[THE Health Fightback 84 HE Health Fightback 84…]

Scan page 14

THE Health Fightback 84 HE Health Fightback 84 conference last Saturday, 25th, decided to investigate the possibility of a newsletter to link health cuts struggles.

A full contact address list will be circulated, a recall conference is being considered, and there may be fringe meetings at NUPE and COHSE conferences.

The conference, between 100 and 200 strong, was different from all other recent conferences and rallies against the health cuts in that it brought together activists from struggles in progress to discuss their experiences. The major part ot the day was given over to workshops.

Ken Williamson reported from the campaigne worksho direct clash between those who want to take action and those who merely wish to gather people together to educate them."

From the privatisation workshop, Steve Akers emphasised that unions should not get involved in the process of setting specifications for contracting-out. Some union leaders argue that privatisation can be combatted by getting sufficiently tight specifications: but once a union branch moves towards setting an 'in-house tender' for its own job, we are, Steve said, "cutting our own throats"

Maggie Pearson reported from the discussion on health authorities: Labour and trade union representatives within these 'highly undemocratic structures" could use theif position 'to get information, to publicise dissent'. - but this could never replace direct could never replace action.

"Many and varied" are the "creeping cuts" used by managements to pave the way for closures, reported Martin Barclay. Close monitoring, good links with clerical staff, and readiness to take strike action, were necessary to resist these cuts.

Unity between nurses and ancillary workers was a major theme from the nurses' workshop, reported by Michael Walker. It is also important to combat the weight of hospital hierarchies and "get nurses used to complaining about lack of supplies.

'Occupations are not an end in themselves but the start of a fight to defend facilities" reported Anne Marie Sweeney. The conference was held in Bradford to demonstrate supCLOSUF CHES port for the occupation at Thornton View hospital: but it is a major problem that only one hospital is occupied while hundreds are under threat.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, the closing speaker, also stressed the need to fight for more occupations.

And the spirit of the Thornton View occupation was brought into the conference by Hazel Ward, a speaker from the hospital.

"Why aren't any of the trade union bosses here today?' she asked. The occupation was against Mrs Thatcher, it's everyone against the government. We mustn't allow any victimisations."

*Contact Health Fightback 84 c/o 12 Shiplake House, Calvert Ave., London E2.

----- pull-quotes -----

about "working together as a team. It's not just one person