Labour Briefing no. 36

NCU strikers picket in Farringdon Road

RALLY ROUND THE TELECOMS

ENGINEERS!

By Pete Cooper NCU, London West and

Mick McKeever

Long Distance Faraday

The first all-out indefinite strike ever by National Communications Union British Telecom engineering members looks set to continue for some weeks.

The National Executive Council declared the strike after most engineers had been locked out by BT for refusing management's demands to work “as directed’ — including compulsory overtime and working whenever and wherever required.

Scabbing is minimal. This shows the NCU members’ depth of outrage at management's high handedness.

The strings which festoon BT‘s offer are about creating a lower paid, smaller — which they describe as “‘flexible’ — workforce.

Business Week recently pointed out that the nationalised French telephone service, with a smilarly sized network employs 70,000 fewer staff than BT’s 225,000. This fight is about jobs.

But the stakes for BT. its controlling shareholder the Tory government, and the City are far higher. They need to smash the power of a union which can hold the City to ransom. They are also desperate to prevent a campaign by a strong and undefeated union for implementation of even Labour's diluted “‘social ownership’’ proposals for BT.

BT — the most profitable company in Europe — is too giittering a prize to let slip without a fight. With the union broken they know they can handle a docile Kinnock/Hatersley government.

We demand support from the Labour Party leadership, and from the TUC — but do not expect it, as our struggle cuts across Labour's “‘respectable” election strategy even more so than the miners’ strike did.

{In our favour will be the effect of the deterioration of the telephone network on business and the City. Management personnel ard the few scabs wil be hard put to maintain an acceptable level of service. If clerical grades stay solid, ‘their action in support of their own claim will put the squeeze on the corporation’s cashflow and future business,

INSIDE

@ Wapping anniversary Our economics @ Local Government Conference @Briefing Conference

@E! Salvador

PHOTO: Jez Coulson (iL)

NCU strikers picket in Westminster

The Claim

10% and no strings (though Golding forgot this!). Separate negotiations on regrading proposals.

The Offer

5.02% on basic rates and £215 for acceptance and implementation of regrading proposals, payable locally, in stages

The ‘Strings’

1. Abolition of job demarcation so that one engineer could carry out many duties, giving BT a totally flexible workforce.

2. The abolition of all nationally agreed ratios between grades. This would effectively abolish higher grades and block promotion avenues.

3, The extension of normal working hours to between 7am and 7pm To which BT has now added

4. The abolition of the 9 day fortnight working arrangements.

There

ill be a massive media campaign against us. ‘Stories of the elderly being cut off will be used to condemn us. The government will weep crocodile tears for the same elderly people who were only worth a fiver in the cold weather

The union offered “life and limb’? cover, but was turned down by management. This campaign can be turned round as it becomes clear that management is. prioritising business over residential customers in its own emergency cover

Isolation of the strikers can become a problem, especially in London, where they often live far from th workplaces. Picketting rotas, regular mass meetings and social events can help overcome this. An active and

ed membership is also the best guarantee against

any sell-out moves by the leadership.

it was Golding after all who proposed the jobs for conditions package in the first place, He and the NEC have been dragged along behind the membership at every

He will be trying might and main to get the strike

called off on any terms at the slightest hint of a weakening in the struggle

Labour movement solidarity will be vital, in preventing the use of contractors like Plesseys to do maintenance work, to collect funds(NCU pays no strike pay) and to counter media fies. Contact your local NCU branch to see how you can help: in many areas, the most effective form of support organisation will be to revive the miners’ Support group networks.

This strike is also an opportunity for us to explain the meaning of privatisation in terms of deteriorating pay, working conditions and service to the public. Tell Sid!

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 2

Home News

No relief for Guinness

“Reliet for the the shares inthis highly dubious Guinnless”, the By Jane Prust Steam Boesky, the Wall Street successful ' advertising Deptford CLP fae eine poe campaign run bY and flonase deal andl, aes lee ee, Rowland Sheret imo: Distillers at the end of

probably now _ being viewed with nostalgia by fourteenth largex Distier: the Guinness board of stareholder_

directors. a

1985, ‘became the

Scottish Labour Briefing

Relief for Guinness looks Loca: veils fresh scandals, and ‘on, = epevalen

than ainepins.

Guinness’s” problems began in 1985, when they joined battle with the Argyll

roup of G ‘Campbelltown. Grocer’ ames Guliver, in one of che biggest and most publicised takeover battles ever seen in Britain,

The object of the bale was the "Distillers Company, Mmansfacturers of Haig. Johnie Walker, Dewan, - Claymore, White Horse-and many more

Distillers “dominates the Scottish whiskey industry and is 4 major employer in Scotland. The “Guinness Group successfully outbid Argyll, but fever since has been racked bs Sandal and controversy

Ernest Saunders, who headed ‘Guinness in their successful bid, has now been sacked. $ months after being given total command ‘ver the Guinness empire. With him have gone 3 other directors anda. umber of senior management staf provided by @ US" management consultancy firm

Ih their fight to take control ‘of Distiller, she Saunders team

Guinness. were somewhat

ree” with their cash. The new ffer at its hands. halt of the board, Sir Norman r Scottish MacFarlane, has revealed that movement can use the Guinness

fo 2 high risk fund rum by Boesky. Shareholders were not informed of the decision at the

organised through Bank 1.

The real issut at stake bet

not the antics of a bunch of

inanciers. It is

‘acknowledged that

sider dealing and other forms

‘on in the Ci

was to get caught with ther ands in the all.

houses is high on the agenda for

Guinness won the takeover the rector Olivier ROUX was

Leeds anti-deportation campaign Save Rose and Brian

Though Rose Alaso and her son Brian entered this, country legally in 1979, they have faced the threat of deportation since 1983.

In. 1974, Rose and her

times given them refuge.

Rose is a member of NALGO, which i fully backing her fight to stay inthis country.

The campaign against her ‘deportation has been bedevilled by'a series of mysterious events. First, the police broke into Rose's flat looking for a dead

charged with not paying a taxi fare and assaulting a policeman, She was held for ten hours in 8 local” police station. After" a series ‘of court hearkngs, the ‘charge of not paying the taxi fare was dropped. No evidence was ever produced. The assault, Gharge was reduced 50. that It

family fled Uganda to inom be, heard bere neighbourin Kenya. = fagistrates, rather than fa the pe pannie? Kenya. By Cllr Garth Frankland Crown Cou y feces Seep rani 7°77 The Campaign is calling on lag ice all supporters (opicket the Tesets< Meret Magistrates" Court on February brother and their “family jody. There was no body and 11th, a 9.30am, at Leeds Town

members were murdered by government troops.

Again the family was forced fo Mee, and the governments of West Germany, USA and Tanzania have all at various

Hall.

For more information about ie ‘Campaign ‘write to Save Rose and Brian Campaign. Bor 40.1.0.P., 46 The Calls, Leeds

tno biood, and the phone box from which — the police supposedly received the call about the body had been out of ‘order for months

Then, lust” vear,

Jailed for opposing gas chambers

Three lesbians and nine gay men, all between 17 over 50.000 homosexuals in and 25, spent a week in 988, chembers and tabour gangs Sentence without even a ta jail after 2 protest aii twelve were charged Some police told us they organised by the with threatening. behaviour. agreed with Browntil, ond we Lesbian and Gay Youth and one of the women. who got fascist, antrgay and AIDS Movement against a had complained of assault — shuse from police ond screws Tory, Councilor who Suna heaves, washers! Wa now know what 0 expock called for the gassing of charged with essauting to for opposing Nevis, Thay gt icemen protection, Wo go 10 j gays. Next day. the police asked Decree oF aloe The twelve were 1h@ court to remand the February 23/24, when they arrested in Wombourne, Staffs, on December 21st.

him of the Nazis’ murder of In effect," say the demonstrators, “the police

forced got_us 8 week's prison

twelve in custody for seven reappear at Seisden days over Christmas. claiming Magistrates Court in that names and addresses — Wombourne. A public meeting

while" peacefully coud "not be verified The has been ‘called at the Red demonstrating in the protestors say at least four Rose Centre in Islington, garden of Bill Brownhill, Sdcresses had been checked London NT. at 7-30pem, OF

leader of South Staffs the night before. January 28th, and a defence

District Council Prosacutor and magistrates fund set up. have been slammed by the Brownhil's remsrks that defendants’ solicitor, Louise Contact the _Wombéume

he'd gas 90% of queers” to halt AIDS had been widely reported in the media, and the demonstrators were reminding

Twelve Defence Campaign, clo GYM, London WEIN 3XX. Tel 01-833 3912,

Sentence would be unlikely

Shares were sold to” Down onthe cheque which paid for us.all

Second inquest opens on speeding victim

Hampshire Police above the law?

Police in action: a law unto themsetves:

Retired civil servant Richard Watterson was killed by a speeding police car as he tempted to cross the street in February 1984.

Two years later, anew inquest into the

Cortina — but

speeding sminesses saw no other vebiele and the police did not make &

fadio eatl about i

Nor was the police car using its blue fights) and two-tone horn, and it appears not to have

itcumstances “een ‘sing is malt! beat of his. death is being held at Peet, Wsine Is Alton Magistrates Court are The first inquest mas held The police apcar unvilling 10 without the required Jury and acknowledge their errors and as quashed on application therefore unable io draw the from Mr Watterson’s family. necessary lessons from” the “The police investigation into accident, Their attitude that we accident was a fartago of they are above the law, in

. inadequacy, and ishonesty. It was caried out by a constable from the department of Hat police asthe diver in qu The investigation attempted , to play down the speed a which the ear-was traveling (estimated by independent caleul Keast-6Smph_ in a 30mph Zone), The. police also. claim ustified by their pursuit of

Hampshire as elsewhet menace 10 all of is.

For further information

(On the Waterson ease ict Richends Power ee) O1-9R0 9119 oF

O1-987 5505; ‘On the campaign by: Vici

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 3

Editorial

BRIEFING

ZASOUR — TAKE THE POWERE

Socialist policies for a Labour victory!

Even if working only from Labour conference policies, a radical programme could” be

With by-elections in Greenwich and Truro,

and, local authority constitured that would grab the elections in most parts of —Smagination "of the working the country, Thatcher class, making. links bei will have ‘plenty of | !oeal_ and national “issues

could inciude (@ Official support to those who have been at the fron

opportunity to adjust the timing of a General

Election to suit the Tories i» fighing the “Tones ‘en eoverment to. Gift the The Labour response surcharges and disqualifications must not wait until an from Lambeth and Live:poo lection Is called. Neil councillors and rimburse them Kinnock Seems, be and to. reinstate the sacked unching: the Partyrs—‘stimised mincrs and gran an

lection campaign — and the &™=sy to those jails

@A. pledge massively 0

government grants stolen trom

mining communities of th 1979, and pledge

Yorkshire, where miners and

backbone of the 1984/5 immigration laws: support

strike and are still fighting

Diack strugeles against facial the bosses’ attacks, could be a bares

Violence and harassient. and

fan excellent setting for spread the example of those launching Labour local authorities that have campaign on socialist fought racism and taken a stand policies for’ equal opportunities for

black people ‘eSupport and build campaigns of women for the

renationalisation of privatised industries and services — and remove the threat of a similar

Fight to work, for adequate fate from thousands of local Child care, against low pay and authority workers.

against attacks on soc ‘@plcdge to. restore. benefit ‘SEcurityand-ights at_w levels — particularly pensions Ensure that the Minis "as well a6. introducing =

Women Is property responsive. t0 the needs and demands “of working dass women Neil Kinnock could raise them ‘@A massive cash injection to all with the authority "of enable the NHS to regain the Conference policy. If we did so, und lost under Thatcher, we could win an election — with finked 10 ‘commitment 10 buckets of votes t0 spare

national minimum age. These are not by any means revolutionary demands: indeed

year could also offer millions of A clear commitment to working class people aod all the

fight antilesbian end anti-gay specially oppressed a real way

bigotry at every level inside and forward, in partnership with tbe ‘outside the labour mavement, Labour Party, to fight for a Seeking to build on Haringey socialist society

Counci’s kad in implementing ‘But the Labour Party Labour's policy on Lesbian and leadership will offer mone of Gay rights. these things.

Close all US-tases, scrap Defend Lambeth and British nuclear weapons, and Liverpool councillors? The remove the threat of war miners? No! Our leaders can

"eClose the nuclear power ouldo. the Tories in their stations, and develop an critickm of “loony lefties” who

frmative energy programme fight the class strugele They te rebuild the coal industry cart wait to. throw out

@Take the side of the campaigning councillors, while thousands of workers whose they do nothing abut the scabs

‘wages and conditions have been attacked under the Tories; pledge fullseale

of the UDM being members and epeesentatives of the Labour Pany

Rights for women? No! Neil 'm a reactionary” Kinnock dida't even want the Women's Minister in “hie” cabinet; even the Shadow Cabinet is ll male!

Liberation for lesbians and

gay_men? No! The NEC yaically recommended support or the Lesbian and Gay

rewlution at Party conference as-4 way out of implementing = or even wanting to talk about

Instead of real jobs, Lubour offers “tjobs and industry” “ampaigns aimed at persuadin the bosses to fake on a few more workers — teling workers 10 be Restrained” about the wage: wwe want for these jobs. Local Authorities have been told they ‘won't get a “blank cheque" tc rake up for the years of Tory

Instead of a bold defence ot Labour's unilateralist policy the first people Neil wants tc appease. are. the | Americans. When’ ic comes 10. nvclea power, "Jack Cunnigham's Personal interests stand above these of the entire working class — and so it z0es on

So why doesn’t the Labour leadership embrace the cause of the working class and all the oppressed, and ride to office on 2'tde of support for socialism?

Because although they want to see Neil in No. 10, and a few reforms, they are not unhappy with capitalism as a. system. They aren't prepared 10 ta any measures that might challenge the fundamentals of Capitalism and the power of the ne That's why. they ‘vant any. movement that calls Tor those meaures 10 be silenced

"The problems they refuse to

122 WON"! g0 away. Nor Will the working class, demanding jobs, 2 living wage, houses, and basic Social services. That's why we wwon't be silenced. We won't £0 aay.

We don't want another Tory government, or a coalition, with the Alliance sharing power

We'll fight fora Labour government — but we fotice that we will be fighting Tor socialism before, during and after any” general election campaign

jo08095000000

Briefing has organised a notional conference — Socialist Policies for a Labour Victory — or details see Building Briefing. ‘page 12

soocoonoo0dar

A travesty of justice

When Inspector Lovelock walked free from the Old Bailey, a bloody chapter was added to the history of police oppression of the black community.

The “‘not auilty”’ verdict was a breathtaking miscarriage of justice which was treated with anger and disgust by the black community.

Police carrying out the raid did not know what the person they were after looked ike, except that he was black. And that seemed to be sufficient.

Lovelock shot the first “‘black shape’’ he saw. It was shoot first, ask questions later. The police used sledge hammers as their calling card and a bullet as a lasting reminder of the special treatment meeted out to the black community,

The acquittal comes after “‘Operation Condor’’ and a stream of police inspired media stories, which make Brixton out to be the most violent inner city area this side of Beirut. The verdict seems to me to suggest that police can gun down black people with impunity and have the backing of the courts in doing so.

Julian Lewis, Chair Lambeth Police

Committee

(personal capacity)

Justice for Block people march: a moment's silence outside the I by her son feenire).

© of Chere Groce in Brixton, fed

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page

Trade Union Briefing

Building Worker column

Ballot-riggers sell us out

PHOTO: Workers’ ress

IETA teachers demonstrate against Boker’s Bill

‘The Baker Bill is a major

escalation of the Tory By Hilda Kean attack on the rights of Hackney South CLP, e. suspended ILTA.

trade unions to orgar If passed, it will impose member

Rather than support

Sicplinay kettes 0 all those ‘sho took part TLEA snow withdrawn

In the last article we wrote for Labour Briefing we highlighted examples proving that ballot rigging and electoral malpractices ‘were endemic in UCATT — all of this officially orchestrated.

This we explained was the result of the _ serious bureaucratic degeneration of the union over the last few

‘We now follow this up by illustrating how corruption within our union and the denial of democracy to the membership affects UCATT members in struggles — struggles which are invariably in line with

wwe can have nothing but contempt for these full-time collaborators and these laws which in fact ate designed to Geny the very democratic rights they so hypocriticaly pretend to be defending.

We only need to refer: the UCATT E.C. to the example of the Laing’s lock-out to show hhow to fight the Tory anti-union laws. Five rank” and fle members of UCATT successfully defied the Tory anti-union laws, the High Court nd the threat of massive fines and terms of imprisonment Which accompanied this. They defended Conterence policy!

By The Building Worker Group

A minor incident. “arose"* land quite simply, the “Special Branch” man sued instractions for the Secretary of the Building, Worker Group, Brian Higgins, UCATT, to be arresied,

He will sand tral on March 4th at 0am. in the Sutt ‘magistrates court at Wallington. We are asking people to come along and protest against this blatant and. sinister political arrest and trial!

OF course this kind of state interference can only be encouraged by raven performance of the national Keaderships of UCATT and TOWU and in UCATT’s case by. the denial of democratic Fights and freedoms to the rank and. file membership of UcarT,

upon teachers a contract of wervening in an official conference policy is on me ie Weetete ees SS a. Toles Ere a Spe Bete SSIS) nour added tothe GaP before AE TEA Sc eee eee ae a RNAS advance" denen) tea ee a eee ae Se ee ee witin UCATI mist be the

fidded to the working year; union was to make the strike jp" negotiations. Bodies | Laingslock out dispute. Two of Yewould le Man primary objective. and major task facing abr union

‘We would like to thank

larger classes; compulsory ficial, all_ members of ILTA negotiating the propased | these disputes involved the : 4 cover for absent staff council. were suspended from — jerriary colleges in Islington and TGWU in the official sell out to write a Building Worker membership today. tt is of the uni <otum in thee paper. But Bea peel ated

annual assessment and — ational executive _ member onference DOvY! ou, g eaegoricaly that asa rank and yacew uly, we need ah descriptions. secretaries of all Inner London were sacked by McCarthy independent of any politica! front of all. the democratic

The Bill means the per and Sie other ynilateraily by ILEA. ‘Stone, retirement home builders Rl eon oa Low oh oad forces in the union prepared to festruction of teacher trade cig oe in lak won. 3% it the same time, we have whom?), at tar Roa + io at seertere 9 fight around a programme of destruction of teacher trade Haren USS A cumat had Att ave | (for whom?) at Cedar Road, $C pants who Fight around a programe of

unionism and the further also learned of ILEA proposals | Sutton, inspite ofa union/man:

soted for 2 motion calling fe Campaign and organise around 3

thus threat to all public he.” strike, denpite the | TERCEIE, oR Pard-von. |The mo i dniow see, ee We of course suppor ee are rank labour “movement as a peting of ove Int opposion (0 the ‘akce Bil | pelcr gn uesoh on Monday, democratic struggles within the 16'the present S man Tull time whole. sessed een ai is to be built throughout th Rovember 10th. To their ast struggle where and when ‘exgeutive;

MThe NUT Executive hes On January th hundreds of trade union and. labour | tremendous credit they stopped Posie ior an anmval_ deeene to Baker is a deal stitched up 6,000 teachers went on strike resolutions mh wards, “The employers applied for = ORES Tresemt once cvery IO year

Fohudes “nearly all) “the actions of" the” suspended Solidarity with the suspended | But the 1986 UCATT basic democratic rights and UCATT member 10 Dominic

BBridiions of service that Baker members of ILTA™ Council members of ILTA Council who | National Delegate Conference freedoms by our forebears in Helier

wits pimogse on eches _ffited the withes of Condon are" in he forcgont of whe | voted dematraialy and the movenem then hee ould, 10 futher te re Executive position was teachers. ‘campaign against Baker. Deerwhelmingly that our uaion be no ade union and labour” such. a campaige a public

endorsed by a small overall oa oe ign each London's teachers have built | should officially oppose the movement as we know il today! meeting has been called in the

majority at @ special union ¢ tally of striking teachers se tradition of supporing | Tory. anti-union laws and However, even after the small rooms of the Conway

wpa Conference and in sbssquent Nasadresedby aGCHQ de Chics rade umsonnts and abour | support any members, in UCATT Exccuve “Councils Hall, Holborp, London, from fall of the membeship, Far Ubon resentative frOm SUsorc mn wragse LTA m | Spal agaist those laws! But Snuruction, some, f the lads Ipmto dpm, Sturday February fim showing Baker that the HCE NALCO. th visonal Sow, in itu asking for | of couse the aroveing fal dened co de ibe Excite, Mh

NUT vas rm in tsapposiion, Seretary of NAS/UWT, 20.2. Soest of all wade unions cowards who mal Sando carry on picketing They There will be wade union and the steepance of the ACAS Fokoperson | fom the A about Party members. | UCATT Ex sree supported in their actions poll speakers presen. Tete desis deiveredtheunioninco Campaign Group oF MP~. The Pass relatos and send them | Secearyship ate ot interested by lags from around London, 1 an iauation <0 all pegple Baker's hands. ly voted unanimously tO” tothe NUT with copies to the | in union democracy including some from the Direct genuinely interested in building.

Throughout the'long salaries continue the ight against Baker 11-74 Defence Com Inline with the Toriesandthe Labour ofgamisations, the a. campaign Tor democracy in

inpwte; teachers; Mh Timer OY bane (or sasane SEE The Commuter sate. the "UCATT General London Jone Stev and the UCATT to come along. Bul we Landon fave ‘been the best Action when Bakr BUI Caurhs speakers, leafl SSoriary andthe, Exccuive Building Worker Group at course that there isa Organised and most militant. in f0,the House of Commons on for any Labour Council instructed the ment. in furtherance of this. crying need for democratic

The rally also

February, th. The rally also trade union bra Sihdraw the pickets and. to unofficial” -supnort, but in campaigas in every union in the

the disciplinary. bearings at | cease all acon against support of UCAT and TGWU UK,

the ACAS. ballot, London teachers voted overwhelmingly

feinstatement of all suspended

for rejection of the Nottingham a ee Hamilton House is | MeCanny Stone in the UK! Conference policies, & The meeting is supported by de Seabexch JETS carl in seimdating ILTA Counct. | This diseusting betrayal and delegation from the Building the Southwark, Islington and ‘Git December 10th, a mecting Although the Labour Party Thestrikecall foc February F91h' | collaboration “withthe. Worker, Group was on the Hackney DLO Building Works of the Divisonal Council of the nationallyvhas opposed Baker's isthe Teachers are | employers, Tories and state was picket fine on December 10th Shop Stewards | Committees, Inner London Teachers Bill, London's teachers have involved in long and har theguise of thenesd [ast year. Among the police and” the Building Worker Assocation” (NUT) voted recived little. support. from carpal rade | UCATT funds and ‘was one in plain Group,

unanimously for industrial Labour-contratled Inner Union Panty fom contempt of post ceniainly The. workers, mited, will faction againt Baker on January London Education Authority member our Special Brant man. never be defeated!

Management offensive derailed — for the moment

10 be plans, determined as thay are

The blitzkrieg on tube management have been signed 2 new union membership, are under miners of not workers’ pay. jobs and forced to return to the employment agr Sry illusions thet this #2 the avoided at all co by the Tories” need to cut all Tondtions by London negotiating table on all the end of the story Ghee dhe miners ned been workers ving stndards by a Regional Transport and the disputed issues and to spite Prewous expetance in cofented, a gem leprae igopenve ine

management of London abide by the negotiating

fon of ond person 20t) 1985 was introduced. “privateers”, cant ‘only be

| has been tempor: have not los my District. Line i$ fresh in strike from that date which action. Continuing — the: In the recent secret BY Patrick Nonagermont have simply all costs any further ‘defeat ballot, a massive five to NUR formed umvon negotiators at like May 20th 1985 is the task

——_ ai levels of @ neverending’ ol the” NUR District Counc

jong mandate was secured

| in tavour of the union's : = : series of implementetion dates and National Executive, | action and the threat of 3 canteen workers. Previously factor was that this wes competitive tendering and the about the implications of the | 24 hour strike followed by management had been funng the 1964-5 miners’ resultant. introduction of dustrial action being

| ins 4

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page $

Trade Union Briefing

Trade Union News In Brief

Silentnight Fight On

‘The Silentnight strike is over — official

At least that’s the view taken by the Furnituce, Timber and Allied Trades Union of the 18 month long dispute involving is members and the bedding firm based in North Lancashire and Yorkshire

‘Yet the members stil on strike take a different view. Some 80 workers remain in dispute, picketing the plant and calling for a boycott of beds. They are incensed at the unanimous decision of the “"progressive”” TAT Executive in pulling the plag on the Spurious grounds that the dispute is “no longer winnable

In abandoning the dispute because the employer refuses to negoriate, FTAT have given a green hight 1o other employers cur rently in dispute inthe industry. By failing to mobilise support for the picket lines and boycott campaign, they have lose the oppoetunity to Force the employer Trom its position of scent

The strikers haye appealed for continued support. Already the Lancashire Association of Trades Councils, Preston, Burnley end Blackbucn ‘Trades Concils have responded positively. Othe lahour movement bodies should foliow suit and demand that FTAT support their members ia the fight for union organisation in ne iodste

CPSA

On January 12th, 25 Unemployment Benefit Offices in London ‘wore shut by @ one-day strike agaist the planned introduction of Availabilty Testing

Initiated by acivists in London Ragion CPSA Department of Employment Section, the action culminated in a lively seven: ty-=strong picket of Department of Employment headquarters in Westminster

‘Availability Testing is the government's latest scheme to get claimants off the register by making them answer tick ques tions about their readiness for work. It is expected to reduce the unemployment figures by 6%, thus improving the Tories slectoral chances, further attacking the unemployed, and pro: viding an excuse to cut jobs in USOs.

Sadly, the national leadership of the CPSA DE Section dominated by the right wing “moderates” and the soft lst. ‘etused to give the strike official backing. They say we should ot oppose the tests themscives ("too political”) but simply demand more staff to adminster them.

Hypocriticaly, they claim they want to give the fight against ethnie monstorng priory

Rank and file activists in the DE, including supporters of the bulletin Workhouse, are naw planring how to buld on the JJanuaty 12th success and pressure their leadership into taking real action

By @ CPSA member

Hangers’ Women’s Support Group on the Move

It is the general consensus in the rade union and labour move. ‘ment that the Miners Strike would not have lasted as long as t id Without the help of the women's support groups

Has easier for these to be setup since the striking miners were concentrated in ‘illages. At Hangers aad at Wapping, the ‘workforce is scattered throughout the South East

Even s0, several wives and mothers of the 300 sacked artificial limbmakers at Hangers decided to set up a support group. At their inaugural meeting on 26th. Ociober 1986, Yorkshie Women Against Pit Closures and SOGAT women from Wapping sbared their experiences on strike with the 28 women who attended the launch

They discussed various ways to help their husbands and Families [emotionally, financially and physically on the picket line. The Hanger’s Women’s Support Group has been extremely successful at fundraising, raising 1642 s0 far. They've held Women's pickets, ‘organised a children’s disco and a Christmas party. They've spoken fat-meetings throughout London, held street stalls and heiped Hangers be the largest contingent on the Jarrow March when they ‘marched through London

‘AI their meeting on Hith January 1987, the women discussed the pressures on their tamilies, especially where both patents are active Inthe dispute. Problems occur with childcare responsibilities when lying 10 be on the picket line By 7.00am.

Hanger's management have threatened 10 close down the Roehampton plant by 28th January if there's no further agreement by the unions by 5.30pm on the 27th,

‘Sadly, three people erossed the picket line last week For the Fist time in four months. One changed his mind after an hour back in fd now only two women are still going in

Please send messages of support and=or money 10° Women’s Support Group for Hanger’s, co Sue Blease, 231 Tildesey Road, London, SW1S.

‘Kathy Pick, Wandsworth Councillor, Putney CLP

National Justice for

: Mineworkers National Justice for Cunein Mineworkers (South East Region} Campaign Joint public meeting with

NUM, Hangers, (South East Region) printworkers, Silentnight

MINERS BENEFIT ‘Speakers:

with Peter Heathfield, Irene Hangers, Silentnight, Scott (Silentnight), Alan Printworkers Barnes (Hangers). Liz at Wembley Conference Short (printworkers). Centre 7.30pm 7.30 Sunday 1st March Friday 30th January (date and artistes to be Conway Hall, Red Lion confirmed) ‘Square, London WC1

NO RETREAT AT NEWS INTERNATIONAL

~ soGAT

CULRICAL C24 PEL

Trade unionists, women, local residents and many supporters have marched et Wapping at intervals

throughout the dispute.

We go to press just after the ‘magnificent display of solidarity with the printworkers shown at their anniversary march and rally.

The size of the event showed not only the strength (of support for the strikers, bur also. how effective solidarity action can be in discupting- Murdoch's operations. if mass picketting action on. the gates of Fortress Wapping is backed up with solidarit from other trade unionists = including those in SOGAT — ill handling material for News International, Murdoch can still be brought to his knees.

The anniversary action comes on. the heels of a ballot ‘rejection by | the SOGAT membership of a national levy for the strikers. The Executive Committee of

SOGAT had power to saise this levy without a ballot. Having decided to ballot, they utterly failed to mount any campaign in the regions, and in London all it amounted to was a glossy magazine. twas undoubtedly a deliberate act of sabotage.

ith a 56.2% turn-out, 51,187 voted against the S8p per week levy, while 44,265 supported it. As expected, all the London branches backed the levy, although the turn-out was low even here.

‘What is to be feared now is that the ballot result wil be used by the national leadership 10 withdraw suport from the strike. Already there are talks of withdrawing support for the boycott. campaign — the ‘main plank of the national leadership's “strategy

By John Tuite

While clearing the decks with the media in this general election year may be convenient for Kinnock, for the News International strikers. who have solidly fejected Dean's deals by ballot it isa stab in the back. Meanwhile Murdoch may be taking SOGAT back to court over the spontaneous action at the Wapping gates by about three hundred strikers. who decided six pickets was just a bit too small. A financial penalty would be most likely It_ is the sorry siate of SOGAT finances that is ostensibly the reason bebind discussions on

is going on. behind closed doors at present. The question of amalgamation

with the NGA may eventually be posed.

The Fleet Street Support Unit supports the idea of one union for the industry, bur demands the membership should he in on the discussion. Perhaps the tational ~ leadership of SOGAT are aiming for a regional structure like the NGA's, that would cur out the strength of the London branches, who are a thorn in their side.

So it is important in response to the restructuring of both the industry and the unions that the NUJ broad left has invited members of the other print unions to meet at the end of the month to discuss the future of the industry. A national plan for the industry is vital if the bosses are not to continue dividing resistance regionally and locally

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 6

Labour Party

Labour Party Black Sections:

Victories of ’86: aims for 1987!

The Labour Party Black 1986 was the discrediting of the - Sections approach their divisively-named “Black and By Narendra Makanji fourth annual national Asin Advsor Commitee” Secretary, Labour Party conference tn Nottingham the seventh atlempt by the Party i. y ser Mtarch “14th faving bosses (0 establish a nco- Black Sect

increased their support Soe milion Black votes

within. bead Black It -was shunned by conscious International Communiites and within the giacl’ people and by. the of Asana white-dominated — labour majority" of white” Party attentions of all LPBS movement. members. The chief advocate branches. Consumer boycotts

stepped up in Bristol and

This success has, in turn, for the setting up of BAC w

fed to vicious attacks from | failed to.attend a single meeting Nottingham; Tesco's new estore meecorbent and ings pn fame oer then. Rev’ sweencres Bee 8 ootboys on the streets, in TRI Counc cestions South Alta whl i he police force and’ in pioviged another boost for corporations such 5 immigration'department. ERS. ‘confounding all the Coca-Cola and Barclays pul é political commentators, In. the plug on Botha's :

ooh Upedon Boroughs with the Black Sexions joined with a i

« largest Black populations. and $ ee determined campaigning Black 8 Secilong. Labour 5

~ =

resounding victories. Eh Black councillors took Within the Labour Party. places ip Town Halls for Black Sections. secured two frst tim major objectives; Clr Amur» By the end of May. Khan and Kevin. Scally wer r¥ and Linda’ Belios. had feinsated as Party. members joined Bernie Grant as council after a campaign lasting 14 leaders. with scores. of athe months. Khan and Scally had occupying key positions in exposed the corruption in Councils. up and down the Hattersley’s Sparkbeook CLP; country Tor this service to the Party, Fleet Street went be dumped with phrases. like rubbish theses

Norendre Makanji addresses London Labour Party Conference

ancing a boil being uttered ensure that Black pol Throughout the year, actiom numbers and viciousness of ived_ widespread support by the podfathers would fail, of the government and Flet racial attacks, A mosque was Campaign. were moumed Facing certain defeat, ~The Tory cabinet a Thatcher and) Strect led to increasing numbers bombed, newsagents shop yet sainst racist visas, bombing of Hattersley was forced tomunch onslaught as o -marder of racist attacks all over the alight and petrol bombs thrown Libya, racist policing and in humble pie and recommend Haringey, Ealing and Country. The worst example through front windows bic popecnil ge Aecalbe heir reinstatement at his GC viciously, Brent revel Game last autumn when the The best that the Labour Kenure Plawics and Wheelers meeting last November Caning. Their facist. message’ some coastal owas. Nationally, Homé'Office conspired with a Party could do was to promise Restaurant (Brighton) Birmingham. City Council's was: “Black people aren't firte LPBS con: scab union — the Immigration “nen-racst immigration laws BS supporters have played a right wing Labour Group took — becouneillors, spokespersons.or as. st Service Union (nor affiiaed 10 ignoring the fact that ail dynamic role in all sections of Fevenge within days by sacking Parliamentary candidat while the TUC) — to introduce visa immigratidn laws have. been the Labour and Trades. Union Clic Phil Murphy a close ally The Labour Party machin Feauirements for visitors trom racist im intent and practice, movement and the sacvess and fof khan and @ lead backiracked as fast as (could, Sk Bisck countries Sei Kauimann the fighting spin display Stacie with one senior Party. offen Lanka, India, Niger, ‘voting in have struck a shord amongst a from. the Confiding to a journalist — of Pakistan, Bangladesh and ‘The Observer that there would Black people and socialisy, Murphy i expected to contest the record of course — th Ghana be no change when the Labo 1987 will be the key test: the the Chair of this committee at Labour would neither defend as an off Lurid headlines were splashed Party palicy was implemented, General lection will provide the Group's AGM aller the nor attack on thesssue of racism Smash Bl across the from pages; Black Ip. 1988, Black Setions the important. breakthrough, Council elections (May) when as “there were no votes init." It throughout newspapers. on the other hand, showed whose side we are on, The strugele to implement the the Black Section strength is appeared that the Sun and Daily why Black py Sete carrying stories. Policies “gn” police, Avania,aaticracit socialist policies and likely 19 be increased Mail were moce important than British withdrawal — from condemning the governmen immigration. race tacks und 10 remain accountable (0 Black ‘The other major wuecess of millions of Black voters. NATO. and reporting: the increasing jobs wete” published and people will vontinus,

Scottish Labour Briefing

Devolution poses question of power:

NUM challenges UK parliament

For the rise, by 5082. last month, Caterpillar Factory at despite modest falls in the BY Gordon Morgan

ae sec 1m prices in 1986 has caused 30,000 Glasgow Central CLP Sgn alg ay <

NCB has demanded

fectly possible that 3s Labour will ake

ity of Scotish seats. andl fetal have sorerament at Westminster The Glaxeow Herald have nicknammed thiv the

increased production targets. eMectively fght unemplosment. their

the New Year. The NCB has y<ciuion “polch, bold almost halved iis Scores, Devotion 1

PHOTO: tobe

workforce since the start of “<The Assembly will work MPs . ‘Doomsds) "scenario. Mo ae the Miners” strike deceit to deat with the Kinnoxh, who introduced the. It this cemarto thats bin Overall, in king appalling" problems of 408. verevKing amemdonem, imcteasingly, dicussed io the ‘ster Re a unemployment" eontinucs lunemplosment snd help to which made a impo eae ee eae) 10 yh Fagluion 10, the movement can supply the aS eS nt fesounding. silence trom the Scottish” Labour” “Pay 2 PP ee Labour leadership, Conference fram the NUM cali, Policies and leadership for a 2 0 When avked “What will yon for a campaign to establish an Uetine camapien “for ar do about 2 Scottish Assembl Asembly inthe next partiameny Assembly. 0 there no about — whalever the goverment in Stitt Labour ted vampaisn

i novessary Before an election

raising powers pveramem?”” Labour leaders — Westininster.

ith, in efleetive response tte a

lection IF Labour are deta.

roducing a Billa minsice and aot accepting

as ae ee

YT iis necessary to base an disruphion campaign at Aassombly "ander 4 Labour — Westminster, the establish School on Socialism and

A oa th neu. of a COmURUEG. AicmOnS in ‘Nationalisin : wh a Tay, or cl ‘Labour leadership City Hall Glesgow é undemoxrati Denis, Canavan MIP, amoniess “tive vaupaign.

Seottish miners on the march

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 7

Labour Party

Labour Local Government Conference

Wanted: action and money

The Labour Party’s Local Government Conference in Leeds on February 6-8th

cobble together a deal with Kinsock, Cunningham & Co. We won't rock the boat at the

should provide a major Coslerence,” thet arzumen platform for the | Party Bair” us out hen you're leadership fo imue an oa

tinequivocal statement of “These same borough leaders Support for all those Labour complied wih she. "dented councillors struggling (shied eather than Might

Fatecapping. but even so. they

defend jobs and services in . il haven‘ been able to extrac

the face of Tory sland

LSet sae! promises from the Party for! ‘procitiniog’ that a By Joan Twelves Labour government will Chief Whip, Lambeth

restore grants to 1979 levels, end restrictions on expenditure and restore ‘lected regional authorities

(personal capacity)

n NEC's Government Committee

Local hes

in London and the just published its plan for focal metropolitan counties government reform and this wil

have been articulated in

Bnd “the dented shied"; and resolutions to. annual Liverpoot and” Lambeth conference are included im the councillors were denouneed Tor document, andi should

therefore be welcomed But, although released to the

carrying out Party policy? Or of 1986, when only "99.9%. of

Labour councillors” were press, it has yer to be approved Worthy of support from the by the NEC. And the major Party leadership? pla Tabou's front

spokespersons 0

government have jus

the iyo

the Conference oF in Parliament? Over the last few

Wing London borough fave been ying te

Se

Unions and councillors must fight back together

weakness of the document — the lack of clear commitments fon finance and the lack of a timetable for implementation of feforms. — are precisely the the NEC oF the frontbench ‘We are told that rateca the personal surcharge 0 Councillors willbe abolished. Bur what’ about those councillors. who have already been surcharged? Will the legislation be. retrospective? Will the thowands of pounds paid ‘oat im court cons and Surchat There is absolutely no point jn abolishing the Rates” Act linles the Rate Support Grant is restored to at least 1979 levels and revenue expenditure are

‘consequences

authorities will role to play fo Job

focal authoe

thei

create jobs when

has to be 10 defend and

1 only jobs

cing workers made

Th options and 30 is

\echoice of

ie ee

We need a timetable for the implementation of reform. We old in Labour Weekly Grst ‘Party leaders insist thal

London, Scotland of England. “This is not good exo Leadon determin: ship now take ree Londos. which spells our im detail what

Kinnock sacks Buchan:

Media

‘Back in 1984: Norman Buchan, « newly appointed Aris Spokesperson, at the New Half Moon Theatre

POSTAGE STAMPS

‘Anew way of raising money for Briefing — painlessty! ‘Save us your used postage stamps: and send them in with your paper money or bring them to the Steering Committee. It wan't make us millions — but with your Help, we'll have “a nice little earner

On January 13th Neil Kinnock dismissed Norman Buchan as Shadow Minister of the Arts.

The tft came over the Home Policy Commtise's decision dump Buchan s proposal fan integrated Arts and Med Ministry, and to leave co of broadcasting in the hands

‘Of the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Ingustry

Buchan beleved that his

policy had Kinnock’s backing, Bnd had made this clear public. An integ

twathy Cabinet ave alowed th

to co-ordinate iis Poi

obal multinationals Oke Murdoch's News International print. video, fm, satelite, and

in Buchan's view the Ministry would have provi

the impetus for. radical initiatives in democratising the Cultura! Industries. Kinoock’s

‘amendment to Buchan’ paper fon Arts and the Media not only Undermined this position but made it impossible for Buchan fan inquiry. into broadcast and a new Arts Ministry w “This policy will not _upset those people in ower in the BBC of the commercial sector Wehae abaroonied da tins oF

reform deformed

cultural strategy for 3 Labour

issue is by 00

means closed. Meda Unions od 10 encouraging

‘on Cultural ‘demands tor

argument for systemat media reform. The proposals

exist. They, need to be Sebaied. modified, and nat and ultimately

The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom's ‘avaiable

London 5909) for this kind of

4 medis tetorm to be wiped out at the drop af

By Tom O'Malley for Spark collective Spark i 2 bi-monthly trade tesion and community publication baved in Harton Copies of Spark are available for 20p, from 40 Gratton Road, Harrow. 427 5909, 863

eds 10 be done 10 restore an the future of shire counties, Gecied strategic authority for The Local Government London and what its powers Conference needs 10 be a should be, Major lobbying will fighting, organising conference be taking place al the It needs to pledge support for Conference to win support for those souncils in the fromt line London's approach. of Tory allacks and in the front

There is also support from — fine of tackling the deprivation, outside London for pushing poverty, economic decline, and

hard on restoring @ GLC. Tt recognised that once London's

homelessness of the inner city "The Audit’ Commission is

regional authority’ is restored, about 10 launch a vious attack there is-a strong argument or on eight” London) Labour not delaying elsewhere. The boroughs, accusing them of mers" can hang on 10 inelficiency Waste, The London's coat-aits. national leadership must However, chere is also denounce this blatant piece of resistance to this approach, Tory propaganda, make it plain

particularly from Cunningham, that it will defend those councils

Sho has aever shown himself to all. the way, and that it be friend of the GLC or the recognises. through the Condon Labour Pariy. He commitmems it makes now, ‘would much prefer the Royal that the root cause of the Commission, “Green Paper, problems facing local Selaying approach in order 10 authorities isa lack of financial have 2 never-ending debate on resources

National Constitutional Committee

Ready for the task ahead

The National Constitu up to and Including tional Committee has ¢xpulsion. now been elected. Oe ee Four left members, — _"epfesentatives are clea CLP 1. to defeat or delay the exiy one TU tepeecentatice — Bulsion af socialists from the and one TU representative pulsion at x 3 =" tace seven determined — Farts by every means possiMie sioerss 2. to. ensure vilist Party

members are fully aware of the nature of the cases brought before the NCC and where the moves for expulsions are coming from.

‘The task is not an easy one but it is crucial if we are to fend the Paris: leadership's attacks on the left and the Party. back on che road {0 socialism.

The first’ meeting is on February Sth. We will then hegin to see just how

ht intends 10. use the new body

By Mandy Moore

CLP representative, Nec

standing orders, and rules of

The role of the NCC is to deal with disciplinary matfers referred to it by CLPs and the NEC and to hear appeals against the withdraWal of the Labour Whip,

the Party. and can impose punishment’ as it sees

Orange March in Exeter

To mark the 300th anniversary of King Wiliam of Orange landing in Devon, Exeter City Council have organised a pro: gramme of events in 1388, including a pageant in the town

Gn hearing of these proposals. Devon Labou! Briefing sup porters immadiatoly protested. Whatever his past role. King Bi fyis now @ prime symbol of loyalist bigotry in treland, and Celebrating his snniversary would be seen as a public state iment in support of it

in addition. given the close’ association between Ulster loyalists and mainland fascists, the celebrations would ‘n: evitably attract groups such as the NF to Exeter and allow therm fo gain s foothold in the ares

These arguments wan out at the November 1986 General Committee %sGC% of Exeter Labour Party, and we thought that was that ese December Griefing!s. However. the Labour Group on the Council voted to continue with the celebrations land, by procedural sleight of hand, this decision slipped past the December GC. Ar present the events are stil going ahead.

Jo make matters more serious, our arguments were contin ed'in's letter 19 the local press by Mark Catteni, South West Srganiser of the National Front. Cotteril supports the anniver sary and writes King Billy has become the symbol of the oyaist people of Ulster, and 20 he should... It ealebrating his Snniversary is seen by fish Republicans as the English identity ing with the Loyalist people of Ulster, so what, if the Republicans dont like it, hard luck ... the National Fron isthe Diy tive friend of the Ulster Loyalists here on the mainiané and we plan £0 put across ther message to the people of England Snd try and get their support. We have 2 lot of plans'in the pipeline for 1988, when we hope to bring our supporters fram Bl over the country 10 Devon.

IN the Labour Group goes ahews with the tercentenary events, wil not ony be taking a sectaran stand on lela but also contributing to the growth of fasewsm, It cannot be

Locally. a campaign against the celebrations. being arganis: od. We afe lobbonng the next Counc! meeting on Februaty 3, to be followed by a public mesting with speakers from the Uapour Committers on ireland and Anti Fascist Action. Sup port from all over thie country would be welcome. Pressure heeds to be put on the local Labour Party t0 take a strong stand Soainst the tercentenary. Got your organisation to pass 3 ‘esolution #p that effect and send stg Exeter Labous Party, 26 Ciiton Hill Exeter. .

For more information. cohtact Nei Tea: 48 Poiand St, by: eter Tel 0392." 30956. ss S :

Labour Briefing Jan 2-Feb 10 1987 page 8

Economy

NO COMPROMI

The Social

Ownership Hoax

ee

Thatcher's privatisation offensive has benefitted from the unpopularity of existing nationalised industries.

Although opinion polls have shown majority opposition to privatising gas and water, most ordinary people do not strongly believe any nationalised dustry represents their needs and interests.

Last year’s Party Conference document on “social ownership” seemed to propose a radical and innovative alternative both ‘old fashioned’ nationalisation and 80s privatisation. In fact the “social ownership”? proposals are a hoax, a right-wing move ‘masquerading in radical colours

For years the hard left inside the Party has been the most ‘vehement critic of the defects of nationalised industries inside a capitalist society. The left was the first co point out that these bureaucratic monoliths served the interests of capital at the expense of ordinary people

Now these same arguments are being deployed by the centre and right to justify an Standonment of any Aled of

What exactly is. "social ‘ownership’ put forvaed in the paper by David Blunkett and Indusiey spokesperson Jobe Sth, and soloauents sotto

Scrape aay the rhetoric and you find a combination of two Specific proposals: employee share ovitership plans (ESOPs) and. workers co-operatives, Both ‘are linked with the proposal to establish a National Investment Bank under the next Labour government

ESOPs would amount to siving government taney (ihrough 4 National Investment Bank) to companies which give workers voting shares. This has Been prcemed a. cunni, diversifying the awnership and fomtrol of British indusery.

itcannot possibly work companies in receipt of

money from the NIB. will already have numerous existing

ry

By Phil Hearse

shareholders, and ia Companies “2 small grou Shareholders will own the bol ‘Of the shares

Giving sockers voting shares will noe, in most cases, realy Sfiest the ownership and ‘ontrol of companies

"National Inv ‘sector can be built

‘nationstissd

City Scandals open

Deal with the dis the symptoms!

Like the froth on a pint rcbuild imperialist British

SE Galas the tales A crore the- eapals

By Jack Dobermann

bout of City scandals sits system does not function purely above the main body of through swindies or ;, | British and international speculation despite unrelenting war against

lism. appearances, Beneath the froth union organisation,

Gf fraud and fiddles, the only jobs, and against the well hhave ‘seen insider Sheans of creating new valuc, state. The abject isto intimid dodgy takeovers, Zid thus creating a surplus asa and. prese-gane workers. in

ripping, basis for renewed profit and ever-increasing rates

‘multinational ' monopolies accumulation, is through the productivity — chus maximisi shutting plants in Britain, exploitation of buman labour. the race of exploitation wh

pes 5 caress oe ie move towards | Sod. "Tory vote-buying Machinery used in production minimising the. tax. and ay

taken over by the ‘workers through being “ESOP. ised"? Is existing owners il every possible form of financing Father than accept cash from the National Tavestment Bank, and as long as the banks are busting 2 gut to lend money, as they are 4 the moment, mossill come up with an alternative "The resent Guinness affair shows that capitalist omners have immense resources 10 fiddle the books (0 prevent worker share holders becoming a majority Emplosee Share Ownership Schemes would in fact turn Out to be much simpler and more ‘mundane affair than they Appear in Blunkett's fantasies. Workers would, own few

rather” 10 nen and. rationalise the = sonomy. The | Prices.

‘opposition

the capitalist class, were

those (ike the — railways)

considered ta be inherently | purely for profit and the

ber —* '¥alue 10 each finished product ‘Nor is there anything mag eal ite upon the crude fact that it costs 10 productive industry not onl

5 | system which functions

unproficable, yet whose | remorseless accumulation of tue harcan beetracted fram and exploitation of the tk continued existence "was | capital that week's work oppressed sections of |

‘necessary for British capitalists

Labour answers. everything imernational working class.

Proposals that there be an | from the shameful annual cold Highly profitable served

clement of indusrial demo inthe nationalised industries

‘weather cull of the elderly 10 the industries, which have cashed | Gecimation of jobs. in the Thesizeofthesurplus created on ‘Thatcher's burger bar ai

‘were vigorously resisted by the | traditional — manufacturing by the worker, and creamed off Garpet™ warehouse economy

Alle government

{is hardly surprising that the nationalised industties which k

‘emerged from this prosess

company shares and thus within them or of the ieeds of “participate in the profits” of their consumers.

the company concerned — just sis proposed by Liberal plans Tor “Go-ownership®, or for that smattet” in. most privatisation. plans, which throws few shares {o the workers a8 a 0p What ‘about worker co- ‘operatives? Surely they area progressive step? Potentially thy are. But the whole history fof capitaiam since World War It “Shows that’ worker cooperatives ‘can never be anything more than mareinal fo a Capitalist economy, unless of tnabling them {9 compete on fare we realy 40 belive that ade “ "Kinnock-Hatter tmobiied 10" build’ annie worker co-operative stor of proposil in the Blunkett Smith trould have to be made in the industey which doesn't wane its fentally in the texh of

Standard Bookbinding was GLEB funded: for what kind of treaime

under Kinnock?

Socialists must ayoid siving

the. impression that ‘conception of socialism is

National, Coal Boards" —-a caricature used By the LCC and

Marxism Today idzologoes. There i @ notion of social

ownership" ‘which Is neither

tinke bureaucratic monsters.

socialisation of major industry, tunder workers’ control, guided by a. democratically decided

national economic plan

‘Such a proposal i perfectly compatitle with workers” co Operatives, local planning initiatives, and indeed 2 private Sector of small and medium-size enterprises.

"The fight for this alternative begins ‘with the fight agsio privatise ag Fenationaliation of privatised industry. Ut includes the fight For workers” control and for the opening of the books 10 expose the capitals swindlers.- And, above all it needs a fight for the nationalization of (

Finance howses, i any socialist planning is

areas, with ever more pledges toby the employer who owns the play. a. largely parasitic rol Sconirol™, “plan”, prop up, plant and materials of fedividing wealth alrea and expand capitalism, warts production, is the rate of created — by exploiting. # and all. Exploitation. This will vary Sweated labour of, millions ‘While Reagan, Kohl, according to place and historical low-paid shop. and cater Nakasone, and Thaicher Stok? period. It is determined above workers

up reactionary. ‘ationalism, ail by the balance of forces While these “services” Kinnock anewers “them with between the two main classes. the wallels of the weal laments over "a fractured "Thatcher knows this: that is services essential 10 the work Kingdom” and promises to why" she has waged such class — education, hous

The Tory sears have seen the rate of exploitation increasin

Break with capital! — Nationa

Labour Briefing lon 28-Feb 10 1987 page 9

Economy

E WITH CAPITAL!

he debate: ase, not

health and social services — are They have no real commitment run dawn, increasing the wo the British — of any other exploitation of low-paid, fargely economy; still ese to

AAs the Hangers strike shows, workers

employers will even sacrifice he "Any ‘serious plan to tackle

{production of artificial limbs poverty and unermpl oF

for people wich disabilities in Stamp out the City, scandals, their quest for bigger profits. must” begin with. the Basic

{Within this. system, "by question of ownership and real bartering with this same Mafia power: tbe nationalisation of y of bankers, bosses, and major industey and the finance

Speculators. Labour's leaders hotses, with compensation only ope 10 arrive at "planning to the poorest small sav

benefit when Kinnock insists require much more than Millions exist below the poverty line — for back-breaking work. (low-paid) jobs for the —_be biased upon the mass action corporation, from local to real facts about particular riagerhiaap os jase to raise scandal that is capitalism, those ‘unemployed. ‘of the working class, uniting National. Workers must take firms, industries, banks, andthe fhe demand for a se finn ee who really believe socialism is employed and unemployed, control oftheir own workplaces City.asa whole, and inthis way that will confrontand break the rhe only’ answer, it remains the These capitalists have already. Youth and pensioners, men and ad neighbourhoods — and explain the need 10 change ihe POET ofcapuialism. | single serious “perspective for Thatcher in tax handouts and "It requires-a direct challenge capitalists” own nerve centres: Strikes, ‘Sccupations, _ STusele perspective isanathema Afterall. we don't just want a ipebaten thinuselves heel of the: right"* to a profit and its City and the state institutions of drawing up 3 for bureaucrats of Congress House froth off the top. We want the

and Walworth Road. But for whole bloody brewer)!

“privatised” Industry shares. “right"* to manage, at every Whitehall oduction that can solve the ‘rivatised”” industry sh ight y rods ts fre the Those who want to do more than

Nationalising the City

No programme — for

quarantesing the security of

socialism can succeed By Paula Watson seaaie eaaateer Gout without the public City of London and finances rx ownership of the major Westminster South CLP’ The stock “exchange is

financial institutions and simply a casino designed

the City of London. Mathey wete kept affoat with Mearns of chase prices or The management of ‘@xpayers’ money and every = aes

merchant and clearing Yer 30 or more of the smalier, ™anipulated to_ ens

Banks which control vast privately-owned banks ctash

eee ey eeenat “eat inthe States. The show i ony

Kept on the toad bythe been appallingly inept Knowledge that capitalist

governments will always ba the big banks out

The recycling of the oil

surpluses in the seventies ""Wndrie'itae of tie Banks is With the major has led directly to world equally true of other financial ESTOS in public financial instability, institutions. The managers of gambling tables

causing 2 debt crisis in insutance companies’ and FXxChange casinos can

Eastern Europe and the pension funds. roots Like ‘there sho. with high interest rates) T8sources’ where they are

has resulted in a net Pecced, Bur I) Me jorgest ade from buying and se

To those who argue

‘whom they have

fof public maney has p major banking colla: Britain andthe Iationalisation of thei pension Continental» ttinois, Rane rey oat pa Manhatten, and Johnsen ownership is the only we

puiside the Bank of England

lisation under workers’ control!

Labour Briefing Jan 25-Feb 10 1987 page 10

Interview

Bob Clay speaks to Briefing:

Looking at the Campaign Group of Labour MPs

Briefing spoke to Bob Clay, newly elected Secretary of the Campaign Group of Labour MPs.

Briefing: Bob, ean you outline what “you see asthe main priorities for the Campaign Group In what's obviously oing to be aa election year? Bob Clay: The main priority for the Campaign Group — inside fand outside Parliament — has to be joining in the united efForts to defeat the Tories and return a Labour government

‘There are some very. fundamental questions to be asked At the moment, such as how its that after everything the Tories fare stil showing Bevween 38% find 426 in the opinion polls — ta the extent that you take any ‘notice of opinion polls. The second question is how iit that ‘ue popular policies, such as the femoval of auslear weapons and the phasing out of nuclear power, ate seen as in some way Gamaging. and divisive within the Party?

1 think the Campaign Group should be campaigning on clear policies fora. fundamental hange in British society, which ‘would actually be raising. the guestion of socialism — even thowgh ir Is dfficule because of fonditions in the Party at the ‘moment, and because of the Kind of hostile media that we always have

Briefing: Our dilemma, as local faciivits, Is how to campaign ‘with some of the material that's {going to be produced centrally, for instance that stresses Labour's commitment (0. increase conventional arms spen- ‘ding, and. some of Labour's ‘economic policies. What would be your advice to local activists ‘who want to Tight for 2 Labour Mietory on socialist basis? Bod Clay: Well, my advice — the advice U'm going 10 take fnyself —{sthat if you're Uap about commitments to tional defence spending, then {you emphasise the commitment {o remove nuclear weapons. To be fair, nuclear weapons are an even greater threat 10 Jnumankind, and an even greater vaste of money than conventional weapons, and it would a {important step” although only a Step if we could remove nuclear ‘weapons

We ca have a mass of people bbchind sam those uestions, and that i hat T would concen:

"There is also the question of British. membership of NATO

‘and withdrawal is not the Party's existing policy. Never theless there Is very strong feeling in this country for Bri tain to be more independent. There have been opinion polls which say that people actually think that the government of the United States is a greater threat to world peace than the govern: tment of the Soviet Union

Tr seems to me that we can talk about those things. within the contest of Party policy. I's Mill, for instance, Party policy Bs understand if, to campaign for the mutual dissolution of NATO and the Warsaw Pact Sof think there's plenty of Scope (9 be talking about an in dependent Briain, a Britain playing 4 different role in the ‘world — and we can campaign ‘on those lines

Briefing: Last year’s Party Con Terence, in basically endorsing Hatiersies’s programme, mark eda sharp shift to the right, cerfainty compared. with the pr gramme we had in 1974. Wh fire we going to do when we Know that this policy i, frank- |, eubbish?

Bab Clay: A for of people — not just journalists — are going to ask, quite rightly, how we can

tially make 8 significant di ference to unemployment; put millions af people back to work: expand socially necessary ser Vices; and rebuild manufactur ing industry on the basis of the financial and economic policies that we are putting forward.

’As far as I'm concerned, talk ing from a Constituency” with fone of the bigest tnemptoy ent rales in Britain, massive Youth usemployment, and al the astocated problems, I'm Simply going to argue that if ‘we're serious about restoring Tull emplayment and so forth then we will have fo do what is ‘required. It's a pragmatic argu ‘ment Feally

‘A particular level of reflation, for the public sector borrow Tequirement, of What may may not happen to a specific in dustry, or ‘whether compensa tion ould be paid oF not in the tevent-of a restoration of public ‘ownership are not necessarily Witten in tablets of stone

think the important and con ‘at commitment {5 the restora tion of full employment, and we have to do whatever is necessary for that. 1 actually believe thar if you create an almosphere before, during and after the General Election — campaign, where there afe mass expecta. tions of eal change, then you

Briefing: Bod, you recently

bbccame secretary of the Cam-

paign Group. The

Group was founded with dif-

ferent aims and ideals Trom the her Parliamentary

fand the alms of being cam: algning group that would turn outwards 10 the Labour Party activists. And how do you see Sour future role’ in building that? Bob Clay: The Campaign Group of Labosr MPs” was Formed before the 1983 election arising from the disatsfaction ‘of 8 umber of socialist MPs ‘with the role of the Tribune Group — particularly on the Contest Between Tony Benn ang Denis. Healey for Deputy Leader, Ht mas put on 8 more formal, basis after the 1983 lection

T think it has given the lef more of an identity — popular of unpopular — within. the Parliamentary. Labour Party ‘and. within Parliament as hole

T think its a fact that 2 fot of SDP or Liberal MPs feel at times that they get a. sharper foing-ovet and more embarrass ent {rom the Campaign Group than from some ather quarters

hack, where we actually stopped the House af-Zommons (or 3

Group has had an active role ‘thin Parliament as a whole in some ways, the Campaign ‘Group has reached out from the Parliamentary Labour Party © the left outside Parliament ‘One of our key alms was always to get MPs involved in cura Parliamentary activity, 10 fet MPs on picket lines, 10 False money for strikes, to do more tmectings, and because of that wwe sated producing a pape Campaign Group Neves. Ui ie isa paper for activi, with tno pretensions to being a mass ‘eculation populist paper It i. monthly now, and ties 16 feed ‘oat information about what's thin

information people might not get elsewhere.

‘We've published a numberof useful pamphlets now, relayin information about the City. an about the nature of Parliament zeal, which comrades in Pany might not have got clsexhere

As you know, people in di ferent» constilocte od ng they would Hike to form a focal Campaign Group —an inittative we didn’t instigate, bat which oe welcomed.

I chink that was an extremes important development because we could be a sort of non: Sectartan umbrella or peopl

other people of

blems. But in many cases these local Groups. are doing 2 ¥ useful job. Aastting ogether and campaigning ‘nbat are fairly Bard ti the lett We've tended for or two to develop things of Ad hoe basis, including a rela ‘iin. Labour” Left which we weleoene now rovicwim thes ines: “hoping 20 consolitat our activities — piven thal ee

are still actually. primarily a

group of MPs

Briefing: Obsiousty there's a ‘wide political parameter within The Campaign Group, although the most leading" members ‘would are on its left wing. What wrill- happen afer the election, Shen more MPs will want (0 Join the Campaign Group? Bob Ciay: That will have to be thought about afier the Flec tion, although I'm sure many of the Campaign Group are also thinking about it now. There are So. mary permutations and possbilites, depending on the Erection result and on who con: Sttutes the new Parliamentary Labour Party 1 thiak personally it ako depends on what happens 10 the Tribune Group. At the momen some. Campaign “Group rmbers are also. members 0! he ‘Tribune Group. MY pcr Sonal view is that the Tribune Group ‘cannot really claim in any sense to be a Left group. For instance ther ofusal to par corded ¥ote for © Cabinet ckections fells one a lot about the nature ff that group. Thats @ matte of fundamental principe: anyone seriously committed 10 Sccountability in the Party wouldn't refese to tell people how they were voting inthe Shadow Cabinet elections?

Labour Cain a by the Prime Minister, which

hhas had a) major impact on Were had a lot of arguments about that, and 1 think we're

fot going 10 get a real Left iden ity around one group until we T'd like to see a left unity in he PLP based on the. real

ularly interested in whether You call yhat a merger, takeover yr whatever — {would Tike t

ypassed the present mernber of the Campaign Group he minorily “of decent socialists in the ‘Tbune Group. Bul kere arc question» lke

the witch-hunt which would have to be settled. I would per sonally not join a Group unless ithad a cleat line against witchhunting. In my sew witch hunting. has done more’ than ‘anyibing lo tear the Party apart, and if we didn't win the next lection I think that will be one Of the main reasons why

Briefing: A lesson from past years has been that sometimes lettsupported candidates for the NEC have not beet ccouatable to us, and have then taken decisions contrary 10 four interests, That's 2 problem for the whole of Left, but ‘obviously the Campaiga Grou

playing a lending role, has got to face up to the ques

can we make ‘sure i Deople that are on st

go over?

Bob Clay: {think the firs thing fs that people are human beings, and there's nothing you can do {fo stop human beings changing if they will. So sometimes we all have a nasty shock and are very dismayed when someone who ‘we thought would. support 2 Particular issue doesn't

‘Also, there's the question of how we agree within the Left on tho we want 10. promote. 1 believe that every organisation svthin the Left of the Party has the right to. determine who it will support on the basis of how they sce the situation. But 1 think that all. the groups fecognise that the more unity there is over a slate, the more Tikely that sate isto get elected.

There's a tension between those (wo things.

‘One argument says that it doesn't really matter whether people are electable or not, we just go for the people shai we {hick would be. best. On the ther hand there's mo. point in

fing up seven absolutely Fancastic sodalisis if'we know we cant get any of them lecied. We have to seer a path between those two. important principles.

hope that there will be more and more consultation between the different organisations on Jeti, including this Year, to aim at the moa widespread dereement possible,

The elections for the National Constutitional Committee — at Jeas the Constituency section — are quite a hopeful sign, At fairly short-notice, at a fairly difficult time, a reasonable slate emerged and was elected by a very comfortable margin, This was despite the fact that quite 3 hhumber of constituencies seem to have felt that the NCC was the sort of committee they ‘weren't bothered about and dida't vote, of, i they did vote didn't take who they voted for too seriously. Nevertheless three People were clecied on a Platform of opposition 10 witchhunting, which is @ hopeful

Briefing: uring the miners Strike, there were good. links Between the Campaign. Group and the NUM, What i the role of the Campaign Group in building links with trade unions and eft activists inthe trade Bob Clay: | think that that’s 2 very complex question

T don’t see as the job of Labour MPs as telling the trade tinions at any level what 10 do,

However Labour MPs must assist i any way they cam with Struggle — that was the basis of bur relationship with the NUM. during the srike

ie would. have absurd if we inh Saying tothe National Executive

NUM we think this is you should do at this joular Stage oF over this articular question. ut when they had a major tabby" of the House of Commons oe x march in London we did everything we did to assist in tha.

We did a lot of fund-raising we continually raised the ‘ssc in here and se went on picket Fines and s0 01

We've done that with other unions and other siusles. To cxamples: we did our best, and Sill are, to support the

ovnight strtkersz and i as ur proposal thal The Opposition should. have Supply day on the Hangers

There's ako Campaign Forum, which ie gonceived really as thifee eget anal, ‘There's the Pariamentaty-wing’ os the “outside Parliament

Tet” of activists, campaigning organisations, and.» different Sections of the left which al the monten are operating together in’ Labour Lett Liaison, But there's clearly got to be a third leg of that animal the Teft inthe

‘Our realationship with this left operates ata number of levels: with some leading Figures in the trade union mosement (one or two general secretaries fand other national officers) and also with genuine rank and file bodies, organisations Tike BLOC, and. with particular Broad’ Leis or simile organisations in particular

We need active comrades in the wade “union movement, panicolarly "Labour Party members, to understand thal a fgreat deal of what happens in the Party — and thus how much your ‘can influence a. Labour

government — depends of the fole the trade unions play in the Pary, particularly

Conference

Recently the left has been losing ou because of the political balange in the trade Snions, There's a history behind that, but certainty i's Important, If we're ever going to. make any fundamental change we eed amass. of people inthe. trade union movement fighting 10 commit the unions to policies which are Actually in their own interes.

Recently, some trade unions, both in relation to the Party and wnat they do i industrial terms, tend 10 act against the interests Of their own members. cn ‘occasions, We need 10 talk 10 four colleagues. in the trade tinion movement "abou those problems, so They ean go back fo playing a central role in the Party. and ave a progressive fonce in the Party

Briefing: How can Briefing Supporters, who are. organised nrank and file Labour Let Briefing groups thro country, Campaign Groups aod ther sections of the Jef hn the Parts, work together to avoid a duplication of effort? What kind of co-operation sou see as possible, Bob Clay: There's tension bbeisveen two healthy objectives I's very important that there should be scape for everyane (© pursue their particular stsle of polities ar politcal position thithin the Barty

‘Briefing has sone important and positive chavacteristcs. Por instance, its well known for a iitention fo local government Briefing could claim 10 be, in 8 serie, the publication that more than “anyother focussed the faltention of the eft onthe importance of loval government. That's one Example of the positive role a particular publication can play

I think there are times when | read things fa Briefing hat take 2 particularly sharp. position which T personally telt needed Saying and Tam pleased chat Someone's saying that

Thal observation could go for 1 number of other pablicatioss ‘ehieh brings us on fo the other Side of the problem. The fet has been going through a bad time For quite while, and the Party itselt hay yome through a bad fime: "but everyone does desperately want to defeat the ‘Tories. So'you have toask if are we duplicating each other

ie would be pool ifthe coming period sill see diferent polis of view within the ett Stith ifferent growing — publications, Hut t sould hope There would be Tess duplication find more co-operation — that's hg ts think ELL is. very important

Poul like 1o se the pasitive sides ol the publications, we hhave-now expressed as well as they are now through fewer publications, 1 isa bit sad to see the’ dedicated way. very. fine comrades sive so much of their fime, elfort, and lives, to selling a paper which hs fo be sold in

ry thal is evase as nok

Sold” through newsagents, and fone doesa't have the money Sere not caplaist

There are no sage solutions. Alor of Hi about unity through action. But think you always have to bea in mind tha wee actually might sell more papers and have more people Lupponting us and eet our views arog beter, it see were selling ‘tern wiih Ibas Tader vices, that's rey my. ‘eling “Aout that 5

Labour Briefing tan 28-Feb 10 1087 page 1

Debate

Defend Council Housing —

against Jeff Rooker?

Recent speeches by Housing Minister John Patten have left little doubt about the shape of government —_ housing policy if the Tories get back.

Councils will be forced to break up their housing stock and hand over the pieces to a

ity of private and semiprivate agencies. New provision of rented housing vill be by a new breed of institutional pri landlord, freed trom ‘Act controls.

This much is clear. The only element of doubt is how far Labour's housing front

bench agree with, Patten himself claims with glee that there is eross pa Consensus on this. strate for the future of the rented

sector. He points to Jeff Rooker’s support for assured tenancies, his equivocal line on large

chunks of the Housing and Planning Act and his public auacks on the housing management record of Labour Councils

Whether or not Rooker thinks he agrees with the Tories, itis plain dhat he has swallowed the Tory. sales pitch in its entirety. In “Roof” magazine recently, he argued For both planks of the Tory policy with only slight variations,

He supported, claiming “choice a his justification, a “balanced” housing programme involving the sale or transfer Of properties out of council ‘ownership and management

arguably just_as bad, on design defects, unresponsive

And he backed new rented mangement and lack of provision by housing" accountability associations on assured Instead of backing the

argument for taking estates away from councils, Rooker ‘ought to be demanding more accountability and better

Tenancies on the grounds that “any scheme by a landlord with a democratic

input... has got to be ood.” management in both the No socialist could defend councils and the housing much of Labour's revord on It is either

‘outright cynicism that leads him to say that “democratic input’” makes any housing association as good as any

council housing, either in ‘central of local government But the alternatives aren't any better

Taking into account the

different cross section of — council properties and tenants The government's housing, ‘associations privatisation experiments, manage, their record is Stockbridge Village and

Whats the Future of Council housing under # Labour government?

Thamesmead Trust democratic input is a co-op. probably have more Everyone thinks co-ops are a “democratic input’ than Good Thing. So if council

most housing associations, tenants choose to set one up,

and the “Abbey National who are we to argue? Building Society more than In fact, there is plenty 10 some. Does this make the argue about. There is n0 Abbey National as. obvious need to. transfer acceptable a landlord as 2 ownership; councils rin coCouncil? ‘ops too. They use rade What, in any case, has union direct labour, not sel

democracy got t0 do with assured tenancies? Si

when should any soc back a tenure invent

employed" jobbing ‘builders. They leave open the safety valve of council finances, so that, co-operators_do_ not

avoid rent controls and find” themselves taking a Security of tenure, let alone vicious line on evicting their fon the claim ‘that the colleagues in rent arrears landlord has a “democratic just 10. make the books input""? balance, or running into a The extreme case of financial crisis. when the

‘Perdition’ closes after Zionist pressure

KEN LOACH, director of the play Perdition, written by Jim Allen, spoke to Graham Bash forBriefing after the play, due to open at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, was cancelled.

The director of the theatre, Max Stafford-Clark. cancelled the play 36 hours before it was due to open on January 22nd. This was a direct response to pressure from the Zionist lobby.

The play says that in Budapest in 1944 some of the Jewish and Zionist leaders made their first prior ty the creation of the State of Israel, and only thei ‘second, the saving of Jews from the extermination camps.

The play took the form of a trial. A leading Zionist escapes from Budapest after the War. and some years later 4 pamphlet appears in Britain accusing of collaboration with the Nazis. He sues the writeer, an Israeli women, for libel and in the course of the trial evidence accumulates as to what happened in Budapest in 1944.

By Matthew Warburton Vauxhall CLP

roofs start leaking. A decade ago, Reg There is also the issue of Freeson (remember him?) as who sets housed, Co-ops Housing Minister, plumped for housing co-ops. as the

which block black tenamis should have no. place in cute-all for housing, rather Labour's policy than. tackling the basic Of course we should give problems of the housing tenants the right to choose, market. It was. & trap But supporting privatisation missed opportunity. With ~ individual or co-operative 20,000 homeless in — as a choice we accept is London's worst hotels and nota policy but an thousinds ‘more on. the admission of defeat streets, i's not funny the Rooker shares with Neil second time around Kinnock a desperate fear “There is nothing about doing” anything inherently socialist about Sianificant about mortgage councif howsine,"" Rooker tax relief and the Test of told. "Roof". No, and

Housing finance, let alone nothing inherently socialist about a labour goverament

either,

taking land out of the hands, of the speculators.

The play examines the politics of Zionism and its connection with the collaboration that occurred with

The fact of Zionist collaboration is widely accepted. For example, a play along similar lines dealing with a factual trial involving Kastner, the leading Hungarian Zionist of the time, was staged in Israel last year.

The charges of anti-semitism is the usual trick to avoid discussion of Zionist politics. There is an interntional confusion of anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Jim Allen is a life-long socialist, perhaps the leading socialist playwright for television. He has a long record of internationalism, and of opposition to all forms of racism.

The Royal Court Theatre has always claimed to be the leading theatre in the country for new writing. Never to my knowledge have they previously banned a play on political grounds.

T most unprofessional. It damages all our reputations with the taint of anti-semitism — which we have no means of answering through our work.

The anger of outrage felt by everyone connected with the production of the play — including Jewish members of the cast — is overwhelming,

eS

Labour Briefing Jon 28-Feb 10-1987 page 12

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Socialist Policies

fora Labour Victory!

Conference organised by Labour Briefing Sat/Sun 28/29th March Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton

Speakers include: Eric Heffer MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Mildred Gordon PPC, Joy Hurcombe PPC, Chair Labour CND, Nadine Finch Chair LCI,

Narendra Makanji Chair Labour Party Black

Sections, John Palmer Socialist Society. |

It’s now becoming clear that the Tories won't be able to win another election by riding on the back of Thatcher's “determination”. This “determina tion’’ is fast turning people away from the Tories. None of the promised benefits — an upturn in the ‘economy, decrease in unemployment — have materialised, despite the harsh measures we have to suffer supposedly to achieve them.

‘The Thatcher recipe isn’t working. The problem is, that the Kinnock recipe is uncovincing. It doesn't inspire confidence that there is a credible altemative: it doesn't even foo! the ruling class that a Labour government is a necesasry concession at the moment.

Labour Party and union activists who want to fight for a Labour victory and for socialist policies urgently need to discuss how to campaign before, during and after the coming election. *

How can we use the pre-election period and the com: ing General Election campaign to build support for trade Unionists in struggle and other current campaigns? How can we bring the demands of the specially oppressed into the centre of Labour's politics?. How do we ensure that local election campaigns are not reduced to doorstep slogging to complement:Rinnock’s media image? How do we fight for radical socialist policies irrespective of the national Party manifesto? And how do we ensure that there remains 2 strong. radical campaigning left in the Party whoever wins the election?

Briefing hes called a national conference of Labour activists on these and other themes.

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Today's

Church News Gu:

Islamic Fiedaetentaism, offering pleny of scope for dismembering Potential AIDS victims, Persecuting women, znd even fall cae battled slaugheer

‘While Anderton books is Might

cheran — oc ‘Manchester

thority buy him 8 onc thankful he bas not become 2 Fehovah's Wine

of

Fe has been a busy Few weeks for

keep up with the latest clerical capers and the antics of assorted Bible-basters

Once again our Freud Ege winner for Cuckoo of 1986 James Anderton has hozged the Timeliget. He lost ao time in

telebeating his Briefing award The prospect of crazed Chief ‘with ¢ Brsincurdling. rant pro Constable, backed. by the gun Chiming himsell: a “prophet of toting, plastic buller-Gring Tac Gal {heal Aid Group of cops he formed

a Manchester, getting his fot in your tront door would daunt even the most stout neared acthest. Worse — he could direc his ailtarstic approach to launch 3 poersilla wing ofthe Salvation Ar iy, flogsing "Watchtower" and {aking collections at unpoint sad terzorsing harmless drinkers.

“This man who found madness i his methodist is now ol ering fo. sign up for any sutably hysterical “and. barbaric religion ‘hat will ave bin, eeminding us that ~ love or hte them — those lads of the old Spanish Inquisition certainly kept the AIDS problem tinder control

no doube have rifled 2 few feathers n the dovecote of Mars (am Today, with hs sengeing 2 {ack on che snmoraley of the City of London — to. 2 busness a Gence that muse have included 3 good few devote supporters of the “Brood. Popular Allance Labour leaders have been mich more dplomabc ia thei erccism OF recent Cty sandals

e Terry Walte ic clearly finding ichard to work the old mage. with his Backstage partner. Colonel (Otver North unable to pul strngs ‘on hs behalf in Laban

Now Wae's period rps to the Mile Ease have become even more boring. than NASA space rmisions before last year's shure Specacuar

Pechaps: Waites best bet to recapture mega attencon would

be to ape the NASA caster and eke mse Salmon goes ferris fhe sie ceapy Dananas

forgotten Arenbahop of Canter

tury (what wash name ago), @ Bananas sared the sha hasbeen so squeezed info che dornward sae of former alt

Uackground by he “specs! envoy mpicy court w2s old right be in no hurry to bal hin hair of SW. Surrey out bealth authority, Patrick Salmon found himself up the creek wea he Jost £100,000 of borrowed cath on 2 failed banana religion saw Polish Prime import deal. The boatload of rat, Minister Jaruzelski leave his pot allowed into Britain, wat athoae and rave! bycivilan “Yowed away into the Solent port to the Vatican. He wos Sul rising to the bait, Salmon nginen links between borrowed another £35,000, which Tureaucracy the banded over i cash towards 2 ian jokers fishy gold bullion deal — followed bby another £20,000 ~ only to find left high and dry Healt authority chairs are l appointed by Social Rives Secretary Norman Fowler, the Inckless, hale-baked Salmon got through the net, sure Tew sharks, plus some" Artur Baieys and “Delboy”” Trosters, ‘must have gut through too on {riot Health Ser-

@A businesslike approach

there 10 Poland's Stal what" some termed the “deformed Pope sense aa

oth leaders are at least sere personal

‘han risk communi

firebrand

Esewhere, the

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‘As Labour Briefing moves into fortnightly production, ‘we shall be featuring more room for your letters. We offer readers the right to reply or to start debate on the

issues that concern you. Write to Letters Editor, 26 Wattisfield Road, London

ES.

Dear Briefing, ~ In my ward, we had a siting ‘Councillor on the shortlist, and On Bury _ Metropolitan it. was highly unlikely that

anyone else would stand a hance of being selected against him. Of course, al safe seats are in this situation,

In would seem that we need a mechanism ‘which enables ‘women to be selected, and yet does not nepate the democratic ecision of members in. the branches, or fall foul of the tendency 10. pack selection meetings with “loyal” sleeping members,

T sould be interested 10 hear fof other comrades" experiences

Borough Council we have one ‘oman Labour Councillor. It ‘was the consensus within. the Uabour Panty. thar a drive should be made to select more ‘women this time round. So ‘shen the panel was spproved, ‘what did we fing? Thrce women had. been ‘nominated for the ward members to select!

But there are further problems. In our selection process the safe Labour seats are asked 10. select their Candidate first, None ofthe ‘women were selected for these in this area — especially if they Safe seats, and all tree will ind have suggested - constitutional themscives batting hard to win changes to redress the balance

Swopal ar nckseathe See Aral

os Bury North CLP

Ss r8S T can think of several areas of

Dear Briefing Labo Paty policy which need 1 strongly oppose the challenging, bur in common

craaiuceeg EY webeer® he ith Garry’ Whanne) Fan sure

Grose view ofsport summed that shost _poliicians and

planners see sport "as @ way of efusing “social tension, as a Form of social contal.

Boxing may be one of the more, dubious popular sports Dut I'm disappointed that you don’t seem 10 recongise. the

Up by Garry Whannel (Blowing the whistle, Pluto, 1983) as viewing sport and leisure as distraciions. Keeping the ‘oppressed masses from more disruptive activiy."” We could be debating and developing @

socialist policy for sport ather importance of loyal tad largety iehowing *. Honeyehan's decision Craig’ Bren’ recent article voluntarily. to. relinquish the wasn't only about Geilliberties, WBA. welterweight, title, By

fefusing 10. Tight the WBA’s ‘number one contender, South African Harold Volbrecht, he's

Football fans don't want 10 be old which matches” they can

watch any more than Gemonstrators want ther feputedly turning down £1 movements restricted milion

My point is that we may be Unlike the more famous missing a chance 10 influence Frank Bruno, oneyghan’s

putting ‘his principles before personal gain and unlike. the ‘mass media who tried to ridicule him’ we must applaud his decision regardless ofthe morality of boxing

Twrite not 10 criticise but to keep a debate going and perhaps

and radicalise players and Spectators alike The Sports

Council as fake sport seriously, particularly since the 1981 uprisings, bul a Fecent report claims that the

Eovernment receives five limes move in WAT duty and tax than inspire more informed aries, the public expenditure on sport, Because of the many glaring

inequalities ia sport we have & lor ‘to gain by developing a dialogue and

Apart [rom eniploying 376,000, people fulltime it penerates

E685 billion every year encouraging Whatever our personal’ of Players and spectators 10 eological Views “on sport 1 Otganise shemselvs,

Andy Gibbons

would argue Merionydd Nant Conwy:CL.P

Afford (0 ino!

Bishop Jenkins of Ourham ol

Labour Beiefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 pase 13

National Abortion Campaign

Twenty years after ‘2 the Abortion Act: e

NAC is still campaigning

On October 27th 1987, thst, journey cold become young women's issue, with

Sweaty Years will ave SATE”. nave toc of ERE, tote bang

peed ince tc 196) ites wee cient ore to ee

Abortion Act received the 27k the anniversary Bosier with a Chaier or ‘The National Abortion —fund-raisine benefit, and so on

Campaign intends to use the "ine kes activities wil be

Six months following this determined by the needs and

{the Act came into force on vies of our Irish sisters

April 27th 1968) to highlight

both the benefits the Act hi

of

nest NAC News will bea

ional one or International Women's Day, and we also hope to. be organising some activity during that week (0 demonstrate oUF

ln the meantime, we continue fo be active. A Bill has been

Drought to. millions of {9,25 act. A Bil has been Sofgariy. with Nomen shortcomings. tegal time limit from 28 t0 22 *W3ten are now facing court ane seeks, and if ths passed it aging" ft he han Repub Irish Women ‘could well find a lot of support scion ie. the Abn Een:

‘here SPUC have taken 160 linics 10 court Because’ they ounsel women on abortion, and in Spain, where a Tiberatisacion of the law. has been declared unconstitutional alter challenges by ultra-right

Northern Ireland Abortion Wittneed them inthe future, Bul

this omly emphasises that thos

z fo extend the 1967 Act tothe rious cases and should not be fO"SSz six counties, Penalised. In practice, doctors _ Women from both these al While we recognise (as they tend to allow'2-4 weeks to be on countries’ rely heavily on do) the fi the safe side. Therefore, atime Setviees provided in Britain and : iis introduction in the province limit of 22 weeks would mean it for their sakes, as much as A ‘would be a tremendous step few abortions done after 18 for ourselves, that NAC must q Forward for women there. s which would particularly continue its campaign {0 3 ‘Ar the moment, every year lise very young women and s#feguard and extend our rights.

some 3,000 women (ihe offical some older on

NAC NEWS Latest sue

— young women’s speciat —

available for 78p including

tiocomfortable and. expensive NAC has_ recently journey to the mainland for an particular "3 Sbortion. With the threatened message over {0 young women. Slowure of the Liverpool ferry, Ournew NAC News is a special

1985 NAC demo against the Powell Bill

Youth Briefing

OTS Ande Wiad nop

YS Regional Conferences: Dayschool on

Sound the alarm! | youth and Sexuality

This year’s LPYS regional year set the framework for ‘epiesentative onto the Party

conferences take pl: Teducing these conferences to NEC, and increase the direct. | Following the success of the orkforce in the past 10 years, men. and,..by association. les confarances take place as [tic rare ios yout aieg condo! over the ¥S of toca’ | last davechool on intermac (hemamieanccoftiefamiya Bans” betane ofthe vapid early March. But they without decisionmaking fegional_ and national party | “tional polities, Yoush Brief- tpeant that the’ majorly of Settee hie ale ice many reported. proposals agreed at remowing the right of its No Under attack We will discuss not only anti-gay rampage in the popular

the Party's conference last

ight wing attacks on press show the stale alempting youth sexuality and on any By Dani Ahrens {ope “a monogamous

jations” from afamily-— y mae fosexual orm @n society aod soady, bul ako tee Seen nd particularly yous people ways in which socialists can The

tional Conference to elect 3

‘The whole of the lett has an interest mv fighting these proposal. Kine

Eream colering ove Briefine Youth fion procedures of local parties t back. dayschool will take up questions Sha ‘preparing an assaut_on | Briefing has always like these and provide a forum

Women's Conference. The at! control, whether Tor soung people 16 take for Unilateral decision to postpone | ideological or ceonomic, of the or their ward the sirugele for women's London Women's Conterens ‘Of social relationships is husbands ‘oF thet Tiberation and lesbian and pay Greater London Labour Party ‘major ways in which men ia the family which are liberation in the LPYS, student Conference, as well as London lass reinforces its ceparted and labour movement, Watch Region ¥S Conte spite the incieasing AIDS has had a profound ef- Tuture issues of Briefing for fue

the wahes of a tog arty leadership witact Unions. Primarily. those afles the motions from Militant and

are to be found in LAW “86 - ‘it

i aaah monte eet that concems Lech

Gay

against its refuse!

Wie shoud be build

R and a

aa vsng for youth "To judge from the motions nace npr sig proposed ny Mr -suporters,

ott sues at the regional On the face of it, it would By Tracy Doyle and clacton veer ave ko 19 keep res wil on John Tuite polities of Booting No oppasi- creasing isolation and

on the issue of building a Instead, we utgert min. ielad Labout Party grgarise ane the paritianed six. avaliable allies t0 defend: tho very existence of the YS.

Labour Briefing Jan 25-Feb 10 1987 page 14

International Briefing

Trade unionists in El Salvador n the advance

FENASTRAS, the. Federation National 'Sindical de ‘Trabajadores _Salvadornos (National Trade Union federation of Fl Salvadorean the largest and most ‘rade union body in 1 Salvador, We had the good fortune to. be invited to their 18th Congress in San Salvador last November and spent some time in their offices where we tind a formal interview (vith the ald of am interpreter) with some Of their leaders.

‘The questions and answers should ‘Speak for. themselves, but a few observations may be helpful.

‘The | situation for trade unionists in El Salvador cannot feally, be compared. with our

uation in the UK. The severity and scope of the state fepression, combined with Aebaitating. war, makes life for rade unionists extremely dangerous. Many Fenastras leaders are under 20 years old.

"Their response on the ‘question of the FMEN. was Tinequivocal and clearly findersiandable in the rsumstances. Fenastras™ position Is that the workers

want peace and they call on the Duarte government to commence ‘meaningful ‘negotiations with the FMLN. ‘Hopes ofthis are not assisted by the USA, who gave aid of ‘S170.7m in 1980, $723.2m in 1984 and S4Sm io the first ball (of 1985, 45,68 goes directly to the war effort and 2 further 190.7% indirectly.

‘The economic situation in EI Salvador as. getting worse, ven before the earthquake, ‘which has accelerated the process. Wealth has always been and. continues tobe Concentrated ina very few hands.

‘The purchasing power of turban workers has fallen by {ein real Cerms over the last 5 years. Unemployment in the ities was 36M in 1984 and is now far worse and ia rural areas Sunderemploymes = tstimated to be around 80%.

Margaret Grant, (NALGO, Health Service Branch), Formerty Stirling / Disiries ‘Trades Council Executive Bill Day, ASTMS Nicaragua, Nov. 1986.

ooo0o00000000

Q: You now have a public office im central” San Salvador and hhave just concluded am extremely "successful Congress, soit ‘would appear that the degree of {rade ‘union repression has lessened. How true is this? How ‘openly can you operate and how imuch danger is there of full ‘repression returning?

Fenastras: ‘There has been no significant improvement in the Fepeession — only the methods have changed. Because of pressure from ihe US governfen, who are embarrassed by the glaring human rights viola fions of the Duarte regime there fave been some cosmetic changes — but they are only {osmetic. Before, in order to inStil fear’ in. the workers, they would ‘kill trade union feaders and leave their bodies. tying ‘round, as an example — now the bodies are hidden. People simply “disappear”

"There are no Tree trade union rights, Trade union leaders are fot allowed into most ‘Workplaces and workers are not Allowed to meet together at their place of work

These were severe problems in the few months. before Con: ress. For example, one of our Affiliated unions, ‘STITAS, 2 textile workers" union, had iwo separate disputes, one lasting 33 days and the other 18 days, SGICSES, | the construction workers’ union was on stfike For 30 days befare all the workers were sacked

When workers try to organise the company instls fear. they repress. them... work against then

In E! Salvador major disputes have 10 be referred to the Labour Ministry who are supposed 1o be independent, But | fan't recall even one single in Stance sehen the findings are on the side of the workers — all tases. are resolved in man:

Really we are facing the same problems as always

Q: Despite this, Fenastras is Slearly growing and having least some successes. How hay {hs been possible? Fenastras! itis true that we has suecewes and that we are a growing organisation. This © of the work we do in enlarging. out membership. Also Fenastras’ gives good organi tion and direction to ath lunione and the dierent unions in the Federation support each other.

For example, during the re cont testle workers strike other tinions took solidarity acto fand ‘held protests outside the CIRCA. workplace. Fenastras veas able to build up pressure on the, owners and bring them found to direct_negoriations ‘with the union

But, 1 must stress, the selee tive. repression against union Feaders continues. Just recently tre had the case of Febe (Febe Elizabeth Velasquez, Fenastras" International Scerctary) who twas imprisoned for six days and aso Rodolfo. Prieto. (General Secretary of SETA, a Fenastras affiiate) who was held for 30 hours.

‘Actions such as these are commonplace, alone with the physical and psychological 10 ture of union activists by, for ‘example, threatening. theic families o¢ pressurising them 10 ‘admit a "connection" with the FMLN.

Q: What is the relationship, if finy, beween Fenasiras and the FMLN?

Fenasiras: There is none whatSoever. ‘The government con finally tries to manufacture a relationship 10. “justify” even more attacks on the unions And if an. individual trade tunionist is “proved” to. have Tinks with the FMLN, they face years in prison or even death land cannot continue their union

Q: How has the earthquake affected your work? Ponastrass Tt has created more problems — especially for tl people whose homes

royed. The government has eclared a state af emergency ‘which makes things harder Fenastras is managing 0 bold

‘own and the level of strusale 3s been maintained, We have had to shelve some of our short term plans andl will have to wait flit before we can move For- ‘ward as we would ik

The government and employers are trying to use this Galastrophe to further squceze the workers. The Labour Ministry building was one of those. damaged ‘bythe earth fguake and, as 1 said, disputes have to be referced there, The moved to another building but ‘wouldn't tell us where i was. It ook nearly a month for us to track it down, which held back Dur work consid

Before the e was a dispute the hospitals he union ‘organisation was strong. It was fe badly "as many. building Sihich have sine re-opened. and the hospital has closed dow To date the workers are not able fo work and are. no paid

The international aid which thas been sent 19 the goverament most damaged. Fenastras, an the churches have been working hard in these communities, ery ing. to distribute the Title aid

Farmer brings fruit to guerrillas

that has been received by ‘organisations whic aren't con trolled by the government

‘We would ask those inthe in ternational labour movement to censure that aid. is not sent through government ‘ages Dut. through the church or UNTS. In this way we can ‘guarantee that it will go where it Should

Q: You mentioned UNTS (Cnidad Nacional de los Trabajadores Salvadorenos). What i the relationship between Fenastras and UNTS, and other trade union organisations suc a the CGT? Fenastras: Fist, whilst there some other" trade uni ‘organisations, outside Fenastras. who are independent of the government, the CGT land others like it certainly do fot come into this category. To all intents and purposes there is no difference between them and the Duarte regime. As an exam ple, the CGT have an affiliate ‘which 5s supposedly a telecom ‘munications union. It has six members, but is the organisation which the government recognises as the official trade Union Yor the industry

Incidentally ii also accepted by the International Telex munication Trade U Federation as the El Salvador fepresentative. The Fenast affiliate STET is not recognised, tough it has well over one thousand members

“The formation of UNTS ia February 1986 was an extremely impor-ant event for the work in” El Salvador. It be

her a whole ¥

ive forces trade unions, tnorkers, peasants groups and the co-operative movement, tatio are United in the For peace, equality and human

rned with broader aspects we are committed t0 work UNTS, though F federation of independent fons sil has a separa ‘Hon — in carrying ou! the we

Q: Throughout the world there Ea comection between trade Siniom activity “and the. sider political areas. This would seem fo be even more the case in El Salvador. What i Fenastras’ position? Do you ever see either Fenastras or UNTS puting up candidates ia elections?

Fenasiras: Fenasiras. is not

politically afiiated, We are an Indepeddent trade union organisation. Our main aim is

{improve the wages and work

in El Salvador

ing conditions of our members, ‘whilst at the same me Strengthening trade union Organisation throughout the Av can be seen from our “fighting programme”, we ate ‘concerned. about democratic Fights, reform of the political constitution, the repeal of ant labour and’ anti-popular laws, agrarian reform, the plight of thousands displaced by the war, and 30. on. UNTS. is pot a politcal party. 1 don't know ‘what might happenin the future but to-date there has never been an lection with 3 single cam didate standing sho tepresented the interests of the workers. SO wwe have never advocated sup. ort for any political party

Q: Does Fesastras organise white collar workers as well as those in indastrs? Fenasiras: Most certainly. We eas, including bank and in nce’ workers, government ‘employees, privaie offices and factories, hospitals, quasé governmental institutions,

Q: Mow easy have vou found it fo recruit women to the trade Fenastra: don’t think itis any easier or harder. In fact, more Than S08 of Fenasteas embers are women, In some {unions this is especially the case Two examples ate CIRCA int

tentile industry, which has more female than male members and where, with one exception, the Executive Commitee is entirely comprised of women, and the fish processing. indusiry where the anion membership is 93% women. Women seem 10. have

Q: Finally, what can workers and trade” unionism other countries most wsefulls do 10 Suist you in sour struggle? Fenastras: international solidarity is very important Tor When someone fs captured he more international pressure that cam be built, the greater is the chance of the person being released at an carly stage. The ase of Febe Velasque isa good csample of this. Our friends in her countries were able to mtacting the Justice Minisicr and Duarte, which helped great iy to ensure her rel Effective networks for com: ‘munication need 10 be Buill up We would like contact names telephone numbers in Bri tain. Hopefully we can bulld up 3 permanent relationship ‘with

trade unionists in Scotland,

Economically. it is a par ticularly difficult time, especial Wy after the earthquake. As 1 suid before, the government uses if as an excuse fo squeeze the movement, Workers are ery ‘poorly. paid. Unemploytment is high (Over 408). AS the Economic: situation gets worse things get worse for the unions.

At the same time, at our Congress, we have just agreed ona umber of future projects: chools for union leaders. 10 teach them skills: schools for ‘women trade union members: tre want (0 set up a women’s

commie; and we want o have hotoerapis, “ete. to hep Soung people ann some skills Ay fig usa goal very weloome and would hel ts to bulla move efficent ‘rgansation

Gane tay how pleased we areto nave trade unionists from Scocand to sisi us. Please tell We eats Whe to person "retigs ro workers in Seotand Sind look forward to more con toot wu tne in tue

PHOTOS: Pietro Gia FL)

Relatives quede fo enter Moriona Prison in San Salvador on visiting er.

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 15

International Briefing

Chirac has a

Anti-apartheid AGM

PHOTO. Jee G

Who can implement sanctions?

ANTI— APARTHEID MOVEMENT

By Fred Leplai ILEA NALGO delegate to AAM AGM

By John Mansfield and Sue Laker Paris

The events of the last two

movernent in December the hope was (0 jow over, as he an extended Christmas break. In_under two weeks, however, the biggest strike movement for years was gathering pace.

int dormitories surrounded bs machine noise. Statistics reve the consequent high divorce rate land low life expectancy (88) in

rough ride ahead!

mos in France — are aot tinionised, The CGT (Communist union. federation) was al first uenthusiastic

‘which helped to reinforce the Existing distrust” of union

months have certainly 170% cal) on this strike se

“tough guy”” image. Strike committees in each depot Following his disastrous formed a National Co. connate ith the student odinating bods, Although the

makeup of the strike

characterised by ic Tunetioning, liable delegates Independent of the wade union organisations, they. could Srganise both unonised and nom-unionised workers.

impossible as the RATP strike hardened,

Maintaining momentum at this stage was. allimportant

‘On top of this, over the last unions (0 call a general publi

The Anti-Apartheid — should rescind the disaffilia. and the RCG (Revolutionary Only independent action by | WS ears. one-driver trains sector strike. But faced with Movernent's Annual trot ity AA, whicn should, Commanst Grous) ete not the working las con give the ave become the sale. series Chiracsintanignct and the in turn, recognise that at- up to the They have South African —people_ the | Of ‘Atal accidents in the sume, _ tack of lead (rom the unions, &

General Mesting, at- {amptsto pack the AGM are shown the potential of te soldarty hey need. TREAAM | 21,1985 led Toa sinke abou! grit back. to” work bran tended by over 700 in- no way to win political movement in inking up with should focus on the labour | S#ety, but no review of leading to the opening of dividual members, bere TS youth, women and biack peo- ‘movement and carry its call — u and Sonne fhone ‘ : aus Snind: @ AGM endorsed the con- pie: they have rightly demand- * for sanctions into workplaces, J Practices. has since occurs he working class ha

tion of the long-running e's Sanctions — boycotts picket outside South Africa branches. Socialists should | 1 i" 2 SNCF workers earning after ane major defeat, The contest between sup- of South African goods. House: they haverightiy.called make this the central theme of | Ss: thao 6,000 FF 2 month. premium put on keeping wage porters of the City AA pickets of banks, super for direct links ‘ll the Marchmonthofacton ana | Chirac’S policy of a 2% pay Increases below the 2% markets, etc. The brief discus- organisations fighting par. the national demonstration in it_in the public sector was ~ guideline, ‘coupled with

Group and the AAM Na-

‘Son on trade union work fa

Shed in South Africa.

obviously dertory

Eboliion of taxes on large

tional Committee. ed, however, 10 develop the But their hited tactics of iS way, we can bring | _ The final “straw was @ fortunes and amnesty for those Newspapers and leaflets Ericial aspect of this cam- heckling and disrupton, few forces ~ from the labour | Proposed new “erille™ salary found exporting | capital were banned from the hall paign, which reniains the however" understandable, movement, from youth, from | S7W=ture, will promotion on legally, has fueled discontent

and bags were searched at the entrance. Throughout the meeting, Chairperson

DSrganised refusal of workers to handle South African and Namibian goods.

have alienated mast of the i: Gependent AM activists and fore used as an excuse by the National Committee for sup

the Black community — into the AAM to challenge the Na. tonal Committee and win the

‘merit rather than seniority

“The impetus for strike action came from the base. At the Station where the strike began.

“This tinie, however, any major policy retreat would have Signalled catastronhe for .the

Job ‘Hughes bureaucrat- Actions such as those taken fight against sported sat : ‘ agenda and was greeted Dublin and workers, in. Fort, = ‘only partally alieviated by the by regular heckling from South, Health| Autorty ace-saving formbla worked ut City AA supporters ee ee at the EMS (recvaluating the Hughes refused to take 2 {ou's "People's. Sanctons Mark, rather than devaluing the proper count on the vote to campaign aeoms to attach on ees : adopt the Standing Orders —_ly minor importance to getting ae nae bs Satis - en om Gorminitee Reopen’ (which Bilish” workers “to. impose tf hm ope, atach fom Gopned Some resolutions sanctions themselves, rathor siren" yuarcts.” Een from the agenda and puta ‘hen wating 'or the state to | The watershed = 26 North and the Angio-tish | ‘ouliion, nae Bane guillotine on others). When 5... cetecton of the | County Election in By Piers Mostyn Accord reveals. their true | SUioral Front valle a ant City AA supporters. Committee's enmung | keland on February Holborn & St Pancras Fein as the only party in the | sitike.. anti-government. demo. vociterously denounced search for tespectatlty anc | 17th will not result in flection with 2 clear poitical | 1 tur. the RPR organised its this, Hughes adjourned the ‘ali-pe ‘support The | any dramatic policy alternative on the national J ON) si hud meeting and cleared the launch of the “Marstesta for ae sae ‘ " hall After the meating was Sanctions” and the lobby of Steerng the debate away | Sandshing, aeacnvencd, thirty minutes all parliamentary candidates i Ata time of acute from these questions and | it the like » econvened, thirty minutes Clearly addressed tothe | political and economic towards “economic” issues | Milterrand, — wanting to Ee eee eat SLPRUberats and Tory orisis, with the Ml hardly svaid trouble. for J appear the stronger parimer in eared byte 6 one The real question hs government's popularity the ‘caoitaist parties. The | Ime | “cobabuantion = met Ee eee coord ws ae rg ea een plate powtical crais of the 1970s | UNA” ater wan AAM's constitution @ Labour gow the opposition, Fianna Fail Br ee tree oe nen | taiiNorker.") Chitae refined 60 Future AGMs willbe attended lepdons of Harold Wison's | i recent opinion pols. feneger eter hones | Pas Sees by delegates from focal bran- sanctions-busting e multintionals. They have peste i gas and affiiated §— “Oy psn . eit Ale have } aaved rat “absoluie. privrily i (eal, teste based Getpoerate ee The 250,000 iegistered | sirngele organisation, Unfortunately. to boycort nicoragog S 0 tin a populatic javing "gambled the linked nat omy t ntinu- would suffer. el emigra wa inh one sense aN important ty AA and its supporters, but cage eet aing coalition government | although the strikers’ ama ations). Coiiiltan 01> © copsclayy youth ee : With ona of the | infamous “grille es Int. indandial ‘musnbers: ahd tnn's nperiokst role m Atrics. clere ay now Hooks one ke 8 the Nationee Commutcoe now = the bs = has ar painuing Ha pertaes) ate A singleissue mass cary on social and economic | people ta take on the trol, The National Committoe Sh S perish sonfrontations toon

| j

Labour Briefing Jan 28-Feb 10 1987 page 16

As Kinnock joins the mole-hunt:

MORE GOVERNMENT POLITICAL CENSORSHIP

Hot on the heels of the spy and City seandals come the disclosures on the spy satellite Zircon. Despite the banning of the BBC programme ig the £500 million secret signals project, all the relevant details fave been published in New Statesman. The Special Branch "are now desperately searching for the mole who leaked the formation to Duncan Campbell, are searching the New — Statesman offices and interviewing ‘Campbell. The programme, the

Secret Society, was banned ‘on security grounds. But is this the real reason? If why was there no injunction to stop the publication in New Statesman? If itis, why ‘was the personal writ taken ‘out against Campbell after the leaks were out?

In fact, the MOD knew for at least 6 months that Campbell was investigating the Zircon project, that he had, discovered that Heshine, then Minister of Defence, had approved it in 1983, and that the project hhad been hidden from the Public Accounts Committee.

The bungled attempt to suppress the BBC

By Jane Kelly Peckham CLP

programme after the information was out was political censorship. The excuse that the revelations on Zircon would cause “serious damage" to our “national security” is a nonsense, If it was a question of national security, they could have stopped’ the programme being made at all

Ir Parliament, the attempt to injunct 15 MPs secing the film was stopped

as unconstitutional. Instead, the Speaker barred the door!

But perhaps the most disgusting spectacle of all

was _Kinnock’s _outdoing Thatcher in the defence of “national security”. Instead of attacking the decisions made by a small unaccountable group, decisions kept secret from Parliament and the Public Accounts Committee — let alone ask what we were doing developing spy satellites in the first place Kinnock simply criticised the imcompetence of the government in their inability to stop the New Statesman article being published. He supported the government's late attempt to do so,

No wonder the Tories are still well ahead in the Opinion Polls

Published by Labour Briefing, 26 Crofton Road, Londan SES. Printed by MPS (TU), Acre Lane, London SW2.

r b & g Po] l 3 x m =] fi 2 2 m 2

PHOTO: Andrew Wiard (Report)

LOY NNY 390d

Non-alignment Conference

About 100 people attended the first conference of the Campaign for Non-alignment. This reflects the strength of interest in the issue, despite the low key publicity for the Conference.

Discussions were lively, but suffered from a lack of participation by peace and labour movement activists. The main discussion in the plenary sessions was concerned with the nature of the

Briefing supporters argued that any campaign coming out of this conference must focus on British withdrawal from NATO.

There was alot of enthusiasm for initiating a campaign and anyone who wants to be involved should contact Jeremy Corbyn, Red Rose Centre, 129 Seven Sisters Road, London N7.

Dani Ahrens

Labour Movement Conference on Central America Peace, Self-determination and reconstruction

Saturday, February 28th ‘10am-6pm

Congress House, Gt Russell St, London WC1

Organised by: E! Salvador Solidarity Campaign

5 S rm

= 4 ws

AUVSUAAINNY SNidd¥M

11-8

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61 OL