has stirred up broad shown the underlying weakness of the Tories, despite their successes of the past couple of years.
way. But most sections of the labour movement have taken some action -like the 1300 Scottish steelworkers who came out despite revenge closure of their plant.
miners' vice-president for a Scotlandwide conference of shop stewards to prepare a one day general strike in support of the healthworkers has shown by this affair to be appropriate to the depth of feeling against the Tories. It should be supported.
should go out in other areas.
thing to be left in the hands of the TUC tops. They must be forced to act through the rank and file taking things into their own hands.
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Send to: Socialist Challenge, PO Bok 50. London N1 2XP Socialist Challenge 19 August 1982 page 2 solidarity and The miners have, of course, led the the threats of a The call by George Bolton, Scottish been Similar calls War against the Tories is too serious a Fred Orton is the Saltley depot in Valerie Coultas about the state of the battle between the labour movement and the Tories following the scandalous betrayal of his union in General Purposes Committee of the TUC. "The ASLEF members at Saltley feel sadly ', he said. 'We didn't get support was an attempt to worsen CORCELON In lie Tallwa) industry. It was felt that the F&GP committee had ignored that side of things accepted management's arguments about flexible rostering.
Different Fred was reluctant to make any criticisms of the left wing of that committee: ' Although the aeci SOS that committee were unanimous, we felt that this was with the particular support of the right wing. Alan Fisher and Marie Patterson has been there, there would hopefully have been a difIcicul resul discussion took place about the right wing in the unions and how they should be fought. 'What I believe', said Fred, 'is that In cose umons wiere me leaders make decisions not chairperson of ASLEF at Birmingham. He talked to the recent rail strike by the Finance and in line with the membership, attempts should be made to ensure that the leadership is in the hands membership. In ASLEF, are very democratic. The facts are put before the membership and a vote is taken.
many the membership have been le COWI We've had Birmetals and their leaders Ansells area. Fighting this government, yUu uSe powers, not part of them.' Fred's view, democratising the unions WildLey linked democratising the Labour Party. porter of Tony Benn: My is a firm own personal view is that I would support the ideas of Tony Benn because it is the only way we can get the sort of society I want to see in this country. But Fred was of the opinion that Michael Foot to supported until after the Labour would be returned it root thei doesn't carry through Labour Party policies, the but his main concern at the mo ment is his union work. don't accept it's necessary to have witch-hunts. People should have free speech the Labour leadership are not leading people along democratically decided lines they have be removed. Witch-hunts play right into the Tories hands because takes people's minds off the real Issues.
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