SUPPORT THE STEEL STRIKE outside The eversed i 1913.
Four een years later, after the defeat of the 1926 General Strike, the Tory government saw its chance to go The 1921 Trades Dispute Act ruled that union members had to opt in wished 10 pay the political levy to the Labour Party.
2I50 tha sympathetic 'genera strikes were illegal.
It was not until the postLabour government of 1945-51 That this Act repealed. ne depression or Mac Donald decision to ake 1930s Ramsay in 1931 severely wounded the ability of trade unionists to fight back that the situation today. The unions and the Labour Party are much stronger than they were 1930s, which is why even if Prior's law is passed it could be made inoperable within a couple of weeks.
One lesson of the early part of this century is that the Labour Party in Parliament was formed to secure union rights. That's why the Labour Party should declare commi mero Here SHOE Bill now inside and outside Another reason is that in one aspect at least Prior's Droposals real de a case or 'the old, old story This the section which LACROS taken for some extraneous motive.
the ban on sympathetic or general strike action imposed in 1927 This time, don't let's wait 20 vears to get that reversed.
Socialist Challenge 21 February 1980 Page 4 MOTION NO 20. STEEL CLOSURES.
executive council to future of steelmaking in the UK. Corby No 2 This is how R. Southam (Corby successful motion on the struggle on jobs at last year's and Confederation conference:
'A great deal of emotion was conference last year over the Bilston issue culminating in a Proposer R. Southam threat of industrial action if are sorce was not wwurawi, A threat, of course, was then successful, but where are today? Well, Bilston for all intents closed. Corby is next under "That this conference calls upon the oppose any further closures in the steel industry and that BSC be pressed to review its policies regarding the direct threat and after that Shotton. Plan "The social consequences for these areas are enormous. Talk about OCHIE drafted replacement AnOT theoretical than practical. If Corby works was to close, the of unemployment bordering on 30 per cent. BSC is still DUESUITE ES LOCOSELC plan which is now so out of line with the current market situation and EEC constraints it is not true.
This is not the time for complacency. No one is safe. It's interesting to know that places like Ravenscraig are going to be up for review in 1990.
*This may seem a long wa off, but I would like to remind Me Pontes nat Do COroV 21e Bilston were in exactly the same position when the ter year plan was drawn up. it MALES Welsh workers march to save jobs, 28 January really is sad about Bilston. It's very tragic, especially when you remember all the support that they've had over the last year -I believe ThaT PLATS conference must state today wah the last closure. Now it's time to put an end to BSC's crazy policies starting with the executive committee opposing any further closures Talks should then take place with the BSC in order that a sensible policy for the future of the industry can De determined.
'A policy based not only but social COONORECL grounds, which to my minc the prime consideration. ask conference to support motion 20.2 The motion overwhelmingly with only 4 against.
steel strike committees which took place Sheffield on Monday facing the steelworkers.
ports, particularly in the receiving deliveries A MEETING of representatives of a number of in was the first step to overcoming some of the major problems now It has been left to local areas to implement the call to stop all movement of steel. Several North, are still and have never been has only just presented a formal pay claim management in Cine eighth week of the strike and the membership has had no report on what is, let alone the opportunity to discuss or vote on it.
In spite of all these handicaps and the division with the private sector, the strike is as solid as ever among BSC workers.
the right leadership the strike can be won. The sticker produced Warrington steelworkers sums it up: if Bill Sirs won't lead the strike, he should 'do us a favour' and make way for who can and will lead it.