CAB128-94_A1b — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

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action was not having any marked impact on the movement of goods, as shippers appeared to have made effective arrangements to get round difficulties.

ONFIDEN

Industrial Action in the

Transport Sector

Previous

Reference

CC (89) 20.2

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT said that there were o disputes on British Rail, one involving pay and the other future pay negotiating arrangements. The three Bish Rail unions had adopted different positions: the

ational Union of Railwaymen (NUR) had secured its members'

for 24-hour stoppages and a ban on overtime, and ree day working and its members would be taking one-day strike action on the following Wednesday; the Transport Salaried Staffs Association was seeking arbitration; and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen was still batting its members. There were also two disputes the London Underground, the most serious of which concede he pay claim by drivers of one-person

operated trans: there would be unofficial action on the

following day

following Wedne

support for inde

official 24-hour stoppage on the

In addition, the NUR had secured

action by station staff in protest against London Undergrond's proposal to base promotion for station staff on merither than on seniority, but further talks were

be held between the two sides

under the auspices of the visory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. There was the prospect of extensive disruption to travel, espely in London, on the following Wednesday and he making contingency plans to deal with this. He was also drang up contingency plans against the possibility of wider sruption of the railways.

The Cabinet

Took note.

AL

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

China and Hong Kong

Previous Reference CC(89) 20.3

Student

3. THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that the Chinese leadership centred on Deng Xiaoping was consolidating its position and dealing harshly leaders and other dissidents. A propaganda campaign was under way to portray the recent demonstrations in eas a counter-revolutionary rebellion. The direction of in the longer term was more difficult to foresee; however the leadership appeared to be trying to preserve China economic links with the outside world while engaging in

2

DENTIAL

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CONFIDENTIAL

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