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The Socialist 5 May 2009 |
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CWI May Day statement
Workers look for alternative to bankrupt capitalism
 | May Day demonstration 2009, photo Paul Mattsson |
THE COMMITTEE for a Workers' International (CWI - the socialist international organisation to which the Socialist Party is affiliated) sent May Day greetings to workers, youth and the oppressed everywhere. This year's May Day marches took place against a backdrop of the worst crisis of capitalism since the 1930s.
The CWI statement points out that the "working class and poor of the world are being made to pay for the catastrophic breakdown of the capitalist system. Huge government bailouts have 'socialised the costs' while 'privatising the profits'. Many millions of workers face severe social welfare cuts, mass unemployment, lower wages, higher taxes and house repossessions. Young people, particularly school leavers, are amongst the hardest by the crisis".
However, working people are starting to fight back. "In late 2008 and in the first part of 2009, magnificent mass demonstrations and general strikes against attacks on working and living conditions took place in Ireland, Greece, France, Italy and Portugal, and other parts of Western and Southern Europe. Mass street protests erupted against corrupt, pro-market regimes in the Baltic States and strikes are on the rise in Russia. As well as this, factory occupations occurred in the US, Ireland, Britain and the Ukraine."
The statement concludes: "As the crisis deepens and prolongs, and as working people look for an alternative to the bankrupt system and its bankrupt ideology, genuine socialism and Marxism will find a greater response."
The full May Day CWI declaration can be read here
In this issue
 Visteon workers show: Action gets results
Visteon UK struggle: the story of what happened
Visteon: Editorial comment
Defend victimised trade unionist
Rob Williams sacked by brutal bosses
Editorial: Decisive action needed against victimisations
Defend victimised trade unionist
Defending a shop steward, in spite of the anti-union laws
National Shop Stewards Network national conference
No 2 EU - Yes to Democracy
How can the BNP really be defeated?
Support for No2EU at Usdaw conference
Socialist Party news and analysis
Swine flu: The real issues behind the headlines
May Day
Workers look for alternative to bankrupt capitalism
Widespread protests in Pakistan
Thousands demonstrate in Hong Kong
Bigger May Day demos in Sweden this year
CWI Germany calls for a one-day strike
International socialist news and analysis
ANC returned to power in election landslide
Socialist Party campaigns
Save Lewisham Bridge Defend education
Youth fight for jobs: Launch conference
Youth fight for jobs website
Fight to save higher education
Save linguistics at Sussex!
Keep fighting for further education funding
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