Support the Miners

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And now the Tories, beset test-case pit closures since solidarity for Polmaise again by scandals and internal divi- 1981, like Kinneil and Lewis and again. Nationally, Arthur turnabout and a determined sions, look far less strong Merthyr. Those failures have Scargill has made no definite leadership to defeat Macago. dent. In 1983-4 already 22 pits is still time to turn the tide.

In Scotland the area have closed or been merged, But that time must be seized, The NUM leadership has leadership has let Bogside as compared to 11 in 1981-2 now.

NKS WITH TORIES!

Martin THE miners and Tory hatchetman lan MacGregor are squaring up for a full-scale fight. South Yorkshire miners are already on strike against the closure of Corton Wood and Bulcliffe collieries.

The National Union of Mineworkers executive meets on Thursday 8th to discuss action against 21,000 job cuts planned for the next year.

Coal Board boss lan MacGregor has said bluntly that he may go for sackings. Until now, however fast the rundown of the industry, in theory at least every miner at a closed pit has had the option of transferring to another pit.

The area executive in Scotland, where Polmaise miners are already on strike over the planned closure of their pit, is calling for an area strike from Friday.

Mick McGahey, national vice-president and Scottish area president of the union, has predicted a •domino effect with strikes spreading from area to area, creating a national strike faster than the formal procedure of a pithead ballot could.

If miners, on this issue, can match the tremendous response of other groups of workers on the GCHQ issue on February 28 - and there is little doubt that they can -then we will have a major national battle against the Tories.

And the miners can win.

There are big coal stocks. Just like there were when the miners' strike hepan in 1972. But flying pickets and solidPaper of the Socialist Organiser Alliance No. 16! arity action by other trade Pickets in South Yorkshire unionists can tie them up. That solidarity, and those and determined enough, then strike action.

pickets, will be unlawful. But no words the Tories write in only one group of employers, the statute book can stop it. out of hundreds affected, has MacGregor is determined dared to go to law over the and hard-faced. But the equally unlawful February 28 miners made the Tories back strike. If trade union solid- down before, in February But there are problems. arity action is strong enough 1981, by brushfire spreading Centre pages: The Iran/Iraq war Page 4: International Women's Day 1917 - and 1984 Page 3: Benn wins in Chesterfield Page 4: Youth fighting back Plus more reports, reviews, letters, controversy. failed to get action on many close and delayed the call for and seven in 1982-3.

It is going to need a bold than they did a few months left it unsure and unconfi- call for action. Gregor and the Tories. There

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Socialist Organiser 169 Page

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