From ROSA NORTH On Wednesday, 14 March, the day of the NUS one-day strike in support of the grants campaign, the picket line at Northumberland College of Education was joined by the Senior Resident Tutor and lecturer in English, Steve Whitley. Two days after this open demonstration of support for the students, Whitley received a note from the College Principal, Miss Churchill. It informed him that she was "relieving him of all his responsibilities as Senior Resident Tutor from today", and that he had three months to quit his bungalow on the campus. Whitley, a member of Newcastle IMG and NUT Rank and File, refused to accept this. A mass meeting of the Students Union on Monday, 19 March, voted to continue to recognise him as S.R.T. and to refuse to have any dealings with any 'replacements".
By Thursday, Churchill had been forced to withdraw her arbitrary notice of dismissal. But she replaced this with his suspension as lecturer as well as S.R.T. Thus she raised the stakes and at the same time undermined legalistic arguments on constitutional lines.
Another mass meeting of the Students Union was held on Friday, 23 March, but a motion calling for strike action and a teach-in in the Union Building until his reinstatement was narrowly defeated. It was agreed, however, to allow "any members who feel strongly about the issue" to occupy the Administration Building for an hour on Friday and then for the day on Monday. However a further vote has now extended the occupation to Friday, the day the college closes. Support from outside is now flooding in, with messages of solidarity from other students and a letter from teaching staff at York University supporting his reinstatement. NUS Vice-President Roger Haworth has also sent a message stating that: "We give you unconditional support in your action to gain his reinstatement and will do everything in our power to assist you in your struggle. In particular, we completely support your continued occupation of the College Administrative Offices."
This is especially important since the NUS called on all teaching staff to support the one-day strike. It is hoped that Steve Whitley will be allowed to outline his case at NUS Conference next week, and an emergency resolution will be tabled calling for the full backing of all students for the defence campaign.
On Tuesday night a meeting was also held in Newcastle to mobilise trade union support. Over 100 people attended, including the local NUPE convenor and representatives from the NUM, ASTMS, ATTI, T&G, NUT and Newcastle Trades Council. An ad hoc committee to fight for his reinstatement was set up from the meeting. After the occupation, the next action planned is a picket of the Governors' meeting on' 9 April which will review his suspension. This will be at 10am at the college.
Messages of support etc. should be sent to: Steve Faulkner, Chairman of Steve Whitley Defence Committee, 19 Levens Walk, Beacon Hill Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland.
THE BRITISH LABOUR MOVEMENT AND THE BRITISH ARMY IN IRELAND Conway Hall Red Lion Square, (Holborn).
Saturday, 19th May 1973.
Details from Anti-Internment League, 88, Roslyn Road, London N.15.