Demand TGWU backing for S&k strike!

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entrance. support whatsoever from the Picketing is the key to local TGWU official who this dispute. In the Bir- continued to refuse to back JOHN HARRIS ron for On Saturday 2 October, 50 pickets demonstrated their solidarity with striking Asian workers at the Sandhar and Kang cash and carry warehouse Coventry.

Although the strikers were not on the picket line, because of a court injunction, the solidarity pickets were able to turn away a majority of the customers, despite constant police presence. which kept the pickets away from the NOT content with insulting NHS workers with his derisory and divisive pay offer Health Secretary Fowler this week launches the Tories' latest racist attack.

On October 1 the so-called 'Charges for Overseas Visitors' Regulations will be implemented. Except for accident and emergency (A&E) cases and patients WITH solidarity action by Air India workers in Bombay due to start this Monday, October 4, the airline bosses seem to be getting rattled.

They have written to TGWU general secretary mingham S&K strike last May, it was the successful picketing which won union recognition.

In Coventry, before the court injunction, picketing was over 80% successful.

This was the reason why the bosses attempted to defeat the. strike with the injunction and is the reason why the pickets must be continued, with the support of the local labour movement.

The picket received no with infectious diseases everyone seeking NHS care will be subjected to an eligibility check. We'll be asked questions about our residency status or date of arrival in the UK. Note that word 'everyone': this is Fowler's 'principle of universal challenge' to which we'll return, People failing the challenge will have to pay for health care.

Why are the Tories introducing these Regulations? Officially, to catch the tiny number of overseas visitors who obtain free treatment to which they are not strictly entitled. Already in SO 78 we looked at the main points against the legislation.

One criticism follows from Fowler's claim that his plan will save over £6 million each year. However, this represents only one twothousandth of the annual NHS budget. Further, every DHSS study for past governments has shown that such schemes would cost more to administrate than they would rake in.

But there is a more powerful criticism. The Regulations state that, apart from A&E and infectious diseases, everyone using the NHS is to be cross-examined. That means millions of people each year under this principle of universal Distress It is obvious that hard-pressed hospital clerks will not question all patients. Only those who are suspected of being ineligible for free care will be stopped -and this means particular distress will be caused to black people, people with 'foreignsounding' names, and people who do not speak fluent English.

Mereever. the Manchester Race & Health Group's report* and Brent Community Health Council's booklet 'Black People and the Health Service' (amongst the strike, forcing the strikers to continue unofficially, and without strike pay.

Despite this, the strikers resolved to lobby the TGWU official's District Committee Those active in support of the strikers should support their demand for total official blacking of S&K; for strike pay for the strikers; for union recognition and against redundancies, and should raise the issue and send resolutions from their Labour Parties and unions. to the TGWU.

Demonstrations such as the 15 October regional health workers protest should be used as opportunities to mobilise support for the S&K strike.

A useful anti-racist link is being provided by the Coventry Trades Council Campaign Against the Race Checks in the NHS.

Messages of support and money to S&K Strike Committee, 88 King George's Avenue, Coventry.

Full support for the mass picket on Saturday 9 October from 8 am to 12.30 at S&K, Kingfield Road, Coventry.

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by George McLean