
The Socialist 8 January 2020
Climate change. Poverty. War. Capitalism must go - fight for socialism

Suleimani's assassination - Middle East thrown into turmoil
Trump attacks Iran - London protest: We need workers' action against war and austerity
Build union resistance to Tory attacks
Defend the right to strike! - RMT and NSSN lobby parliament
2020: Class struggles and capitalist instability will intensify
Capitalism must go - fight for socialism
Trouble ahead for Johnson: Brexit is far from 'done'
Tory minimum wage hike not enough
Northern Rail franchise in question: nationalise the railways!
Children need intensive care? We don't care!
Shell pays £0 corporation tax, and plans huge hike in fossil output
Ignore the hype - austerity goes on: organise to resist
International wave of revolt continues
What next after the general election, for PCS and the left
Council concedes to striking winter gritters' demands
West Midlands RMT guards jobs saved
All we want for Christmas is a no-strings pay rise
Anti-academy strike action in Newham
Socialist Party members out on the streets
£50,240 - a new fighting fund record
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West Midlands RMT guards jobs saved
RMT transport union members at West Midlands Trains have scored a victory over bosses in a dispute over scrapping guards on trains. After only three days of solid strike action before Christmas, management buckled and agreed to preserve the guards' role with responsibility for opening train doors being transferred to drivers.
With no changes to pay and conditions attached, the offer was accepted by a a nearly two to one majority. While many guards were prepared to fight on in defence of their role and to prevent any loss in responsibilities this is without doubt a victory as the company had originally intended to completely strip away the guards' safety responsibilities.
The growing numbers of drivers refusing to cross the guards' picket lines played an important part in forcing the company to capitulate so early.
However with West Midlands Trains' parent company now under fire for its appalling service performance it might not be long until battle lines are redrawn as a new franchise holder decides to attack staff in the pursuit of shareholder profits.
Tom Woodcock, RMT member
In this issue
Iran
Suleimani's assassination - Middle East thrown into turmoil
Trump attacks Iran - London protest: We need workers' action against war and austerity
Defend the right to strike
Build union resistance to Tory attacks
Defend the right to strike! - RMT and NSSN lobby parliament
What we think
2020: Class struggles and capitalist instability will intensify
News
Capitalism must go - fight for socialism
Trouble ahead for Johnson: Brexit is far from 'done'
Tory minimum wage hike not enough
Northern Rail franchise in question: nationalise the railways!
Children need intensive care? We don't care!
Shell pays £0 corporation tax, and plans huge hike in fossil output
Ignore the hype - austerity goes on: organise to resist
International wave of revolt continues
Workplace news
What next after the general election, for PCS and the left
Council concedes to striking winter gritters' demands
West Midlands RMT guards jobs saved
All we want for Christmas is a no-strings pay rise
Anti-academy strike action in Newham
Campaigns
Socialist Party members out on the streets
£50,240 - a new fighting fund record
Readers' opinion
Home | The Socialist 8 January 2020 | Join the Socialist Party
Related links:
RMT gen sec election - vote for Steve Hedley
RMT union AGM votes to defend union democracy
Transport for London given funding stop gap
Mayor and government compete to attack London transport: fight for no cuts!
West Midlands Socialist Students: What is socialism?
West Midlands journalists strike against pay and job cuts
West Midlands Socialist Party: Learning from the Black Panthers - organising, defence & demands
West Midlands trade union activists discuss the battle for safety on the front line
Will the North get investment and transport infrastructure?
Cancel the franchise, not our trains
Solid support for guards on West Midlands Trains
Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick factory future secured following strike action