Mobilise Trade Unions Against Nuclear Power

tionalist is to give maximum support to the justified struggles of the na— tionally oppressed, NATIONAL OPPRESSION AND SOCIALESM Not surprisingly, Trotsky was one of the few socialists who under stood and gave unconditional support to the 1916 Easter Rising. Later, in exile from the Soviet Union, he was to recall his admiration for Connolly. How pleased Connolly would have been -- shortly before his execution Connolly mentioned to his daughter that one of his few regrets was that socialists in Europe would not ap— prove of his stand, Connolly would also have peen pleased for another reason. He and Trotsky shared an original understanding of how to advance socialist revolution in countries where nation-: al development was stunted and deformed. For most Marxists of the: time the national struggle and the socialist revolution were compart— mentalised into two distinct stages, Connolly and Trotsky by contrast, saw them as interacting in an explosive combination. To judge by statements made by government and ESB representatives, Ireland is backing away from its previous aggressive nuclear power policy. Undoubtedly two factors hawe influenced this; the growing public concern over the industry's inability to bring the Three Mile Island plant under contro! (over a year after the initial near-di saster) mand for a 'public enquiry'. and the downward revision of eneray needs in anticipation of a new international economic recession. But Ireland is part of the European Nuclear Programme which is well under way and unlikely to be reversed voluntarily. Sooner or later the TRADE UNION ACTIVITY ‘threat of a nuclear power plant will have to be faced by the Irish people.

ANTI-NUKE MOVEMENT The anti-nuclear movement is well aware of this and is continuing to organise. It is becoming more organised and coherent. Since the last Carnsore Rally (August 1979) moves have been made to form a national structure, This structure is a loose federation which does not interfere with the autonomy of |ocal groups but tries to promote united action around specific issues. One of the issues it has singled out is the deSean McBride has agreed to become trustee for a fund to hold such an enquiry if the government tries to restrict discussion or avoid public accountability.

More recently a Trade Union Campaign Against Nuclear Power has been formed, At the founding meetthe | TGWU told the 100 activists present that his union would black any attempt to build a nuclear reactor and take "other appropriate action'', The Campaign agreed to work closely with the existing anti-nuclear movement and seek representation on the national co-ordinating committee.

Although those in attendance were mostly.from Dublin there was strong representation from other areas, especially Waterford and Wexford, and workshops will be set up to investigate various as— pects of nuclear power as they affect trade unionists. A steering committee was elected to oversee this work, ;

Clearly there is a strong anti-nuke sentiment in the unions and this Campaign has an opportunity to make them a decisive factor in defeating the government's plans,

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