support for the firefighters" strike.
spokesperson lor organisers of the demonstration told Socialist Challenge, "everyone is welcome on the demonstration. All regions of the FBU are invited, all trade unionists will be welcome.' The demonstration starts from Speakers" Corner, Hyde Park at 10am. It will march to Downing Street to hand in the petition the London region has organised in support of the claim. A special feature of the march is expected to be a contingent of strikers wives.
The decision to demonstration was made last Sunday at the end of a week in which it beame clear that despite the immense public support the strike has attracted, Callaghan and Rees determined to resist the firefighters.
DETERMINATION But while last weck displayed the callousness Government, it also saw a strengthening of determination on the part of the firefighlers. A week that began with the pickets appearing aimost emthe barrassed at being our, ended with plans to step up the picketing of emergency fire being used by the SELORS troops.
At the same time attempts by "moderates" on the FBU executive to recall the delegate conference failed at the woekend.
SYMPATHY For a union that has never been on strike before, and for an FBU executive which opthe posed the strike in the first place, the militancy of the strikers has shaken the Labour Cabinet. Undoubtedly this determination stems from the many displays of and backing the have received.
The tens of thousands who have signed the London petition, and the thousands who have given BOEIS strikers have completely upset the plans of Merlyn Rees to sander the strikers as 'baby burners", It is also apparent that it is the display of public support which has persuaded the London Region to call the national demonstration. Even before the demonstration was announced, many rank and file members of the FBU voiced support for any such national action. John Arrenderg, FBU representative at Euston fire station in London, said that any call for a national demonstration wouid be welcome and Brian Steele, a spokesperson at Plaistow firestation, said he would support a demonstration, 'not only of firemen, but of unionists, including students'.
The achieve what the petition could not - show support in an active way on the street. For it is such marches, and similar events like rallies, workplace meetings and mass lobbies of local councils which can be decisive in winning the strike sympathy They can upport in the labour mov hretighters ment for the firefighters SIENE.
SUPPORT COMMITTEES to the organised. tees, with the participation of FBU members, are the best way of building for Saturday and beyond, In Birmingham the 'about time too' would be sympathetic trade demonstration will display the mas Such support needs to be Support committhe Public Sector Alliance, and in London the National Rank and File Movement, are to the forefront in such organising. Their efforts need to be duplicated and broadened in very major town and city.
Certainly the official leadership of the labour movement will not involve themscives in such activity. When Socialist Challenge asked the TUC if it supportng the of the stations. Allied to chat, the willingness of support from the local labour movement on picket line and in occupations needs encouragement.
Yet the real way workers car hest show their solidarity with th firefighters is to fight alongside them on their own claims. Wether it he miners, ambulance workers or werkers, ebeir right essentially the same as the one being waged by che FRU the 10 per cent guidelines, If, say the miners and ATHEISTEC ORVCISSTEKTA Government capitulation would TRAITEC a1 houTs Never in a bousand years will the leadership of the FBU make an appeal for such assistance. Even MPs whole the stilke coes on the union bigwigs continue to sit around the pogotiating table discussing tudemonstration, we were told, "It's very unusual for the general council to give backing to any demonstration. On their general attitude to the strike, the spokesperson said, *It is ualikely we will be making any statement".
Similar evasions came from the Labour Party, whose press department commented on the demonstration, 'Members have their individual opinions. Jubilant response to support for the Kingsland Road firefighters in East Landon cure" wage structures Until an improvement is thc current offer, FBU members should demand theit egotiators refuse to continue in these diversionary talks This leadership has been equally uscless on the ground. Ir is the London region the FBU Iedership, which called the dem ostracion for this Saturday. It was the rank and file who demande this strike, and it is the rank and File who have catried it INTRANSIGENCE They have done so with very Tirtle assistance from che 18 Lahour who vored against the intransigence of the Government last Tuesday. The Scottish Labour Party MP Jim Sillars who placed We will not be taking official attitude'.
Thousands of trade ur and Labour Party milit bave the opportunity to these 'neutrals" in their plac Saturday: A massive den stration could bave a t significant impact. In reali can effect not just the outc of the firefighters" strike, the whole future of the 10 cent guidelines. himself as the standard bea the lirefighters cause bas nos the bese way oul 15 30 Government to set up an e and to abide by it. But there been Tour separate enquirie the FRU case in the last cou Jears, and if the Governmen abided by only one of the atrike would nor be taking The dilemma for Sillars a the Labour left is obeious continued support for the Lab pact and indeed for the Lab pact sosans they are rel to actually do enything tbreatens these pacts, othe moan on in Parlament.
With very fow exception our MPs bave been absent the picket tine. If the lefts w concerned as they claim 10 helping the firefighrers to v
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The London Regional Council of the Fire Brigades' Union have called a national demonstration for this Saturday In London. The demonstration Is the best opportunity so far for working people lo show their
_PLEASE SI..N. OUR PETITION