In this week's issue:

The Socialist 16 March 2011, issue Defend jobs and services: Protest 26 March

Defend jobs and services: Protest 26 March

Labour councillors' conference lobbied by hundreds of angry trade unionists, photo Suzanne Beishon

The protests and occupations of council budget-setting meetings across the country are a sign of the opposition to the Con-Dem cuts, writes Nick Chaffey, Secretary, Southern region Socialist Party.

Building the battle against the cuts - now and beyond 26 March

Campaigning against all cuts and privatisation

Save our NHS!

Hutton's plans mean savage cuts - Fight to defend your pension!

Rawmarsh Community School NUT teachers in Rotherham took nine days of strike action against cuts and redundancies, winning a repreive, photo Chris Borman

Martin Powell-Davies explains what Hutton's proposals on pensions will mean for teachers and why they, and millions of other public sector workers, need to urgently ballot for strike action against this major attack. A slightly edited version of this article apeared in the Socialist.

Vote for a socialist alternative

Huge protests against job insecurity

The rich get richer - by another $1 trillion

Wisconsin occupation

Yahya victory

Hunger strike

March from Jarrow with Youth Fight for Jobs

No to cuts! Youth Fight for Jobs demonstration, photo Suzanne Beishon

As youth unemployment soars... The announcement of the latest youth unemployment figures comes as a chilling reminder of the worsening situation facing workers and young people, writes Danny Byrne.

Save our youth services

For real jobs not exploitation

Review: Classroom Warriors

Northern Ireland: Broad left gains in union elections

Northern Ireland's largest trade union, NIPSA, has completed elections for its executive body, the general council, writes Padraig Mulholland, NIPSA Public Officers' Executive and Socialist Party (CWI Ireland) member, Belfast.

Privatisation threat to the blood service?

Defend jobs and education at Newcastle College

Action called off by Birmingham bin workers

Left victory in building workers' union

Support the UCU strike

Japan: Tsunami results in misery for millions

Japan: earthquake and tsunami: an aerial view of tsunami damage in Tōhoku, photo from Wikipedia

As we go to press the horrendous tsunami and earthquakes have claimed an estimated 3,000 lives in Japan. The final toll could be tens of thousands...

Workers hit hard by earthquake and tsunami

Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories: "We'll struggle like in Egypt"

Tunisia: 'You come back - we come back'

Saudi troops to suppress Bahrain protesters

Thousands protest against Lib Dems in Sheffield

5000 people protested in Sheffield outside the Liberal Democrats' spring conference, photo Robbie Faulds

About 500 people protested on Friday evening (11 March) and ten times that number on Saturday's demonstration (12 March) in Sheffield outside the Lib Dem spring conference. An edited version of this report was carried in The Socialist.

Protester challenges Lib Dem MP to debate

Students want to protest too

Thatcher was no heroine

Lively discussion at LGBT meeting

Leeds: Celebrating International Women's Day

Celebrate International Workers' Day in the Socialist with a May Day greeting