Carol Rees (Peckham CLP)
"We Want More Nurseries!" was the demand raised by a number of women and children at a lobby of the TUC conference on September 4th.
The lobby was the first activity planned by the NCCC (National Child Care Campaign) launched only a month betore at a conference in London of over 200 delegates from the labour and women's movements.
Calling on TUC delegates to begin implementing and not just talking about their 'Charter for the Under 5s'. the lobby met with a positive response and many delegates agreed to ask their branches to affiliate to the campaign. CUTS Such support will be seriously needed in the coming years.
authorities finanues by another 2% will mean not only an end to building new nurseries but that KUC BUST TAPLEMENT DAIN KIDN those few that already exist will be axed twice as fast.
Already, many local campaigns - such as those in Wandsworth or Stoke - are concerned with fighting the cuts in existing provisions. As Hesaltine's cash limits begin to be felt. we can be sure that many working mothers in other areas will begin to be drawn into similar struggles.
It will not be enough, however, for the NCCC just to support such localcampaigns, fighting councils to preserve existing facilities or marginally extend them.
NATIONAL Vital though this local work is, it will become increasingly important in the period ahead to launch a national initiative that will put the blame fairly and schare!! where i!
Such a perspective could draw together all those fighting their local struggles, give them a 'personal experience, 'local make women's rights right to work issue which cannot be ignored.
As with the National Abortion Campaign, a key element of building such action must be a struggle inside the unions and local Labour Parties to convince them that women's rights is an issue they cannot ignore or walk away from. PLANNING CTTEE The decision at the Steering Citee on August 3rd to set up a Labour Party subgroup to work through the Labour Parties nationally Is an important step in this direction. A similar orientation must also be taken towards the unions.
Publishing a regular newsletter and a booklet •Nurseries: How and Why to Fight for them', agreed at the Steering Cttee, can be useful tools in publicising the campaign and getting information into the labour movement.
If the NCCC moves out boldly in the coming months -developing publicity and launching bold action could begin to draw thousands into concrete struggles for a women's rights.
If you would like further information about the NCCC or would like to affiliate your local LP/trade union/ women's helongs on grour etc Care Project, Dockland Settlement, Redriff Rd., London, SE 16.
tion uniting together the the • a national