Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/676/12260
From The Socialist newspaper, 22 June 2011
Workplace news in brief
Tube strike for justice
Transport union RMT members working as drivers in London Underground began a series of strikes on 19 June. This action is in defence of driver and union rep Arwyn Thomas, who has been victimised by London Underground (LU). He has already won an interim tribunal hearing but LU have so far refused to reinstate him. Arwyn spoke at the recent National Shop Stewards Network conference. The second strike begins on 27 June.
Please send protests to London Mayor Boris Johnson: mayor@london.gov.uk and LU personnel director: gerry.duffy@tube.tfl.gov.uk and urge them to reinstate Arwyn immediately.
Newsquest strike
The latest dispute in the struggle to defend local journalism led to a very lively picket for the two-day strike at Newsquest in south west London on 15-16 June. Pickets were out in force dressed as cowboys. Newsquest, which runs a series of local newspapers, has placed the entire sport and leisure department on notice of redundancy which would leave 12 reporters writing seven newspapers.
Please send messages of support via ylgstrike.blogspot.com
Save Baron House
Customer services for the East Coast Main rail line are operated by National Express call centre workers at Baron House, Newcastle. However the publicly owned East Coast Main Line company has made the decision to franchise jobs to Intelenet Global Services, which will result in most of the work being transferred to India.
Craig Johnson, RMT executive member, attended an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the issue. Craig commented that Theresa Villiers, transport minister: "Couldn't have cared less about the loss of jobs, claiming it was a commercial decision by East Coast, a government-run company, that the government couldn't interfere in! She also defended the company, implying these decisions had to be taken to prepare East Coast for re-privatisation!"
The loss of these 180 jobs would be a further blow to the economy in the North East.
There will be a protest against the job losses at Baron House, Newcastle Central station at 8am on 24 June.
Elaine Brunskill
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In The Socialist 22 June 2011:
Socialist Party feature
As the cuts bite, millions ask: 'Does it have to be like this?'
Building for 30th June
Con-Dems' pension attack - brutal class warfare must be fought
Busting the public sector pensions myths!
Staffordshire NSSN builds support for 30 June action
Hillingdon workers back the pensions strike
Socialist Party workplace news
Strike action to defend Royal Mail jobs
Leeds Unison urges members to reject council's final offer
Coleg Morgannwg: Victory over victimisation
Barnsley lecturers fight job cuts
Unison conferences discuss action on pensions
Socialist Party news and analysis
Con-Dems still plan to destroy NHS - Save our health service!
International socialist news and analysis
Greece's debt crisis threatens worldwide banking system
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Finsbury Park - No to A4e cheap labour schemes
Southern Cross bosses demand huge cuts in pay and conditions
Reviews and comments
Readers' comment: apprentice sexists
Fighting the cuts
Southampton: strikes set to continue
200 workers challenge Labour council cuts
Labour MP fails to answer questions on cuts
Education
Comprehensive education under attack
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