The Socialist 12 July 2007

Fighting low pay, defending jobs and services

Victory to the postal workers

Public support for Post Office counters strike

Bob Crow calls for new party

National Shop Stewards Network conference: A good starting point for strengthening struggle

TGWU/Unite conference delegates cheer call for action on anti-trade union laws

Urgent appeal for solidarity from contract workers at the Gualberto Villarroel oil refinery in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Action needed to save the NHS

Campaign saves Swansea hospital unit

Sussex must fight back against NHS cuts

Durham health cuts show need for new workers' party

Wales Assembly coalition no answer to workers' problems

Cardiff: Fight school cuts and closures

Nurseries campaign embarrasses councillors

Southall Labour councillors cross floor

Council workers make a stand

The 'July days' - rich in lessons for today

London Underground derailment: Kick out dangerous profiteers!

Kwik Save workers betrayed by bosses and union

Socialist Party Youth and students

Political discourse can swing!

South Africa: union leaders call off biggest-ever strike

Slave-labour scandal in China

Previous issues, etc

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Salford

Council workers make a stand

Salford council workers are striking against management breaking long-standing agreements and casualising their jobs. A strike on 27 June has failed to shift the bosses so further strikes will take place on 12 and 17 July.

Steve North, Salford

Employees in refuse collection, street cleansing and recycling are covered by nationally agreed pay, terms and conditions. But in Salford, these agreements are broken by the council, using agencies and cheap labour to drive down wages. Meanwhile, less workers are supposed to empty 1,800 more bins than in the past.

I visited the June picket where Ian Royle, Unite deputy convenor, told me: "This strike action is to focus the employer and to get an honest meeting with them. We need to stop the casualisation of our jobs and protect our employment rights.

"It is also important that we are as strong and united as possible before job evaluation is implemented next year. We've tried talking, but now is the time to make a stand!"

Management have added insult to injury by lying about the situation on TV, and writing to all council employees to undermine the union. Workers are demanding:

The correct number of employees required to complete the work, employed directly by the council.

All workers to receive the nationally agreed pay and conditions.

You can support them by visiting the pickets at Turnpike House near Hope Hospital.

Protest to Salford Council, phone 0161 909 6500 or e-mail the lead councillor for environment, Councillor.Mann@salford.gov.uk

In this issue

Fighting low pay, defending jobs and services