The Socialist 3 February 2010

‘Filthy rich’ get richer: Challenge the bosses’ greed!

'Filthy rich' get richer: Challenge the bosses' greed!

Taliban insurgency, poverty and corruption Brown's Afghan crisis deepens

Chilcot Inquiry: Millionaire Blair has no regrets

Fight new attacks on London's NHS

Save our A&E!

Civil service Young workers get organised

Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) activities

No cuts and no fees in further education

Young people blocked from access to education

Council criminalises dissent

Socialist councillors back school's protest

Weak growth - the best that capitalism can offer

Fast News

Trade unionist and socialist coalition

Bob Crow launches Portsmouth TUSC

Scottish TUSC steering committee set up

TUSC Coalition sponsors

Unison general secretary election: Fighting left challenge needed

Defend the four: Courts show what side they're on

Civil service strike ballot as talks fail

Fujitsu strikers determined to save jobs and pensions

Sri Lanka: Violent election campaign puts Rajapakse back in power

Tekel workers demand general strike in Turkey

Betrayed - PTSD casualties of war

Previous issues, etc

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Scottish TUSC steering committee set up

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition held a successful meeting in Glasgow on Saturday 30 January. Participating organisations included the Scottish region of the Fire Brigades Union, the Scotland No 2 branch of the Communication Workers' Union, Solidarity, the International Socialists (sister organisation of the Socialist Party), the Lanarkshire Socialist Alliance and the Socialist Workers Party.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, and Dave Nellist, Socialist Party Coventry councillor, introduced the meeting by reporting on the setting up of TUSC and the agreed core policies that form the "glue that will bind the coaltion together".

The coalition is aiming to stand in around 40 to 50 seats in the Westminster general election this year.

The meeting welcomed the initiative and agreed to set up a Scottish steering committee of TUSC, made up of two representatives per organisation and an invitation to leading trade unionists from the RMT, PCS and other unions to take part in a personal capacity. The Scottish Socialist Party have refused to take part in the coalition.

All representatives agreed to report back to their organisations and meet again on 13 February to finalise candidates and the Scottish constituencies that TUSC would aim to stand in.

There was enthusiasm for this step forward in building a working class alternative to the big business parties, including the Scottish National Party that is carrying out major cuts in public services.

It was agreed that the Scottish steering committee of TUSC would look at adding to the core policies, particularly around the issue of a referendum on Scottish independence.

This welcome start needs to be built on. The attendance of leading trade unionists in Scotland augurs well for the ability of TUSC to build a base of support among important sections of workers in the run up to the general election and beyond.

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'Filthy rich' get richer: Challenge the bosses' greed!