Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/678/12368
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 July 2011
Building the socialist alternative on 30 June
Sean Figg
The 30 June strike was a huge success for the workers striking to defend their pensions and for everyone opposed to the Con-Dem cuts. But 30 June was also a huge success for those putting forward a socialist alternative to 'austerity' and those building the Socialist Party.
Nine Socialist Party members on the PCS civil service union executive and one on the NUT teachers' union executive helped bring this coordinated action about.
In hundreds of schools, colleges and government offices Socialist Party members, alongside their colleagues, helped organise pickets of their own workplaces.
In many towns and cities it was party members who ensured demonstrations and strike rallies were organised, building on the respect and authority won after years of hard campaigning.
Many Socialist Party members not on strike took the day off work in order to visit picket lines and attend rallies and demonstrations in solidarity.
Socialist Party members got an excellent response on all the key points put forward in leaflets and in the Socialist. In particular, on the strategy needed to escalate the action to a full 24-hour public sector strike and beyond if the government does not back down.
Many workers agreed with the need for the trade union movement to break fully with Ed Miliband's 'scabby' New Labour and begin building a new mass workers' party.
Thunderous applause
In town after town Socialist Party speakers put these arguments and received thunderous applause and cheers. Strikers, meeting us for the first time, snapped up leaflets. Many said they wanted to join or find out more about the Socialist Party and filled in 'join' cards. The number of website applications to join the party has markedly increased.
The Socialist Party is unlike the mainstream political parties. Our members are activists organising and giving a lead in their own workplaces and communities. We organise democratically and every member has a say in how the party is run.
We believe that organisation is crucial. By being in a party with over two thousand members, organised around a programme, the power of every individual is magnified a dozen times over.
Even if you've never campaigned on anything before, the party will give you the ideas and training you need to start. Individuals become more effective with the support of the party behind them and the party becomes more influential as our banner and ideas reach more and more people through the tireless campaigning of our members.
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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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