Fri 4-5.30pm, Sat More info on local act Wales BANGUR. sal 10-ie lown contic. CAHDIFF: In Butc 1985 Books, at Fourth 1acc 11-1, 'Hole in BURNLEY: every se SC available 1EMEL HEMPSTEAD: SC sales in 0-1.900 Progressive Books, Berry St MANSFIELD: Stockwell Gate, Sats. 0.30-12 and 2.30-3; West Gate, Sats 10.30-12; F BANGOR: BRIGHTON, The Public House, LitFullmarks, 110 CheltenBr babes, Burninghar Bookshop.
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Cross WC2; Paperback Books, I Charlotte NW6 Peckham High St SE15 Sis, The Other Bookshop er St, N1: Reading Matters, Wooc NEW PAMPHLET - Open letter on East tea studention CRITIQUE, lary Kaldor, Fred Hall Machover, mi Mike Haynes er Lionel Clitte. e. Fri 15 Jar (amoral tread: Brith In Poland Third Force: Repression 20p plas I6 pop. Subscriptions: C2 sis (SCON B Bath Labour Party showing of KEN LOACH's film steel strike, Socialist Challenge supporter, MIKE POLLEY, was there Ken Loach was commissioned by ATV to make a film about the steel strike. When completed, the Qformat differed radically other meda coverace walchaao focussed exclusively officials like the general • ready Trades ron Confederation, Bill Sirs.
Loach's film was based on rank and file strikers solidarity action.
From this point, the film's history is as instructive as its content.
Bosses Initially the Independeni Broadcasting Authority said the film had to be fifteen minutes. Then they said representatives British Steel should be involved the film month organised on the 1980 A Question of Leadership. Local (MacGregor and his ex ecutive refused). Then top cluded (a new section slotted in Bill Sirs and George Wright from the Wales had finally OVel chat the film was too out- the IBA decided dated for national screening!
In the end the film was shown - at 10.30pm and ONuV the Midlands region very few steel workers live.
The main reason for the IBA's hostility to the film was its exposure of the union officials who ensured the strike's defeat. The film concentrates on their attempts LO solalt the strike and to stifle rank and file moves towards solidarity action.
For weeks, the the policy of Sirs and Co most WORKS notably in relation to BL. The workers of BL were in situation as ine steel workers. They had the same emplover -- the Tory government ed for mass redundancies and closures. The case for joint union action was overwhelming.
Defeat Yet as SOON as Bl workers voted for strike the ISTC and the accoll.
leaders stampeded the membership to end the steel dispute.
Sirs and the firmly committed to bour fei demonsem workers' cracy, believed in the right of the Tory rule throughout cyclicall full term of office, come what imposed to any attempt to may. So they were firmly workers struggles way that could government' and even, perhaps bring it down.
In 1980 this meant that Alan Thornett they had to isolate the steel strike, and So inevitably ensure its defeat.
Despite their rhetoric the labour movement's determinede, ana till are, determined that dispute run an independent course. The result is that uneones can pick off groups of workers one steel strike to BL and Laurence-Scott, all demonstrate that the leaders SuUl afraid of the possible consequences of victory than they are of defeat.
The Bath meeting in vited Ray ITOR ISTC Llanwern, and Alar TGWU and BL Cowley to address the audience. Both featured prominently in the film and are able representatives of the 'class-struggle leaders who emerged during the steel strike.
The fact that over one hundred peopic out for a meeting in Bat!
and donated £74 to th Laurence Scott strikers and Bath Labour Party's political fund demonstrates the urgenc! with which the rank and file in the labour movenew solutions to the pro- ment searching blems posed by this Tor government A Question of Leadership can be hired by application to ATV, 46 Sharlott St, London. Tel 4602.
Socialist Challenge 7 January: 1982
Socialist
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