Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/678/12351
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 July 2011
Birmingham - the fightback begins
Tom Creek, Birmingham Socialist Party
Birmingham council workers strike, April 2008, included Unison, GMB, NUT and PCS workers, photo S O'Neill (Click to enlarge)
In Birmingham on 30 June, striking teachers, lecturers and civil servants were joined by thousands of local government workers who are fighting brutal attacks on their terms and conditions. The strike rally in the city centre brought together 5,000 workers in defiance of the Con-Dem cuts.
271 schools were affected by the strikes. 31 libraries, 20 neighbourhood offices, three leisure centres, four Connexions offices and four adult day centres were closed completely. There was disruption across other council services and in many universities and colleges, and numerous jobcentres and Department for Work and Pensions offices were also closed or disrupted.
Last year, all 26,000 council workers were threatened with redundancy unless they accepted reduced terms and conditions. The imposed deal was nicknamed the 'Martini contract' because it will force employees to work 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere'.
Pic: S O'Neill
This is combined with the removal of allowances for working overtime and weekends, which will have a devastating effect on low-paid workers in areas such as social care and refuse collection, where anti-social hours are the norm. Many workers face losing a third of their salary, and with it their houses.
Overall the mood was defiant and determined. Caroline Johnson, a senior Birmingham Unison official, described 30 June as: "the first day of continuing action", and workers agreed that it was just the beginning.
There was strong support amongst pickets for the Socialist Party's call for a 24-hour public sector general strike in the autumn, which would draw in other unions like Unite, Unison and the GMB on a national scale.
The question of political representation must also be addressed. The Labour Party was notable by its absence from the picket lines and the demonstration, and Labour has shown no indication that it is prepared to fight the cuts in Birmingham.
It is likely to control the council after the elections next May, so it will be essential to build a socialist political alternative in the city to fight all cuts and show a socialist route out of the capitalist crisis.
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In The Socialist 6 July 2011:
30th June strike and after
Next time - strike together...
24-hour public sector general strike as next step to beat the Con-Dems
Standing up to a weak government
Labour - condemned for condemning strike
Walkout at Wormwood Scrubs prison
30 June pension strike reports
Socialist Party news and analysis
Leaked memo shows government lied over its homeless policies
Dilnot report: A disservice to disabled and older people
Durham Miners' Gala: Miliband pulls out
Stop the racist and divisive EDL
Time to defend abortion rights... again
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton council workers strike on same day as teachers, lecturers and civil servants
Birmingham - the fightback begins
Leeds Unison members decisively reject the council's final offer
Fawley refinery construction engineers summarily sacked
Fighting pension cuts and the anti-union laws
Successful NSSN meeting in Coventry
International socialist news and analysis
East Belfast riots: Only united working class action can prevent further attacks
Kazakhstan: Striking oil workers attempt to break news blockade
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
All workers: unite to fight for decent jobs
High street job cuts: Jane Norman worker speaks out
Socialist Students meeting prepares for new term
Youth Fight for Jobs: campaign moving forward
Day-Mer festival support for 30 June pensions strike
Socialist Party reviews
Socialist Party
Building the socialist alternative on 30 June
Socialist Party youth meeting: Successful and insightful
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