Support for NGA
Socialist Organiser1984 1984-01-05Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
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IN Sheffield on 14 December. what started out as a rally for the ran, steel and coal unions, ended as an attack on the TUC General Council in denying support to the NGA.
News of the vote was public when the meeting started. Calls for an NGA speaker by the 1,000 people present was soft-soaped by the chair. Former ASLEF President Bill Ronksley had this to say: "Today is a black day for trade unionism. We in ASLEF were also let down by the TUC so we know how the NGA members are feeling tonight. But that letdown did not weaken the resolve of ASLEI members. It becomes clearer and clearer that a new kind of leadership is necessary.
"When a Congress is held to decide on a policy, no trade union leadership should be allowed to back down on that policy, and instead talk about not breaking the law."
These comments were met by rapturous applause.
Arthur Scargill also had some pertinent comments. "It's not just our class enemy but collaboration in our own ranks. I believe the TUC decision today represents the biggest sell-out since 1926. Faced with sequestration of their funds, the NGA should strike, not for i day but permanently." A member of the audience at that shouted out: "How long do you think the (NUM) overtime ban should last?" Scargill replied, "I'll tell you how long it should last - permanently."
At this point Bill Sirs walked in to cries from the crowd of 'Scab' and 'Put up the gallows' Bill Sirs said, "We are trying to create unity within the triple alliance. We're fighting a government with a 140 seat majority. That is what you should not forget.
The audience shouted back ""' " fighting the TUC!"
A slow handclap started people began to leave. Sirs did not say anything else.
Jimmy Knapp pledged the support of the NUR. 'We must work hard to shake off what has happened today. We need to work for unity. We need to make sure that in future, the Tory government is faced by a union movement, standing shoulder to shoulder. The NUR supports the NGA. We will continue to argue for justice for the NGA despite the decision today."
What was said at this rally gives hope for a much stronger assault on the anti-union laws. If the NGA asks the triple alliance will answer.