[THE NUR has agreed to support train crews…]

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THE NUR has agreed to support train crews on London Transport's tubes who refuse to work new schedules planned by management to coincide with the doubling of fares on Monday.

These new timetables mean cuts of up to 25% on nearly all LT tube lines. Faced with a firm refusal by train crews to run them, LT management may back down - which would be a first significant (albeit temporary victory).

Or if they don't retreat, a rail strike on LT is likely.

The 'LT Workers for United Action' group formad last Sunday, 14th, is urg ing all bus and rail workers to come out in support of the train crews, to extend the fight to a united one against all the cuts planned for the next year.

The group also agreed to strike if any driver or conductor were suspended for not collecting increased fares.

Workers involved in ticket issue and fare collection seem for the most part strongly opposed to the tactic of carrying on with the old fares after March 21. Most probably busworkers will just collect nothing if the new fare is not offered.

Take action

If LT finds that the fares take is far lower than expected, then they will take action against drivers and conductors. All workers should come out in support increases and cuts are withdrawn.

The industrial strength of the LT unions was clearly demonstrated when their call for a one day strike on Wednesday March 10 received overwhelming support from the 60,000 workers. Not one bus or underground train ran in London for 24 hours. Despite a quarter of London's commuters staying at home, the capital's roads were brought to a standstill.

LT workers saw their importance to London, and felt the power that they could exercise if further action is taken to defeat the government's attack on passengers and transport workers. ONLY 70 people attended the Poland rally organised jointly by the Labour Party and the TUC in Central Hall, Westminster, last Tuesday 16th.

This is the only national then proceeded to little or no publicity.

The speakers were Roy Evans_(ISTC), Dennis Healey, Zbigniew • Kowalewski from the Paris office of Solidarnosc, Clive Jenkins for which he just said that the TUC was opposed to *all martial law' Arguing against taking any action, he quoted Dennis Healey, saying that they didn't want to 'exacerbate the situation' Healey had said that any economic measures would weaken the Polish economy and bring about Russian intervention.

Roy Evans supported the Solidarnosc Trade Union Working Group's policies, and Eric Heffer made a strong speech on those lines.

Kowalewski outlined the call for an end to martial law, release of political prisoners, and the return of all 'democratic freedoms' He made a strong speech, saying that it was Solidarnose that was struggling for true socialism through workers' self-management' and it was the bureaucracy that was counter-revolutionary.

The dissatisfaction of the audience with the lack of activity of the TUC and Labour Party was shown by the strong applause for a Socialist Organiser supporter who called for blacking and for the TUC and Labour Party to provide facilities and finances for the Solidarnosc Trade Union Working Group (which has no offices or money).

Polish speakers argued for the same.

A Socialist Challenge supporter (one of the five or so present) called for a national Labour Party demonstration in December.

Finance

demonstration on Poland called in Central London by Socialist Organiser and London Labour Briefing.

Present were delegations from as far afield as Sheffield and Merseyside, representing over 15 labour movement bodies including three Trades Councils, several CLPs and a number of union branches.

Curiously absent were the SWP and the IMG - who failed even to send paper sellers, let alone join an open demonstration in support of Solidarnosc.

The concluding rally brought a strong speech from Marek Garztecki of the Solidarnosc Trade Union Working Group, who welcomed the march and urged those present to challenge the inaction of the TUC and Labour Party over Exposing those who denounce the new Polish trade union as 'counterrevolutionary, he pointed to. the fact that while Solidarnosc has never questioned nationalised property relations in Poland, the bureaucracy has in effect sold whole chunks of Polish industry to western banks and industrial monopolies -leaving Lloyds Bank the main proprietor of the Ursus tractor plant!

Reg Race MP spoke out strongly against those on the left of the Labour Party and TUC who are reluctant to support Solidarnose for fear of offending the official' Stalinist state-run 'unions' in Eastern Europe.

PHOTO: JOHN HARRIS

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of any disciplined - and all should stay out until the fare