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Wiser Alliance, 28 Middle Lane, London N8, and printed by East End Offset (TU). Registered as a newspaper with the GPO. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of the SOA. EVEN THE judge hearing the case of the Area Health Authority against 12 named defendants 'in the matter of the sector administrator's office on the first floor of the main block, st Mary's Hospital, Harrow Road, London W9", , could not suppress a smile.

Administrator Julian Nettal had made himself a laughing stock with his statement concerning the occupation of his office on October 28.

Supported by dozens of other hospital workers who volunteered to be defendant no.13 - "Every other person in occupation" the Harrow Road 12 squashed into the High Court of Justice in the Strand on November 10.

The judge, listening impatiently, did not want to spend time on the prosecution case.

Some of the defendants, speaking for the others, explained their case. 'The occupation of the administrator's office was a nonviolent legal action", , said Mick Woods, victimised T&G shop steward, "even local OAPs have come along to stand outside in Registered the cold to show their support for our fight to save this hospital"

The judge commented "It is only natural that these people should feel very upset about that" (the closure), and even added, "I have the greatest respect for those of you who felt incensed in this way"

He could, of course, afford • to make these patronising: seemingly friendly statements, as nis judgment was never in doubt.

'Possession is to be delivered forthwith. There is no order as to costs. In my opinion justice does not require an order for costs in this case"

No further writ was apparently needed for management to gain repossession of the room, which was then handed back.

Any tendency to think of this as some sort of ending is entirely mistaken. Of the two workers suspended on Friday October 30. for protesting at a raid by administrators and police to empty Ward 2, one, nurse Adrian Herzmark, has been reinstated with a verbal warning (!), but porter and T&G shop steward Mick espaper with the GPO. Woods has been suspended until his six month contract runs out on November 20. At the same time three portering vacancies are being advertised!

The T&G has been very tardy in fighting this case. It has not even challenged management's right to carry out this blatant act. T&G branches should demand action in defence of a shop steward from the largest union in the land.

A possible motion would be: ''This branch condemns the victimisation of Mick Woods, a T&G shop steward at St Mary's Hospital W9, for carrying out union policy, and calls on the Region 1 committee to ensure that he is reemployed without conditions immediately"

(Branches outside Region 1 would have to modify this motion to inquire what Region 1 is doing).

The continuing struggle to combat patient-snatchers needs to be stepped up. To stop wards 3 and 7 being emptied, constant patrols must be started of the corridors outside the wards.

Other wards where patients are being snatched to should be encouraged not to receive them by pickets at the wards.

Time is very short now in the vital fight to save the NHS facilities locally.

THE Labour movement: conferenco is now vital to building supporting action In defence of St Mary's W9. Large delegations from all sections, particularly NHS workers, must be fought for.

Already the NHS in London is in ferment. This wook workers at the Hammersmith Hospital have been on strike over the sacking of a NUPE branch official, and the London Hospital in Whitechapel has had a dispute over bonus payments and non-filling of bads.

The conterence noads to bring togother all these struggles into a common strong fight.

Credentials from the Occupation Committoo, St Mary's Hospital, London W9. All activists wolcond. 1iam to 2pm at Porchester Hall, Porchester Rd. Landon W2.

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