Cop an ear to Holding The Line

I have been listening to the 15-minute programmes on BBC Radio 4 entitled ‘Holding The Line’.

The shows are based on a book, from factual accounts of women involved in the 1983/84 miners’ strike in America. The copper miners went on strike and the women in the community, who had never taken action before in their lives, found themselves at the forefront of the strike with picketing, raising money and keeping their families together against the greed of the company owners of the copper mine in the Arizona region.

I would urge all to either listen (catch up on BBC Sounds) or read the book. I for one had no idea that a strike of miners was taking place, at exactly the same time as coal miners in Britain were on strike.  Things seemed to be even more difficult in the US as their housing was through the company together with healthcare and then they were hit by a devastating flood.

Ruthie McNally, Worcester

Pensioners support £15 an hour

Regarding what the minimum wage should be, £15 an hour, as an immediate campaign, would be supported by pensioners.

It is clearly understood by those in the National Pensioners’ Convention, most of whom are retired trade unionists, that people cannot afford to live on the state pension at its current level. Given the current triple lock arrangements, £15 an hour for workers would increase pensions.

We should see to it that we do not let workers and pensioners be divided by the establishment. Your feature in the Socialist was very informative and the arguments in favour of £15 an hour very clear.

Adrian Rimington, Chesterfield pensioners convention