NHS jobs Trust axe The release of a "discus- THE Labour party's prosion" document listing the posals for a Welsh Assemaxing of 150 posts and the Ably are outine in document entitled 'Shaping range of services indicates that they want to make mas- the Vision'. Its publication, following this year's Wales UNISON branch secre- Labour Party conference was greeted with widespread dismay across Wales.
' The cuts will mean a The proposed assemlivelihoods for hundreds of bly will have powers tol members. There is no way shape very little and the document distinctly lacks cuts and we will be fighting vision. the loss of jobs or any cuts The powers proposed in wages of our members."
fall short of those offered by the Labour Panty in Scotland. It will have nol law-making powers. being able mearly to recommend legislation and fill in some details in legislation passed at Westmin. Unlike a local council. the assembly may not raise its own fiThe assembly will be clected by a 'First Past the Post System, rather than the more democratic "Ad. proposed for Scotland. with payment until SeptemFairer are presently blocked in by Under AMS a majority of representative are elected Rover have become des- from constituencies, while a small pool of further seats cause of the arrival of the represent the actual votes cast. The strikers still need supProposals to ensure am • Money, letters, and cqual representaton E07 copies of resolutions should women were also dropped be sent to the strike tund c/o from the final document. B. Hill, 38 Tyrell's Way. Sul- These proposals tall far short of the kind Assembly we should fight for. We need an assemory which occiocs 15 own powers and is not subject to any veto from Westminster.
It should be free to decide its relation with the British parliament and European institutions, including those outlined in the Maastricht Treaty. unionists and Labour Party activists responded to the proposals by launching "Welsh Labour Action - campaigning for a real Assembly."
It demands an assembly elected by AMS which can make laws, raisc tinances, and in which equal representation of women and men is assured.
Additionally, it campaigns for the implementation of the wales Labour Party concr ence decision to organise a march and rally for a Welsh Assembly.
The campaign will be launched at a press conference in the next few weeks and will hold its first public meeting on 9 August at the Welsh National Eisteddfod.
The launch of Weish Laa most significant development in the Weish Labour Party. Support for an assembly is widespread in the Welsh labour movement and extends far beyond the left.
WLA will directly challenge those, such as Llew Smith MP who reject and assembly, and directly challenge the Blair leadership in the run-up to the upcoming General Election.
The fight over the asers will be conducted in the weish Labour Party and its affiliated unions.
The other opposition parties are completely marginal to this process.
At the same time, it is an opportunity to challenge the complacency of Labour leaders in Wales and the dead hand of the Labour's stifling buICauciaky.
Mistake 2 would be a nicke to think that this is simply an issue for Labour activists in Wales.
It is an issue that must be confronted by the Labour left across the British state The formation of Weish Labour Action presents a great opportunity for this discussion to begin.
Speakers are available. Afion bodies and members are Send cheques payable to •Weish Labour Action (E10 for organisations ES for individuals) to WLA, 23 St MarRoad. Mid-Glamorgan, CF8 1EF.