SOUTH LONDON labour movement activists have set up a support group led by local RMT members for the signal workers.
Since its first meeting on 11 July the group has already joined picket lines at signal boxes; leafleted major staRMT to the travelling public outlining the issues behind the dispute; organised a speaking tour across local labour movement bodies: raised funds for the strike fund from the labour movement and from local events like the Lambeth Country Show and Southwark show and leafleted potential passengers on strike days with insafety.
Local trade union branches and other labour movement bodies have been positive in making donations and in sending messages of solidarity.
The response from the public has always been overwhelmingly in support of the strike. Trade unionists using the rail service have taken information away to raise own unions.
With the likelihood of the government and the media stepping up the arguments against the strike, solidarity work becomes even more important, both within the labour movement and in countering the arguments of the ruling class amongst the The travelling public are not separate from the struggle — many of them are public sector workers and union members facing similar pay disputes and draconian managment tactics in their workplaces.
Above all the support group can play a role in assisting RMT activists to convince the striking signal workers of the support they have and to break their isolation.
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 67, August 1994, Page 5 Several