AFTER the Tories' derisory 'a little now and less later' workars was rejected by the unions, the stage has been set for all-out action on 22 September.
The discussion that is going on around 22 September raising Should this be the first step in a campaign of industrial action to weaken the government's credibility and force it from office?
Figures for January to June 1982 show that even dispute and the NHS Days of Action, strikes ware up 60 per cent up on the same period in 1981.
The groundsweil exists for such a camunion leaders ourdoing Enemsares to pui themselves at the head of the movement.
finish off the government?
The answer lies in the political conse quences: both trade union and Labour Party LOBOTS desperately capitalist ordar.
Secondly, they fear the consequences of such a movement in that it would give a But for Thatcher the Falklands is receding.
Once again the spectre of a hung parliament with the SDP/Liberal Alliance holding the balance is floating in front of Thatcher's eyes.
Unfortunataly the Labour Party is not in good shape to take advantage of either the industrial situation or nakedness.
Michael Foot's declaration that the proposed purge of socialists will stop short of the rank and file of the Militant rings as hollow as the Israeli government's promise to stay out of West Beirut.
loft, right and contre around Michael Foot up to the next election.
going to lose the election anyway, then Benn must be seon to give the leadership a free run, the better to exact vengeance afterwards.
wise heads nodding in London, the mass of rank and flle supporters of Benn who voted for his candidature in hundreda of thousands ars not privy to thasa deliberations.
Labour Party under Benn's leadership would enter the run up to a general election with more entusiasm and elan than at any time since the Second World War.
For this reason the left must not drop its guard. The organisation of the left in the first period of the Bennite wave was one of the most positive features.
It is this aspect that needs to be asserted now; not only against the leadership's proscriptions. but also as the most effective way to set a movement rolling that can fight the Tories and the government of a completely different type to that of Wilson and Callaghan. For this reason by Hackney North CLP on 30 October is vitally important.
goes hand in hand with the fight ageinst the witch-hunts and why we say:
"Fight the Tories, not the socialists'. If you would like to be put in touch with Socialist Challenge supporters in your area or would like more information fill in the form below Name.
Address.
Age Union/CLP (if any)......
Send to: Socialist Challenge, PO Box 50. London N1 2XP.
Socialist Challenge. 25 September 1982 page 2 offer to the health question.
the start of the ASLEF Congress last week showed So why don't they go the whole way and trying to SnOW as reliable props for a shaky glow of the the Tories" political Tony Benn has now called for unity of the Bennite strategiats argue that if Labour Is The problem is that although this may set For tham the fact of the matter is that the and gain a That is why the fight against the Tories Wednesday's day of strike action is going to see the biggest show of trade union force since the freeing of the Pentonville 5 in 1972. Health workers will be out everywhere for the day. Miners, engineers, dockers, shipyard workers and bus workers along with teachers, civil servants, local government workers will all join strike action. backsliding entirely different mood to the last day of strike action called by the TUC on 14 May 1980.
Workers from art of the country will bo making their way to London mass acmonstranon and many will be I0CEI CHOSHEROE well. • In Manchester there are two trains going to London organised by the North West TUC and one OTERISCO the ACEITE unions. These will be supplemented by more than a dozen coaches.
The call of the more militant health workers is to make the London demo the major focus. Kay Gastin representing the Greater Manchester health shop stewards committee people at a Tribune rally with Tony Benn ast Tues day. Benn echoed her call Health have been touring the main Manchester tactories and recerving massive support the engincerig workers have not waited for national directives deciding number of the biggest factones will he out for the whole day including Faircy and Fairey Graphite as well. Massey Ferguson CPO will also be out for the whole day.
Many Manchester fac tories are on a week's shut down. But in at least two these Massey Fergusons BDR and SEl in Heywood, every single worker has donated a El levy to the health workers.
Most bus depots will be bur tor te das.
Even less well organis ed groups of workers are book normally costs 3.50 TION (Usual price £2.95).
Subscription Rates:
Inland: 12 months £14.00/6 months 87.00/ 10 issues £2.00 Overseas: 12 months only Surface & Europe $17.00/Air mail 524.00 (Please delete as appropriate)
Despite bureaucratic everywhere reports indicate an responding to the strik call with stoppages, collec tions, messages of support and invitations to health workers to speak.
Sheffield Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Workers meeting of stewards called for a full 24 hour strike.
This backed up a previous call by the Trades Council.
It is estimated that 20,000 engincering workers will join 30,000 local authority strike action the bulk of Many tactories, and steel plants are on shut down during but the 2500 engincering and steel workers at the River Don plant will strike for the whole day. In addition to a train going to there will be local demo. • Birmingham. This is EnC WeeK O1 Saur dOWn But the buses will be on a PAULE Teachers will come out for an hour caretakers and other staff for two hours Bus workers will be on a 24 hour stoppage. This was won after specially convened branch meetingand a ballot of bus crews • Bristol. Dockers here will he leading the action with a 24 hour strike.
Lorry drivers will be out in the morning. There will be mass meetings al BAC and Lucas on the day to decide action take.
Teachers will be out for the day Avonwide SUBSCRIBE!
SPECIAL OFFER For readers who take out a year's inland Alteratively we are offering Henri Weber's book NICARAGUA - THE SANDINIST REVOLU• South Wales. Massive expected.
SEVE free trains and the C one train as well as coaches. Derek Gregory NUPE divisional officer has called out the whole of NUPE South Wales.
Jill Jenkins, South
Glamorgan shop steward and Cardiff North delegate to the Labour Party conference, told us that NUPE will be picketing with the miners as well as filling the trains GMWU leader: are not so militant. David Plant of the GMWU, who spearheaded the witchhunt against the left at the Wales Labour Party connis members to come out clear who's fighting the Tories South Wales • Scotland. Bus drivers will be out for the day in all the major cities, following miners. The two Wills factories in Glasgow will also be out, as will the 5000 shipyard workers in the Clyde lower reaches The feelings of many Scottish workers were up by McCahey, the Scottish miners leader. Speaking at Motherwell to protest at the cutbacks in DCOLLISSLCC DOUUCTOR he emphasised the importance of the day of action for all workers. *The government.
Nothing epitomises better the nature of this governCHERE ERC ESCEN Va that they treat the health worker and the millions that they are prepared to spend on Trident and the Falklands war' He stressed that the miners see their pay claim in the same way. Despite the productivity and elfi ciency which the miners hd shown, they were still be ing atracked on fronts: wages and redundancies And he hoped as the struggle with the Tories developed over the next few months, the would enjoy the hearted support of the Scottish people.
----- pull-quotes -----
JOIN THE FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM
Local Trades Council
subscription we are offering a free copy of Alan Freeman's new book THE BENN HERESY. The