LATE in 1979, in the fight against the Corrie Bill, the TUC made labour movement history by calling the first ever national trade union demonstration in support of women's abortion rights. Thousands of trade unionists came out onto the streets in defence of the princupie or women s control over their own Doctes.
Despite Government support for the Bill and the vociferous anti-abortion lobby, the combined strength of the trade union movement and the campaign launched by the National Abortion Campaign (NAC) made sure the Bill was soundly defeated.
inere nave so lal been seven attempts to restrict the already inadequate 1967 Abortion Act. Every attempt has met wiln lallure; out in the same period no new abortion rights have been won.
EROSION In fact, many of the gains of the 1967 Act have been eroded. There is no overan poncy tor the provision oi abortion facilities throughout the NHS, ana now spenaing culs are aggravating the difficulties women face in getting avortons in tneir own localty In addition, there is the constant threat that there may at any time be a Iresh attempt to restrict the abortion laws.
It is not enough to defend the '67 Act; the pro-choice lobby must begin formulating demands to extend the provision already in existence.
In this connection, the NAC/LARC Trade Union Liasion Committee is holding a Labour Movement Conference on Abortion and Positive Legislation on March 14, 1981.
The key objective for the Conference 1s lo plan une moonsanon or tne laooul and trade union movement to extend abortion rights. ine amIs to will support for making this extension a part or tne Labour farty s maniesto The Conference marks a turning point in the abortion campaign.
TUC and the Labour Party have passed paper resolutions in support of a women's Igni lo choose, tne Conterence must de the first step in calling on them to put their industrial and political muscle into action.
Faced with strong and united opposition, future attempts to restrict women's access to free, safe abortion facilities will be consigned to the dustbin, along with the White, Benyon and Corrie Bills of earlier years.
KEEP IT LEGAL While the Fighting attacks on right to abortion.
Laboul movement conterence can nelp win freely available abortion.