[then 200, and so on. But we couldn't…]

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then 200, and so on.

But we couldn't picket our own pit because of the area ballot result against striking. When the South Wales pickets came up, we were able to mingle with them on the picket line and stop the pit.

Now Littleton, Lea Hall and Silverdale have been stopped as well.

I think the reason for this turnaround is that the blokes were ashamed to be faced by pickets from outside the area. voted unanimously to strike.

RAIL WORKERS bring forward action own pay claim, to struggle alongside the should on our ›in the niners. a cat and mouse game with the police, concentrating all our forc es at one pit, then at another, to keep the police confused.

We're also using decoy squads of 20 or 30 to lead the police in the wrong direction.

The need now is to picket the power stations, docks and wharfs. I don't think we can win by ourselves. We need the support of other unions.

The decision of NUR and ASLEF to ment of coal has boost".

Negotiations on the claim at present have virtually ground to a halt. the TGWU, black movebeen a big BARNSLEY and Sheffield women against pit closures are organising socials and welfare rights evenings in those cities.

On Tuesday 3rd, 29 NHS workers from Middlewood hospital in Sheffield picketed Wavercotes colliery in solidarity with Yorkshire miners from Shireoaks.

On Wednesday 4th, however, pickets from Middlewood were stopped by police only yards from the hospital entrance.

For the first time it is a joint claim from the two rail unions NUR and ASLEF. It includes:

* A substantial (37 per cent) increase on the basic rate from the anniversary date of April 16;

* The minimum earnings level to become the minimum enhanceable basic rate;

* A cut in the working week from 39 hours to 35;

* An increase in annual holidays from four weeks to five.