Solidarity? All we had to do was ask

Scan page 3

Persistent lobbyine by NHS workers paved the way for solidarit workers or ine rul Claim virtually every hospital was took this as a signal to out - including some who spread the action, produc- weren't on the previous ing five bulletins in the one-day strikes. Socialist Organiser rounds up reports from the NHS pay strike on June 23 "IT is worth saying how we achieved such widespread solidarity action" , reports JULIA REDMAN from Coventry, describing the strikes and demonstrations in support of the health workers on June 23.

"All we had to do was send out letters from the Hospital Joint Action Committee asking for support. The response was immediate.

'5,000 Warwickshire miners came out. We were joined on the picket lines by delegations of miners, Massey Ferguson workers, water workers, Post Office workers, the city engineers, and NALGO members.

•The bus mechanics and canteen workers came out on sympathy strike and sent two buses down to a lunchtime mass meeting at Whitley hospital.

•The water workers said they would follow the lead of the miners in sympathy strike action next time, and many others said that this was just the start."

So solidarity is snowballing. It took a lot of hard work to set that snowball rolling.

In South Wales health workers repeatedly annrnached miners and VIN seamen, and lobbied the NUM area conference. But now the work is bearing fruit.

MARTIN BARCLAY reports: 'Miners and seamen were again present on picket lines on the 23rd. And it was clear that health workers have learnt a lot dul bit multis. dut alll- fram the minosa Thn atti tude of health workers to picketing was much more confident than before.

La in •Wo cont a fling nicket to the opening ceremony of the BUPA hospital in Cardiff. BUPA management responded by offering us a glass of champagne each. They looked most upset when the contents were poured on the ground!

"In the evening a Health Workers for the Full Claim aelegation autenaea a Jalaratina attended meeting of steelworkers in Llanwern and got a promise from ISTC fullin the South Wales coalfield timer Rrian Connollv of a VALLICA „VIJ UL 4 one-day strike in solidarity with us"

In Leicester there were not only strong pickets and solidarity, but a week's strike rather than a day's.

CHARLIE SARELL reports: 'The City General hospital voted on June 18 for a week's strike. Health TIT +-1. 4L - nl M-imaal ween.

"Leicester Royal Infirmary and the ambulance crews stayed out after Wednesday, producing a strong united strike on the Thursday and Friday.

In the North West, too, ANNA LUNTS reports, "solidarity action was stronger than ever. And .....s.- 17 1. - --:* stration on the 23rd was the largest I've ever seen locally

----- pull-quotes -----

they JOHN HARRIS

PR NICB Narwaw Lobery Scuth be

Mail THE