IT'S definite — the TUC is organising national mass against the anti-abortion Corrie Bill on 28 October.
This absolutely unprecedented step gives us the best opportunity ever to build a really mass demonstration. It encourage women the world to call on their trade union federations to show similar support lor women's struggle to control their fertility. It shows that the years of campaigning for support from the labour movement have not been in vain.
But the possibilities mobilisation will only be fully realised through consistent local work.
being flooded anti-abortion letters and many trade unionists have. yet to be convinced of the case for a woman's right to choose.
Local campaigns will still have to take up the fight in union branches and trades councis to convince all trade unionists that they must turn out to demonstrate their support.
And we have to push the TUC to do more than just ișsue a call. The labour Hoveler! the organise trains from the major centres to London. They did it for the A group of trade unionists supporting the campaign are producing a leaflet *10 trade should oppose the Corrie Bill'. This will be available through the NAC offices.
Local campaigns can use the TUC call to gain a hearing in many more trade union branches and trades than previously.
TUC informing them of the call will be sent to every trades council and all affiliated unions. This will give a good opportunity to propose sending. a speaker to the branch from the local suDDort for donations and other help.
winch support on the locall trades council Community Council, Brent NAC has called for a broad campaign against the Corrie Bill. Both the trades council and the CHC will be providing facilities to send mailings as possible. A public meeting is planned for September. In the meantime street Socialist Challenge 9 August 1979 demonstration movement.
around MPs to vote against this Bill.
This would for mass so-called "free vote', The women childbirth and children into the world. • hese are the sorts that must be put to the TUC.
prepared resources to labour movement as a whole. leafleting and unionists local show.
Ormsby
accoupporter are taking Teesside the to actively support and mobilise for activities, will feature Health Badges, stickers, widely (01-278 0153). Industrial Relations Bill — we must demand they do it for 28 October as well. They should produce thousands by of leaflets and posters for distribution inside and outside the trade union TUC policy is for 'a woman's right to choose, free abortion on request'. Union-sponsored MPs should be told to support TUC policy on this. The trade unions should use their strength in the Labour Party conference ensure that the party commits all its put an end to the ruling . and ensure that all Labour MPs vote in the interests of women. No one is going to force an MP to have an abortion (especially as most of them are men anyway), but their vote could force thousands of endure pregnancy and bring unwanted were of demands The call for a demonstration is excellent but if the TUC is really in support of woman's right to choose it must be take those actions necessary to defend the interests of women and demonstrate that defence of abortion rights is important for the severely
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Forced childbirth