THE 1981 Labour Party conference may seem a may have forgotten, which marked a milestone in the Labour Party's policy on Ireland. The party is now committed to campaign for a united Ireland.
But, as Joan Maynard said at the time, 'We've won the parliamentary Labour Party, we've won une constituencies. now we have to win the unions.' She Was the trade union block vote which secured the defeat for resolutions on British withdrawal, the fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of Irish unity.
trade unions that have members in the North of Ireland are concerneo unal support TOI would divide their membership and incur final chaos.
But, as Irish trade INTONSIS have oTten pointed out: partition, the crime agalnst une irisa people, divides the working class.
The District Secretary of the Jrish vant's union Matt Merrigan has said: "It is exactly since partition ycals was imposed on the Irish people as a partial settlement of Britain's colonial role in ireland 'Community strife secLantalsiu. death have attended the in a procession commemorating the 13 young tims of the New Cross 17 January.
The following evening over 300 heard John La Socialist Challenge 21 January 1982 long time ago to us all now, but for those who it was that conference maintenance of this last vestige of Tory imperialist presence in Ireland.
divided the working class in relaruca di socialsi (Onsciousness and created tension and division between working people in Britain and Ireland.
This was written in a letter of support to a conTerence will hopefully take the first step for organising on the Irish issue in the unions.
conference. organised by the Labour Committee on Ireland and The Committee for Withdrawal from Ireland, will take place in London on Saturday 27 February.
It is being backed by leading trade unionists and Labour MP's among them Tony Benn, Joan Maynard Sapper and Ray Buckton.
Donr Flynn the secretary Labour Committee stated: "This conference otters an opportunitv tol trade unionists, Labour Party members and others in the Labour movement, to contribute to the debate that activate the British trade unions and take forward the campaign in the Labour Party. Break 'We must prove British trade unionists that the situation in ireland to day directly involves them. Not only does a divided Ireland obstruct social and political progress there, Dut also threatens the labour movement here by undermining democracy here'.
The difficulties of winning a significant number of trade • LO cause of British withdrawal are enormous, but this conierence marks an important first stage political action to defy the Lords.
London Transport workers are responding to the doubling of fares, huge cuts in services and the loss of 5,000 jobs. The Tories nave no intention of resolving the mess their friends in high places have placed the working people of London in.
David Howell, Minister of Transport has, in the words of Ken Livingstone. 'Given with one hand and taken with the other' when he announced that he would repay f6lm of the £110m penalty which he imposed on the London rate support grant.
Where has the other workers are considering f40m gone? The transport unions should now organise . the GLC, Labour Parties, other and consumer organisations to openly Law Lords.
Up in the West Midlands THE Labour West Midlands County Council will put up fares by 70 per cent as a result of the decision. The flat rate 2p charge for children and the plan to introduce concessionary fares for the unemployed will now be scrapped. The Tories must laughing themselves sick...
But in South Yorkshire AT a mass meeting in South Yorkshire, transport workers Monday. 1,400 transport workers voted to come out on 25 January This is the day designated as a one day protest stop. page against govern. ment policies.
The bus workers will be out because the Law Lords ruling may result in the loss of 1,500 jobs in South Yorkshire.
As the leaflet calling the bus workers to the meeting stated: "This is probably the most im. portant meeting you are asked to attend. As a bus worker it may be your last.
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By Tessa van Gelderen Transport's 35,000
Fares Up in London FOLLOWING the decision of the Law Lords that the Labour GLC's fares policy is illegal, London
strike action. The unions involved are backing the call from GLC councillors Ken Livingstone and Valerie Wise for 'all-out industrial and