ISSUE 5 Free or Donation . May/June 1996 Y Published by the Nottinghamshire Association ofTrades Union Councils WHY MAY DAY? oPasaran 1996markstwoimportantanniversaries. If Saturday 4th May Before the Chicago May Day strike It is 69 years since the outbreak ofthe MARCH - Forest to Old action began, the management at Spanish Civil War, and 70 years since Market Square Assemble llam McCormick Machine Co. (now the General Strike. Both events, in Goose Fair Site for 11:30 International Harvester) had locked different ways, are classic examples of departure out 1500 workers over a wage workers in struggle. dispute. On 3 May, when pickets lstMay l926witnessedthebeginningof RALLY - 12 noon Old Market attempted to preventblackleg labour the General Strike when millions of Square workers came out in support of the entering the plant, the Chicago SPEAKERS miners in their fight against wage cuts police opened fire on the workers, J] Fast Food Strikers and increased hours. The strike lasted killing four and wounding many 1; Hillingdon Hospital Workers nine days before it was called offby a more. Outraged at this act ofnaked leadership that was alarmed by the Freedom Network aggression, radical newspapers forces unleashed in the dispute. Despite i Mersey Dockers called for armed resistance against this “betrayal”, the General Strike was a l MAY DAY FRINGE the bloodthirsty Chicago police, and momentous event in British Labour Fancie Molloy a protest rally was called for the history. It was an unparalleled 1 Sinn Fein Councillor following day (4 May) atHaymarket demonstrationofrankandtilesolidarity, 2-4:30pm international Community Square. Speeches condemning and one that - inthe longer term - made Centre 61B Mansfield Road police violence and capitalist many employers and the government : Nottinsham oppression were given by three think twice before attacking the leading anarchists: Parsons, Spies conditions of organised workers. The and Fielden. Asthemeetingcameto 19305, bad as they were, would have i 1Il||$1—-—_-4i4- m-r— beenworseformanyworkingpeoplebut an end, 200 police moved in on the for the unity displayed in the General crowd. Suddenly, a bomb was Strike. with overwhelming odds, the Spanish thrown and exploded in the midst of in 1936 fascist, nationalist, and Republic was defeated eventually in the police, who immediately opened reactionary forces launched a coup March 1939. As one International fire on the assembled workers. against the democratically elected Brigadier, Dave Goodman, put it “The Several police and many workers PopularFrontgovernmentofSpain. The SpanishCivil Warwasthefirstbattleof were killed. » coup was unsuccessful because of the the Second World War. In Spain we In the hysterical aftermath of the tremendous efforts of anarchist, heldoutagainstFascismforthreeyears. Hayrnarket tragedy five anarchists communist, socialist, and republican Thisgaveothercountriestimetore-arm were convicted and sentenced to workers in centres like Madrid and and develop opposition to Fascism. hang by a specially constituted Barcelona. While the western powers This is how the people of Spain and tribunal. On ll November 1887 pursued a policy of“non-intervention”, International Brigades made their Black Friday, the State murdered volunteers from aroundtheworldjoined contribution to victory in the Second Parsons, Spies, Fischer and Engels. the International Brigades fighting World War”. Ling had committed suicide the alongside the Spanish Republicans. 1996 sees workers in struggle again. Over 2,000 went from Britain and Struggles against low pay, bad previousday. Theywerelatershown Ireland, aquartergavetheirlives. Faced conditions, unemployment, non- to have had nothing to do with the recognition, a yawning wealth gap, bombings. discriminatory laws, hostile employers On July 14 1889, on the hundredth MAY AY and authorities have always been with anniversary of Bastille Day, an us. They may not be as dramatic as American AFL delegate attending GREETINGS those of1926 and 1936, butthey are, in the international Labour Congress in many ways, as important to ordinary to all our ieilow workers Paris proposed that l l\/lay be working people. officially adopted as a workers’ from Worker solidarity, worker unity is the holiday. This motion was onlydefence ofordinarypeople against unanimously approved and since those who wish to exploit us. TEFDOR This is what May Day, lnternational then May Day has served as a date Day, signifies; for international working class PRRESS No Pasaran. solidarity. l CITY UNISON EDITORIAL VIEW TOUGH TIMES 2,500 Members ofNottingham City Can I open by extending May Day geetings to all our readers. As always This hard hitting anthology written by and UNISON are undertaking a Notts TU News continues to be put forthe local unemployed in Mansfield, tells Consultative Ballot over the next ithowitis. ltsuccessfullycombinespoetry, together on a limited budget, even less fortnight against Nottingham City prose and photographs to talk about time, but on a lot ofcommitment. Ifwe Council’s proposals to introduce a unemployment from an unemployed point have missed anything out it is due totwo ofview. Nowhow oftendoesthathappen? Compulsory Redundancy Policy. simplereasons. We don’thaveroom, or, 7-7anging fromthehumourandangerof The proposals will introduce, forth nobody told us about a particular David Hobbs“GoOnA Course”tothe first time, the ability for the Council struggle. Both problems can be easily simple and moving “Tomorrow’s to make Compulsory Redundancies J;-an-t_‘___._4_*||:4-_q;:;;-q-1 solved by you. Write and tell us, and Meal” by Gabe Gordon, this book will trade unionists across Notts about your whenever they see fit. They also l makeyouthink. Proceeds fromsalesof struggle. Secondlysendussomernoneyll removetheprotection that Staffhave l ‘Efé.__r‘.r_A.—_A—IIIImIII|InIIn-fnIIuIlaIInIF._:= “_ the book will go towards a touring As always thanks to the contributors, been guaranteed over many years, I performance by unemployed people distributors, etc. for their help in putting which is currently in rehearsal. including ending redeployment in another issuetogether. Copies will be shortly on sale in many areas and a massive attack on —1_—_u:._;p;__ Nottingham. Inthemeantimetheycan protected pay. Deadline for Issue 6 will be Friday June be purchased for£2.50 (inc p&p) from Nottingham City UNISON has had 21st. l Karen Peck,Tough Times, c/’oMUWC General meetings and Workplace Notts TU News, c/o MUWC, 2 Beech 2 Beech Avenue, Mansfield Notts Avenue Mansfield, Notts. NG18 IEY. meetings over the issue with around 54;‘4;1-veIrz:,a4n‘‘MnKi.-can-i_5;-an-g:_:1e4 NGIS IEY. i----—--——-———-———--—-—-———-——————— 1,000 Members voting in favour of ‘ strike action and only a dozen against. So far the Council has not dropped 1-r;T2|._4nt:_:u~n\ the proposals despite delaying their Q introduction, howevertheyhave said it that they are unable to meet 118 W1DIRKSlliDP UNISON until May 20, three weeks I afterthe proposals go to CommitteFl’ Pesource and Research CentreforTrade Unionsa yGrains I As such UNISON believes that Strike Action will be necessary to l defeat the proposals. 118 Workshop is the local Resource and Projector, Badgernakers, Flip Chart, Loud For more information please contact ,l Research Centre for Trade Union and I-lailcrand Gas Detector. AndyBelfield on 0115 9412556 Community Groups located in Nottingham, 118 also provides training and advice in Andy Belfield A serving a wide range of Trade Union, using all items of equipment available, in ;:.|-un4:@;4 CommunityandCampaigningGroups in the ordertohelpusersbecomeproficientintheir Nottingham City UNISON. l City and County. use. Inthisway, userscan acquiretheskills The Centrewasestablished in I980 withthe necessarytoproducetheirownmaterialfrom aim of linking the aspiration for a better startto finish. societyin the workplace and the home, and The Workshop also has a Library and the services it provides are designated to Information service, and maintains all enablelocalGroupstoworkmoreeffectively publications and materials subscribed to by towardspromotinggreatersocial, economic, Nottingham & District Trades Union —~r1u-nwuuac racial and sexual equality in the local Council,whichareavailableforreferenceby community. users. ThisincludespublicationslikeLabour 1 .-- ' ' ‘I working together il H8 provides a comprehensive range of Research, Hazards Bulletin and Searchlight, l!1 resources for local Groups, from printing to and“hardcopies"ofthelasttwoyearsofThe l l MAY DAY = information resources. Among the wide Guardian,FinancialTimesandMorningStar rangeofprintingresourcesarephotocopying are also kept. It is also planned to put the GREETINGS facilities, a Rotary Scanprinter for A3 Workshop on-line in the near futureto give E_-rnmucmra_-uam__ to all members and printing, a Risograph Scanprinter for A4 users access to the Internet. printing, Offsetprintingfacilitiesand aDark The Workshop is grant aided by =-_-.—.__;.mun¢II-M; iriends from Room. Otherfacilities include aLarninator, Nottinghamshire County Council and Typewriters, Word Processor, Headliners, Nottingham City Council, both of which GMB (Mansfield Central) .T;T__:._.T..__..A_:,__.....-..-.-:44; Collator, Guillotines, Folding Machine, have supported it since l983. The Centre’s Contact GMB I Electric and Heavy Duty Staplers and a opening hours are from 12-5 Mondays, and Plastic Ring Binder to allow effective from 10-5 on Tuesdays to Fridays. If you 68 Big Barn Lane presentation ofprinted materials. would likefurtherinformation, orwouldlike Mansfield NGIS 3LS Facilities to hire out include aNoise Meter, to have a look around the Centre, please Display Boards, a 35 mm Compact Camera, phone 0115 958 2369 and ask for John (01623) 654367 "ii-|n;i:=;—..n=.nnnc_mnm_ml.nm-0j_m;rw44ej_-—|=__t:%_-|n:=||n_nna|x=Kfi_ 4t:n.nl-—.1..-in;—5_..:—-;aTn_:-nQ-1:4-‘i:—; Carousel Slide Projector, Over-Head (practical services) or Ian (information). NTUN page 2 ASESTS -- aistit? disease, much the same as everyone who smokes will not develop Lung Cancer, butthere is nodoubtthatAsbestos isone Asbestos is the general name given to a common uses involved the use ofsprays of the most dangerous minerals ever group of fibrous minerals with similar to apply it to steelwork, concrete walls used, and its potential to cause serious properties,whicharefoundinmanyparts and ceilings andas lagging on pipework, health disorders must never be ofthe World. boilers and air ducts. Other uses underestimated. The use ofAsbestos of These fibrous minerals are strong, included insulation boards, wall anytypemust be banned, this is the only resistant to heat, chemical attack and partitions, fire doors, ceiling tiles, way that we can be -sure that future have been used, in the past in a wide roofing sheets, drain pipes and many generations do not inherit the terrible range ofapplications. other Asbestos products. diseases that are becoming more and Three main type ofAsbestos have been Where is Asbestos used today? more common every day. used commercially in the UK and they White Asbestos is the onlytype that can PREVENTION IS THE CURE are:- be supplied and used, and the UK Aims and Objectives Chrysotile imports about 5,000 tonnes per year The Asbestos Related Diseases commonlyknown as whiteAsbestos. comparedwith around 190,000tonnes of Association was formed in 1994 by a Crocldolite alltypesofAsbestos imported in 1973. lt group of sufferers, their families and commonlyknown as blueAsbestos. has been estimated that the Asbestos family members of sufferers who had Amosite importedintotheUKin 1994wasusedin died as a result ofcontracting Asbestos commonly known as brownAsbestos. the manufacture of Asbestos Cement Diseases. Crocidolite has not been imported in to products, fiiction products, joints and The aims ofthe Association are simp1e;- the UK since 1972, and the use of gaskets and textile materials. ' To support, advise and counsel all Arncsite phased our between 1980 and Are all Asbestos products dangerous? those who have been affected by 1982. Materials containing Crocidolite No, the danger arises when Asbestos Asbestos. andfor Amosite can still be found fibres are released into the atmosphere, ' To hold regular meetings and however, particularly in buildings. some Asbestos products are dustier than coffee mornings which enable the group Are all types ofAsbestos dangerous? others,andthelackofcarewhenworking to offer support for each other. Yes, they can cause serious, and often with these products can create a health Contact: fatal conditions such as Asbestosis risk, not only to the workers but also to Nottingham ARDA 0115 9275108 (fibrosis ofthe lungs), Lung Cancer and others who maybe in the areawhere the For details of the Construction Safety Mesothelioma (a rapidly fatal tumour work is being carried out. The dustiest Campaign Asbestos Conference to be which affects the lining ofthe lung and activity is dry removal of old Asbestos heldinSheffieldon lstJune 1996,please stomach). Other Cancers are known to lagging and Sprayed Limpet Asbestos. contact CSC, 255 Poplar High Street, have been caused by Asbestos, and The H.S.E. vigorously promote London. E14. Telephone 0171 537 7220 working with Asbestos products can removing these materials by using the or0171 358 0322. releasefibres intothe atmosphere, which controlledwet stripmethod, tokeep dust can then be inhaled or ingested to a minimum. .._i_-._.N_--._..°__._Tv___T__ '._N____G__._H__ A____l__":_TA_‘....§__nD_._.'.;_$_.___T..___.R__..-.__'._°_....T.__,l (swallowed). The tiny Asbestos fibres What are the current Asbestos are too small to be seen with the naked regulations? eye, except with special lighting, or by The Asbestos Licensing Regulations using a microscope. It is these fine i983 require contractors who work with l11 i sends solidarity greetings fibres that pose the most serious risk to Asbestos i.e. removal, renovating etc to ...-.._.-....._.--.-..¢._...,_. health. Other Asbestos related obtain aLicencetodoso fromtheH.S.E. l through Notts Trade Union conditions such as Pleural Thickening The Asbestos Prohibitions Regulations f News to workers & _._....1...__...... and Pleural Plaque, are also the result of 1992 ban the import, supply and use of unemployed alike for 1996 l1l1l inhaling Asbestos fibres, and, although the most dangerous types of Asbestos. 1 INTERNATIONAL not immediately life threatening can The Control of Asbestos at Work wommnsr nav. l become progressivelyworse. Regulations i992 governs all work with WhyisitdangeroustoinhaleAsbestos? Asbestos. Itisrequiredthatallworkwith Join our When Asbestos fibres are inhaled, some Asbestos should be carriedourin such a MAY DAY MARCH ofthe finest fibres can reach the deepest manner so as to prevent exposure to 1 [11:30 am Forest Recreation parts ofthe Lungs (alveoli) and because Asbestosfibres,bypreventingtherelease Ground & RALLY _ 12:00 1l.. it is so durable, it can lodge there for ofsuch fibres, orbyreducingthe release 12-4- 1 midday Nottingham Market many years, to cause long term damage, to the lowest level reasonably as described above. There is no known practicable. The Regulations are 1l1 Square] on safe lower limitofexposure to Asbestos. designed to protect anyone at risk m__.___.__?__._,,4_4 Wfouhnedre? are Asbestos materials to be wlimoritksinagre lwaiidthdowAsnbie.es.tocso,ncaenndtratcioonnstroolf 1A withSAnTatUioRnaDlA&YlodctahlMspAeaYkers 11Fl1‘;1‘ supporting & celebrating 1 Many thousands oftonnes ofevery type Asbestos fibres in the air to which ,11} of Asbestos has been used in heat and employees must not be exposed without l1 workers currently noise insulation materials and fire wearing respiratory equipment. 5‘. IN STRUGGLE protectionequipment,andmuchofthis is Not everyone who comes into contact still in place in buildings today. lts most with Asbestos will develop an Asbestos 1 _...-.....-- 1 NTUN page 3 LIVERPOOL DOCKERS REBUILD THE WELFARE STATE! EAST MIDLANDS CONFERENCE In the morning there are four key Since28thSeptember 1995,500Liverpool 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, June 29th speakers. TonyBenn (MP on Pensions), Dockers have been locked out forrefusing Central Suite, Exchange Street Derby Angela Palmer (PTC,Welfare Rights), to cross a picket line of 80 of their Our Welfare State is being destroyed. It Malcolm Wing (UNISON, Health and workmates who had been sacked in an was created by men and women who, Community Care), and Kevin Coyne earlierdisputeoverattemptsbytheMersey having defeated Fascism were (Unemployed Workers Centre, Fight for Docks and Harbour Company to determined that never again would there Jobs, Against the JSA). These are the reintroduce casual labour. be a return to the insecurity, the themes that will fonn the programme for A recent offer to the men, negotiated by unemployment and the poverty of the the afternoon workshops. their union the T&GWU, was roundly rejected because it did not include pre-war years. It was a monument to reinstatement of all the dockers - the theireffortsanditbecametheenvyofthe Whilstthis conference isbeingorganised bottom line demand. world. Yet now it is being deliberately by pensioners and unemployed, the Daily picketing of all the docks, support dismantled. TheNHSisconstantlyunder issues affect everyone from the cradle to from other workers in this country, and attack, the value of the state pension the grave. The T.U. Movement has a from dockers in over 40 other countries reduced everyyear, mass unemployment particularly important role to play, has put tremendous pressure on the is back, benefits are slashed and today’s workers could be tomorrowls employer who continues to use scab homelessness is on the increase. No unemployed, sick or pensioner. labour. As a result of this pressure the longer is it a question of simply Please ensure this conference is companyhasbeen forcedtonegotiatewith defending the Welfare State, it needs to discussed in your branch and that the Union and the men’s Shop Stewards, be rebuilt. delegates are elected. We have something they had refused to do in the This is what has prompted the East deliberately kept the delegation fee as past. MidlandsRegionoftheBritishPensioner low as possible to ensure no one is andTradeUnionActionAssociation and prevented from attending for financial These dockers need our support. the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers reasons. Send donations etc to Jim Davies, Centre to organise this important Merseyside Port Shop Stewards, 19 conference. For furtherparticulars contact Scorton Street, Liverpool L6 4AS, and The conference will discuss a campaign Ida Hackett, Conference Organiser support the National Merseyside Dockers leadinguptothegeneralelectionwiththe 25, Bakewell Walk. SupportConferenceonSaturday25thMay. aim of winning a pledge from every Mansfield NG18 3PY Details irom Alec Mc Fadden, Secretary, candidate standing in the East Midlands Phone 01623 23633. MerseysideCATUC C/is 2b Cobham Road, to support andrebuildthe Welfare State. Moreton, Wirral. Tel: 0151 677 0020. I I WO0 RS9 MEMORIAL DAY CONTACTS LIST About 500 people in the UK are killed fighting for stronger legislation and NOTTS CATUC every year while doing their work by enforcement, publicising hazards at Jon 0’Neill 12 Petersfield Close industrial or road traffic accidents. An work, organising for better and safer Mansfield Notts NG19 6UA estimated 20,000 more people die each working conditions V and protecting MANSFIELD & DISTRICT year from work related diseases. people at work - so as to ensure that TUC (as Notts CATUC) The purposeofWorkers’MemorialDayis those who have been killed or injured I to commemorate these people. It is a part have not suffered in vain. NEWARK TUC I i ofthe campaign to makeworkplaces safer Dave Bryant 27 Nicholson St II Ifyou think work has made your ill, Newark Notts NG24 1RD and to reduce deaths, injuries and illness you need caused by work. Nottinghamshire Trade NOTTINGHAM TUC The idea for the day started in Canada, Ian Juniper 118 Mansfield Rd I| where 28th April has been recognisedas a Union Safety Committee Nottingham NG1 3HL II DayofMourningforoveradecade. Inthe We offer FREE testing forHearing, Vibration White Finger, Lung USA it is the anniversary of their RETFORD & DISTRICT TUC IIl Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Function and can offer advice on Tommy Hirst 20 Northfield Way also commemorates the 28 workers killed compensation claims and Health and Retford Notts DN22 7LJ Safety information. in a construction accident in Bridgeport, Connecticut on that day in 1987. Call us at 2 Beech Avenue Mansfield STAPLEFORD, BEESTON & (01623) 424720 and ask for Tony DISTRICT TUC I Since 1990, I-iealth and Safety campaigiers in Britain have used Mick Worrall 6 Holden Gardens Stapleford NG9 7GX Workers’ Memorial Day to raise , “Aiming wareness about the danger facing people $19 WORKSOP & DISTRICT TUC at work, and how groups ofworkers can M I to keep Dave ?ressley 15 Thievesdale Lane r|| organise to win improvements. I you Safes: Worksop Notts SS1 ONG While we rememberthose who have died this reminds us that we are still“ | age4 I leaseNote: Th view conaie witiu tis Newsletter arehlecesarilythose ofCATU