We're fed up with the Government and the Area Health Authority telling us what hospitals we need, we're going to launch our own enquiry into the health needs of working people'. That was the attitude vision in the area.
The Area Health Authority's plans are for a 'nucleus' hospital in 1979. But with Callaghan and Healey threatening more cul-backs, many reel 1l 1s more likely that existing hospitals will be run down and come 1979 - no new hospital. The ending of money for renovation, improvement and upgrading of 'old" hospitals was also the prelude to the closure of the Poplar hospital and the current threat to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson hospital.
The deterioration and decay found so far by the trades council delegation -which consists of members of the exhibition or British-American Tolk art. imperialist control throughout the world. HICO that last week led Hackney Trades Council to launch a workers enquiry into the state of health proNational Union of Public Employees, the National and Local Government Officers Association, the National Union or cacners. and une coneze lecturers NATFHE - are consistent with a policy of run-down and closure. However, a workers enquiry is only the first step, arming the local labour movement with the information necessary to combat the AHA's plans and develop its own schemes for health care based on the needs of local working people.
A fight back is just as urgent, and here workers at the St Matthews hospital in Hackney have put up a stirring fight in recent weeks. When attempts were made to close the kitchens, une workers saw that this was just the first step towards total closure. So they struck. After three days they had won all their demands: no closure of the kitchens, no recundancies, and no wanstei without consent.
launching of a trade union enquiry into health provision are to be put to Islington Trades Council by workers at the Royal Northern and Whittington hospitals. It now seems certain that Camden and slashing services at the Royal Northern, spurred on by tnel success in closing most of the Elizabeth Garret Anderson Hospital. HEMEL fire is in Hemel Hempstead, where 80 people picketed a recent AHA meeting to protest against the threatened closure of Sebright ward of Hemel's hospital. The picket was organised by the Trades Council and the Hospital Action Group.
Unfortunately the HAG has tried to maintain a non-political stance. simply demanding a new hospital.
Co-ordinating Committee Against NHS against the cuts and the opening of the AH A's books and an area conterence to defend the NHS and launch a workers enquiry into the hospitals. Two successful public meetings have been built and the local Labour Party has affiliated to the NCC campaign. NORTH-EAST North East have been putting the finger on the man most likely to cut... and cut and cut. On 3 July the Tyneside Action Committee Against the Cuts TUC where Dennis Healey had been invited to speak. Supported by Newcastle, Sunderland and Darlington trades councils, the NUPE Divisional Council, and the executive of the 7,000 strong Civil and Public Services Association branch at the Longbenton DHSS ministry, the picket attracted 200 people.
a demonstration on 17 July to oppose the closure of the Fleming Memorial against all spending cuts in October.
A mobilising committee will be building up support over the summer, and anyone contact Colin Randall, 85 Adelaide Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle S.
The future of Spain will not be decided by une tactional in-ughung amon; different Francoist cliques, but by the growing struggle of the Spanish workers. whose ever deepening militancy and organisation are today the root of the political crisis of the dictatorship, and tomorrow will become the force that a nis mont wu see varous ann versaries connected with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. imbortant, he said. but not enough Effective solidarity action required the organisation of boycotts, blacking and sympathetic strikes.
From the floor, Jack Robertson, one of two shop stewards from Massey Fergu son, spoke about the exemplary fight being carried on by workers at the Masse subsidiary in Barcelona, Motor Iberica, and the possibility of sending a delegation to visit tael strugeung comrade.
The conterence organisers would allow only general resolutions to be put to a vote. But it was these proposals for concrete solidarity that aroused the
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