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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 January 2022
Obituary - Ethan Bradley 1993-2021
We need more Ethans to lead fight against gig economy exploitation
Deliveroo couriers on strike in Manchester in 2019, photo Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)
Iain Dalton, Socialist Party Yorkshire secretary
At just 28, the loss of Ethan Bradley, the chair of the couriers and logistics branch for the IWGB union, is tragic.
Ethan joined the Socialist Party when he was a college student. Under the impact of the election of the Tory-Lib Dem coalition, many people were looking for a way to fight back. He featured on the cover of York Press, marching at the head of an anti-austerity demonstration in 2011.
Ethan was only a Socialist Party member for a brief period. But, when he later became involved in organising couriers, we came into contact with Ethan once again.
York Socialist Party joined the IWGB boycott against burger chain Five Guys. Ethan and other IWGB activists spoke at a York Socialist Party meeting about the campaign.
Ethan wrote in the Socialist about the IWGB's still-ongoing campaign for York City Council to grant full city centre access for couriers. The IWGB Deliveroo strike in York and other cities coincided with the company's launch on the stock market.
York Socialist Party and York Young Socialists mobilised young people radicalised by the movement against the anti-protest bill to join the Deliveroo strike demonstration, helping swell the rally to 60 people.
Afterwards, we leafleted fast food chains about the issue. I remember Ethan's delight as he told people how much the strike had knocked off Deliveroo's share value.
It's a fitting tribute to Ethan's work that Sheffield couriers are continuing this battle - now opposing pay cuts by Stuart Delivery - and are currently engaged in the longest-running strike of gig economy workers. More Ethans will need to step forward to lead the struggle to end exploitation in the gig economy, and for a society that can meet the needs of all.
Read the article Ethan wrote for the Socialist 'York couriers call on council for protection from fear of dismissal' and his obituary in full at socialistparty.org.uk
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In The Socialist 12 January 2022:
News
Super-rich get richer, while we can't make ends meet. Join the fightback!
Blow to establishment as jury backs Colston Four
Covid, stress and cutbacks fuel school staff shortages
Tories concede under cladding pressure but don't go far enough
Low pay, stress and Covid drive: NHS staff crisis
Shameless Johnson partied through lockdown
Energy price crisis: nationalise energy giants to save us from £600 hit
Energy bosses: 'Jump, cuddle and eat porridge while we raise prices'
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Working-class revolt only suppressed by massive mobilisation of troops
Solidarity with workers protesting in Kazakhstan
Campaigns news
Protests against BBC transphobia
Leeds People's Budget: We beat council cuts before, we will again
Communities fight back against Rio Tinto mine
North London NHS - "It's going to be us who saves it"
Southampton student vote for online exams must be accepted
Workplace news
Coventry bin workers' pay strike
10,000 tube workers vote to strike over jobs, terms and pension cuts
East Mids rail conductors force concessions, train managers' dispute continues
Carmarthenshire gritters take action as Plaid-led council reneges on agreement
Jobcentre Coronavirus outbreak leads to reps meeting call
South Yorkshire bus strikes spreading and getting stronger
Weetabix workers defeat 'fire and rehire' and ballot on improved pay offer
Invergordon Royal Mail mutiny wins
Reviews
Don't Look Up: An entertaining satire on corporate power and the US establishment
Anne: Hillsborough and the fight for justice
Money Heist: A Robin Hood tale set in modern-day capitalism
Readers' opinion
War criminal Tony Blair knighted
Bullying weighing room culture at the races
Free prescriptions? Maybe when you're older
Obituaries
Obituary - Ethan Bradley 1993-2021
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