The Socialist 14 February 2008

Stop NHS privatisation now!

Birmingham council workers' biggest strike for decades

'Single status' in the West Midlands

Bosses prepare to force through more cuts

Newham workers angry at councillors

Uni Fees must be fought!

Feature: The great university swindle

War and occupation in Iraq

Defend abortion rights

Millionaire welcomes economic recession!

Northern Rock

Liverpool's tale of two cities

Cardiff marches to save schools

100 people pack London world economy meeting

Cuts and backlogs cause delays

Tangled web at Metronet

Polish miners gain strike victory due to iron determination

Chad conflict - part of a wider power struggle

Prison officers: Fighting for trade union rights

Building the Campaign for a New Workers' Party

Comment: Opportunist blunder further splits Church of England

Land Registry staff vote for action

London Underground: Strike ballot in safety row

Campaign Against Climate Change trade union conference

Organise and fight back!

Shelter staff ballot for action

Previous issues, etc

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Newham workers angry at councillors

AROUND 100 people met to support Michael Gavan, victimised chair of Newham Unison, at a meeting in Stratford on 11 February.

Michael Gavan highlighted the hypocrisy of councillors on £35,000 a year expenses with town hall managers on over £100,000 while they cut services, jobs and pay. Newham's New Labour council is run like a one-party state and wants a compliant union, something it has not got.

The meeting came to life after two bin workers told of their own victimisation and hardship. Their frustration spilled over as union officials were berated for a lack of action. Two one-day strikes have taken place in defence of Michael Gavan but there is a need to build on the bitter anger of the wider workforce.

Guest speakers Tony Benn and John McDonnell spoke of the need for unity in struggle and explained how unions originally set up the Labour Party to provide workers with a political voice.

But New Labour long ago turned its back on working-class people and that task has to be repeated. The trade unions should provide the backbone for a new political voice in the form of a new workers' party.