THE victory of the miners has punched hole through monetarist strategy. They have been humiliated by the miners into granting state aid to the coal industry.
their most slavish supporters into a frenzied rage. Walter general of the Institute of Directors, called it a 'scandalous surrender' and moaned: union when it wishes to have the next general election.' people who marched against unemployment through Glasgow last weekend saluted the victory of the miners. But there is more than one interpretation of this victory.
For Michael Foot and Len (you him, after 14 May last year) the success stemmed from the joint efforts of the miners and the Coal Board in campaigning for fewer coal imports and higher state sub. sidies.
The rank and file miners in South Wales, Scotland and ferently. They realise that it was their immediate industrial action which forced the Tories' skilful manoeuvres Ezra of Board may have been up to. And they know that further industrial action will be needed to kick the Tories out and make those victories permanent.
Smash the 6% Now the water, electricity and gas workers, and the queueing up with pay claims in excess of the government's six per cent pay norm. And in Scotland the workers at Talbot Linwood and Greenock Lee Leisurewear have taken militant action to their jobs.
The Tories may have lost a battle but the war is not yet over. doesn't make a spring and one U-turn doesn't solve a crisis. It would be foolish to believe that the Tories will stop their attacks on working people.
The Tories stared into the abyss of a miners' downfall. They will do their utmost to prevent any other section of workers defeating them. that they are better prepared next time to take on the miners.
The labour movement must also prepare for war. The TUC should co-ordinate the pay struggles into a smash the Tories's pay policy. Full support should be mobilised for every struggle to save jobs. The Labour Party should organise a massive national demonstration against the Tories for the day the Liverpool trades council jobs reaches London.
Throw them out have to against the Tories and mobilise tens of thousands to kick them out. The only good Tory government is one which has been thrown out.
The miners' action and the Glasgow demonstration have shown that 1981 will be a year of mass struggle. Let's make sure it's also the year which throws the Socialist Challenge 26 February 1981 the Tories' The Tories' climbdown sent some of Goldsmith, director 'We might as well ask the miners' Just to rub the point home the 75,000 Murray he disappeared Kent know difno matter what the Coal civil servants are defend One swallow their strike and saw their possible And they will ensure united fight to presently meeting to discuss national action. Unofticial strikes and overtime bans are escalating, following ne overwaelming rejec tion of the employers' per cent pay offer.
Lancashire workers Have started indefinite 3u per cent claim.