The New River Mead strike committee in Islington London has called for full labour movement support to a solidarity demonstration initiated by the joint trades union committee representing Islington Council workers message out John Hickey of the strike committee told us. There is a massive press campaign against us and its essential that we show the real extent of the support that we enjoy.
Jimmy O'Connor, G&MBATU explained how people were continually walking in from the streets with small donations and messages of support. They've kept the real effects of the strike out of the press' he explained. "There's anything up to 500 burst mains being allowed to gush in London. The levels of water in the reservoirs has dropped dangerously as a result. contractors to repair pumping stations. Yesterday, they tried this on at the Grosvenor Rd station on the embankment. We sent out a flying picket and stopped them crossing the line: assistance from Hampton if this was required. stepping up the action and we are determined to win. The healthworkers did it and effectively got their branch chairpersor 'Management is playing dirty. They are trying to call in He explained that they would respond to any call for *We are
It is clear from the serious problems which arise as a result of water workers being compelled to take action in defense of their living standards, health and well-being of They should be paid the increase in wages that they justly demand.
THE WATER workers are a small group of workers who desperately need the practical support of the labour movement. waging their first ever national strike, they are having to learn serious lessons very quickly. We must get on their picket lines and support them.
The claim for parity with gas and electricity workers is no more than reasonable. These workers do a messy and demanding job wading waist-high through picking out dead dogs and bodies from the sewers and reservoirs, filter beds which purity the millions of gallons of water that we all drink each day. Their claim should be met in full.? Water workers picketing at Hampton last week - having to confront police as well as scabs.
that their work is vital to the community.
They are and Draw and maintaining the HAMPTON WATER WORKS in West London has now become a national symbol for the strikers. This huge works next to the Thames supplies the majority of London with water. If it could be stopped, the dispute would be all but over.
taken by the unions to close the plant.
hundred water workers from all over London joined the picket line Hampton last Friday night and Saturday mornIn They were there in response to a call from the Hampton workers to stop third coal from reaching the works.
Four minibuses of police from the Tactical Support Group kept watch, but no coal appeared - probably because of the success of the last-minute the pickets.
Twice before scab lorries have broken through шле pIcKeL Sane with the connivance of the police, to keep the pumps going HILARY DRIVER reports on the steps being with a supply of coal. The plant around tons a week, or 12 lorry loads to keep working.
The picket line was attacked on the last two occasions by the police, who refused even let the strikers talk to drivers. Miners The strikers the first to admit that they are inexperienced at picketing Miners from Kent visited Hampton on Friday and discussed picketing tactics with the water workers, as well as donating some very welcome food fuel 3EOT their braziers and E200 for their hardship fund.
Stopping the coal getLow bee the m has become major the trial of strength between the cubiovers alcane sankers The water workers are linking up workers in the NUM and the rail to discove where the coal is coming that it can boycotted at source. They are now considering widening out their action to make the most use of the support that can tapped from the rest of the labour movement An excellent lead in solidarity has been taken by the local Hounslow Trades Council who have set up a support committee for the water workers the committee has produced letters for local trade union and Labour Party branches calling on other workers to throw their weight behind the strikers.
Their aim is to provide a counter to the Tory press lies and distortions of the water workers' claim.
One of the organisers of the support committee Lewis T&GWU convenor. important to do everything we can to winnine worker locally to the side of the strikers', he said.
• This will be especially important if they succeed in closing Hampton down If this happens masses of workers whose workplaces rely r on water supplies wil be laid off, and we have to make sure they put the blame where it belongs -with the government.
The support committee is considering the possibility of organising a tour of major work places West London and of call ing a local demonstration in support of the strikers.
Money is also becoming short for some of the strikers. Many have been refused support or been given the runaround by the DHSS All the unions at Hampton are now spon soring joint hardship-fund collection sheets which will speed up the much needed donations.
Hampton works can be closed down. We need to step up solidarity actions by other unions and the labour movement in general.
Boycotting the coal will be a vital factor. Mass pickets and demonstra. tions Will also be very the strikers will important not only to reinforce their own solid determination, but to win other workers to their side and donations to:
GMBATU/NUPE Appeal, c/o Ken Edge, 67 Railwa HO8O Mid diesex Cheques/POs Hampton Strike • The National meeting of Labour Against No Sin 7 a war full claim and called on the Labour Part put full weigh behind the dispute.