defence of the Nes and its scottit ago to senda 'This rally telegram to the Prime Minister, for STUC to inform prepared to play its part in a general strike to restore ustice and humanity to Britain was passed unanimously by hundreds unionists at a rally in the Aberdeen Music Hall in support of the health workers, 28 August.
The rally followed the biggest demonstration Aberdeen has seen for 30 years. Over three thousand marenca in suppor or me health workers. There were ship yard WOrKCES, dockers, fishworkers, firefighters, WaLCIworkers, Secretary of State Scotland and the secretaries of the TUC and them that Aberdeen is ready and traindrivers and local government workers who had all gone on strike to show their solidarity. Rally The rally was addressed by Mr Walter Watt, a plater Hall Russel shipyard and a member of boleraners unlon He said shipyard don't want NHS to die, we need the NHS. alc all going deaf and blind because o our work. I've been a shipbuilder for 39 years and I've seen some horrible accidents. In the old days betore the NHS. we had to put coppers in a box for a hardship fund for workers who had suffered accidents. We don't want to go back to that'.
Bob Middleton, leader of the Labour group in the Grampian regional council said: Many of us here today remember standing on LIC picket ASLEF a few weeks ago. That defeat was an indictment of the trade union leadership. l've come any section workforce is an attack on the whole labour movement. That is why I feel we have to intensiny ine pre sent action amongst those unions outwith the health service and if necessary call for a general strike. Those union leaders that are not prepared to defend the living conditions of the workers they represent should go' Old A woman speaker said: 'One of the most important aspects of this struggle is that it is mainly women workers that are involved. This is important because the Tories have launched a specific attack on womens rights. Women still only call two umiras or mens Health workers lobby Albert Spanswick wages and are being made redundant at twice the rate Cuts in the NHS mean that it is women who will be expected to look after the old the sick and the handicappospital places for ahem. when there are no Weak *The government saw health workers as a weak Ine labour force, because women workers are traditionally supposed to be submissive well behaved and STOL IL terested in union. You've proved them wrong on al counts. You have asserted that women have the right to work and should be well paid tor the important work that they do. You've shown that when it comes defending living standards, women workers can lead the whole trade unior movement LOUL SLUEE is an excellent example of the kind of unity need to get rid of Tories.
Afterwards, Mr Jim Kiddie chairperson Grampian Association of health service unions and organiser Ol the told me, "This is the way to win. Solidarity action what we need We built this day of action by going direct to the workplaces and asking them to strike suppor us. Today's march has exceeded our wildest expectations. Thi response is a warning t Thatcher that if sh doesn't recognise claim, the whole countr will rise against her.
Day The leadership of thi rank and workers need leadership from the TUC September sho stewards al ove Scotland Will meet to pla intensified solidarity LIOHA for health workers on the 2: September.
suppor the call for a general strike on that day.