Miners' campaign shows the way

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(Dinnington NUM)

THE campaign by the leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers over the union's wage claim is something which has not been seen in the British labour movement in most people's lifetime.

It has seen the entire National Executive of a major national union touring up and down the country, campaigning and fighting amongst the rank and file.

Gone are the days when Gormley stitched up deals in the corridor, gone are the days when national leaders were only ever seen on Gala day. It is a welcome trend and one which the rest of the trade union leadership would do well to emulate.

Even within the history of the miners' union you would have to go back to 1935 when the Executive of the Miners Federation of Great Britain went round the country campaigning. The result of that campaign was a victory, the famous miners' It was during this campaign that miners' - leader Arthur Horner told a meeting in South Wales: "The historical role of the miners of this country is to lead the workers of this country. The miners have always lead the workers and now we reclaim that right."

Agitation

These words are as true today as they were then. Coalfields have been attacked with an agitation and propaganda never seer before - meetings, leaflets, special issues of "The Miner' and "The Yorkshire Miner' posters, stickers and neverending arguments and discussions - all urging a yes vote in support of the National Executive.

The urgency of the a1. facing the NUM has stirred local branch committees to carry the message right to the pits. Many branch committees have held their own membership meetings to get the message home. The unity and sense of purpose deriving from the national campaign was represented at a mass rally held in the City Hall in •Sheffield on 21 October.

Along with Arthur Scargill and Mick McGahey were Jack Taylor, the Yorkshire President, and Peter Heathfield, the Derbyshire President. and virtually all the National Executive members who could attend that evening.

Only South Wales wasn't represented.

Even the right wingers Sid Vincent (Lancashire) and Ray Chadburn (Nottingham) spoke strongly in favour of a yes vote.

When Chadburn : was heckled by Yorkshire miners Nottingham miners who came up to Sheffield by the mooch lond turnod round and said, "Don't wory, if he doesn't do the job, we will."

Only about half of the 4,000 who turned up could get into the hall and overspill meetings were organised and video screens set up to relay the speeches.

Rallies

Attendances at rallies elsewhere have been good. The following Sunday, for example, a rally in Worksop Town. Hall drew an audience of over 900 from the three local pits, one of which is probably the most right wing in the Yorkshire coalfield.

Whichever way the vote goes, this campaign can only do good to the NUM and trade union movement as a whole. It has forged a new sense of purpose, a new sense of pride and a new dynamic and has set a clear example to the rest of the movement.

Think how different the National : Health Workers dispute could have been if tha Liverntivec of NIPE COSE, etc., emulated Socialist Organiser has argued for a long time for turning the labour movement outwards and transforming labour movement organisations into fighting units of the class. Now there is a chance for everyone to see what can be done with a bit of effort.

Labour democracy fight for a comphles and the JHST • Organises Available irom SO, 28 Middle Lane, London N8 for 60p incl. postage.

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Socialist Organiser no. 106 October 28, 1982 Page 4

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by John Cunningham

WORKERS GOVERNNENT