The Socialist 10 September 2008

Housing Crisis: Brown has no answers

End the wars and occupations

USA: Defying police, students walk out against the Republican national convention

US mortgage bank nationalisation - sign of deepening crisis

Scotland council tax to be scrapped

Scotland: Council pay battle at critical stage

Workers' anger surfaces at TUC

London bus workers inspired by strike

Fighting for decent pensions

In brief

Come to Socialism 2008!

May Day detainees fight for justice

No to post office closures

Boom to bust in Cardiff Bay

Fans pay for the success of the 'beautiful game'

Protest against harassment!

Fighting start to freshers fairs

Young workers ripped off

Bangor University students union fees referendum

Can we have 'the right to travel' - without adding to climate change?

Richard Dawkins: The genius of Charles Darwin, (Channel 4)

Thailand in grip of political deadlock

Previous issues, etc

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London bus workers inspired by strike

The strike by First bus drivers in London on 29 August showed management that bus workers are serious about our claim for decent pay. Just as important, it's got bus workers in garage canteens across London saying: "about time too".

A London bus driver

Some garages don't even have proper canteens these days but it's definitely got us inspired. For the first time since the mid-1990s privatisation of London buses, widespread militant action seems on the cards across the capital.

Times have changed. Back in pre-privatisation London Transport days, if you failed your probation as a bus driver, they'd make you a conductor. And if you failed as a conductor, they'd put you on the Underground!

These days, tube workers are better paid than us, get better sick pay, more holidays and better conditions. It's not so much they've gone forward, but we've gone back.

Unite's London bus workers campaign is for £30,000 or 5% increase, whichever's most - across all bus firms operating for Transport for London.

This can be an important first step in rebuilding the united strength of bus workers. London bus workers working for different companies are currently balloting on equally dismal pay offers.

Together, we can confront this race to the bottom.

We say, don't give another penny to New Labour - the party that backs privatisation and bosses' attempts to keep down wages. We need a new workers' party.

We say return London buses to public ownership, but with democratic control. Take private profit out of public transport.

First and Metrobus workers will be on strike for 48 hours, starting on 12 September.

In this issue

Housing Crisis: Brown has no answers