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From The Socialist newspaper, 26 September 2012
Workplace news in brief
PCS strike
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) working in the transport and environment departments were on strike on 21 September.
There have already been two months of rolling strikes in the Department for Transport over cuts and closures.
Those workers were joined by PCS members from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The march through central London was joined by PCS members from the Home Office who are also facing cuts.
Cuts, including the closure of all 39 of the DVLA's local offices and half the UK's coastguard stations come on top of a pay freeze and the threat of regional pay.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "As we approach the TUC anti-cuts demonstration on 20 October and beyond we believe more coordinated industrial action like this will be necessary, not just between civil service departments but across the public sector, if the government refuses to change course on cuts to jobs, pay and pensions."
Runcorn walkout
50 construction electricians walked out from the Runcorn incinerator on 24 September. This was provoked by management continuing to ignore agreements.
More action may follow if there is no resolution with the Unite union.
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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 26 September 2012:
Fightback against austerity
Teachers: march together, then strike together against austerity
Reasons to join the 20 October demo, reasons to build for a 24-hour strike
General strike, the biggest weapon
Model resolution for a 24-hour general strike
Socialist Party feature
Labour Party conference: Can Labour give a lead in the fight against austerity?
International socialist news and analysis
Afghanistan war: end this 'pointless waste of life'
Spain: March on Madrid kicks off a hot autumn of struggle
South Africa: 'Lonmin settlement a victory - struggle pays!'
Socialist Party news and analysis
TUSC conference: A step forward for working class political representation
Murdoch empire: a whole barrel of bad apples
Action needed to save NHS from privatisation
Socialist Party workplace news
Workers strike as Argos tightens the screws
Knowsley council fears anti-privatisation campaign
Solidarity with workers sacked from Crossrail
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
No excuse! Thousands protest against victim blaming on London Slutwalk
Enthusiastic start to the year for Socialist Students
Why Hull council should defy the government's cuts to services
Tameside library closures - "Get used to it" says councillor
Opportunistic speeches at Hull march against NHS cuts
Cellist Alfia Nakipbekova speaks out about Kazakhstan
Opencast mining: "Protect us from Provectus"
Socialist history
Belfast Outdoor Relief Strike 1932
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