Archive for April 2020
1 April 2020
Labour must resist 'Covid coalition'
In the early stages of a war or national emergency, there is often a mood to pull together in the 'national' interest
1 April 2020
New laws: Unions must be on guard against attacks on workers' interests
Within a few days, Tory ministers managed to get their coronavirus bill through parliament
1 April 2020
Postal workers walk out over health, safety and junk mail
Postal workers give the public a great service. But in this is a time of national emergency - we should be doing this in as safe environment as possible, writes Gary Clark, CWU Scotland No.2 branch secretary.
1 April 2020
Finding new ways to meet, sell the Socialist and distribute our campaign leaflets
1 April 2020
All in this together? The 'Blitz spirit' myth
In the first of a series of articles on 'war, global crises and working-class struggle', Chris Holmes exposes the myth of class unity during the World War Two
1 April 2020
Socialism - the podcast of the Socialist Party
Weekly podcast offering a Marxist approach to the big issues we face in a world of capitalist crisis. Fighting for jobs, homes and public services for all. From strikes and mass movements through to community campaigns, history and theory. We shine a light on the struggles of workers and young people, and discuss the strategy for a socialist fightback.
1 April 2020
Help us continue to fight for workers and socialism
Financial appeal: After the coronavirus crisis, nothing will remain the same.
1 April 2020
PPE, Tests, Full pay - for all now
The situation will "get worse before it gets better," says Boris Johnson. But the enormity of this will not be the fault of the individual actions of ordinary working people.
1 April 2020
NHS workers speak out: austerity has left us unprepared
"Only in the last couple of weeks things are actually happening"
1 April 2020
NHS supply chain worker: privatisation has cut equipment quantity and quality
Terrified staff are without adequate PPE
1 April 2020
Fully fund hospices to care for vulnerable children
I am a parent of a child with a terminal diagnosis.
1 April 2020
Bus drivers halt sackings - now restore our pay
While the government gives reassurances to the public that 'we are all in this together' and they will do 'whatever it takes', bosses are doing whatever it takes to protect their profits, writes a South Coast bus driver.
1 April 2020
As coronavirus crisis intensifies, class antagonisms deepen
After the pandemic crisis, things will never be the same again. This will be similar to the situation after the two world wars of the 20th century.
2 April 2020
Collective action becoming necessary to ensure safety and vital deliveries
The escalating virus crisis has brought CWU members in Royal Mail to the point of no return
6 April 2020
photo Rwendland/CC
Organise to fight for socialist policies: Starmer becoming Labour leader represents a qualitative step in the capitalist class's campaign to make the Labour Party once again, as it was under Blair, a reliable vehicle for their interests.
6 April 2020
Under the microscope: Pandemic news in brief
The hospital oxygen supply in Hertfordshire came within inches of failing due to a huge increase in demand
6 April 2020
The minimum wage must go up! Fund coronavirus workers, not bosses' profits!
Minimum wage workers include many of the frontline staff dealing with the pandemic, writes Karen Smith, care worker.
6 April 2020
Capitalism causes crisis profiteering: fight for workers' oversight and public ownership
The government's laissez-faire attitude towards supplies, in effect contracting out any control of this to the major retailers, means there have been opportunities abundant for speculators to rip people off, writes Iain Dalton, Yorkshire Socialist Party.
6 April 2020
EE puts workers' health and safety at risk
EE is making it very clear why we can't leave it to the bosses to control our response to the coronavirus crisis, writes Ross Saunders, Cardiff Socialist Party.
7 April 2020
7 April 2020
Workers take action while union leaders call truce with government and bosses
"And I want to thank them (key workers) and also the leaders of the trade unions who represent them..."
7 April 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life. The iniquities and failings of the capitalist system are being exposed, and workers and communities are organising in
7 April 2020
Dispatches from the front: shortages of NHS staff, equipment - and union leadership
The temptation to come home and cry at the end of every shift is sometimes overwhelming. As part of diagnostics, my department touches on most of the hospital
7 April 2020
Things will never be the same again
"This certificate provides confirmation you are classified as a Sky key worker...Thank you for ...help[ing] keep Sky's critical services running for our customers"
7 April 2020
8 April 2020
May Day greetings: we need to fund independent workers' media now more than ever
We need you to support the Socialist by sending May Day greetings. There is no other consistent, independent voice for workers and for socialism during the pandemic, writes James Ivens, the Socialist May Day greetings organiser.
8 April 2020
Where's the PPE Welsh Assembly?
Our union branch raised with senior management of Carmarthenshire County Council that we did not accept the guidance of Public Health Wales (PHW) when it comes to the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), writes Mark Evans , branch secretary, Carmarthenshire County Unison.
8 April 2020
Anger as London local authorities bulldoze through powers to discipline workers
Unite the Union has expressed serious concerns over plans which will give local authority employers in London new powers to redeploy workers, under the threat of disciplinary action
8 April 2020
Victory for Medway bin workers
Unite the Union reps are pleased to announce that we have won in our dispute at Medway Norse and have ensured a safe environment for staff and the local community (see 'Refuse collection workers strike' at socialistpartyorg.uk)
8 April 2020
Socialists in Unite meet via Zoom: Struggles continue in the workplaces
Unite union members in the Socialist Party, and our Scottish and Irish sister groups in the Committee for a Workers' International, held a Zoom meeting on 4 April
8 April 2020
End of the Corbyn era - Organise to fight for socialist policies
Keir Starmer, as was widely predicted, has been elected leader of the Labour Party. He won on the first round with 56.2% of the vote
8 April 2020
A day in the life of a frontline worker
I'm a learning disabilities day centre care worker for a London council
8 April 2020
Getting the Socialist out safely under lockdown
I'm trying this (picture right) to distribute the Socialist, which relies on people's honesty. I had a couple of thumbs up and eight papers have been taken. I have faith in people, writes Phil Culshaw.
8 April 2020
Class collaboration and worker militancy in World War Two Britain
In the second of a series of articles on 'war, global crises and working class struggle', Alec Thraves - Socialist Party national committee - explains how workers' militancy broke the shackles of the World War Two coalition government in Britain
8 April 2020
Amazon workers threaten revolution!
"And to Mr Bezos my message is simple. I don't give a damn about your power. You think you're powerful? We're the ones that have the power."
8 April 2020
As coronavirus deaths continue to mount at a terrifying rate - the government's responsibility for worsening the crisis is becoming clearer every day.
8 April 2020
Coronavirus, capitalism and fighting for socialism worldwide
The Committee for a Workers' International (CWI - the socialist international organisation the Socialist Party is part of) is posting regular updates from its sections around the world
9 April 2020
Postal workers' anger over profits before health and safety
Management is putting the interests of the shareholders and profit over the interests of the workforce
14 April 2020
MPs get £10k each for lockdown expenses - where's ours?
MPs can claim up to £10,000 - on top of their salaries and other expenses - for remote working costs under lockdown. This is on top of the £26,000 a year MPs already get for office expenses!, writes Lindsey Morgan, Leicester Socialist Party.
14 April 2020
Johnson's hospitalisation: a tale of two treatments
Tory prime minister Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital on 12 April following treatment for Covid-19
14 April 2020
Lockdown increases domestic violence calls - Tory money a drop in the ocean
Home secretary Priti Patel, has announced a 'you are not alone' campaign to support domestic violence victims who are more at risk than ever under lockdown, writes Amy Cousens, Women's Lives Matter.
14 April 2020
Rapacious capitalism and the spread of coronavirus
Donald Trump continually refers to the coronavirus pandemic as the "Chinese virus". He believes this demonisation of China plays to the isolationist, racist and xenophobic sections of his domestic support
14 April 2020
Expired PPE relabelled for NHS use
Scotland's SNP first minister Nicola Sturgeon has approved relabelling of out-of-date personal protective equipment for use in the coronavirus pandemic
14 April 2020
Dispatches from the front: NHS staff say give us PPE, not medals!
"The situation in London hospitals is dire, much worse than comes across in the news"
14 April 2020
NHS nurse: we're not wasting PPE - the Tories don't value us
It's a disgrace that the health secretary accused staff of wasting PPE
14 April 2020
Big pharma's profiteering holds back drug supply
All over the world, intensive research is taking place to find drugs to treat Covid-19.
14 April 2020
London Transport workers fighting private companies and TfL to secure health and safety
A life and death battle on the buses: 21 transport workers in London have died from coronavirus, 15 of them bus drivers.
14 April 2020
Unite opposes all cuts to domestic violence services
Tension is growing in many locked-down homes. It's no surprise domestic violence is increasing too. Calls to Refuge's helpline, the domestic abuse charity, are up 120% since the lockdown began, writes Jon Dale, secretary, Unite union EM/NG32 Nottinghamshire Health branch (personal capacity).
15 April 2020
Passport workers forced back to offices as Home Office shirks its duty of care
I work for the civil service and am a member and rep of the PCS trade union. Like many of my colleagues, I was shocked and appalled at the Home Office's decision to call workers at passport offices back
15 April 2020
Collectively demanding safe warehouse working conditions
In my workplace, the worry of deteriorating safety is becoming constant - and it is well-founded, writes Connor O'Farrell, warehouse worker and Usdaw union member.
15 April 2020
Usdaw shop workers' union activists meet via Zoom
Following weekly virtual meetings of Socialist Party members in Usdaw the shop workers' union to discuss the rapidly changing situation in retail, and producing several special issues of our bulletin, the Activist, we decided to hold a virtual public meeting on 11 April to take these discussions to, writes Iain Dalton, Socialist Party Usdaw caucus convenor.
15 April 2020
Coronavirus workplace news in brief
Postal workers in Didcot walked out on 8 April after their depot was not cleaned when a member of staff contracted Covid-19
15 April 2020
Fight back against the corona propaganda war
"The BBC must be for the government," said its founder Lord Reith during the 1926 general strike. That has certainly been the case during the coronavirus pandemic, writes James Ivens.
15 April 2020
Plymouth students discuss rent strike
The Old Dairy is private rented accommodation provided by Host to students in the University of Plymouth and Plymouth College of Art, writes Sami Vickery, Plymouth College of Art student and Old Dairy tenant.
15 April 2020
Join an online Socialist Party meeting during lockdown
I attended a fantastic meeting of South East London Socialist Party on 8 April - 18 attended, maybe more, can't always tell on iPad, writes Sarah Sachs-Eldridge.
15 April 2020
The Socialist Party and socialist ideas are growing
I've been reading comments on political sites and been unsure if I should stay in Labour, writes A new Socialist Party member in Stoke.
15 April 2020
How the catastrophe of WW1 sparked revolution
In the third of a series of articles on 'war, global crises and working class struggle', Philip Stott - secretary, Socialist Party Scotland - describes how the horrors and privatiations of WW1 provoked revolutionary working class uprisings
15 April 2020
Going viral: Socialist comments on the corona crisis
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life. The iniquities and failings of the capitalist system are being exposed, and workers and communities are organising in
15 April 2020
Exit strategy? PPE and mass testing - and workers' control of workplace safety
The coronavirus pandemic in the UK has not yet passed its peak. Hundreds are still dying every day, and yet the pressure is mounting for the Tories to announce an 'exit strategy'
15 April 2020
Sabotage - the inner workings of Labour's political machine exposed
A leaked Labour report has detailed internal sabotage by senior party officials of Corbyn's attempts to radicalise Labour policies
15 April 2020
15 April 2020
16 April 2020
18 April 2020
20 April 2020
Management tells carers PPE would 'worry' residents
My sister works as a carer in a local privately run care home. She has been worried sick over the policies for coronavirus not being implemented there
20 April 2020
Shocking increase in domestic violence killings
Domestic abuse killings have more than doubled during the coronavirus lockdown, according to Counting Dead Women (CDW), the organisation that monitors the killing of women by men
20 April 2020
Covid-19 patient speaks out: fantastic support from under-resourced health workers
Steve Nally, a support worker in the housing sector, was among the first Covid-19 patients at St Thomas' Hospital in south London
20 April 2020
21 April 2020
Trade union activists from across the south of England came together for a Socialist Party meeting on Zoom on 18 April, writes Paul Couchman, Surrey County Unison branch secretary (personal capacity).
21 April 2020
Councils must demand control of supplies and reversal of austerity
Despite their claims of "partnership" between central and local government, it's clear the Tories have not involved councils in their Covid-19 planning at all, writes Hugo Pierre, Unison union national executive committee member (personal capacity).
21 April 2020
DWP: Action on workers' safety, and protection of pay and conditions needed
More than two million people have claimed benefits in the last four weeks. Failed Tory austerity is impacting health care workers having insufficient PPE and testing.
21 April 2020
As the number of unemployed workers applying for benefits rises to 22 million due to the coronavirus crisis, reactionary US president Donald Trump is determined to end the country's health lockdown measures, which he sees as undermining his chances of a second term in office
21 April 2020
Care homes coronavirus scandal: blood on their hands
There is growing anger at the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis. 400,000 people living in care homes have been abandoned - surrendered to the virus.
21 April 2020
PPE shortages: "I feel so bloody angry"
The guidelines we follow on use of PPE have changed dramatically during this pandemic. At first we were told we must wear full PPE for every patient suspected of having Covid 19.
21 April 2020
More dispatches from the front: 'There are so many more patients dying'
The main concern with staff at the moment is it's week four in Covid ICU and no sign of anyone being tested yet, writes a NHS intensive care technician.
21 April 2020
No 'back to school' until outbreak is under control and trade union agreed safety arrangements
Tory splits over a coronavirus 'exit strategy' are being played out over the question of when to fully reopen schools, writes Martin Powell-Davies, a National Education Union member.
21 April 2020
London bus drivers' action over safety stops front door boarding
26 transport workers have died from Covid-19 in London, the majority of them bus drivers. Now London bus drivers have forced Transport for London (TfL) and bus companies to implement some safety measures
22 April 2020
National plan for testing needed
Testing everybody in a northern Italian village of 3,000 people saw those with Covid-19 fall 90% within ten days
22 April 2020
Capitalist press attacks Tory incompetence
"Pandemic planning became a casualty of the austerity years."
22 April 2020
Why I joined the Socialist Party
I joined the Socialist Party two months ago. I've been interested in socialism and socialist politics for a number of years, writes Amy Sage, Bristol Socialist Party.
22 April 2020
Policies that really protect the NHS
I know everyone is mindful of finances at a time like this. Personal finances have taken a hit, people are fundraising and donating to others, writes Sue Powell, Gloucester Socialist Party.
22 April 2020
Coronavirus: Students' charter
Coronavirus has revealed the chaos of the Tory marketisation of higher education
22 April 2020
US private healthcare system in meltdown
Like in the UK, the coronavirus pandemic in the USA has resulted in the postponement or cancellation of non-urgent surgery in hospitals
22 April 2020
Tory think tank proposes attack on pensions
It was inevitable that the Tory government would try to offload the costs of dealing with the coronavirus crisis from their rich backers and onto the backs of working people, writes Roger Bannister, Liverpool Socialist Party.
22 April 2020
The special Covid crisis of British capitalism
While no government has taken the necessary measures to fully defend the working class from the pandemic's effects, Britain has had one of the most ineffectual responses of the major capitalist powers.
22 April 2020
Where's our PPE? Where's our testing? Where's our money?
"We want the equipment we need to be safe doing our jobs".
22 April 2020
World economic crisis: A Marxist approach to the coronavirus crunch
How badly could the economy be affected by the coronavirus crisis?
22 April 2020
JD Sports: Shut up shop and give us full pay!
JD Sports workers have been organising to demand the company close its warehouse, and pay all shop-floor and warehouse workers full pay for the duration of this crisis, writes a JD Sports worker.
22 April 2020
Socialism the Podcast: What do our listeners think?
I was listening to the latest episode of the Socialist Party's podcast while cooking. My boyfriend came in to ask who was speaking and how someone who talks sense had been allowed on the radio!
22 April 2020
The role of the Socialist during the corona crisis
"Read the truth. Read how to fight back. Read the Socialist."
22 April 2020
Lenin at 150: A revolutionary life - and the relevance of his ideas for today
In January 1917 the world was in flames amid the barbarism of the first capitalist world war. Yet within months Lenin was elected head of the first democratic workers' government in history.
22 April 2020
Going viral: Socialist comments and letters
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life.
22 April 2020
Clapping, driving, postering - for workers' rights
We clapped and we demanded workers' rights. Health workers called for protests in cars at hospitals - demanding PPE and the resignation of health secretary Matt Hancock.
22 April 2020
Excellent support for Socialist Party special appeal
We have had a fantastic response to our special appeal to help finance the publication of the Socialist and promote the ideas of the Socialist Party in this corona crisis, writes Chris Newby, the Socialist sales organiser.
22 April 2020
RMT: Lift the suspension of Steve Hedley
A statement in Red Lines - the bulletin of Socialist Party members in the RMT transport union - calls for the lifting of the union executive's suspension of Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley.
22 April 2020
Bromley Libraries 'restructure' in middle of pandemic!
Bromley Library workers are facing a restructure, including moving to new work locations, in the middle of this health emergency
22 April 2020
The history of struggle to make the workplace safe
Every year workers who have been killed at work are commemorated on 28 April
22 April 2020
London transport: Reject the ‘choice’ of safety or revenue
Trade union control over workers' health and safety is needed
23 April 2020
Global covid-19 pandemic, capitalist crisis and bitter class polarisation in the United States
26 April 2020
Private firm causes weeks of delay to free school meal vouchers: bring it back in-house!
I rely on free school meal vouchers to feed my daughter. They were due Monday 20 April and didn't arrive until that Thursday, writes Lindsey Morgan, Leicester Socialist Party.
26 April 2020
B&M Bargains management puts profit before safety
The attitude of B&M Bargains management has been 'business as usual'. Some staff are furloughed, often in stores in shopping centres which have closed anyway, and some admin staff.
27 April 2020
Civil servants in Paisley protest after Covid outbreak
On 24 April, civil servants at Paisley Jobcentre held an outdoors union meeting following an outbreak of Covid-19 in their office
27 April 2020
Schools: No return without a national union agreement that guarantees safety!
National Education Union (NEU) members have put forward the following model motion at meetings on opposing the reopening of schools unless safe..
27 April 2020
Waltham Forest trade unions discuss the fight for PPE and workplace safety
In organising a meeting on PPE and workplace safety, Waltham Forest Trade Union Council showed the role of these bodies in drawing together workers in struggle, strengthening solidarity, and helping clarify the tasks for the labour movement through discussion, writes Nancy Taaffe, Waltham Forest Socialist Party.
27 April 2020
On 7 April Mark Serwotka wrote to Hannah Sell, general secretary of the Socialist Party, asking for an assurance that the Socialist would not be sold outside PCS-organised workplaces during the coronavirus emergency
27 April 2020
Click here to go to the latest issue of the Activist, the bulletin of Socialist Party members in shop workers' trade union Usdaw
27 April 2020
Going viral: Socialist comments and letters
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life. The iniquities and failings of the capitalist system are being exposed
28 April 2020
Dispatches from the front: PPE chaos goes on
"I just found out that the 'FFP3' mask I've been wearing expired in 2012."
28 April 2020
Workers fighting to defend safety and livelihoods - NSSN national meeting a huge success
Over 200 members and reps from many different trade unions came together on Zoom on Sunday 26 April to discuss the impact of the coronavirus crisis on workers
29 April 2020
29 April 2020
Irish police use Covid-19 emergency powers to disperse Dublin shop workers' protest
In the main, there is support among the working class for the lockdown measures in Ireland. Workers recognise the imperative of defeating Covid-19, and that this will often necessitate severe constraints
29 April 2020
Cleaning staff at Lewisham Hospital who have taken strike action over unpaid wages have won
29 April 2020
Adding demands to the weekly claps
Lots out clapping, taxis tooting their horns, bagpipes playing and a bit of chanting - "PPE for all frontline workers", "mass testing for all" and "save our NHS", writes Elaine Brunskill.
29 April 2020
Unions must organise throughout crisis
The coronavirus pandemic throws up its own unique problems and challenges which cannot wait until after the lockdown has ended, writes Ryan Aldred, Usdaw Plymouth and district general branch secretary (personal capacity).
29 April 2020
No return to the 1930s: World War Two and 'a land fit for heroes'
In the fourth article in our series 'war, global crises and working-class struggle', Socialist Party national committee member Tom Baldwin shows how working-class expectations were transformed by World War Two and the impact this had on the initial post-war period
29 April 2020
Workers' safety before bosses' profits
In the space of one week, the trade union movement is marking two of its most important annual days - International Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April, and May Day on 1 May
29 April 2020
130 Years of May Day in Britain: Fight for workers' rights more relevant than ever
Overworked, underpaid, struggling to afford the basics - this is true of the situation facing many 'key workers' that the Covid-19 lockdown has so clearly demonstrated society is dependent on.
29 April 2020
May Day 2020: join the protests - wear red, bring flags and banners
This issue of the Socialist covers International Workers' Day, Friday 1 May 2020. May Day is always an important event in the calendar of the workers' movement. It is doubly so this year
29 April 2020
Woolwich ferry - workers secure 100% furlough agreement
Unite union has negotiated a 100% furlough agreement with Briggs Marine, the contractor who currently runs the Woolwich Ferry.
29 April 2020
30 April 2020
Royal Mail dispute: Interview with a CWU branch secretary
Royal Mail and the CWU are heading towards a major national dispute. "The workplace is a tinderbox and it's being ignited by Royal Mail", Gary Clark, CWU branch secretary, spoke to Socialist Party Scotland
26 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Schools opening? - Workers' safety before bosses' profits
27 May South Devon Socialist Party: End of the Corbyn era - What next for socialism?
27 May Hackney & Islington Socialist Party: Marx and Capital
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