[42.2 predicting that all movements of coal in…]
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-03-03Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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42.2 predicting that all movements of coal in the region will have been frozen within a week.
Nonetheless, it is essential that the action is not confined to South Wales. Scargill's only nationally reOr and file ported contribution has been his observation that 'the action could spread like wildfire' . Apparently he has forgotten that he is President of the NUM. Despite this, Yorkshire will be out in support as from Sunday. DAVE Douglass, Yorkshire NUM Executive member and delegate at the Hatfield Main Colliery, near Doncaster, was present at Monday's Yorkshire Area Council meeting, which took the decision to strike from Sunday night.
He told Socialist Organiser:
"The meeting went well. A delegation from South. Wales addressed the meeting, and there were only two votes against - and one of those was because he wanted strike action immediately.
'Because of shift working this would have been difficult to organise. We now have report-back meetings to branches on Saturday.
'No doubt some poeple there will argue for a ballot tirst, especially atter the pay closures ballot result a few months ago.
No one wants a strike. But as far as I am concerned, the policy against closures already exists; we have a mandate to take action, and that should be enough.
'Nottingham's call for a national ballot is a diversion, and just passing the buck. They're hoping the 28,000 staff members will overturn a strike vote.
'It is possible the National Executive will go for a national ballot, but by then, South Wales and Yorkshire - at least - Will be out:
'On Monday there will not be any need for us to. picket Yorkshire pits, but if Nottinghamshire is not out, we will consider sending fly-ing pickets down there.