What we want is THE total cost of idle machinery and jobless workers in Britain is a staggering f42.5bn every year. That fig. ure alone shows the complete insanity of the Tories' policies.
The only: explanation for this SASEeSSNESe the government claims it is trying to save money - is to bring the organised working class to its knees:
Jobs not wage rises is the gun being levelled at every worker's head. Well, we want jobs and wage rises and decent hospitals.
. And the longer this government remains in office the threatens to get. By 1983/4 government spending down on 1979/80 figures. Education will go. down 11 per cent, governManer id no houstng will betio per cent, housing will be 50 per cent down but defence spending will increase by 13 per cent.
Old people die from cold while electricity and gas astronomically under every minute Britain £15,000 on defence.
The bill for Trident will be f6bn. Yet the cost of marine - and there are to be six or seven could build 100 hospitals, 200 schools and 50,000 houses.
With 2.5 million people registered it is scandalous people are homeless and wait many months for operations. The TUC and trade union leadership demand: a public works to meet the needs of working people and to create jobs for the unemployed.
The real figure for those out of work nearer: the million mark. Many school leavers do not register. Over 200,000 workers are on short time which is the equivalent of 140,000 people out of work.
Yet despite the vast unemployed and on short time working, the average hours worked in all manufacturing industries is still 60.9 hours a week. We want work or full pay.
A thirty-five hour loss of earnings would immediately create nearly one million jobs. But all this means a fight to bring down the Tory government.
The TUC and trade union leadership should stop playing Thatcher's game. 'Well reasoned argument' based on profitability coming first will persuade 'change coursé'..
To do that the labour movement has to kick them out of Westminster. That's the only argument the Tories will understand.
orice: rise Tory policy spends one Trident subthat have programme MARK Philbin, been women and NALGO numbers are purpose?
Mark: Bein week without OvvoILulLY positive and political.
scandal and unemployment.
The the contrary, Tories What do march will achieve? ....ts.
Send to: Socialist Challenge, 'PO Box 50, London N1 an unemployed teenager from Bury, Lancs, has S•OLoo•. by his local • to the March Jobs.
Socialist Challenge spoke to him and to lan Stephenson the Bury NALGO branch publicity officer.
you .going the march? What do you see as its disillusioned with the oredom of being on the dole it wa.
do something The purpose of the march is to Scandal andinaste femassive waste massive government is doing nothing to help the unemployed. On its policies have done much to add to the problems.
you hope that the Mark: We need to get rid of the Tories and hopefully the march will * do much to bring attention to the Hicatill? Savart policies in climate петроутен However, that doesn't ON THE MARCH AGAINST On the road 40 мes.. Звиес, 3Htute, NO.
3 Ones YES/ deflationary MaSs the toundaton lor a strulig leaders say.
engineering workers occupied their Friday. The factory is threatened with closure with a loss of 650 jobs.
are still on the picket line in Salford after nine weeks, fighting for the right to belong to a trade union.
These stuggles show that jobs go to the wall.
through the North-west, Socialist Challenge reports on some of the struggles that are taking place.
vigorous march?
Mark:
other support that we should wait until the next election, no matter what the TUC As the People's March moves canibala incorporating whole labour .movement challenge the government's policies which are designed to attack the working class.
What will you be doing on the Apart from walking a long wav. will be trving to convince ma chers that we are not here as publici ty fodder for the. TUC leaders, but as a central focus for a national fightback against unemployment. I would hope that other marchers would join me in speaking al any factory, Socialist Challenge workers' meetings .on thẻ route of the march.
What is NALGO's policy on th People's March?
Ian: NALGO is also planning to the march, and in branch we have tried to turn pape support into action. well as sponsoring Mark Philbin to go all the way, our vid president, Mark Hackett, will wa from Liverpool to Manchester. will be sending a delegation to Liver poo! at the start of the march a maye artanecu Iul CUdclCS LUKbe London on 31 May.
What's on in Manchester Monday 4 May May Day demonstration te creer mae marea. assennoe ceces neucatk ground. March to Buile Hill Park, Eccles, O Rd for a rally organised by Salford Trade Council. Bury Trades Council is organising 5 May. 12noon march leavi Salford Tech. Ralv Iom Crown Soswa followed by civic reception in th Hall. 3pm march leaves town hall s Wednesday 6 May Factory gate and othe meetings throughout Greater Manchester o unemployment called by No 29A Confed Thursday 7 May Ipm Mass demonstration 1 escort march to Stockport. Called by No 29 Manchester Trades Counc Mancheste area NUS. Assemb Manchester 3pm rally Stockport Rd March Hollvwood Recreation ground organised by Stockport Trades Counciba
----- pull-quotes -----
Socialist Challenge JOIN THE FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM If you would like to be put in touch with Socialist Challenge supporters in your area or would like more
• Foundation for aa sch nil lnd plant in Openshaw, Manchester, last • Royal Pride women workers workers are not prepared to let their