In the 1972 miners* strike, the Government and the employers used massive repression against picket lines. Since then they have become even better prepared through the creation of police anti-picket squads, the setting up of a national anti-picket centre, the sentences in the Shrewsbury trials, and the use of the army in the Glasgow firemen's strike.
In 1972 the way to defeat these attacks on pickets was demonstrated, Al Sallley, the massive 10,000 strong picket defeated the police, In other areas scale wielding iron rods were smashed.
This time again defence of picker lines on a massive scale must be orginised. This must be prepared immediately through the creation of picketing pools and pledges of groups of worker to defend each others picket lines. The struggle to free the Shrewsbury Three and stop the Shrewsbury trials is a key part of the defence of picketing.
in the 1971 strike, apart from the support gained from the labour movement, many other layers and organisations aided the struggle. Even nore could be brought into the struggle this time.
In particular, the following groups must be rallied in support of the struggles:
Tenants associations can house flying pickets and provide ail sorts of support;
Organisation of women in the strike can
----- pull-quotes -----
Non-trade union sections of the population must be brought into the struggle