Strike wave around London - this is why we need socialists in city hall

UCU strikers, students and RMT transport union members on a picket line together at King's College London, photo Gary Harbord (Click to enlarge)

London Labour mayor Sadiq Khan has declared that he will "stand up for London".

Nancy Taaffe, Socialist Party member, asks: "Who in London did he have in mind?

"The property developers? The billionaires? The tech giants? The low-paying private employers? Or the working class of London - those millions of us who do the work and keep our city moving?"

We are in the middle of a mini strikewave in London. UCU members at universities around the city are taking part in a national strike. So are teaching staff at several sixth form colleges, and at schools in east London against academisation. The RMT on the Bakerloo line has been on strike, as were cleaners, security and maintenance staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, members of the PCS union. Transport for London staff were on strike, as were workers on the Woolwich ferry.

Ealing parking attendants are striking (see below) - following the parking attendants in Hackney - as are baggage handlers at Heathrow. Now the RMT has announced it is balloting tube workers.

Nancy Taaffe says: "For many of these workers, the mayor of London is their boss. Why are workers forced to strike for decent pay and working hours from a Labour mayor!

"For others, whether their employer is a Labour authority, or Universities UK, or a private company, Sadiq Khan should make it clear that he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their fights for decent pay, pensions, working conditions and against privatisation.

He should instruct Labour councils to stop cuts and academisation, and he should demand decent wages and terms and conditions for all workers in London.

"That's what a socialist mayor would do! And that's why we say we need socialists in City Hall."

The Socialist Party believes it is vital that there is a stand for socialist policies in May's London elections.

London Socialist Party press release

See a socialist manifesto for London and donate to the campaign for socialist policies in London's May elections, at: www.londonsocialistparty.org.uk

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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.
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.