THE PAY BATTLE in the NHS is on. The call for a one. hour stoppage made by the TUC health service met with a great response last week. In fact, several union underestimated the strength of feeling among their members.
All over the country stoppages and marches will be well supported by all grades staff including nursing members, many of whom were Tol prepared to take action in 1979.
area were clearly in tavour nationally organised strike action.
The appallingly low pay in the NHS means that workers simply can't TOTOO ACCEDE in their standard of living.
willingness fight however has unGouDiculy been strengthened by the prothroughout the NHS, committee leaders confessed to having of a united fight by all NHS staff Line joint claim that has been submitted makes Inis a real possiolty Tol ine first time. This pressure has resulted in the two main unions, COHSE NUPE, allu selective action from Mon day 26 April.
It clear that the Tories will not be budged easily selective action (remember the civil servants last year) and the action needs to be much more stoppages. In order to involve the alcalesl number of NHS workers in the campaign we need to set up action committees across all grades staff and all Woes. This should help minimise any of the traditiona divisions that CASI between different sections and make the action more effective.
It also keeps up the pressure on our union leaders whose past record in such disputes leaves lot be desired should trying establish links and arguing workers in the public secDel valllo and teachers who face a similar situation.
The stoppages should be used to get onto streets and hold marches, to send delegations to the factories seeking support and to set up mass pickets of the hospitals. This is the only sort of action which would enable us to have ally chance of winning. Most activitie would be outlawed under the Tebbit Bill.
This Friday 23 April NHS unions have of the DHSS quarters and Castle Ceonialil Mass walkouts from Lon don staff will show • them • NUPE in Leeds called on the naCACCULIVE organise national strike action no emergency cover.
members in Leamington Saturday April to sign a petition sup porting their demands in the city centre.
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