Trade unionists

Anti-apartheid supporters marched through York on 3 July 1982 in solidarity with workers sacked for going on strike at York-based Rowntree-Mackintosh’s South African subsidiary. The demonstration was part of a long-running campaign by British trade unions and the AAM to make the company reinstate the sacked workers and recognise the South African Allied Workers Union.

Programme for a conference on women organised by AAM women members and the North West Regional Council of the TUC in Liverpool.

The AAM’s trade union conference held on 27 November 1982 was a milestone in winning support from British trade unions. TUC General Secretary Len Murray spoke on an AAM platform. The TUC declared its unequivocal support for economic sanctions against South Africa for the first time. The conference was attended by 264 delegates from 160 trade union organisations. Left to right: AAM Hon. Secretary Abdul Minty, TUC General Secretary Len Murray, General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union Jack Jones, and the AAM’s Trade Union Officer Chris Child.

The conference for trade unionists organised by the AAM on 27 November 1982 was a milestone in its attempts to win support from the British trade union movement. This report reproduces speeches made by TUC General Secretary Len Murray and Abdul Minty, Hon. Secretary of the AAM. This was the first time the TUC declared its unequivocal support for economic sanctions against South Africa. It was also the first time the TUC General Secretary spoke on an AAM platform. The conference was attended by 264 delegates from 160 trade union organisations.

Leeds City Council, local trade unions, and Leeds City and University AA Groups came together to organise a week of anti-apartheid events in October 1984. Activities included a vigil for political prisoners, collection of material aid, film shows and fundraising concerts, and an activists conference.

Westminster Council staff protested outside Westminster City Hall against a visit by apartheid Mayor of Johannesburg Eddy Magid in 1984. Mayor Magid had a private meeting with the Mayor of Westminster, John Bull.

Leaflet advertising a public meeting to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU). From the early 1970s SACTU had an office in London and in 1976 it set up a Liaison Committee to foster links with British trade unions. It worked closely with the AAM’s Trade Union Committee.

Maritime trade unions from around the world agreed to take direct action against ships supplying oil to South Africa at a conference in London on 30–31 October 1985. They were urged to take action by ANC President Oliver Tambo. The conference was sponsored by the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid and organised by the British National Union of Seamen.