Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/510/3412
From The Socialist newspaper, 14 November 2007
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.
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.
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.
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In The Socialist 14 November 2007:
800 attend rally to discuss 'Which way forward for the left in Britain?'
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
World economy: Bosses' crisis, workers pay
Editorial: Shattering confidence in world economy
International socialist news
Release Nigerian students now!
Royal Mail
Royal Mail's deal: Not good enough - Vote NO!
Campaigners say: No Post Office closures!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Green activists seek solutions
Review: Handsworth Revolution - Steel Pulse (1978)
Workplace news and analysis
Birmingham council workers fight pay cuts
Cadbury's closure: Workers vote for action
Socialist Party NHS campaign
NHS: Step up the struggle against privatisation
Tales from the council chamber
the socialist newspaper
Why you should read, write for and sell the socialist
International socialist news and analysis
USA: Enthusiastic response to socialist policies
Egypt's workers flex their industrial muscle
Belgium: Fighting attacks on education
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