London Labour Briefing no. 79

London Fights Back!

An all-London Conference Against Cuts in Council Jobs

and Services.

Sunday 20th September 10am-5pm, Conway Hall, wei Open to trade unionists, Labour Parties, community groups, tenants and organisations of the oppressed.

Creche, access, signers provided. Details: Camden NALGO 01 278 4444 ext. 2431

FIGHTS BACK!

Labour Councils across London are facing unprecedented Tory attacks.

But instead of uniting with their workforces, tenants, and communities to defend jobs and services, almost all of them are getting ready to do the Tories’ dirty work for them.

Meanwhile, in Tory Westminster, rank and file trade unionists are forced to fight their own union feaders as they resist the onslaughts of private contractors.

Margaret Hodge and the other Council leaders say “there is no alternative”. Labour councils must make “humane” cuts. But in nearly every borough an alternative is emerging: campaigns are springing up to mobilise Council workers, tenants, community groups,

and the local labour movement around the simple demand: no cuts in jobs and services!

Fighting back is possible. Even the wet Tories of the Bow Group recently recognised that “it is doubtful if the fabled commissioners could successfully run even one Council against the determined opposition of the workforce.” Exactly!

There will be no future opposition to privatisation, the poll tax, the break up of the ILEA and Council housing estates, or any other items on Thatcher's inner city agenda,

London Bridge Shop Stewards Meeting

if the unions are crushed by job cuts now, and the services we are trying to defend continue to deterioriate.

Council workers must link up with their allies in the local labour movement, tenants and community groups, to resist cuts in jobs and services, and to lay the ground for future ing against the full range of Tory

An isolated fightback in a single borough will be easy prey to Tory venom. But collective resistance across London is potentially powerful — powerful enough to defeat even the re-elected Tories.

That’s why the fightback in each borough must be co-ordinated and London-wide action must be planned.

The fightback starts now!

London Labour Briefing No. 79 Sept Sth-22nd 1987 page 2?

Local government round-up

ingey : :

leaflets explaining the Tory To pave the way for future _will be known by mid:

land the need to fight all cuts in jobs and. services were i distributed throughout the 3 ‘

borough, including morning Jeafletting of major Council q Since June of this year by chose councillors. workplaces. age Camden" Council leaders ""Phococopying asd mallng

heave ciberked om a flaan- facies have been withdrawl Cia strategy which is tearing. from councilors who oppose

A petition against cuts has

treen ‘Signed. by thousands of ‘ the Borough apart. cuts, Trade unionists have had ourl workers and residents The leadership, without their pay stopped for holding festivals and events Stores consultation and ‘with the "cel vo prove cove ay

‘ \ backing of hard core of jaye been threatened with lok

have appeared inthe local pres,

tnd he LCE spearheaded ah ; Fight wing Labour ‘coun- ou,” te

CUPS inthe bovcush, is frning 4 5 ae frozen all temporary posts the cuts package’ Have been = 21500 jobs aad teint treanned egeh cen, Right

— and issuing » predictable, : EP # ea laughable threats. coe aie Br Ase? oth eat sae te Sone ee ‘@cancelled all temporary con- wing councillors have resorted

“The 3% cuts proposed by the tracts — 300 jobs and rising: to smear tactics in an effort 10 right would mean 500 jobs B nt ‘halted the harmonisation of discredit the left. losses. Haringey Fights Back! is Pay_and conditions between The Town Hall has been tumnee Saft in the Borough: ced into 2 fortresss. against all

this alarming news as

‘widely as possible reduced bdget, Brent triggered a the borough will be severely | overtime working in fro ‘sroups opposing cuts.

‘Al this activity is in prepara- fing massive protest as dozens of undermined. In this context, the | Services such as housing and en- Nevertheless, opposition is on tion for the launch meeting of Oink women ard tee dems ien‘ofimpocng cuss as | rumestl beth; ciency th es ore ae: Haringey Fighis Back! on at the Town Hall. Having failed ‘2s the Council's | ‘rm up existing agreements bet- and more Tory attacks are pro September 14th, at Brabant . ine a response from those beleagigred” finances "Even | ween the Counc and’ the mised, both workers and com Road Trade Union Centre " responsible, they invaded worse, this year'scut, tomect a | Unions: begun an exercise 10 munity organisations have Special leaflets and posters for ‘Council leader Merle Amory's budget gap of £13 million, will | force through cuts of $% in the begun organising resistance

ie wee ae meee el ottee: Sah betthe beginning as larger | voluntary secor—in real terms The voluntary sector, women’s ‘around the Borough as we £0 t0 | Faced with the collapse of Whilst this disgraceful attack gaps are already looming next | this will at last double as the and Black groups, have started ress the “dented shicld'” policy 0” the working class of Brent "There is no alternative but to | 2" progresses. 4 campaign to reverse the CounBefore then, a big antvcuts | O° ipo waks not’ elberion as occurring, senior Council This strategy is supposed to i's decision lobby is planned for the Labour | pint ake. sigp sills mere Duly preparing + buy time — but for what? ‘Tenants are alarmed at the Group. meeting of September | defeat, iP ist of 8% cuts across “Tie leadership have failed to prospect of tent rises. Lesbian Sie Trcmaners agenshy may | have ‘decided to begin Gougcd sevice: These cuts ae indicate at any stage of the cuts and Gay organisations — which wweli have saved the Council's | putting to the sword those it to ‘be imposed on a budget previ nave been singled out for special icon for the current financial | previously claimed to be which planned to. spead only attack by the right — are now year othe compas against | defending Ess ‘attion more than the wil'beprepred to Sand and eal ighing fox sur cuts remains a urgent aS ores managed during the government. 2 wer 150 representatives atever = iner-regnum ended by Labour's "The nine councillors who op- tended a Conference called by Moves are afoot to organise | This sad process began during crushing victory of May 1986, I ® | posed the cuts package have Camden Briefing. Many trade those councilors opposed to all | August with a decision to Slash In addition 0 wide-ranging i been removed from their posi- unionists at the forefront of

cuts around a clear politcal | expenditure on probably the cuts, a (rear on recruitment is councillors opposed to cuts and | tions on all Council Commit. Camden's campaign "against poorest section Of the Brent 10 be proposed, am ironic echo intends to” mount a big | ‘ees. Workers have been refused ratecapping have also pledged ‘Of the old right wing Labour campaign in the Party. One of | workplace mectings addressed their support.

ouncil of the mid-1970s. All the two Labour constituencies, | 2 aeee eer memem ma em

fhe “cys in sevice being propos, many of which have Following the refusal of support for his own banknunt

nine left Labour Coun- Policies.” ‘Hulme’s attack was swiftly Gillors to toe the Camden followed by Cil Bil Saunders,

Ieadership's ine, anc vore _‘olomed by Ct Bal Sunder, “eabtsatae S restrict debate and smear housing queue” ack wom, Opposition nave grown.” fact, vaneferod on tne

Islington Islington Fightback was ee Dykee anid tat workers cee omepY get up on August 3rd | Children accepted into care as Black councillors and a proud would be paid to attend porter, is also an “out’ les following an open meeting | fuci bills, childminding fees, record of anti-racist measures. ‘inks in, many more | Workplace “‘consultation ian. Tony Dykes has been called by the Joint Trade | ec. made life impossible for If Brent Council is seen to be councillors will return to the | meetings” on the cuts only asked by Cir Plummer to conUnion Committee of all | single parents. ‘a mere agent of Tory central “‘no cuts” position spelt out in | if the nine anti-cuts coun- demn Hulme and Saunders,

incil unions. 0 attempting to impose its government, Labour's appeal in manifest. illors were exclude and has demanded 9 public Council 3 fi sping to impose its £0 - Labour's appeal inthe 1986 manife cillors were excluded. Sete Sees

Attendance from Clk Ken Hulme, Jeading These tactics pander to the NALGO stewards has member of Camden's right homophobia of the Daily Moi shown that there is com- ‘wing caucus and secretary of and the Sun. These members

the local Labour Co-ordinating of the Labour Party not only

mitment to building op A Committee, spread stories in discredit themselves with thet position to cuts amongst | A paper circulated at mittee delegates on Saturday programme have been frozen. | the local press about “loft smears, but also. bring nto the workforce and users, | Hackney Council's policy September 26th Ponts were frozen during the | wing freemasonry” at" the disrepute the. local Usbout and “the involvement of | fal wtouces ‘committee Although these recommenda month of August under the | Town Hall” He claimed the Party's commitment to Equal Labour Party members | says that, as a result of ‘S005 have not yet Been discuss: pretext that no one applies for | Lesbian and Gay Unit's staff Opportunities Gemonstrates” that there | sections “special financing $2.07 te Party, Councl of jobs in August were ail supporters of Briefing. One ean only conclude that cons oe ae Coen nee tare, STS te, set fo implement Many trade unionists already | "These alogatons aefota the Group leadership and the ae them. Many are already. in rayed_by the local | ty unfounded,” replied Cllr right wing caucus ate tei fight the drtt to the right. | adeficieforthe current year, opcration =” which would not Labour” Iadershp. it “the | Sondra Photeier, Sba°st tie ofopen policl tote. i toe ‘and goes on to propose happen without the nod from Labour Council does passa for: | rine” ond now excChair of with national - Kinnockite

staleey.

‘Sepiember 22nd’s full Council meeting thay yer witness further scenes of Labour discord, as the left fights efforts by the ‘ght, including new MP Bernie ‘Grant, to fores the Council into capitulation

Unfortunately attendance 0 salinforunately. attendance | Yarious measures 10 deal the Labour Council leadership. mal cuts budget it wil make | the Lesbian and Gay Commtt- policy, they wish to dump any with it. Two children's homes have even more difficult to prepare 2 | toe. “Ken Hulme opposed the commitment, however

unions has been patchy. Only

2 handful of councilors are been merged, and staff will be united fightback against | Setting up of the Uni from the minimal, to issues of race,

It suggests a strategic redeployed. Housing Arca Ac. privatisation, involving the 4 my oF Drepared to oppose the cuts. Beginning and is obviously us- disability or lesbian and gay The most prominent members | review of resources. tion Staff have no work todo Labour Party and the wrade | ing" populist tactics to boost rights.

nesta because funds for the capital — unions Picks i)

of the group ate Block. and hoy treretere Tose isis, | Directors would be instructed foral “wecem os "well as | 0 report toa Management ponte ere ‘Team with ast of propoals 10 chiminate “waste clos

: ‘Much work remains to be done In isingron the fatecap. | checking whether posts which | This statement on the years. 20% vacancy rate, they pro- fashioned, but we stil believe fing campaign was weak and | have been vacant for more than | renorin Lewisham has "The leadership of Lewisham pose to close a few libraries that our main function in local

Rover succeeded in crowing in | 2 Year can be climinated - Counel, caling on al thet nd-“restructure" the budget. government is t0 fight foc the the range of community sup- | Flexbility in. transfer and Soltcal expertnce, found sn "Budget restructuring” is __ Interests ofthe working class bon enoyed elowhere. eis | redeployment of staff can aso medateSnswer totaling the latest buze word for cuts. We also have some problem Vitel "to. involve tenants | be employed to close the gap. ¥ Support among Councl if means. concentrating on understanding where the (Groups, Block groups. other | Staff will be moved around to | Stockbridge, Tony Link, tenonts: arentrise of [3now priorities and cutting less Labour Group gets the author fade "unionists especialy | fill vial vacant posts Men Mohan, Tim Barnett, and onother £2 n Apr Sseontial cress”, mamtaining ty 10 tear up the manifesto those inthe teaching. and | The report recommends the | Jan Pedelty. Steve aving solved thet problem the. estobishment’ of social without consulting the Party Volumaty sectors) and otter | Council seckan agreement with | Padmore, Ashtaq Arain, they turned thet attention to workers ‘by cutting. welfare We don't beleve there isn’t an Service User grove. Without | the unions for limued recrat- | Son'Torernen’ Catton the’ ‘unemployed inthe fights jobs, and other clever altemative, nor do we believe the Support of such groups, | ment to. key. posts, allowing | 4om,Lansman, Borough The way Yo keep ideas like thot. the anewo' toa political attack the Council workforce wiltack | staff to leave under voluntary E them voting Labours to shed We heve ried very hard to lies in managerial tinkering the confidence to take in- | severance 5800 Counst fobs, thus ensur’ see how attacking the living

ing thet they remain on the standards ofthe working “Fisckney Briefing Launch

‘dustrial action further proposes thet all | two out of three. Tsington Fightback is | uncommitted growth items be | [WO , Out of thy ole Clase, cutting jobs and reduc i

orgeniting a. conference on | frozen and ‘that rents be | Lewisham constituencies ing services will increase sup. leeting

Getober 17th and a mass lob- | increased had bad general election _This incisive grasp of the port for the Labour Party — No cuts in jobs and

By of ful Council on October | This report will be discussed | results. political station sieo dictated but. it's obviously far too services!

Bot We sre now mesting | at the Annual Borough Con- | Welost many votes in tradi- that people didn’t vote Labour clever for us to understand. Speakers include:

Feinighty ‘on ‘Tesedays. ot | gress — a consultative body | tional Labour strongholds, in- because Council services The trouble is that we con. _Keith Veness, Kate Allen, Diane Abbott MP, Brian

Erade up of General Committee | cluding large council estates were toogood. As wellascut- sider ourselves to be

‘and. Local Government Com- | that have been Labour for 50__ting service provision with s__ socialists. it_may_be_old Sedgemore MP. Chaired by Graham Bash

Tuesday September 22nd,

Dalston uncon

7:30pm in the Town’ Hall Came and join ust

London Labour Briefing No. 79 Sept 9th-22nd 1987 page 3

Local government: fight back now!

CUTS IN SERVICES!

their September about going into negotiations with Sovelopars "over thir Shonen, promising rot 9 0 don Authorities (ALA) tying to "got as much as you decided to end their can'"out of the developers engagement with pro. One obwous proter is that

yrolopert planning goin doos not raise 3 Lieb optguaeato Poltical profil of what Labour

It’s to be marriage after Councits want or what local all, people need. It is therefore

ln the face of the Tories’ Seen. asa “gift” from attack on inner cities and developers, as a. spin-off” Labour-controlled local from “successful private in authorities, London Labour vestment”. Indeed, the ALA leaders have decided ("in suggest, that “community

benefits” not possible this post-election period"”) ae oe oe that it is best to be “spout such

realistic’ and give up any gesie “sre ‘no goatee’ of pretence of fighting back. anything. A particularly good There were, however, three example in ths respect is that honourable exceptions at the of Hays Wharf (3 milion sq. ft. ALA. Planning & Transport of office space), now renamed Committee pcincipally "London Bridge City” Lambeth’s Chair of Planning. in 1982, the developers ac- ‘supported by the reps from tually signed a deal with

Cewisham and Southwark. Southwark for a 3-scre ste for it would be laughable if it housing. in return for weren't 20 serious: Southwark not opposing the

London Labour leaders have scheme. The site, next. tO decided to co-operate with Tower Bridge, is prime their own disentranchisement! development land, and three The Tories are set to impose years later the “developers a round of _-mini-Urban Simply changed their minds,

DCs, ‘tke the London

of =

Docklands Development Cor- Chairs (in this case Planning) poration, are immensely can meet at the ALA, and take a powerful government. momentous decisions affec Imposed quangos, which ting the lives of hundreds of ‘uthorities. without having to" account fo |

UOCs. ore run by anyone. {government appointed - Boards, made up of property By John Tarkie |

develoners. answerable only Hackney North & Stoke i to the Secietary of State for NeVineton CLP Co-ordinated resistance democratic contro! over focal 294 a diversion from “the main The obvious umbrella for much- A

the Environment. The purpose = ‘enemy’? — the Tories and their petded’ oui hell een of UDCs te to. enable hoge fo cats in jobs and ser TEE capaciy of local Polen —iseaually banka, Seu commites Buble subsidies to go 10 the Asupreme irony existsin al | vices — that’s the cOr- authorestocarty through any TAC govermens Sralcay Jb ”These vmmies should not Private sector his mess. The original raison | merstone of our strategy future progressive policies {0 Fore local Councils 0 act as merely react to cuts as they oc; Pes. were crested under d'etre ofthe ALA was — post | 1 actest the Tories aed week befeaoabt and itvehard agents in carrying out its cur. In conjunction with al

the 1986 Housing and Plann: the GLC — to gve London a | (0 4 {ould bem doubt aot gen'be devastaing "programme. By local organisations, they should ing Act and the legisiation strategic voice. The fact that | their accomplices om (0. “pat [oi fould. SS! Si esisting, rather than implemen- also draw up a survey ofthe real

allows the Secrotay of State the ALA dnavitaby) became 2 | Labour Councils. Feit Hing, cus in jobs and Services Social needs othe borough. By cece: ie (aeeeacnnes | Devore inca ines Amory and a oer ating all ements of te

ee eae the other Come ides are SO ere acces nbow, movement and con : 2 Se tha hee no shears Ol See ee

‘Cuts in jobs and services are of services which have been

in reality, SPZs become ALA could hava co-ordinated the frst stage of the Tory attack dentified’ "as" necessary, Teal

zones. in’ which local and meintained a London wide therefore most make “humane

‘cols ourselves to save Councils

suthorties have no control United front See er vcisieamer — — not something separate from mass support can be built for Gictated” by "the ‘property decided to adopt a ine of | tacks ismow clear. First, the SSOAMUD | 4, The only successful strategy government attacks. market. Cepitulation together. Without | Labour Councils will Tace maninaie Cun Cicsiy ose, (OF Mighting the Tory attacks “Local campaigns should de “The ALA vainly hope they an ALA” tne, individual | huge financial deficits, this Mamfssfor which clearly ro- 9'unte all those under threat mand that Councils set 8 budget will be able to “undermine or boroughs could always adopt | year for some, next and vice". There was no get-out (Tom, them — the Council adequate to meet the needs of ‘marginalize UDCs and SPZs"° 2 line of total co-operation | future years for others, as clause saying “unless the Torts Notkforce, tenants, community the Borough, and thatthe funds ‘by demonstrating to the Tories with property developers in an Z ‘win the election” and voluntary groups, and be met by cancelling the Counthet" "really, the Labour attempt to “maximise com. | creative | accounting is Service-sers. When union of- e's" local repayments. and. boroughs are very good munity benefit”. But to meet a Rerpaases of ficials encourage their members huge injection of additional chidron and are establishing 2 together to adopt such a posi- | Past financial deals is fel. {o defend themselves and then government funds wonderful relationship with tion seems perverse in the | Councils will auack their own By Davy Jones argue for’ others" jobs 10 be cut “in so far as these demands are Property developers (or. asthe extreme. workers, "service, and Islington NALGO {ashas happened in a mumber of not'met then there newts 10 be ALA rather less disparagingly " slaohas twonasty side et- | communities. Soroushs "with "NUPE and mass Yesistance to Council: ar ail ther, the private sector) fects. Any boroughs datermn- | Second, pévatisation will be TGWU officials) they under- tempts to comply with the Tory Sand really there's no need ed. to fight and. defend the | introduced, followed by the _Afunherbroken promise will mine the possibilty. of & attacks: no cuts im jobs or se. {0 sot up UDCs and SPs. Communties ‘they represent | break-up of Councl estates and only shred what ite credibility Sucessfel unitea fightback. vices, no. vacancy freezes, no ‘This is naieve nonsense. sre now more margnatsed | the ILEA, andthe oullawing of Labour Councils ill enjoy with "They. also cynically mislead rent or rate aes, no privatise ‘The Tories” attack is not just than ever before. And we wal | Council campaigning their supporters workers into thinking that ther fin of services ce about pushing Labour Coun siso witness the unholy sight | The Councils, locked in bitter How will Labour Councils own jobs will be safe if only “Different tacicy will be re Gils into the arms of property of Labour boroughs competing | battles with their potential allies resist the pol ax, privatisation, they “"co-operate"" The scale of quired. in. each situation, No Gevelopers, it is also about amongat themselves in ther | over the financial squccae, wil atlacks oa Council “housing, the Tory altacks is such that no cover. for vacancies, shes ‘tipping them of their powers attempts to woo the property | Be in no shape to rest. cif they are locked in battle One's jobs will be safe however against job fons, rent srikes, Mia UDGs and SPzs. Even if market. Finally hermostsavageattack wth ther own workforce, compliant or co-operative they non-co-operation ‘with culs ex were possible, the "in the “new period”. at | of all — the poll tax ~ will be tenants, and community groups are. trcises in departments, and Zoptuletory starting pont of least there is no longer any | introduced after any chance of over cus? Will anyone take ac- Industrial action will be a many other types of action wil the ALA means that the Tories pretence. London “Labour | mass united resntance has been tion 10 defend services from vital component of any cam- all need 10 be considered fre pushing Labour Councils leaders are clearly saying they | crushed privatisation if those services paign of defiance. But simple "Where possible, support into a martage with the pro. wil not defend “local | The result ofall these atacks have already been hamstrung by industrial muscle wil not be should be sought. from other erty market which is'on the democracy. In the attempt to | will be huge job losses, the Labour Council? fnough. The extent to" which workers facing similar aviacks. Sevelopere’ terms. get as much es you con | widespread deterioration and The argument advanced by Council workers _ will be In ‘London, that mean Central to the thrust of the they willco-operate with inner | cuts im Council services, huge Socials? Action supporters and prepared t0 take industrial ac- teachers, transport Workers AtAts the concept of “plann. London's prvatisaton and | rent rise a further growth sn others in boroughs, like thon will depend targsly on how health workers — and all those inggain' or astieALAputt, cheap. sale to the property | imercity poverty, the under- Lambeth and Islingion (and in. much public support they Who need the services they pro- "Rssimising community market. Fdley and Thatcher | mining of” equal’ opportumty Manchester) that 'no cuts in perceive themselves to have. Vide, not least pareats, benefit". Planning gain is Tmust be delighted policies, "and' an erosion of jobsand services” is “divisive” "Industrial action in local Cross-London unit) is sta

government often hurts those Unfortunately, this unity. will Sections of the community most not be organised from the top

Will Tories opt out of ILEA? = 22.2255 Mek

Strong community backing for borough anti-cuts committees

ike eevee! by popes control of their local ILEA opt out — despite the political | their action — from tenants, the shop stewards across Lon: 2 “to allow London BY Steve Cowan services bravado coming from the ruling | community groups. and the don, and all those prepared to

Kensington & Chelsea opting Conservatives = because they | local labour movement — they Tight back

borough councils to opt out TLEA member, one 5, Be

: : out would have serious mpica’ only have a fragile single | will be more prepared to take The London Fights Back? of ILEA and set themselves Westminster North sages sass Sons for neighbouring Ham member majority on the Coun- | the level of industrial action Conference, called by. Camden Up ss small, separate local ‘mersmith & Fulham, the other cil. A powerful and long- | necessary to secure victory. NALGO and London Bridge.is tacks, withthe significance tex. part of ILEA’s Division 1, standing parents’ lobby is effec. | Wherever possible, socialists an excellent opportunity for AM ‘with Labour within. the national educa’ which would them be" the tive throughout the borough of | should fight for their Labour those fighting across London 10 {long , with, Labour {ion debate, not least through smallest authority in Britain, Wandsworth and has proved is | Councils fo lead the campaign share experiences, (0 discuss. controlled Strathelyde, Leader Neil Fletcher's recent and certainly unable o provide ability 0 influence local Con. | of defiance agains the Tory at- common’ sates, and 10 ILEA is the largest unit of appointment as Chair of the the broad educational ‘oppor. servative opinion in the past. | tacks and the financial squecee develop a. co-ordinating _ ne local government remaining Association of Metropolitan tunities presently enjoyed by The Tones may well have | But i now appears that only a work of militants commited 10

intact since abolition of the _ Authorities’ Education school age and adult students.” given Labour a major oppor- | minority of Councillors, <up- thal srateey GLC "and. Metropolitan Commitee. ‘Opting out of ILEA will nor tunity to mobilisea large section | porting a union-led campaign of Make sure you're there 201h Cnc Conservative controfled smuster much support with fof the community not only | oppontion and drawing support September! The future of Lon

Ft has heytsbly BELGE’ A, 'Kensingion a Chelsea have all provession ibut also against chose controll | ty groups, will wote against cus, pend on i

| _major focus for government a'r” deelaea ts intention to take" Wandsworty are unlikely to” ing local affair.

PHOTO: David Hottmann

Police close down the Carnal

BAN RIOT

POLICE!

“Carnival is a splendid event,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Condon, the man in charge of policing the 22nd Notting Hill Carnival. “But people will have to ask themselves whether the crime side is too high.””

“Ban the riot carnival,”’ ‘screamed the _ London Evening Standard just a few hours later, on the day after paramilitary police had brought Europe's biggest street party to a violent and terrifying close.

It was just what the Met was hoping for — @ quick translation of official dou: ble speak into a popular slogan, backed up by stories of frightened residents and _carnivalgoers terrorised by ““gangs ‘of rioters from all over London.”

But stories of inacent people wapped by _brutal_ police maneouvres went unreported. ‘As. a searchlight helicopter hovered overhead and. riot police launched indiscriminate baton charges against the revellers i seemed that just to be inthe. steets aroud Por fobello Road and Ladbroke Grove was a rime that night

“The ‘tension which finally ‘exploded at Carnival had been building for months, fuelled by police activities and an inade ‘quate community response. ‘Gne of ‘Kenneth Newman's last acts ae. Metrapolitean Police Commissioner was to, fofganise a campaign of satura tion policing in the All Saints Road — the centre of the Carrival area

‘nthe sensitive weeks before the Camival, the Streets of North. Kensington were under police occupation The declared aim of this opera: tion was to stamp out traffic in

By Paul Harrington and John Leadbetter Kensington CLP ard drugs. Flosd blocks were

‘set up and "'stop and search” procedures began. Hundreds

Of arrests followed — but the" main charges were for possession of cannabis

‘While the crime rate fell in the area of the police opera: ‘bon, It soared in the adjoining

"200 people — mainly Black youth ~ attended @ meeting Yo discuss the situation. A call for a street meeting in All Saints Road was overwhelmingly supported.

“Traditional Black community leaders: Gneluding Frank Critchiow, owner of the Mangrove Cate in All Saints oad, scene of earlier clashes between Black youth and policel lent theie weight to the eal

"The majority of Kensington CLP officers "also supported the protest. Leaflets urged the community to join with the youth in demonstrating ‘against. the police presence ‘and calling for a reduction in fension and a peaceful Carnival.

‘A motion was passed st 2 Local Government Committee ‘asking all Labour councilors to ‘sttend the all Saints Fload sthering

But inthe week before the ‘meeting, the Black community Ieaders disowned the action. stating that they didn't want to escalate the situation. In the confusion which followed: some people beloved that the police had struck 2 dea! with the community leaders.

‘Although this was not tue, the street meeting was nots success. Only 5 out of 15 Labour councttors tured up, and even fewer Labour Party members. At 2 subsequent meeting of the GC, CL of ficers came under attack for their decision to support and publicise the all Saints Road

LISTINGS

Send details of events in London to Labour Briefing, PO Box 457, London SW2 5UZ, or

SUN SEPT 13 4 Memorial for Steve Biko pm, Notting Hil Methodist Church, 240 Lancaster Road, WIT. Organised by AntiApartheid & Southern Africa the Imprisoned Society

phone them in on 733 7016. Please include access details.

‘Labour Committee on Ireland London AGM. 11-5, Teatro Techie, Crowndale Road, NWt

+ Burston School rally & Picnic. 73rd anniversary of longest strike in history TGWU sponsored. 9.308m ‘onwards, march at 11.40am.

‘dents since they were set up ‘fer the 1977 nots and this ‘year over 2 malin people en: Joyed the sunshine and music.

TRiwas the police decision to

Of confusion in which the later Violence exploded,

‘The methods they employed — normal Land Flovers reploced by riot protected vehicies, riot squads appearing without warning on streets filled with innocent revellers — uaronteed resistance from dispossessed youth already angry at months of police farazement|

‘There were incidents of detberste provocation by the police. One eye witness Feported 2 scene where the Police decided to tensfer an ‘rested person from one van to another — and went to ‘reat lengths to carry this out In the view of 2 crowd of car ‘val goers they had penned in to 8. vantage-point beforehand.

The police have been suc: ccesstulim thew concerted com: pBaign against Carnival ond the ‘Sommunity. The Labour Party Fesponse hasbeen ‘unimpressive.

Westminster Workers

Union activist victimised

The struggle against privatisation in Westminster has claimed its first vietim.

Steve Harris, an organiser of NUPE rank. and. file resistance to Lady Porter's plans, is now being victimised by management, apparently with mo help fortheoming” from union officers.

Steve, a founder member of Westminster Workers against the Cuts (WWAC), is a shop steward for the sweepers, and has always publicly ‘opposed privat tion and in-house tendering,

He has now been disciplined for absence from work wheh visiting his mother, who is seriously ill, and for taking sick leave himself, although on both ‘occasions he had taken care to phone in, as required.

Two council officers have been to his home, entering without permission and questioning his neighbours.

His protected overtime pay has been stopped. He is constantly watched.

‘Such large _ deductions have been made from his pay packet that he is no longer getting a living wage — £40 a week does not cover his rent, let alone such minor items as food and travel.

Obviously the Council is

trying to starve Steve out in an effort to pick off the leaders of WWAC one by cone, thus frecing itself to in. Uimidate the rest of the workforce

The two NUPE Branch secretaries, Len Showell and Larry Quilty, have done nothing. They'seem more intent on conniving with the Tories to push through privatisation than in Organising resistance or protecting workers’ rights.

By Paula Watson ‘Westminster South CLP

Steve and WWAC are guilty of what they see as the crime of trying: to publicise the threat posed by privatisation and in-house tendering to jobs, pay and conditions.

Mobilisation in support of Steve and WWAC is urgently needed. But another probblem has’ emerged: the attitude of the Labour Group on Westminster City Council.

Many of the group seem curiously reluctant to give any political leadership. They “keep away from WWAC meetings and seem afraid of offending the NUPE Bureaucracy.

‘At the last meeting of the Local Government Commit-

ACTTS boycott hits equal ops

Greenwich Council's Women’s Unit is being boycotted by the local TGWU ACTSS branch — because of plans to give the unit extra funds, ‘cluding money for an Asian ‘Women’s Centre

The low point of the action came when the Coun. cil switchboard operators refused to put through an emergency call to. the Women's Unit.

The father of one of the unit's workers had suffered ¢ heart attack. The operator refused 0 respond to the Sistrought’ relative on the phone.

The ‘switchboard operators ‘are now taking further action luntil they recetve an apology from the Women's Unit who complained about the blocking of the emergency call

‘Mesnwhile, the Women's

Unit has also been hit by 8 refusal of the print. shop to print its work and the non: Collection and delivery of its

post

‘Both NALGO and the NUPE Officers Branch have passed resolutions supporting the Women's Unit and condemn ‘ng the ACTSS action.

By Mandy Moore Tottenham CLP

Management have been making noises of support but taking little action even though the ACTSS Branch in Greenwich, and its secretary Charlie Maslin, have along Ristory of rabid opposition to equal opportunities policies ‘Masin opposed the appointment of the Women's Officer ond. the Police Committee

tee they voted down a motion calling for a councillor to act as liaison between the Group and WWAC, claiming that Clr Richard Nichols was already responsible for relations with the unions.

This conveniently ignored the fact that Nicholls, and this is no criticism of him, is supposed to deal with ail the unions and is anyway heavily. involved in struggles within British Telecom — leaving him insufficient time to cope with privatisation, a major and urgent concern i ‘Westminster

Even more disturbing was the view expressed by many of the councillors that it was not part of their job to intervene in an internal union dispute. This is surely a complete abdication of their

ties to workers in

responsi struggle. ‘The Labour Group should

throw its whole weight behind WWAC to protect Steve, to ensure that all the facts are widely publicised, and to help organise effective resistance — which must mean a Westminster-wide strike.

WWAC will be putting up candidates against Showell and Quilty in the next union elections in September. Briefing urges all. NUPE members in Westminster to support the = WWAC ‘candidates,

Support Unit Officer when they were first agieed by the Council. He "has also vociferously opposed. the Counci's lesbian and gay Tights policy

Dave Picton, leader of the Council, has written twice to staff about the action, confir ‘ming the Council's commit ment to equal opportunities, Saying:

"The purpose of this letter ‘sto ‘advise all council employees that, inthe absence of a resumption of Formal working, any individual ‘who refuses to undertake the full’ range of duties and responsibilities of their post wil be regarded as being in breach of their contract.

‘That was on August 3rd, ‘The action by the switchboard operators is continuing. The Women's Unit is being prevented (rom carrying out ite work and its workers feel they are being victimised.

Tis sienply not acceptable

THURS SEPT 17 Cowisham Fightback! Spm, Depttord Town Hal, New Cross Road, SE14. Organised by Left Forum. Speakers: Cllr lon Stockbridge, local trade unions, London Bridge

SAT OCT 3 Movement for Civil Rights & Justice. Brosdwater Farm ‘demonstration. Details: Ot 808 1667,

TUE oct 6 Lewisham Anti-apartheid meeting. Albany, Douglas

Way, Deptford, SES. Chair Joan’ Fugdock MP.

Winding Wheel Centre, Chesterfield. Organised by Campaign Group MPs, Socialist Society. Conference of Socialist Economists. Details: 01 734 8501

#TUE NOV 3. 5. London LCt public necting. Birmingham 6 & Guilatora 4. 8pm, Room 119, Lambeth Town Hall

#SAT NOV 28 Employment Discrimination. LC! Conference. Camden Centre, King’s Cross, NW1

Evening Class So

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that trade union action shows be taken against other trade unionists inthis manner. If ACTSS has. a policy disagree ment with the Council then it Should thrash it out with the local Labour Party which draw up the policy in the fist place.

‘The NALGO shop, which includes the Women's Unit workers, Unanimously. voted 0 "take all action possible 10 undermine the ACTSS/TGWU, action — including crossing ‘hele picket fines."

Many members of other trade unions share ths view I ACTSS step up their action ot ‘bring about disciplinary action against their own members they will get little solidarity oF support.