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From The Socialist newspaper, 15 June 2011
Workers turn up the heat in Southampton
Nick Chaffey
Photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Over 1,000 council workers, striking Medirest cleaners and their supporters marched through Southampton on 13 June, in a powerful show of solidarity against vicious council cuts and the scandalous consequence of the private sector in the NHS.
Photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Strikers were out picketing from early in the morning. For Medirest cleaners this is their sixth strike and, with action over seven days, their longest to date. Reports are circulating of Medirest using unemployed workers on benefits from the government's new slave labour initiative. If true, this is a major warning to the trade unions of the need to link up with the unemployed to fight this new legislation.
Photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Council workers have made it clear they will fight measures to impose pay cuts. Ian Woodland, Unite regional organiser, made it clear to the rally: "We will not walk into talks until the council removes the threat to sack workers." Local polls in the press give the current public support to the strikers at 66%. The heat is on the council as the rubbish piles up across the city.
Photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Southampton Socialist Party received positive support for our leaflet calling for council-wide strike action on 30 June alongside other public sector workers if the council has not backed down by then.
Text messages of support to Medirest Unison steward Jo Spear 07899 087957.
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In The Socialist 15 June 2011:
Fighting the cuts
Workers turn up the heat in Southampton
Customs & Revenue staff strike against attendance management policy
No cuts to English language classes!
Carmarthenshire council day club closure lobby
NHS news & campaigning
Tories make token changes - save the NHS
Con-Dem health plans ignore patients and staff
NHS "listening events" - Flip chart 'democracy'
National Shop Stewards Network
NSSN conference - serious and inspiring preparation for battles to come
Socialist Party news and analysis
Fighting anti-cuts meeting in Scotland hears socialist alternative
Child poverty increasing under the Con-Dems
Say no to government's slave labour programme
Winterbourne View - fight privatisation, end abuses
London 'Slutwalk' protest: Fight sexism, discrimination and cuts
To hell with for-profit education
Socialist Party feature
Socialist Party workplace news
Tube drivers prepare to strike
Sheffield university strikers more determined
Unison conference - No to pension attacks
Unison NEC elections - left retakes lost ground
International socialist news and analysis
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