THE TORIES really the members of the campaign occupied the offices of local Tory MP Sir William Elliott, he agreed to meet us the following day.
Sir William told us he was 'very concerned' about our problems, which is no doubt why he votes for Tory policies unemployment. Still, he did tell us we could see him anytime if we really wanted a job.
Even if Sir Keith Joseph is trying to close down most of the industry in the North-east, he isn't totally heartless either. Newcastle Trades Council Centre for the Unemployed, together Strong Words, worker-writers, were planning to produce a pamphlet giving the unemployed a chance to tell of their experiences on the dole.
care about the Northuegst. After Eric Right to Work creating even more local factory Centre Durham.
This was shortly before the general election, and they wrote to Labour Industry Minister Varley asking for Unfortunately, Varley got the boot, but shortly after the election a cheque arrived for £5 from the personal account of Keith Joseph!
Sir Keith's concern is touching, but his f5 And Sir Wiliam migth have prochems fivers.
William might have problems finding jobs for all the 42,000 out of work in Tyneside.
But the unemployed are fighting back. Last month a local Right to Work campaign Apart from occupying Sir William's offices, we have been leafleting virtually every dole office in the area and we're planning a march from Scotswood, will finally close in September, Jarrow, the symbol of unemployment in the Along. the way we'll be calling at local factories to get support for the Right to Work march to the TUC in September. young people have signed up for the Mor ine Newcastle Trades for Unemployed Workers Union (UWU) which has been able to win considerable support from both trade unions and the Labour Party. It has recruited about 150 members in Newcastle.
Its main successes have In Spennymoor, UWU was set up by the former plant leadership of the recently closed Courtaulds Interest has spread hevood the towns of County Durham; enquiries are now coming in from all over Britain.
But the existence of both the Right to Work campaign and the UWU has created problems.
The former was set up Workers Party without any consultation with the UWU or the Centre for the Unemployed. Not surprisingly, this created friction as the centre has been actively involved in fighting unemployment for nearly two years, and has donation. the Vickers to Already 35 march.
Council's set up an official Council.
been in County for example, the factory. _other dole queues.
by the local Socialist leaflets support from Newcastle Trades Newcastle members of the International Marxist Group have worked with both the Right to Work campaign and the UWU. don't see any need for rivalry. The UWU can help build the Right to Work march, and the campaign can encourage its supporters to join Unity in action is the best way to combat the Despite formal agreement with this by both the union and the campaign, little has actually been done to achieve unity.
At times, unemployed workers at Swan House, the main dole office in Newcastle, have been met by two groups of people giving out calling for fight unemployment. Such sectarianism is ludicrous. All it does is confuse workers on how best to fight back against the Tories. national picture. campaign, the organisations.
fight unemployment. national unemploved supported by the trade unions.
Right to Work campaign march. A against Tory attacks on jobs.
PHOTO: Graham Smith These divisions in Newcastle only mirror the We have the Right to Work Campaign Against Youth Unemployment, the Youth Campaign Against Unemployment, as well as a number of local needed is single national organisation to bring together all those wanting • We need & single union, The best way to achieve this would be if the issued a call for a national conference after the Right to Work SHe COIN could bring together all those tighting Tory unemployment policies. It would at least be a first step towards the unity we need if we are to successfully fight