[m01.28: THOUSARDS MARCH MH ZE TUC LEADERS CRAM…]
Woman Worker1979 1979-12-01Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 1 →
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m01.28: THOUSARDS MARCH MH ZE TUC LEADERS CRAM e can bring the I ories The bosses swing.
Nurseries, schools, old age people's homes, hospitals are closing as the health and social services are cut to ribbons.
Democratic rights are under attack as the Tories prepare a new Nationalities Bill.
Unemployment is rising as 'lame duck" industries shed jobs: 25,000 in BL, 13,000 in steel, 8,000 in shipbuilding.
All this is being done in the name of profit-the jobs, living standards and services of workers, women and youth are being sacrificed for the benefit of big business. And, to coin a male chauvinist phrase, it's women and children first!
But women, trade unionists and youth are not taking this passively.
There have already been massive mobilisations against the Tories attacks. On October 28th, tens of thousands were in the streets demonstrating against the Corrie anti-abortion bill.
November 7th, saw 20,000 marching in support of Lambeth Council's refusal to implement the cuts. The following day, 50,000 students all round the country took government is in full part in token occupations part in token occupations and other protest action against the huge fee increases imposed on overseas students.
In St. Benedict's Hospital, Tooting, the workers have taken control to stop the Area Health Authority running it down to prepare for closure.
The signs are that the November 28th demonstration and lobby will be the biggest yet.
No-one could doubt that women, trade unionists and youth are quite ready to take action against this reactionary government.
No-one, that is, except those who parade as the leaders of the working class. Looking round the TUC and the Parliamentary Labour Party we see a pathetic bunch of frightened bureaucrats who don't want to fight the Tories-and are doing their utmost to keep back those who do.
In September the TUC voted against calling a one-day strike against the Tories' anti-union laws, but they did agree to a "Day of Action". Two months later, we're still waiting to hear when it is.
The attitude of most trade union leaders fairly typified by Fire Brigades* Union
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SA DBS bil down! wn.