Socialist Organiser

The weekly of the fused Workers Socialist League, July 1981 to April 1984

Women in struggle

Socialist Organiser no. 130, 5 May 1983 · scan pp. 2–3 · about 409 words

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during the day and a rally in the evening.

The People's March for Jobs, which passes through Coventry to Leamington Spa, will be leafleted and more action is planned by Leamington women's groups.

All these are only a few examples of the range of action nation-wide.

Fighting sexism

Half the battle in getting supporting action on May 24 has been fighting the sexist, derisory attitudes of all sections of the organised labour movement. May 24 offers huge scope for action.

A favourite key phrase of the left is to "build links, link the struggle" with the labour movement: that's precisely what we should do and should have done.

Groups like the SWP and Militant who regard themselves as a leading part of that organised labour movement should have responded by being in the foreInstead they chose to negate such action, because its grass roots were in feminism and women's self-activity, not the shop floor.

Historically the labour movement and its organisations have often been hostile to taking up women's issues. We have a legacy of the fight for a family wage and sacking part-time • workers, scabbing on women's struggles besides a general opposition to allowing women to take leadership positions.

The Labour Party Young Socialists refused to support the event, saying in a patronising way that it was doomed to fail. Instead of asking themselves how they concretise their influence in the labour movement to link with the obviously successful cammiddle class'.

Not counterposed The self-activity of women in the disarmament movement is not counterposed to workers on the shop floor taking action against the missiles. Look at the demands being made against military spending, against closúres of schools and hospitals from Greenham.

Women at Greenham, over nearly two years, besides giving CND a new momentum, have highlighted the organisational potential of women. No labour movement body has matched their ability to build mass action against the Bomb.

If the trade unions and the ateral disarmament can be turned What you can do: fence Offices. men's groups, anti-cuts campaigns, etc. tic.

It is not too late to prepare activities for May 24. Get those resolutions into your trade unions and CLPs. Find out from your regional contact what is happening and join in.

For more information phone the May 24 Organising Committee (Laura, 0273 604265).

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TARZAN: "That little creep"

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