DAY OF ACTION | IMGpapers 1980

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- SIRIKE are only too aware that if the steel plants close, South Wales will be returned to the industrial desert it was in the 1930s when thousands were forced to move out to find jobs.

LEADERSHIP There can be no doubt that if the steelworkers remain firm -and extend solidarity actions like these - then they can halt the Tory working week and 'flexibility' of labour. It has been acceptance of these type of deals which has led (T&GWU) to 40,000 steelworkers jobs going to the wall over the years.

One of the major concerns of rank and file steelworkers must be to ensure that Sirs is not allowed to come to a similar compromise with British Steel management, selling yet more jobs for a little extra cash on the table. He has to be told, in no uncertain terms, that the job of a union leader is not to help the Tories rationalisation' schemes but to defend his members wages and jobs! FOR 20% INDEX-LINKED! NO REDUNDANCIES! WORK. SHARING WITH NO LOSS OF PAY! The Welsh TUC has called for a mini general strike on Monday 28th January. The call stems from the mass threat to jobs in South Wales if government plans to cut back on steel plants go ahead. Not only would thousands of steel jobs be lost, but it would lead to an estimated 21 pits being closed down and the loss of another 21,000 miners' jobs.

Originally, the Welsh TUC had planned for an indefinite strike on January 21st but - it seems - were persuaded to postpone it until March 10th. This was under the pressure of the British TUC which no doubt hopes that the steel strike will be settled long before that date and the determination of South Wales workers dissipated. Despite this set-back, however, the January 28th action should be seriously built for as a stepping stone for an ongoing campaign for the right to work in South Wales. The TUC may be trying to hold back the struggle but they musn't be let off the hook. A mass turn-out of January 28th will be the surest way of telling our leaders that they cannot avoid taking up a real struggle against the Tories' anti-working class policies.