Unity on the

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THE newly-announced rail unions' 'federation' (involving NUR and ASLEF) is a good idea, though not a new one.

There was talk of a loose link-up last year, before ASLEF and the NUR clashed so destructively during the flexible rostering strikes. Now that Weighell has been blown out of the NUR leadership, the Federation idea has been revived and put on the rails.

As yet there is coordination at national leadership but no regional structures. Agreement 'at the top' should nevertheless ease the way towards better relations at rank and file level, and help wipe out the memory of conflicts.

Unity of railway unions is a good idea, but it has a negative side too - ASLEF tends to be less militant when under pressure from the NUR leaders. Thus ASLEF has just gone along with the NUR and accepted the ludicrous 4½ % pay deal.

What will give the new Federation real muscle is militant unity on a rank and file level and a refusal by the rank and file to let the leaders get away with any more deals like the 4½ %.

up trial Language Training Unit investigated the situation of Asians made redundant from the industry, they found that 90% of those surveyed were unable to find new jobs, according to the Morning Star of June 22.

ASIAN social worker Mohammed Idrish has won the right to appeal to the High Court against a Home Office deportation order.

His legal advisors told him that without the vigorous defen. ce campaign that has been organised, he would almost certainly have already been deported.

Mohammed, a founder member of the Dr Barnado's NALGO branch in West Bromwich, was also given support by his union's recent national conference. An emergency resolution was passed almost unanimously, committing the union to build and support a national demonstration for Mohammed, to be held in Birmingham in September. Further details: Barry, 021523 8923, Ahsan 021-551 1846.

A DEMONSTRATION is being called in Haringey on July 9, to 'support the right of the community to defend itself against fascism' The demonstration will assemble at 2pm at Ducketts Common (Turnpike Lane under ground) and march to the Civic Centre and Tottenham Police Station. There will be a rally at High Cross Lower School, Park View Road, London N17.

It is called by the 'May 3 Defence Campaign' - set up to defend those arrested on May 3 when 700 people from the local labour movement and black community gathered outside High Cross school to try to prevent the National Front holding an election meeting there. The police intervened in strength: 35 anti-fascists were arrested, many were injured, and one was hospitalised for two days.

Contact: May 3 Defence Cam. paign, No.5 Annexe B, Tottenham Town Hall, Town Hall Approach Road, London N15.