LABOR ACTION: British Antiwar Strikes

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday March 11, 2003 22:51 by LABOR ACTION - Stop the War Coalition stopwar.press at virgin dot net PO Box 3739, London E5 8EJ 020 7278 5786/6702

LABOR ACTION: British Antiwar Strikes

Press Release 6 March If war breaks out there will be massive protests around the world.

The overwhelming majority of the population of Britain is against this war.

The coalition urges people to stop whatever they are doing and join protests in the centre of every town and city. In London there will be a massive protest assembling in Parliament Square from lunchtime through to the evening.

School students are planning more strikes on the day. University students are planning occupations of their colleges.

Many trade unionists are planning walkouts. Workers at the have called strike action for the day. The Communication Workers Union is supporting protest action when war breaks out.

We urge trade unionists to start discussing now the type of industrial action they feel that they can take in their workplace. This could include the following:

a) Strike the day that war breaks out. This could be for an hour or for the whole day

b) Hold lunchtime meetings outside your place of work and consider not going back into work

c) Ask everyone where you work to wear a badge or sticker for the day

d) Consider forms of non-compliance with your management

e) At 1800 hours converge with your work colleagues into your city centre

Tony Blair is going to war without the consent of the British people therefore the people of Britain will have to make their voices heard
both in their workplaces and on the streets of every city.

Further information contact Andrew Burgin 07939 242229

Before you pat yourself on the back for attending the peace march last week, think of Jeremy Corbyn, who is helping lead the opposition to the impending war on Iraq within British Parliament, where he represents North London. . . .

The former trade unionist said antiwar forces in the United States would do well to emulate the cooperation with labor groups that is a major part of British protests. Corbyn said a general strike is possible in Britain, with the transport unions moving to convene a special congress of the trade union movement – something that hasn't happened since the miners' strike 20 years ago. In early February the train drivers union refused to move a freight car of ammunition ostensibly intended for the Persian Gulf.

When it comes to opposing the war, Corbyn said, "the unions provide a good structure, because they have the organizational experience and the political clout."

Stop the War Coalition
PO Box 3739, London E5 8EJ
020 7278 5786/6702
www.stopwar.org.uk
stopwar.press@virgin.net