works In tne department of Guys Hospital in She is branch ASTMS SCCECLarY South East London Medical Branch, a delegate to the union's 1979 Annual Conference and member OI ASTMS No Divisional Council.
Unless the left stands candidates in the general issues like cuts in the health service, the plight of the low paid and the battle for women's rights will not gel a nearing Right now in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, we are faced with a massive cut back in the hospitals.
A 'confidential' document being considered by the Area Health Authority says that it has a number of options open to it in trying to meet the its national why Socialist Unity will be important in any election. ECG Government's reducing expenditure.
Every one of these options is horrendous. They range from chopping 1686 beds, to closing eight of the 18 hospitals in the alCa The three trades councils in the area nave set committee to organise resisLaCe LO dHy CuLS We are going to hold public meetings and demonstrations and will campaign inside both the labour movement and the community for action against any reductions in the health SCIVICC.
Ins means we must relect the policies of Government, and although we shall demand that local Labour MPs and councillors give us their support, it would be crazy to rely solely on them Their past record of giving in demands for up JANET MAGUIRE to Callaghan and Healey warns us against doing that.
Socialist Unity can use the heightened interest in politics created by a general election to show SOCAISE alternative backs. the Labour If we are to defend the NHS then we must take a stand against low pay.
I have worked in the NHS since I left school take-home pay is still only £39 a week.
Domestics get even less people that there is a to cutWICE people disgusting wages?
stop cuts and my There is no other way.
women country.
sufferers from women's the Nurses get a gross pay o for full £68.20 a week and a porter in:
Birmingham hospital earns a gross weekly wage of $43.38.
SOCIALIST How can we hope to have an efficient well-run health service are paid such We cannot end low pay and are prepared to take strike action Brixton However, Labour's Election Manifesto will not say that. (50p wageless).
week. For days (23, 24, and 25 the BBC The anger of the ruling class can further be seen in the news disorganised reporting of strikes over the last continuous January) and ITN TV HeWs bulletins delighted in giving a voice to a small minority of Labour Party has never been so vicious and weak. leaders have chosen to remain in the Government in the name of a spurious unity. The fact ERIS unity directed against the needs of the workers movement seems to be circle of democratic politics. But they are willing almost as if they are thankful that their beaks are too short to break the shell. For the other prospect is far too frightening It would involve struggles
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SOCIALIST Unity will be holding Haverstock Hill, London NW3. next general election.
conference on 3 February at Hampstead Town Hall, The main purpose will be to map out its plans for the JANET MAGUIRE will, in all probability, be contesting Lewisham on behalf of Socialist Unity. We asked her how she viewed the present crisis and