IN 1972 Heath's industrial legislation was reduced to tatters. The same could be done If Bill Keys' proposals on this page were taken up and acted on by the meeting of the TUC executives on 7 April; if io aits me ding o 3 Mareh the rank and file were organised by the Liaison from its meeting of 27 March; and if the Labour left organised active Labour resistance to the courts and Dept, challenged Foot likewise, this Bill would not last two minutes.
There are iwo connected reasons why Tebbit's Bill will not fall so easily as did Heath's.
Firstly, the union leadership is not so readv to resist. Bovd and Duttv's scabbing reflects real advances for the Secondly, political confusion leaders have taken militancy and confidence Both shopfloor Labour Party activists face a fight on iwo fronts.
Tebbit in the courts - and to do so
Committee
Party to do unempfoyment and sown by the their toll of and They must stand up to their own But if implemented it would practice! as the LCDTU pressuring the must first should be defend Tories co-ordinate Tebbit's law would have banned the recent day of action against the cuts in South Yorkshire of the fight against Heseltine, for Jobs, and for democratic rights. In each one of these struggles, it is the strength of the unions we have to call on. Anyone and everyone fighting the : should be brought into the campaign.
From this basis it is essential to commit the leaders too. Union exresistance. mutual campaign uusulld hunting, Smaso ne t Labour figh: against Tebbit practical level MPs the Every asked tion practical test now.
just by their words deeds.
judgment way -will By Tessa van Gelderen and Alan Freeman non-cooperation defence The Labour Party should be asked to coordinate and lead such activity with a days of demonstrations and if necessary stop the reaching the statute books; to support all resistance if it is passed; and to have nothing whatever to do with actions brought under the new law But just as important is the fight in the Labour Party. It is useless going into battle with one hand tied behind backs. Labour's NEC PLP right wing reject, and are witchthe policies needed to Tebbit. Trade unionists and ward activists alike should fight inside Party defeat Healey-Foot team as part of the same How can this be done? It is a very unc ilel! Councis great resources the labour movement can use. Labour Party branches can help co-ordinate action by linking up with affiliated unions at rank and file and councillors have influence and access to the public which they can use, not just by condemning Tebbit but by pledging and organising action in support of every victim of Tebbit and against this unjust law It is when the public see that trades Jons ceraack rom ennı and councillors from inredtened ovune same uoges ano ne same police forces, and are prepared u : a colliicli ucicle ul cari other, that the! will understand why unions must be defended and Labour must be supported.
councillor, every MP and GMC in the country should be support resistance, participation, and defence, and take part jointly with the unions in drawing up practical local campaigns of acConferences and the should be asked tor a mrm pleage lo take a similar national stance.
The battle between the left and the right in the Labour Party has so far been a battle for policies. The outcome of that struggle is being put to a Candidates, MPs and councillors should be judged, not but by their If this becomes the touchstone of in the Labour Party, be open to a real fighting allance that can defeat Tebbit and Healey. This is our task.
Trades policy:
The trade usc organisational strength The call for and and rata basis Fund and mean it action, inDevelopment associated bodies as its objective partite bodies the legislation.
closed shops.
No for ballots and | will explain why.
working people cannot watch this government destroy our movement. are tacked we have the ourselves and wil!
The making o laus against the trade MenE tasteni majority of working people nonNEC of these things did little that majority orael uremse ves the government. General Secretary of the Society of Graphical & Allied Reproduced from Tribune I do not seek confrontation but I certainly will not flinch from it. It is for these reasons that SOGAT will be inviting the TUC to adopt the following union movement its collective financial, and TUC to have DUWCI to co-ordinating action where it is considered that legitimate trade union action has taken place.
The TUC to set up a special fund t Cattontee . to on a pro Let us call it a Fightin Withdrawal by the TUC from National CCO ICILE Council and Withdrawal by the TUC from any government body which has the application of guvenment cconome poncies To review activities on other triTo instruct trade unions not to sit on tribunals that are dealing with issues arising from the proposed Non-compliance with ballots on union must accept funds Does this mean that one is inviting people to break the law? Yes it does, The rights of working people and their standard of life were not given by some enlightened employer. Nor were they given by some enlightened They were fought for bı stand idly and of reaction If we are at right to detend defend ourselves ite .C d.. union müre.
mind of those people in power which retlects their deen enmitv toward; he Thev are not promoting true law To be true law, it must nurture life and promote the common good. Ine government's policies on law do none One should remember that Hitler was legal. The government of South Africa works within its legal framework, imposing people, passing regulations that give the appearance of legality to their dark deeds. Mere ana mere law are not enas l They must berelated to Iț is for these reasons that I shall continue to speak out against this evil
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