In brief

DWP strike ballot

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) working in the Department for Work and pensions (DWP) are balloting for strike action over pay. The government want to impose a below-inflation pay offer which would mean 40% of staff getting no pay increase at all next year.

DWP staff are amongst the lowest paid in the civil service.

The ballot closes on 26 November.

At the same time, negotiations with the government are proceeding over the civil service-wide dispute about jobs, pay and conditions. This was after a 67% majority vote for action in a recent ballot across the civil service (see last week's issue of the socialist).

NUT election

Socialist Party member Martin Powell-Davies is standing for election as vice president of the National Union of Teachers. Martin is standing on a platform to tackle the problems teachers have with pay and workload and to defend education against the government's privatisation plans. The ballot closes on 21 November.

See http://electmartin1. blogspot.com

Reinstate victimised postal workers

Postal workers at Burslem Delivery Office in Stoke-on-Trent started 2007 by striking to defend unfairly sacked worker Dave Condliffe.

Now at the close of the year they are being forced to ballot for strike action to defend another 12 victimised workers who have been suspended for eight weeks on trumped up charges - but in reality for fighting back against Royal Mail's attacks on jobs, pay and conditions.

Midlands Communication Workers' Union (CWU) reps are contacting all CWU branches across the country to donate to a fighting fund to finance strike action.

This is not just an attack on postal workers at Burslem DO. It's an attack on postal workers across Britain and the very ability of the union to organise in the workplace.

It must be fought by the full weight of the CWU nationally. No "deal" should be signed until all victimised postal workers are reinstated.

Bullying and victimisation is increasingly being used by bosses all over Britain. Reinstatement for the Burslem 12 would therefore be a victory for all workers.

Please send messages of support to: "Defend the Burslem 12". CWU Midland No.7 Branch, Lindsay St, Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 4EP

e-mail branch.secretary@cwumid7.org.uk with copies to andybentley3@tiscali.co.uk

Any donations clearly marked: Defend the Burslem 12 – cheques payable to CWU Midland No.7 Branch and sent to above address.

For up to date info - www.stokesocialistparty.org.uk

800 attend rally to discuss which way forward for the left in Britain?