POSITIVE LEGISLATION on abortion was introduced into Parliament last week when Jo Richardson attempted to NHS Act so that abortion facilities would be provided freely on the NHS.
The vote was 139 for, against, OUT was significant. In 1979, only 98 MPs voted against the Corrie Bill.
Now, TWO vens alel on 10-minute-rule bill which would usualy not get parliamentary time to proceed, a majority of the Parliamentary Labour Party to extend vno lacuues oRaoor tion.
Ot course. some MPs voted for the bill because it aimed to extend the NHS, and not because they have suddenly become pIoaucllull y frent bench disap- while Tory front ocalcu the ullliule Jo Richardson started speakMargaret KanOuen Thatcher came back in time to vote against it!), the majority of the Shadow Cabinet telt oblig. ed not only to stay and Hsicl Wilal was being said, but also to vote for it. Step Putting forward the facilities bill was an important first step in the camDalZII 101 Dusilive Ickisiation on abortion. As Reg Race said at the press conference immediately following the vote This is the beginning of the fightback against those inside who seek to restrict abortion facilities.
wole the anti-abortionists may have won the vote, clear Irom their response that they could not cope with the debate taking place on our Jill Knight's resLelIlIs • Jo Richardson vulse lu was that allowing women access to abortion facilities was tantamount to abortion on demana.
A 10-minute-rule bill in Parliament is a limited tac.
But it had the desired effect.
Local DaDels and down the country carried articles on it.
Some unions, cinoda bly NALGO, publicised throughout their membership. MPs were written to and lobbied. Motions were put through constituency sabour parties mandating their MP's to vote for it. Sees amend the 1977 highlight the need for abortion facilities now, despite Tory cutbacks. As the saying goes: ine best form of defence is attack.
Labour MPs are clearly open to pressure on this issue. We hope that at the next Private Members November they •alots l will not be contemplating Lurucl I COLEICLIOlIs abortion, but will be lookhow they can improve the situation.
We have to ensure tha all representatives of the cabour movement supporl a woman's right to choose on abortion. This means not just Labour MPs, but ColACHHOrS mem bers of commulll) health counciis. school governors and so A petition will soon be circulating witnill the labour movement. This will demand that woman's right to choose on abortion is included in the next Labour Party manifesto. It will also ask for an end to the conscience vote by MPs U1. aDor on.
It will be handed in to conference in Brighton at the end of September, where a lobby is being organised by the Labour Abortion Rights Campaign (LARC) and the National Abortion gbers Campaign (NAC)
Local NAC groups will also be out on the streets petitions aimed highlighting the need for Tac mes mie dcd The NAC conference Iasi organise a health service Lollu agreed so that those colici cule working in hospitals and the culllillllt y could discuss are fighting for and how to take it up.
They will also be national forum on facilities. This will be open to unions, Labour Parties. communıty and women's groups. It would monitor the attacks on abortion facilities and draw up a clear and detailed plan for what facilities we need and the role of legislation in achieving it. up the struggle AFTER a thirty week unionisation pickets at paper mill have called for trade union picket of the works on 14 July at 7am.
Bill Conway, a cutterman at the mill, told Socialist unionists in the north west and elsewhere have got to help us shut the mill down this time and bring the management to its knees.
"This is the second attempt in three years to get the place unionised. Conditions inside are appalling. All health and satetv regulations are ignored no set meal times or tea breaks. Workers often worked couole breaks. down OUL necks minute late back from the toilet.
•Wages prior to unbelievable. I took working 12 days on and two off. You had to agree to the management, with no union we had no choice.' There are seven Asian comrades on the picket line. Mohammed Fazal from Preston took home £57 for 12 days on:
Roach Bridge win, a mass another winter oil supplies Challenge: "Trade lacking and caoltaust bress We had Sun about shifts willd no nothing trom Management used to breathe for being one the dispute were home f66 after July' 'We are determined to stick it out till we but we don't want to go through We need support to get supplies cut off. Already this week four loads of pulp have gone in together with "This is another Grunwicks, but we are only just hitting the headlines. appeal to the Asian community to come down on the picket line and support us.' Mick warshaw teeis thai Otaalisa tional support from SOGAT has been expressed disgust at the 'I wrote to the Daily Mirror and The our sackings. I ve nearo The Sun, and the Daily Mirror editor rang me up and told me there was no story in it! Before this dispute I thought the Mirror was supposed to support the working class.
"The only thing left now is to mobilise the power of the trade union and labour movement. We urge all trade unionists in the north to come and support us on 14 For further details contact: Paul Fox, Trades Council, Whitb) Avenue, Preston. Tel 0772-731089
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WORI OFEL VALGO