Alan Thornett and BUOYED UP by the success of what we have achieved so far, Euromarch activists both in Britain and across the continent are beginning to discuss what the next steps for the campaign should be.
An initial meeting of the international co-ordination in Paris on June 28 discussed ideas for action around the European unemployment summit which will be held in Luxembourg in October or November and the Cardiff summit next June.
It also pledged itself to strengthening co-ordination of the unemployed on a pan-European basis as a complement to the already existing European Network against Unemployment. A larger meeting is planned for October 4-5, with delegates from the different national campaigns to take forward these plans.
In Britain the National Steering Committee of the campaign met in London on July 5. An extremely positive meeting discussed the achievements of the campaign so far. Among those in attendance were Magnet strikers who have been keen participants in the campaign for many months. The meering was happy to pledge support for the next mass picket of Magnet in Darlington on August 23.
Discussion focused first on the need to develop opposition to Blair's Welfare to Work proposals. Those present understood this will do little to deal with the scourge of unemployment and poverty, but instead will further penalise those on benefits.
The slogan of the Euromarchers for "decent jobs and decent pay" will be apposite in this approach. Not only will those currently unemployed be affected, but also those with jobs who may be under threat as employers pick up government subsidies to take on new workers -and might then get rid of some of their existing employees.
The meeting took place in the context that the battle over Europe itself will remain centre stage. Not only will the next summit take place in Cardiff under British presidency in 1988 but a referendum on the single currency could even precede it if Labour decides to try and take Britain into the first round.
Whether or not this turns out to be the case it is vital that plans are laid now for a left campaign for a 'no' vote. Euromarch campaigners can make a valuable contribution to these developments.
Cardiff
Discussions are already taking place amongst activists in Wales planning a forum at the time of the Cardiff summit - whether it is possible to repeat a mobilisation on the scale of Amsterdam remains to be explored.
Christophe Aguiton and Robert Cremieux, who were central to the co-ordination of the Euromarches, explained in a recent article in Politique-La Revue that militants in different European countries have slightly different priorities.
They argue that pan-european mobilisations assist in giving a wider perspective which enhances