Archive for March 2019

6 March 2019

International Women's Day 2019: End oppression with fight for socialism

On Friday 8 March, women and many men across the globe are striking, marching, protesting and celebrating International Women's Day in unprecedented numbers.

6 March 2019

Boot out failing Grayling and the other Tory wreckers

What does it take before one of the most incompetent government ministers in modern times is sacked? I am of course talking about transport minister Chris Grayling.

6 March 2019

Solidarity with Chris Williamson

An open letter from two Socialist Party branches (edited extract): We send Chris Williamson our solidarity against the unfounded attack on his reputation and unwarranted suspension.

6 March 2019

Trade union action to end low pay now!

Poverty pay for 1.2 million public sector workers. 2.7% pay rise for MPs: More than one million public sector workers are paid less than the minimum amount needed to make ends meet, as set by the Living Wage Foundation. They calculate this as £9 an hour, or £10.55 in London.

6 March 2019

A&E 4-hour waiting targets scrapped - Save our NHS!

NHS England is backing a plan to scrap four-hour A&E waiting time targets 'within a year'.

6 March 2019

Them & Us

It's one world for the super-rich and another for us including billions in profit for housebuilders and homelessness for thousands of children.

6 March 2019

Stop post-16 education cuts

University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt has resigned her position on health grounds.

6 March 2019

Workplace news in brief

Workplace and trade union news in brief including Birmingham bin workers' dispute, cleaners' action against outsourcing and a school strike.

6 March 2019

Leon Trotsky's struggle against Stalinism

Ninety years ago this January, Leon Trotsky was exiled from the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin and his increasingly powerful bureaucracy gave the command.

6 March 2019

Cuts must stop - boot the Tories out

As the clock ticks down on Brexit, hapless prime minister Theresa May is desperately trying to resurrect her deal with EU ministers, which was heavily defeated by MPs in January.

6 March 2019

Hull: support for anti-cuts policies at Corbyn solidarity rally

80 people gathered in Victoria Square at the Hull Trade Union Council (TUC) anti-austerity rally to show their backing for Jeremy Corbyn.

6 March 2019

Hundreds of Tamils protest against death-threat brigadier

The case against Sri Lankan brigadier Priyanka Fernando, the war criminal who made death threats against Tamil protesters, has been adjourned to 15 March. Tamil Solidarity members organised a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court on 1 March.

6 March 2019

Women workers' militancy during the 'great unrest'

Townsend Productions' new folk ballad "Rouse Ye Women" follows events in the 1910 chainmakers' ten-week strike in Cradley Heath, the Black Country.

6 March 2019

The Socialist Inbox

Letters to the Socialist's editors including Grenfell and firefighters, Blairite traitors and hostile Tories.

6 March 2019

A socialist programme to end women's oppression

In the era of austerity and capitalist crisis, women are struggling against their oppression - marching, striking, getting organised.

6 March 2019

Interview with a shop worker

The Socialist spoke with a shop worker and union member, Olivia, about her conditions at work.

6 March 2019

MPs boost their own pay

MPs have given themselves a 2.7% pay increase. It doesn't sound much, but for them it means a rise of over £2,000 a year - more than many members of civil servants' union PCS take home in a month.

6 March 2019

No retreats: Corbyn must stand firm against Blairites

With Jeremy Corbyn now in his fourth year of leadership of the Labour Party and the Tory government deep in crisis, no time can be lost by Corbyn and his allies in Labour's leadership in preparation for winning a general election.

6 March 2019

Southampton: Fight council cuts

On Wednesday 20 February, protesters gathered outside the Civic Centre in Southampton to demonstrate against another round of council cuts, and to appeal to councillors to take steps to protect school budgets.

6 March 2019

Wildfires hit Europe - build for 15 March student climate strikes

Fire crews were battling gorse and grass fires on 26 February.

7 March 2019

A Tamil Solidarity statement

9 March 2019

Liverpool Women's Hospital

Outsourced workers at Liverpool Women's Hospital were on strike on 25 February because they're paid less by their private company OCS than staff working directly for the NHS

12 March 2019

Protests say stop cuts to save domestic violence services

To mark International Women's Day, the Socialist Party organised protests and meetings

13 March 2019

Spanish state: Historic 8 March action

Millions were on the streets on International Women's Day against sexist violence and capitalist oppression

13 March 2019

Anger after violent youth deaths - Communities need public services not cuts

So far this year, ten teenagers have already lost their lives in London as a result of knife crime. In response to these tragedies, people are rightly demanding action to keep communities safe.

13 March 2019

Weak Tories must go. General election now!

Yet again, another outsourcing company faces collapse. The latest one is Interserve.

13 March 2019

Them & Us

It's one world for us and another for the super-rich especially billionaire tax avoiders!

13 March 2019

Neither Tories or EU - only fighting trade unions and a Corbyn-led government can deliver workers' rights

The government's last ditch attempt to bribe enough Labour MPs to back Theresa May's Brexit deal has seemingly backfired - with only a few Blairites prepared to back her.

13 March 2019

Newark NSK strike: "Even Victorian workers got a day off each week. We're expected to have just one weekend off every three weeks"

24 Unite members in the G2 Finish and Grind department of Japanese company NSK have been on strike since 4 March. Pickets at the Newark factory, making super-precision machine bearings.

13 March 2019

Breaking news: Birmingham bin workers' strike suspended pending new deal

Birmingham bin workers in Unite and Unison local government unions have agreed a deal to end the ongoing dispute which is to be ratified by Birmingham council's cabinet on 15 March.

13 March 2019

Workplace news in brief

Workplace news in brief including strikes in on the Woolwich ferry, at Liverpool Women's Hospital and in Hackney.

13 March 2019

Tories out. Scrap Universal Credit. Fight for living wages and welfare!

Universal Credit is hardly out of the news. The suffering and anxiety it has caused is immeasurable - so much so that even some Tory MPs have been forced to highlight problems with its implementation.

13 March 2019

For socialist change, not climate change!

Last month, tens of thousands of young people took to the streets to protest against climate change. With more walkouts set for Friday 15 March, this could be the beginning of a new mass youth and student movement.

13 March 2019

History: Alice Wheeldon - an anti-war socialist persecuted by the state

One hundred years ago, Alice Wheeldon, from Derby in the east Midlands, died in the great influenza epidemic, aged 53. The events of Alice's life were not only important then, but are still relevant today. Alice's story ranks among the most shocking (and political) miscarriages of justice.

13 March 2019

The Socialist Inbox

Letters to the Socialist's editors including Derek Hatton and the Independent Group of MPs.

13 March 2019

Brazil: The Threats, attacks and contradictions of Bolsonaro's regime

Only two months since coming to power, President Jair Bolsonaro has confirmed all the worst expectations in relation to his government. During the recent annual Brazil Carnival many revellers protested against his right-wing agenda.

13 March 2019

Obituary Joan Beale - Labour women's activist and Militant supporter

An active supporter of Militant (forerunner of the Socialist Party) in Lancashire in the 1970s and 80s, Joan Beale sadly passed away last month. Although her health had not been good in recent years, her death was sudden and unexpected.

13 March 2019

PCS union elections: Huge support for Chris Baugh

The PCS civil servants' union elects its assistant general secretary (AGS) every five years and its national executive committee annually. The ballot for these positions takes place 16 April to 19 May.

13 March 2019

Southampton: Socialist stand against cuts

"If you mobilise your community to fight, then you can win!" These were the words of Socialist Party candidate Sue Atkins, standing as Socialist Alternative, at a public meeting on the eve of the Coxford council by-election in Southampton.

13 March 2019

No to racism - Fight for socialism

Almost a year since the exposure of the Windrush scandal, the Windrush generation continue to suffer from the 'hostile environment'. They suffer abuse, benefit sanctions, sacking and deportation.

13 March 2019

Memorial to working-class fighters who fought fascism

During the 80th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War in 2016, the International Brigades Memorial Trust asked that areas which have a memorial or plaque to commemorate it by laying a flower or a wreath.

20 March 2019

Hackney school bus workers walk out

Unite the Union members in passenger services at Hackney Council walked out on 19 March in their fight for a payment in recognition of the fact that they undertake split shifts

20 March 2019

Midlands machine bearing makers launch all-out strike

"There's only so much meat on the bone. NSK has taken so much off us it's now passed the bone and is into the marrow!"

20 March 2019

Union fightback key to movement against racism and austerity

The annual anti-racism demonstration marched through central London on 16 March. The demonstration is called to mark the United Nations day against racism.

20 March 2019

Socialist Party Northern conference: Workers are sick of cuts and have the power to fight back

The stand-out contributions at the Socialist Party Northern regional conference came from trade union activists reporting their recent experiences in their workplaces.

20 March 2019

Help build the workers' press: send May Day greetings to the Socialist!

The early-bird deadline for May Day greetings is fast approaching! We want full payment for as many greetings as possible by 5pm on Friday 29 March, the cut-off for the 20% advance discount.

20 March 2019

Exhibition: Don McCullin - a life in pictures

Being a legal aid lawyer, you are subjected to audits by all kinds of people. As it is, working a weekend allows you a day off mid-week and I took the opportunity to pop down to Tate Britain. The reason for the trip was to see the retrospective on the photographer Don McCullin.

20 March 2019

The Socialist Inbox

Letters to the Socialist's editors including Ineos and cycling, Venezuela and Labour and the Socialist Party and the FBU.

20 March 2019

Theatre: Banner Theatre's Nottingham 'Free for All'

An inspiring evening of music, video footage and commentary was sponsored and hosted by Unite Nottinghamshire Health Branch at the Nottingham Arts Theatre 28 February.

20 March 2019

Stop cuts to women's services in Leicester

23 people attended Leicester Socialist Party's public meeting on 'Women's Lives Matter' on 16 March.

20 March 2019

Socialist Party's Sue Atkins wins big support for anti-cuts, socialist policies

The Coxford ward council byelection in Southampton took place on 14 March.

20 March 2019

Youth strikes show the way - mass action can oust Tories

On 15 March, young people marched out of their schools and colleges and took to the streets for the second youth strike against climate change.

20 March 2019

Victory for Birmingham bin workers

Meeting discusses fight to win other disputes and save services in the city

20 March 2019

PCS: Vote Yes to strike for better pay

125,000 PCS members across the civil service and related public bodies are being asked to vote Yes in the national ballot on pay.

20 March 2019

May's government facing endgame

With just ten days until the date of departure from the EU, there is unprecedented daily turmoil in parliament on what will happen.

20 March 2019

End austerity. Fight for a living wage!

The chancellor's spring statement signaled a continued squeeze on low-income families.

20 March 2019

New Zealand mosque terror atrocity

Millions woke up on the morning of 15 March in shock to learn of the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

20 March 2019

Top unis threaten cuts if tuition fees

The elitist club of top universities known as the Russell Group has recently threatened that any reduction of student tuition fees will result in cuts to course numbers, as well as the arts and social mobility programmes.

20 March 2019

Cash-strapped schools now 'fourth emergency service'

Increasing numbers of schools are having to provide clothing, laundry facilities and food parcels to their students due to a decade of austerity leaving many vulnerable children in poverty.

20 March 2019

Trade unionists debate the EU

An 'EU - Should We Stay or Should We Go?' debate was organised by Nottingham and Mansfield trade union council. Over 70 people attended the 26 February meeting.

22 March 2019

The way out of the Brexit impasse

The editorial of the April issue of Socialism Today:
As the first act in the Brexit drama reaches its concluding scenes, only one thing about the plot is certain

27 March 2019

Enthusiastic Southern region socialists plan for the struggles ahead

Socialist Party Southern region conference was well-attended, lively and confident

27 March 2019

Hackney & Islington Socialist Party: Reform or Revolution

Speaker: Angel, writes Cafe Z-Bar, 58 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 7PB.

27 March 2019

Haringey 'Corbyn council' finance chief resigns

Mass struggle needed to defeat council cuts: The labour movement in Haringey needs to urgently assert its authority on the 'Corbyn council'

27 March 2019

Oil firms spend $1bn fighting climate laws: 'Green New Deal' needs socialist policies

The multinationals and super-rich elites have shown time and again they will ignore laws and circumvent policies that harm their profits

27 March 2019

Universal Credit forces women into 'survival sex': scrap it now!

Growing numbers of welfare claimants impoverished by Universal Credit are forced into selling their bodies to pay for rent or feed their families

27 March 2019

NHS staff shortage now permanent: reverse health cuts!

For a fully funded, socialist NHS, run democratically by workers and service users!

27 March 2019

Algeria uprising: 'We stay here until the whole system goes'

Every Friday since 22 February hundreds of thousands of Algerians have been protesting against their president

27 March 2019

Lessons of the heroic 1984-85 Miners' strike

The miners' strike was "a civil war without guns" - an all-out battle between workers and the ruling class

27 March 2019

Visteon: when factory occupations stayed the hands of the bosses

Visteon struggle tenth anniversary: Ten years ago, in response to a US car components company pulling the plug on 600 jobs, workers occupied plants in Enfield, Basildon and Belfast

27 March 2019

Support the Honda workers: nationalise to save jobs

Honda's announcement that it will close its Swindon car plant in 2021 has been met with anger and dismay by workers

27 March 2019

Valentine school strike against budget cuts and redundancies

"No ifs, no buts, stop school cuts!" was the sound at Valentine Primary School gates on 14 March, striking at the threat of redundancies due to budget cuts

27 March 2019

Newark machine bearings factory workers return to work

NSK strikers at the company's Newark factory, which makes super-precision machine bearings, returned to work on 26 March after three weeks on strike

27 March 2019

Striking teachers march against Enfield schools academisation plans

A lively and noisy demonstration of over 100 striking teachers, parents and other supporters took place on 24 March

27 March 2019

Bradford College strike remains solid over pay and funding

University and College Union members at Bradford College were out in force, during the latest round of action over pay at a number of colleges across England

27 March 2019

West London civil service workers strike against office closure

PCS civil servants' union members at the HMRC Ealing Office in west London had a successful half-day strike on 19 March

27 March 2019

Climate strike reports

Millions of students walked out against climate change again on 15 March - here we carry some additional reports from the day...

27 March 2019

United working-class struggle needed to fight for trans and women's rights

The Socialist Party was invited to participate in a debate on the Gender Recognition Act hosted by a London Constituency Labour Party

27 March 2019

Leeds residents' anger against private 18-story monster block in 'Little London'

An angry public meeting in Leeds - called by the Little London Tenants and Residents Association - discussed the proposal to build an 18-story block of private flats on a small green space

27 March 2019

Worcester library cuts: staff not even consulted

28 people came to Worcester Socialist Party's second, very successful public meeting over the threats to library services

27 March 2019

Reader's comment: mental health under capitalism

The way capitalism manages the collective mental health of workers is a method that eats its own tail

27 March 2019

The Socialist inbox

Do you have something to say? Letters to the Socialist's editors - Jacinda Ardern, Brexit, Blairites, homes

27 March 2019

Corbyn and labour movement must mobilise to bring down Tories and force election

"Kicking the can down the road and brinkmanship" - workers' action can end paralysed austerity government

28 March 2019

Well-supported strike against cuts at Bradfield school

Teachers at Bradfield school in Sheffield are defending jobs and education