Thatcher humiliated
Woman Worker1981 1981-03-01Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 4 →
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Since the Tories came to power almost 2 years ago, there have been little effective labour movement action to defend working class interests against their vicious attacks.
The TUC has done nothing apart from organising 'days of action' and weak-kneed leafletting campaigns. The Steel strike was sold out by Bill Sirs and the rest of the steelworkers' union leaders after a 13 week struggle.
But the action of the miners last month, in defence of jobs in the coal industry, showed what workers can do when they are organised and determined to fight. Within a matter of days Thatcher had made a U turn, and postponed pit closures. Should the Tories try at a later date to go ahead with cuts in coal production and jobs, the miners have indicated they will again take action. —This is a clear example for workers in other industries that the Tories can be defeated. And while it is difficult for workers in small, privately owned firms, or in jobs which are not of central importance to the economy, to defy Thatcher single-handed, it is now clear for all to see, that when workers unite in a determined fight against job loss or attacks on living standards, they can win.
The way to defend working class interests is not to wait for the next election, or to wait for a TUC initiative, but to organise now for a General Strike to bring down the Tories.