Bradford occupation calls for union support

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TWO weeks ago the staff at Thörnton View hospital, Bradford, declared an occupation to defend their hospital. Fourteen frenetic, action-packed days are a long time for an occupațion staff who have never taken such action But it has proved a long time for 'the proper channels', ', both in NUPE and COHSE.

The Thornton View workers have had to organise things themselves, with the help of a support committee and a local NUPE branch secretary.

The occupation is being run by a working committee of staff on both shifts and wards with a good representation of the 100 staff who work at the hospital.

Non-medical management are being kept out. The Nursing Officer came into the work-in in the first couple of days but was accompanied everywhere by a inem per of staff, to prevent intimFrances idation and interference occupation.

The occupation has had support ranging from the Consultant Geriatrician to virtually all the relatives of the, 82. geriatric patients at the hospital.

Some months before, the entire Bradford Council passed a resolution supporting the Thornton View Hospital Campaign and "any action the staff may take to prevent closure". . Even the Tories voted for this.

But only Labour councillors, of courso, especially Barry Turner, have come along to the Occupation Support Committe.

The Work-in Committee make elcar their opposition to all cuts and closures. They don't want their hospital saved at the expense of another somewhere else.

They demand adequate government funding and a statement from the Health Authority that no non-medical personnel be involved in the removal ot patients, and no interference in patient referrals.

They further demand that the DHA acts upon a trade union inquiry on the facilities the hospital has to offer and how they can be improved, and that the DHA make their accounts (unlaundered) available to the workers and users of Bradford NHS.

Also, the work-in committee demand full supporting strike action if the occupation is threatened in any way.

And they call on the träde unions. in the Bradford area to establish an inquiry into the real level of need for geriatric provision.

This summer there have beer racist goings on on the crost channel ferries from Dover te Calais. A coach load of mainly black British holiday maker: were refused entry into France They were trying to get in on the perfectly legal 60 hour excursior identity cards.

White Guardian reportel Susan Tirbutt and two. blac students went across • Channel together to monito discriminatory practices.

In Dover the black students were asked if they had any other identification and were directed to a notice which claimed that the French authorities had gone back on the long-standing agree. ment which permitted travel or the ID cards. They were told tr expect trouble in France.

The white Guardian reporter was also asked if she had any other ID. She said she hadn'l and that was the end of the matter.

The French authorities are re ported to blame the refusals or the British Nationality Act. They fear that black tourists may have no right of re-entry into Britain.

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Organiser, August 18 1983 Page