TUC calls week of action

TUC LEADERS yesterday called for a national week of protests against the pit closure programme. The climax will be a demonstration in London next Sunday which they hope will be one of the largest in the capital since the anti-Vietnam war marches of the Sixties, writes Barrie Clement.

An emergency meeting of the TUC's general council decided to involve non-trade unionists and even Conservative MPs in a fight to save 30,000 jobs due to be cut by British Coal by next March.

Next Sunday's march will end with a rally at Trafalgar Square. The TUC hopes that it will attract more than 100,000 people. Tory MPs, Liberal Democrats and leading clergy are to be invited to address the rally. The unions will also support a mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday and are organising a national petition against the closure programme.

'Lights out' protest, page 2