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From The Socialist newspaper, 1 April 2020
Building the Socialist Party
Finding new ways to meet, sell the Socialist and distribute our campaign leaflets
London
Socialist Party coronavirus material displayed outside a building site, March 2020, photo Paula Mitchell (Click to enlarge)
All our online branch meetings have been brilliant. Lots of people are attending - members new and old, people at their first meetings, and those taking part to find out more about the Socialist Party.
Our Socialist Party day schools, aimed at newer members, are happening fortnightly. Three times a week we Lunchtime Link-up so our members stuck at home can still meet, discuss and plan.
Many of our members are on the frontline and fighting alongside their fellow workers for PPE, pay and against job losses. Already the new public Facebook group for the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN), to share examples of battling the bosses, is proving vital.
The Socialist Party joined #ClapforourCarers, adding the essential demands for PPE, full pay and funding.
Where possible our members are giving out and sticking up our Workers' Charter (see back page), selling the Socialist and collecting donations. And, of course, our members are warriors of the working class and for socialism on social media.
It's a tough and unprecedented time for workers and young people, but the ideas and work of the Socialist Party is more vital than ever.
Paula Mitchell
Leeds
I dropped off the Socialist for someone who normally buys it regularly at meetings. She said: 'Wait, I will get the money'. I was handed coins still a bit damp from the sanitiser, very safe.
Kevin Pattison
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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.
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 Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 1 April 2020:
Coronavirus news
NHS workers speak out: austerity has left us unprepared
Schools: union oversight needed to end chaos in provision under coronavirus
Councils must use resources now for emergency response
NHS supply chain worker: privatisation has cut equipment quantity and quality
Self-isolation class divide: decent homes for all!
Fully fund hospices to care for vulnerable children
Scandalous conditions in food distribution centre
World War Two
All in this together? The 'Blitz spirit' myth
What we think
PPE, tests, full pay - for all now
Labour must resist 'Covid coalition': Workers need their own voice and party
Emergency legislation: Trade unions must be on guard against attacks on workers' interests
Food supply and the coronavirus crisis
Workplace news
Key workers should make bold demands
Essential workers deserve more
Working in Mike Ashley's empire: After lockdown we won't forget how we've been treated
Hull construction workers force bosses to shut down site over health and safety fears
Bosses concede to walkouts in Northern Ireland
Bus drivers halt sackings - now restore our pay
Postal workers walk out over health, safety and junk mail
Working from home during the pandemic
Leicester: Nylacast worker exposes truth
Refuse collection workers strike
Benefits
Fight for safety, staffing and services - Covid chaos for benefits claimants
More than ever, we need accountable union leaders
Campaigns
Help us continue to fight for workers and socialism
Readers' opinion
Going viral - Socialist letters and comments on the coronavirus crisis
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2020