Call to step up pickets

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FINES APPEAL The need to step up suppórt for the Garners strikers especially within the TGWU has been emphasised by the events of last week.

On Monday 5 February there was a mass meeting of strikers which decided to add Brother Chaudrey to the strike committee.

Brother Chaudrey was successful on the previous week-end in his legal action against one of the sons of Garners? boss Cyril Margolis who actually pleaded guilty to assaulting him.

Perhaps needless to add, Margolis junior was fined nothing but incurred £25 costs together with a binding over.

So it will cost him £100 next time he decides to hospitalise a picket.

On Tuesday 6 February there was a meeting between members of the support group originally set up by the Westminster Trades Council, members of the strike committee and TGWU Region 1 organiser Les Shorter.

Very little that was new was discussed in this meeting but it was done so at great length.

The support group put forward a series of proposals for stepping up support for the strike, all of which were virtually without exception rejected by Shorter.

He used every argument in the book to blame TGWU members for not supporting the picketing, refused to consider any definite day of action, subsistence strike pay for the strikers, or even TGWU delegate conference, originally himself.

Shorter also revealed that the officials will be seeing ACAS on Wednesday 14 February and there will be a meeting on Friday between National Organiser Todd, Regional Secretary Staden and Shorter himself.

The support group afterwards decided, in consultation with the strikers, to step up the picketing during this week, specifically on. Wednesday 14th.

A further meeting of the support group with strikers last Saturday discussed going ahead with calls for a day of action in mid-March for strike pay of £36.

The strikers now go into this important week with strengthened. determination and policies to win.

The police onslaught on Garners pickets is now taking a mounting toll in fines and costs.

A few weeks ago a strike committee member was fined £35 and £100 costs despite the clear evidence of three witnesses.

And a WSL member found guilty of obstruction has been fined a staggering £120. Police have even arrested a 15-year old youth.

WSL members alone, as a result of being the most regular supporters on the picket lines, now face fines totalling hundreds of pounds.

THE KEY TO THE CUT ENNALS OUT/ NO MORE HOSPITAL CUTS!

A WSL pamphlet wIVI Тто Eeasys on Postmen slatiniam Com 'Communists' Against Revolution , containing the important Theory: of Structural Assimilation' by Tim Wohlforth, is the book on post-war Stalinism that Mandel and Healy would not publish or discuss.

Make sure you get your copy - available at £1.75 plus 20p p&p from:

WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

We are of course fighting through the London labour movement for adequate funds to be made available to support trade unionists fined for picketing at Garners.

But the problem is now urgent. Socialist Press therefore appeals to supporters and readers for donations to assist our comrades in paying these savage fines.

Donations should be marked Garners Fines Appeal, and sent to Socialist Press, 231 Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

The booklet which spells out the policies necessary for all-out struggle against the cuts, drawing on practical experience at the EGA and the Oxford Nursery Occupation.

30p plus 10p p&p from the WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park London NW5 1HR. WORKENST EAGUE GET SOC IALIST

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