In this week's issue:

The Socialist 23 January 2008, issue 517

Why should we pay for capitalist crisis?

Stock markets crash

Looming recession... THE BOSSES and their capitalist system - based on greed and profits for the few - have fouled up Britain and the world big time...

Shock of recession draws near

Workplace news

Strike against poverty deals in PCS

PCS on strike in February 2007, photo Paul Mattsson

Public and Commercial Services union members, in the Department for Work and Pensions and in Revenue and Customs, are gearing up for possible strike action, writes Mark Baker, civil service union PCS national executive (NEC), (in personal capacity).

Marching behind the Burslem 12

Demonstration in support of the Burslem 12 victimised postal workers, photo Stoke Socialist Party

THE CAMPAIGN to reinstate the victimised Burslem 12 escalated last weekend as working-class solidarity flooded the streets of Stoke-on-Trent... By Glen Watson, Stoke Socialist Party

Socialist Party women

New threats to abortion rights

THIS APRIL marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the 1967 Abortion Act. That law change introducing safe, legal abortion in Britain has saved lives and given women more control over their lives... By Sarah Sachs-Eldridge

Scotland

Defend Tommy Sheridan

Tommy Sheridan, photo Paul Mattsson

ON 16 December, former Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan was charged by Lothian and Borders police after the most expensive perjury investigation ever in Scotland... By Philip Stott

SNP 'trusts' are PFI in disguise

Socialist Party campaign news

Tower Colliery closes: A brave attempt

Miners will march out of Tower Colliery for the last time on Friday 25 January. This will be an emotional end for the last deep coal mine in South Wales. By Dave Reid, Socialist Party Wales

Post office campaign: Changes in the law to break the poor

Keep Marksbury library open!

International socialist news and analysis

Bolivia at breaking point

IN NOVEMBER and December last year Bolivia was on the brink of civil war. The right-wing opposition of the gas-rich eastern provinces had declared autonomy... By Karl Debbaut, Committee for a Workers' International (CWI)

Workplace analysis

NUT national executive: Left fighter stopped from standing

A concentrated effort to prevent left militant fighters from occupying influential positions within the labour movement - usually by bureaucratic means - has traditionally been used by the right wing of the trade unions...

More work for less pay

Socialist Party workplace news

Shelter staff under attack from management

Senior management at housing charity Shelter are attempting to implement the most serious attack on staff pay and conditions in Shelter's 41 year history... By A Shelter worker

Cadburys close Keynsham factory

Council spends thousands fighting workers' pay claims

No more stooge union reps!