LAST WEEK Willesden busworker Gerry Downing was sacked for 'unreasonable behaviour: intending to disrupt normal business and industrial relations"!
Downing was charged on the evidence of four members who believed he was "behind' an oppositional newsletter called 'Busworkers They believed the newsletter was causing T&G members at Willesden to vote against deals with management over and conditions. resistance at Willesden with workers rejecting the latest deal on July 30 despite pressure from union officials to acSince July management have stepped up Willesden and several other workers have been victimised Willesden TGWU rep Elvis Vaughan solicited reports from two other union members about Downing and passed them on to management along with his comments and those of TGWU Metroline unit chair, Harry Foley.
It is obvious that the union officials and management had a common interest in getting militants like Downing. Solidarity with race victims A PICKET wil! be mounted outside Birmingham's Victoria Law Courts to support the victim of a brutal racist attack. Joseph Gibbins, an Afro-Caribbean, went into the Queen's Head, Erdington, in April to play pool. A group of racists objected to his presence and hit him over the head with pool cues. Joseph was forced onto the street and battered unconscious into the gutter.
The picket will demand Joseph's attackers receive serious sentences and that this is clearly identified as a racist attack and not just another of the pub assaults prevalent in the area. Another picket, of Birmingham's Housing Department will demand that victims of racist attacks are adequately rehoused in secure accommodation in an area of their choice.
The actions of these two union officials in going to management and asking them to sack a political opponent is scandalous.
A Defence Campaign is calling on activists to pass resolutions demanding the dentials and fights to reinstate Resolutions should be sent to Region 1 Committee of the TGWU. Contact the Defence Campaign on 081-450 5161.
Network Sixth SOCIALIST CONFERENCE at The Winding Wheel Chesterfield Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 • October 1993 • THE SOCIAUST Movement/Nefwork presents a weekend • of non-sectarian discussion, debate, information, ideas • (... and fun). Looking beyond the Age of the Indivdual I and the Free Market, the theme of the conference wil be Opting in ... I • the fight for democratic public services • and a sustainable and equal economics to pay for them.
Confirmed speakers so far:
TONY BENN MP, new book - Common Sense MOSES MAYEKISO South African National Civic Organisation HILARY WAINWRIGHT, new book - Arguments for a New Left Plus many activists from trade union and community campaigns to defend and improve public services:
and socialist, green and feminist economics working on alternative economic strategles. Space for self-organised workshops. Creche. Disabled access. Food and bars. Saturday night benefit for the Chesterfield Labour Club Appeal. Socialist Movement/Network 1 Newton Street Manchester M1 1HW or Freephone Answerphone 0800 581611 HOME NEWS
Socialist INTERNATIONAL THE CONVOY will be in Greater Manchester: Wed-Sat 18-21 August. West Yorks: Sat-Mon 21-23 August. Sheffield: Tues-Wed 24-25 August. Fri 27 August. Birmingham: Sat-Sun 28-29 August. South Wales: Mon-Tues TUC conference, Mon 6 September. Nottingham: Thurs 26 August. Leicester: 30-31. London: Wed-Sun 1-5 September. Crawley: Sun 5 September. Brighton: for worth of new tracksuits and