Weighell ported the NUM салdidate. When the results of the ballot were announced on Tuesday, Weighell remained silent Only late on Wednesday, after his shenanigans did he inform his delegation that he had "abstaind This was a he. Weighell had cast his vote for the right. wing electricians union candidate.
Even his "resignation statement skirts around this when he states that " decided not to vote for the NUM candidate.
Weighell tries to de fend his position by arguing that the NUM did not confirm that they would support the NUR's canThis was a lie.
Weighell was sitting onl feet Scargi. ference. The NUM had in throughout TACE WEECH the rail union to inform them that it was unconstitutional for them to give written pledge of how they would vote. But implicit in such a ete for thistley ek would vote for Russell which they did.
Weighell knew all this.
alish temeny he press ed statement to ccutive rather than face the condemnation was rightly his due. He now has the upper hand He is prepared to abide b:
sion the Specia General Meeting mav take this reichell does get the support from the SGM which tends to be to the right of the membership. he will go on the offensive. He will regard such endorsement as a green light sell a lousy wage dea and 20,000 jobs. He wil work hand in glove with the British Rail Board and the Tories to implement the McCarthy терог against the wishes of his members.
He will find it difficult to give full hearted support to the health workers while selling his own members down the river and finally he will do his utmost to destroy the Tri ple Alliance and undermine Arthur Scargill.
If this happens Scargill himself will be paying the price for allowing such wheeling and dealing to go on the first place.
Whatever happens this Tessons are clear: workers want leaders they can trust Fact in their interests. Weighell's manoeuvres cannot he allowed demoralise the growing tide of opposition to the Tories and the right wing labour movement leaders.
The best way to get rid of the likes of Weighell will massive strength in support of the health WULACES the miners, the steel workers and all other workers movine into struggie, including the railworkers themselves.
The he weight Alliance struggles will give Scargill and Cothe best opportuniweek to Sid Weighell, the ty to make amends for their own wheelings and dealings.