The Socialist 21 April 2010

Stop these savage cuts: support the socialist alternative

Young people facing a fight for their future

National Union of Students conference: Campaign needed against fees and cuts

Left candidates excluded from media

Big business as usual for Liberal Democrats

TV debate - Party leaders compete for the same policies

Volcanic eruption brings travel chaos: Planned and integrated transport system vital

Planes, trains and automobiles

Cameron turns back clock on women's rights

Banks use microloans to fleece poor

Fast news

Doncaster - Jarvis's vicious sackings and workers' fightback

Portsmouth North: "An ordinary guy to represent ordinary workers"

Lewisham councillors' record

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Coventry: Standing up for public services

Colne Valley / Huddersfield: Kirklees' only fighting councillor

Spelthorne: "The trade union candidate guy"

A chance to put your questions to your local Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates.

Why the BNP offers no way forward for working class people

Anti-BNP protest

Progressive Workers Federation of Pakistan founded

Sri Lanka parliamentary elections: Rajapaksa's clan consolidates its rule

National Care Service - fact or fiction?

1936 - A play about the Olympics

Vote to boycott SATs

Civil service dispute continues

Fighting cuts at Coventry council

Strike ballot at Manchester Metropolitan University

Unison health conference

Laundry workers fight closure

Dover trade unions against privatisation

National Shop Stewards Network 2010 conference:

Previous issues, etc

Print this issue




Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/621/9428

Google search the site	Printable version	email to friend

Home | The Socialist 21 April 2010 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Bookshop

Dover trade unions against privatisation

The recently reformed Dover and District Trades Union Council recently held its first major public meeting against the threat of privatisation of the port of Dover.

The meeting was attended by around 40 people, bringing together rail, maritime and port workers as well as members of the Prison Officers Association (POA), immigration and Jobcentre workers and members of the Socialist Party.

Gwyn Prosser, the Labour MP for Dover, spoke from the platform. He is a passionate opponent of port privatisation, but it is Prosser's government that has wholeheartedly embraced cuts, closures and sell-offs.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT trade union also addressed the meeting, as did Brian Caton, POA general secretary.

The final speaker was Mike Sargent, the secretary of Dover trades council. He spoke passionately about the capacity of ordinary working people to see off the privateers once and for all. He also made the point that working people need a political alternative to the current pro-employer parties. This was echoed by contributions from the floor.

By taking industrial action, port workers can fight back and win. But without a genuine workers' alternative to the establishment parties - the spectre of privatisation will always haunt communities like Dover.