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From The Socialist newspaper, 14 April 2021
Bristol Water workers walk out
Bristol Water picket line April 2021, photo Roger Thomas (Click to enlarge)
Tom Baldwin, Bristol Socialist Party
GMB members organised a lively first picket line outside the headquarters of Bristol Water on 6 April.
This group of workers are taking strike action for the first time in decades against a pay freeze that management is trying to impose. This would mean the company offers the worst pay and pensions in the water sector in England and Wales.
Workers were in good spirits and buoyed by the frequent honking of car horns in support from passing motorists. Speaking to the Socialist, one of the workers said: "Bristol Water in the last three years has been imposing pay freezes on us. Members have had enough of the way the company doesn't want to engage with us in trying to get fair pay and a cost of living rise."
Another added: "Executives' bonuses are rising. It's so unfair, we've kept the taps on during a global pandemic, we need a pay rise to keep going. It shows how passionate our members are about it that they're willing to come out on this freezing cold day. We've got some good camaraderie from all the guys so it's amazing. We're serious about it as well."
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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.
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In The Socialist 14 April 2021:
Covid-19
'Covid passports' discriminatory and questionable - fight for workplace safety
Covid inquiry? Workers must decide
News
Tensions escalate in Northern Ireland
How to deal with the tax-dodging mega-rich? Nationalise!
NHS pay: reject Tories' miserly 1% 'offer' - Fight for full 15% rise
Tory hypocrisy over housing benefit cut
US cops shoot dead another black man
Elections
Every voter in Wales has the opportunity to vote for TUSC
TUSC: Launching a working-class electoral alternative in London
London housing crisis: vote TUSC to fight back
Workplace news
PCS elections: Support the Broad Left Network for a democratic, fighting union leadership
St Mungo's maintenance workers on indefinite strike
Thousands of London bus workers strike across multiple companies
Rally for sacked RMT rep Declan
East London cleaners fight outsourcing and redundancies
Bristol Water workers walk out
SPS Technologies workers end strike after management backs down
Thurrock Council workers strike against pay cuts
Deliveroo workers strike and protest
Lessons from history
1920s-30s Britain: A working-class movement fighting unemployment and capitalism
Campaigns news
Students in action: Protest on 21 April
Why you should join the Socialist Party
Cardiff: Hundreds protest to free Siyanda
Fighting fund target smashed. Can we do it again?
Readers' opinion
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