Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/596/8210
From The Socialist newspaper, 7 October 2009
Leeds council calls for talks with unions
With the strike of Leeds refuse workers now in its fifth week, council leaders began formal talks on 5 October, after informal talks on 29 September. This is a major climb-down from the intransigent and bellicose attitude of Lib Dem council leader Richard Brett.
A Unison steward
It is evident that the council did not expect the strike to be as protracted and as solid as this. His strike breaking tactics of bringing in private contractors to make fortnightly collections have failed miserably as the growing bags of rubbish pile up all over the city. The strike has even forced local Labour MP Hillary Benn to intervene to force the council to the negotiating table.
Socialist Party members of the Leeds and Huddersfield branches have visited a city centre picket line where workers were happy to see us.
Such is the mood of the people of Leeds in sympathy with the bin workers, that on Friday, a waste truck driver told us that members of the public had hurled abuse at him. He had to explain to them that he supported the strike and he was nothing to do with the strike-breaking private contractors.
Bin workers have been out campaigning, leafleting in the city centre and raising much needed funds.
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In The Socialist 7 October 2009:
Needed a party for workers, not bosses
War and occupation
Afghanistan - Bring the troops home now
Youth fight for jobs
University accommodation scandal: Students must defend rights
University freshers fairs: Students seek out socialism
Socialist Party news and analysis
Wirral anti-cuts victory: 'If you fight, you can win'
Young parents need support, not attacks
Campaign forces health Trust to save Crowlin House
Workplace news and analysis
An autumn of discontent in South Yorkshire
Leeds council calls for talks with unions
Fighting against outsourcing, defending working conditions at British Telecom
NUT vice president: Elect Martin Powell-Davies
North Wales shop stewards network
Socialist Party feature
International socialist news and analysis
Ireland: Lisbon Treaty vote is not an endorsement for hated government
Portugal: Voters turn to the left
Foreign aid - chaining the world to capitalism
Fish Tank directed by Andrea Arnold
I speak Fula by Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba
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