheless, many people feel that the Dockalnds. delegation failed to gain any commitments fom the Parliamentary Labour Party Environment Commitiece because asurance of furure sup

BERMONDSEY

SOUTHWARK

NEWHAM.

BECKTON

port had already been given 10 the developers and the LDDC.

‘What is desperately needed at this eleventh Sour is for the Front bench to publicly demand 2 Public Inquiry into Canary Wharf and to mount an offen: sive against the Tories plans for London's Docklands and other deindustrialised areas of Britain

Unfortunately, Labour leaders seem taken in. by the smyth of the urban development corporation, and believe that the ace pees propond for aces fof the north and Midlands will provide some kind of solution to the deep recession afflicting thase areas

‘The Docklands communities, for their part, are not opposed to. regeneration, which surely means regenerating what is already there — i.e. the local Economy. What must be oppes cd, however, is the expulsion of the existing working class com: ‘munities and their replacement with new and totally different

“The demographic reshaping of East and South East London that is Beginning 10 take place should be ringing alarm bells ven in the Shadow Cabinet, if fonly because these inner city Seats should all be “safe” for Labour, At present, of course, Bermonidsey is Liberal-held remember Tatchell, Foot and Malish? — “though surely a Labour target. {tis woah rpoting that is MP, Simon Hughes, i well known for his public opposition 10 the LDDC

An issue for the left The Labour leadership have teen subsiantally let off the hook by the ineffectiveness of the local Labour Parties, and in deed the Greater London bour Party. The four most affected CLPs — Bermondsey, Bethaal Green & Stepney, Bow & Poplar and Newham South — are moribund politically, par fiewlarly Bow & Poplar CLP ‘which fakes in the Isle of Dogs. They are, of course, opposed in principle to the LDC, but hhave no coherent, campaigning Tine in opposition tof, and therefore, in practice, do not ‘oppose them politically, Too i Hg, 100 late, bas been done “The ignorance that exists conne these issues, even ‘among the left in London, is 3 Potential politcal disaster for Pabour. The areas picked out for new urban development cor porations (UDCS) have no idea hat is abou! to hit them Noneitclss, itis sill not too late for the whole question of UDCS to" become 3 major political sue inside the Labour Party nationally There is litle doubt hat this will involve taking on the right wing leadership fand some on

the “left"), This battle should be cazerly anticipated, not just because we have been on the defensive forthe lat to years, bbut because the fight — pi ticularly in this case — ate 0 very dodgy. ground, even. on their own terms,

UDCS are vote losers for the Labour Party, ia all senses. In the ease of a UDC such as the LDDC, the objective is for the area 16 become a paradise for the ich, resulting, over a umber of years, In the erosion of the traditional Labour vote

Tre, in. 1981 local people welcomed the creation of the EDDC, due to the failures of the oid right wing Labour ‘Councils, Bur after six years of Tory. “regeneration”, the people of Docklands know only 100 tell thatthe LDDC ate only interested in allowing speculators fo make vast amounts af prot Principally at ther expense

They. want the abolition of the LDDC and the return (no ‘matter how inadequate) of democratic” control (0 Docklands.

‘Cunningiiam and others seem. guite enamoured of the LDDC. Tremay. bean uncleced, undemocratic, and_ unaccoun table quango, ut it possesses Quite extraordinary. powers — far greater than any local authority. A Labour Secertary ‘of State for the Environme could” do. quite remarkable things with such a tool with the Fight people on the Board. Or so the argument goes,

i # future Labour government were not 10 abolish the EDDC, but were to. tinker

ind with the Board perso his could be she death knell for’ Labour in East and South East London, The left must make sire the leswons from Docklands are learn.

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PHOTO: Chis Davies (Report

London Labour Briefing No. 70 Feb 25-Mar 10 1987 page #

- LEA gets it wrong again mg

(On February 9th, the ILEA policy of intimidation of its teacher. Exhortations to the Why the government. should Labour Group ended mon "mploves. tee Seepig alow th Bother when iS pati has

Ch ten vale 1e decision was taken principles and" manage ‘were always been to destabilise finan jot by voting {© without any consultation with treated absolutely seriously and cally ILEA and its policy has

reinstate compulsory the Re Executive of the echoed. Indeed so many prin- been successful, is amyonc’s pecs i Mines, fener eres cent eens az risis more Se SEE ETT aces negro

The decision ‘was taken not one of the 26 unlon bashers miraculous that the Group was is apparently likely to be ien-

without’ any ‘consultation consulted thar General Com- not overcome with lafulence. pressed by the fact that x Vol Wil the elected veprcsce "Those who aticaded. last tary” Redeployment' scheme A shortage of over 300 — with problems worst in tative: of the Inner London By Kell ichman year’s Annual Mecing of the would cost £19 milion and a nursing staff — leaving the Theatre (78% short, and of Teachers Association London “Labour Party will macho compuliory onc would district 20% short of its thopaedics (60%, The picture = 5 femember “Frances, Mocrll's beamuch cheaper $1600-plus target staffing for care of the elderly i tle TLEA’S biggest teaching mitts or their Party officers. praise for voluntary redeploy. "So the vicimisations are 10 1-600-plus target better, witha vacancy rete of union, Certainly the Hackney North meat and her statement that it begin again with all the knock- evel — is causing closures 455° a" hove, while the "The decision was taken with members, Stephen Henn and had’ worked. Detter than the on effec on labour relations. and other problems in Pad- Mental rvealth Units short of the Conscious powedge that Bernard Wilahve, (oid their Compulsory schemes Francts Morrell agreed that the ington/N. Kensington, ac- 36"siat narses out of 9 com compuliory redeployment of Party nothing, even though it "Now apparenty other criteria reversal of policy would haveto cording to health authority plement of 63. LEA salt was expcsty con wastheirParty that campaigned coontfortmore ILEA hoping bepreented tothe GrealcrLom- Sources. Simtary eisastous nursing Germned by the London Labour for 5 years to end compulsory thar the government wil make don Labour Pany “and the "A" "Digtict Health stall" shortages, are. reported Party at) succesive Annual Tepleyment, Some kind of financial comers” unions can vote for it." TOPE Authority “document, by management in_Fiversie Mectings—the oceasion forthe The tone of the debate (as Sion’ to. allevte’ LEA's our comrades will do! no Such MAT which has 857 vacen

quoting figures for the end DMA. which has 657 vacan; of December 1986, shows $95, {fom @, total staff of @ gathering crisis in key 379 are. for stall nurses, whose numbers are” 39% By John Lister below target, with particular

departments understaffed. by

ver 75%, and none by less departments and wards at ove! 75%

St Mary's and St Charles “A: Charing Cross Hospital, Hospitals, NUPE "has publicised Management blame various complaints by senior medical factors for the failure to at- staff that the lack of nursing \Wact or retain the nursing staff cover is endangering patient eeded to maintain services: together with a signed low salaries: from nurces in the orNHS accommodation; Recovery Uni.

Previous ILEA's abandoning its usual) was virulenlly ant astrous financial postion. thing.

Sprvate sector “posching” in’ Wandsworth's St oftwoied NUS stat. George's Hewpial, NUPE nuts leiow morale caused by ing members. on’ four wards repeated cuts Icovly termed andthe. casualty unit have evitable changes" ‘atton to: management com ‘incressed "pressure of planing that patents are being

work from faster Uroughout put at rah by short-stating = oF potions: ut for all management's SSependence upon nurses bleating, there are signe thal with no local roots nthe ares. with ts ayes on cash late Z ‘At St Mary's Hospital, lem- — itis far rom koon to fil Ne : ing Ward,” two Intensive growing numbers of vacant

: Therapy Unit beds, ands fursing posts, & Special Care. Baby Unit cot "Instead, a Charing Cross, at > inave already bocn closed due Hampstead's Royal Free i fo nuree shortages, while sx Hospital, in. Brent's Central FH Eidery Mental Health beds Middlesex, and elsewhoro, a 3 have been forced to close st shortage of nuraos provides an Fy St Charles, where there is 2 easy excuse for ward closures g 25% shortallof nursing staff, nd! spending cute. which : The scute unit at St Mary's would ethorwise be more hot | : sione is short by. 103 stall iy contested

nurses ——a vacancy rate ot” Wah staff nurse pay as low

34%, pling added pressure on as £6,475 and even nursing

faurice fim Holland (Mayor of Hackney) and Denis Andries (current light-heary weight champion at Hackney Town hall Maurice Hope, Jim Holland (Mayor of Hackney) ‘ me ee ce ae ‘those who femain” A specific sisters on as litle as £8,070

reception. Dreakdown of wards and with a maximum of £10,800, Gepartments shows some it is hardly surprising fewer

catastrophic under staffing, and fewer trained staff feel

with the Renal unit short by willing te subsidise London's

86%, ITU 8% short, Cor Under funded hospital service

é maytag Sees cies eae es we would now onary Care 43%. and Only a massive increase in Poconos fonccet dora valeort ea ioe Cr, Paediatrics 38% NHS funding can reverse the Labour Group decided not a Werhave Ye te see if hat Condon” Wud "The acute unit st St Charles drain of skilad ataff from the

cilreapageng eget permet te ah ow ag Seen earn e K & Chats j {eatow Promeings’” ‘tor banning professional boxing in cimete where judges, think Hockney Mershes, or pubic Hospital is, SO staff nurses heath service. Will Michoel pasar professional ‘order to make room for single they have the right to tell us _floggings in front of the Town ah an Bas cache Meacher deliver: Boning. We took. the "een mud messing, eee ae eee on Boning, We, took, the the sone tthe faponeainy"aiaeny they mht Thee i nthing “oon

cision t Of was wayimexcess ofthescate well thik they have the noi bonning sv actwiy which fe " ‘evidence that professional Dieluswhatwoputoninou wersccumenes as'cusrs SChools disaster

Soxing. carries” serious By Felicity Harvest date erat medical risks. Chair, Leisure Services Besides, if Hockney could I hope other left authorities Continued from front page

tiers corecioes ake Committe, Hackney 92 2009 ting, wuld rot SAL ook 3 et gv withthe £17 ailon show, asompes: the decision, particulary (personal eapacity) Gahow? “Watt” Bont "oan what powers. they Gave as wil be erally decimated, And "Fora srt, Mr. Kinnoch ou Decause we have several Boxing st Wenbly? Intheface licensing authorities. We are hen we look over the mortal noble Leader. has been sun wont cine borers Wig of dw decbin — wes e Gr sien coruiimatanc, the now beng. ibet" oor remains of what wat nce ial len onthe uit Obes td closely sssocuted with mater of tet taking bookings carh sppreny shook Seciion was wrong Because perhaps the most radial, moa cH Dy he Heli tha ILEA i fl Fiacknoy eae ee ae a aight nate. Done font as rpmal Ecaion Service mf Tasso! eis, 19 em

none of whom play rugger, nice Nei intent on building his page three appeal has put his mouth

quietly at fist, but eventually ‘The boxing lobby seemed to activites which have been _‘Wthatevidenceis presented blame, in the ime honoured the anger of these local boxers. think so, even’ threatening seen as a sport or acceptable to us, | will soon be moving Labour ‘Party tradition, they

brought’ down on us the legal action to compel us to public spectacle in the past that we ban that too. say east coatain some = peat ae as Roe lessons for the future rei Budgetary Starvation _Mfealy-mouthed Labour

Party Clearly the prime guilty party

in the disaster is HM B0veTD” The Labour Party is litle beter.

London Labour Briefing is Labour Women for SAT MAR 14 SATISUN MAR 28/29 ment. During its unpleasmtly The Labour Party ifile better, how running a free treland AGM, London ‘March for Mandela, ‘Labour Briefing Ig ite hes teiceanened tonal 46, rome ob listings column for events Lesbian & Gay Centre pm, Whittington Park, Conference at Lambeth 19 destroy the ILEA by direct Peseta pine of restoring in London, Send details to 67-69 Cowcross St, EC1. N19. Support the non Denne Bret eaee® ing to popular opposition. The the cut et alone any intention Labour Briefing at 26 608 1471. Accessible. _stop picket of Sout Building Briefing page. 86,19 Popular oppastion, The CT he blanc in favour Grofton Road, London creche, cafe, disco, etc. rican Embassy tee at see Cena Ghar, of sate cduaton SES, or phone them in on 4 £1 Salvador Solidarity Organised by City Group S Henent for Wheelers tent has proved far more 10 the London partis, 100 733 7016, Please include Campaign, Conference on Anti-Apartheid Strikers, Peckham. Details SFCSNE nan the CLL Conference access details Central America, TUC, Gt. + Teachers Benefit 379 5098. aol Eeverament's purpose is Aetnda is evidence of thal. Few FRI FEB 27 a SS SAT APR 4 father, well thought out and Parties have bothered wo par. Deadline for articles for SUN MAR 1 Grove, Lewisham SE13. SAT APR 4, part of the overall surategy to Setpate in the ILEA Liaison SAT FEB 28 Mineworkers Campaign, MAR 16-24 Camden Town Hall, Judd fesining capitals econor eae eae +All down to Brighton to Miners’ Benefit. With Central America Week. St. Details 833 3020. Without "a radical” soci criss ever in London education support the Wheelers Hangers, Silentnight, and For details of London hrcaval, it will remain a f isteach imax almos

hs Strikers — assemble 12 print Strikers. Wembley _events and publicity SAP AER AGU APRS Senne teat eigee akeee noon, Queen's Square for Conference Centre, material, contact 82 Bhat iS ey ed Under these circumstances, a movement, In. the blue corner the march, Details 379 7.30pm. Margaret St, WIN 8LH, Wreland AGM. You have t0 argc, educaied pool of__we have the Tory government 5098. earei3 go to Manchester Town ——memployed is not ouly'a costly bristling with judicial power! qPolicing the Wish | _rLeafletting of Wheelers SAT MAR 21 SAT APR 11/SUN APR 12 toms dansce Hence the-al-_ the ILEA Labour Groip, moa 10.4, the Albany **GLLP Conference, ee = Dougies Way, Deptford London workers. Details political pub quiz. Labour Poplar Civic Centre. ‘working conditions leading toa they had signed on for when Speakers se 098. be Eines cove: SAT MAY 2 iow ot skied exponents from they were eleted in Mav. The

UE MAR = the ILEA which caters for the — the piggies in the middle,

=m Mae 13 ven watch. But if the. Party ous - : ‘So much is unsurprising. But cannot lake the interests of the

a iors Matters, Lymington Ave, if the Tories have played the working class chidren seriously London N32 leading part, they ‘have had whose interests van i seriously