Archive for October 2012
1 October 2012
Family of jailed Kazakhstan poet coming to London concert
Aron Atabek is a dissident, prize-winning poet and creative writer in Kazakhstan. On his behalf, his wife and son are flying to London to participate in a Campaign Kazakhstan concert on Tuesday 2 October,...
2 October 2012
3 October 2012
Councillors must resist all Tory cuts
Southampton: Nick Chaffey, Southampton Socialist Party, wrote the following letter to the Independent in reply to an article by Owen Jones...
3 October 2012
Algerian war of independence 1954-1962
The Battle of Algiers poster montage
Colonialism, national liberation and revolutionary struggle: Fifty years ago, in 1962, the 'Algerian war', one of the longest and bloodiest anti-colonial conflicts, ended with the victory of the Algerian fighters against French imperialism...
3 October 2012
Arts and culture workers need to fight back
"This was the most unkindest cut of all." Mark Antony on Brutus's murder of Julius Caesar. Which of the Con-Dems' cuts is most unkindest is not mentioned - in part because Shakespeare died 394 years ago...
3 October 2012
Thousands march for an independent Scotland
Rallying for a yes vote in Edinburgh as thousands march for an independent Scotland, photo by M Dobson
Over 10,000 people took part in the March and Rally for Scottish Independence in Edinburgh on Saturday 22 September, writes Matt Dobson and Ryan Stuart, Socialist Party Scotland (CWI, Scotland).
3 October 2012
Scotland: Lamont throws Labour Party into crisis
On the eve of the UK Labour Party conference, Scottish Labour leader, Johann Lamont, threw the party north of the border into a crisis after calling for an end to the "something for nothing culture" in Scotland, writes Philip Stott, Socialist Party Scotland.
3 October 2012
Council tax benefit - new and not improved
Most councils are now in the process of consulting on the Con-Dems' new Council Tax Support Scheme - the new and not improved way council tax benefit will be paid, writes Becci Heagney.
3 October 2012
Minimum wage: Breathe a sigh of relief everybody, the hard times are over - the minimum wage has been increased... by 11p an hour... for over 21s...
3 October 2012
Squatting conviction paves way for rise in homelessness
Housing: homeless person, photo Paul Mattsson
A 21 year old homeless man who had moved to London from Plymouth looking for work has become the first person to be jailed under new legislation that makes 'squatting a residential building' a criminal offence, writes Paul Kershaw.
3 October 2012
Partial victory for international students at London Metropolitan
A court ruling has granted a partial reprieve to over 2,000 international students at London Met who had been threatened with deportation, writes Claire Laker-Mansfield, Socialist Students national organiser.
3 October 2012
Youth Fight for Jobs Scotland, together with the PCS Young Members Network, is organising a March for Jobs and Public Services against Austerity...
3 October 2012
Suspended student union president continues fight for reinstatement
Shana Begum, elected president of Bolton University Student Union and Socialist Party member, was suspended by university management four months ago, just as students were leaving for the summer break...
3 October 2012
The fight of all our lives - For a 24-hour general strike
NSSN lobby of the TUC Congress 2012 in Brighton, photo Socialist Party
London meeting against austerity: On 27 September, London Socialist Party and Socialist Students members met to discuss the cuts and austerity which we are currently experiencing...
3 October 2012
South West NHS workers want action against 'pay cartel'
A series of big and angry meetings of health workers across the South West has shown the scale of anger against plans to break up national bargaining and slash their terms and conditions, writes Tom Baldwin.
3 October 2012
Cut the Con-Dems - not our NHS!
So much for David Cameron's general election pledge to 'not cut the NHS' - our health service is in the middle of a £20 billion 'efficiency drive' - ie cuts...
3 October 2012
Save Greater Manchester mental healthcare
More than 100 service users, trade unionists, workers and members of the public attended a public meeting on 1 October to discuss and build the campaign to save mental health services in Salford and Manchester, writes Matt Kilsby, Salford Socialist Party.
3 October 2012
Barnfield College, Luton: Kick private profit out of education
On the picket line at Barnfield College in Luton 2 October 2012, photo by Steve Glennon
On 2 October, lecturers at Barnfield college in Luton were on strike against an 'unlimited hours' contract...
3 October 2012
No to slave labour in universities
Postgraduate research students are increasingly being used as slave labour to cut teaching costs at universities. PhD students are being used as teachers to replace more expensive senior staff
3 October 2012
Rape is No Joke campaign discussed
'Why should feminists be socialists?' This and the new campaign Rape Is No Joke were the subjects of discussion at a meeting called by the Socialist Party and Socialist Students on 29 September, writes Jane James.
3 October 2012
Action against Profit From Illness!
Death stalks NHS market reforms, photo by Paul Mattsson
Defend the NHS - Stop Sherwood Forest cuts: A Private Finance Initiative is like a long-term, high-interest mortgage. But, in this case, when you've finished paying the mortgage, the house belongs to the bank!...
3 October 2012
Crossrail flashmob blocks London's Oxford Street
As we reported last week, 28 workers including a Unite steward and safety rep have been dismissed from the Crossrail Westbourne Park site in west London...
3 October 2012
Sickened by Labour conference? Build the anti-cuts alternative!
One further downside of being sick and off work is that I've been able to watch some of the Labour Party conference, writes Ronnie Job, Swansea.
3 October 2012
South Africa: Solidarity with miners
Striking mine workers in Marikana
Workers' struggles continue throughout the industry: On 18 September, after six weeks of defiant strike action - when over 40 miners were killed by police acting on behalf of the mining bosses - Marikana platinum miners in Rustenburg, South Africa, won a significant 22% pay increase...
3 October 2012
Building the fightback in the universities
Massive student demo in London called by the NUS expresses anger against cuts, photo T.U. Senan
Sheffield: As students arrive at their university campuses this year they are being met by the most vicious assault on the right to an education seen in generations...
3 October 2012
Mid Yorkshire Health admin staff ballot for strike
Over 500 admin and clerical staff working for Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are being balloted for strike action
3 October 2012
NUT activists prepare for action
NUT members on the 30 June coordinated strike action with PCS, ATL and UCU teaching unions, photo Paul Mattsson
Delegates from 23 different National Union of Teachers (NUT) associations met in Leeds on 29 September for the first steering committee of LANAC - the Local Associations Network Action Campaign...
3 October 2012
Tory education policy: 'This is just about making cuts isn't it?'
Interview with a trade unionist: The Con-Dem government's agenda for education is being revealed more starkly. On top of cuts in resources and the privatisation of education, teachers are under attack
3 October 2012
Europe: Class struggle returns with a bang
Huge response to general strike in Greece: The Greek working class has put up an incredible struggle against the vicious austerity measures raining down on them...
4 October 2012
Campaigns to save HMRC nurseries are gaining results
Parents in Cardiff and East Kilbride have learned their on-site nursery could stay open for another three years after HMRC said it "recognised" that the majority of users were in fact departmental staff
4 October 2012
4 October 2012
Campaign Kazakhstan lobby on Friday - Free Aron Atabek!
Campaign Kazakhstan will be holding a protest on Friday 5 October at 1pm outside the Kazakhstan Embassy, 33 Thurloe Square, London, SW7 2SD...
4 October 2012
Miliband placates big business by promising more 'tough settlements for public services'
With anger rising against the Con-Dems, Labour is riding high in the polls. But there certainly isn't any enthusiasm for Labour leader Ed Miliband
4 October 2012
South Wales bus workers receive strong support for strike
Bus workers protest in July 2008, photo Paul Mattsson
Monday 1st October saw bus drivers and engineers in South Wales take strike action over pay despite their union recommending they refrain from doing so
5 October 2012
8 October 2012
YFJE condemns proposal to stop housing benefit for under 25s
Youth Fight for Jobs and Education plans a fortnight of protest against Tory cuts from 13th October 2012...
8 October 2012
'Millions crying out for leadership and for an alternative'
Thousands of people demonstrated against the Con-Dem government as the Tory party conference started in Birmingham on Sunday. Vice president of the PCS union, John McInally, spoke at the demo rally
8 October 2012
Hospital staff in Stockton and Hartlepool threatened with worse terms and conditions
NHS bosses in North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are due to sack all 5,500 staff and reemploy them on inferior contracts
8 October 2012
Video: Free Aron Atabek! Campaign Kazakhstan protest
Free Aron Atabek! Campaign Kazakhstan protest outside the Kazakhstan Embassy, London, video Socialist Party
Aron Atabek is a dissident, prize-winning poet and creative writer in Kazakhstan. On his behalf, Zhainagul and Askar Aidarkhan, his wife and son, flew to London to participate in a Campaign Kazakhstan concert
10 October 2012
South Africa: 'What are we doing about this government that is killing us?'
An interview with Democratic Socialist Movement member Mametlwe Sebei, who is playing a leading role in the Marikana platinum miners' strike committee; plus two articles on South African history as part of series marking Black History Month
10 October 2012
Benefit booze-ups are a Tory fantasy!: The welfare system has been in the news again this week with Tories threatening a further £10 billion in cuts to the welfare budget, writes Sean Dempsey, Jobcentre worker.
10 October 2012
Politicians line up to attack abortion rights
Defend and extend the right to choose: Many women will have felt chilled at Jeremy Hunt's comments that he would back the time limit on abortions being halved from 24 to just 12 weeks, writes Elaine Brunskill.
10 October 2012
The hidden homeless - "Sofa surfing is my lot"
The Youth Fight for Jobs Austerity Games held in Hackney Marshes 24 July 2012 highlighted the plight of young people, photo Paul Mattsson
At the Tory Party conference the idea of cutting housing benefit for under 25s has again been raised...
10 October 2012
Youth Fight for Jobs and Education fortnight of action 13-27 October
Join the hot autumn of protest!: We're in for the fight of our lives. Fee hikes, EMA scrapped, youth services cut to the bone, housing benefit cut and attacks on our democratic rights...
10 October 2012
Our local ambulances carry the slogan: "Arriva, in partnership with the NHS". Has the bus company generously lent the NHS some vehicles? No, writes Andrew Walton, Unison rep, personal capacity.
10 October 2012
Birmingham Tory conference demo
Marchers support call for 24-hour general strike: A ring of steel greeted protesters who were in Birmingham to show their anger outside the Tory conference on Sunday 7 October, writes Tony Leigh, Birmingham Socialist Party.
10 October 2012
Waltham Forest: Parents and staff unite against school sell-off
Waltham Forest, in north east London, could have 16 'academy' schools, by the end of the year. Academies take away money from the remaining local authority schools, are outside local authority accountability,...
10 October 2012
Send the transport privatisers packing
RMT protest July 2012, photo Paul Mattsson
Renationalise the railways: Take the whole rail system back into public ownership! That is the only logical conclusion from the fiasco over the franchise for the West Coast Main Line railway from London to Glasgow...
10 October 2012
Anti-austerity candidates selected for November contests
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition has announced its candidates for the Mayor of Bristol election and the Manchester Central parliamentary by-election that will take place on 15 November...
10 October 2012
Dewsbury fights health service cuts
Huddersfield Socialist Party started running stalls and collecting signatures against privatisation of our NHS in May, write Paul and Dawn Wheelhouse.
10 October 2012
Sunderland anti-fascists stand up against divisive EDL
Socialist Party members took part in a counter-demo against far-right, racist groups, including the English Defence League (EDL), that were opposing the building of a new mosque in Millfield, Sunderland
10 October 2012
Arguing the case for a 24-hour general strike
The Birmingham, Black Country and Worcester branch of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) passed a motion at its committee urging the TUC to set the date for a one-day general strike
10 October 2012
Reality has hit some commentators between the eyes and has forced them to partially recognise Marx's analysis of the nature of capitalist crises which, he explained, were intrinsic to the system.
10 October 2012
Greece: escalating the action against austerity
Greece: protests during general election 18 June 2012, photo RT free video
Solidarity with workers fighting cuts in Europe: German chancellor Angela Merkel is expected in Greece on 9 October. She will be greeted by an increasing bitterness and anger
10 October 2012
TV review : Masters of Money - Karl Marx
BBC Two: Masters of Money: BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders examines one of the most revolutionary and controversial thinkers of all: Karl Marx
Stephanie Flanders concluded her BBC TV series Masters of Money by looking at Karl Marx, "capitalism's severest critic". Often "refuted", his ideas just won't go away!
10 October 2012
Lorry drivers' strike: Workers at the Tesco distribution centre in Doncaster are on a 48-hour strike from 9 October. The workers were transferred to Eddie Stobart Ltd (ESL) in August and then on 5 September they were issued...
10 October 2012
Bin workers in Bromley, South London, walked out on 4 October over the sacking of four colleagues. Unite members have vowed to 'take action for as long as it takes' to get the jobs back...
10 October 2012
Leeds solidarity with Crossrail battle
Around 20 construction workers and their supporters held a protest outside the Leeds Arena construction site on the morning of 5 October, in opposition to the victimisation of trade unionists on the Crossrail construction project in London, writes Iain Dalton.
10 October 2012
Fighting the construction industry blacklist
Stop blacklisting on the Olympics: re-instate Frank Morris, photo Suzanne Beishon
Blacklisting of workers in the construction industry has recently been exposed for the scourge that it is...
10 October 2012
Workplace nurseries saved in HMRC
Leicester PCS strike action: workplace nurseries saved in HMRC through action by PCS members , photo Steve Score
Following a month of solid and well-organised campaigning, two workplace nurseries in the revenue and customs civil service department (HMRC) have been saved from closure
10 October 2012
More success for Socialist Students
20 Sociaist students activists marched round Sheffield city centre against tuition fees and to restore EMA, joined by NUT rep, photo Sheffield Socialist Students
Exeter: Exeter Socialist Students has had a fantastic start to the new academic year with over 50 students signing up...
10 October 2012
Labour Party conference - not fighting austerity
Editorial of the Socialist Income will not return to pre-crisis levels until 2020 and Tory leader David Cameron says there is no 'plan B' - just unrelenting austerity...
10 October 2012
Health workers must fight attacks on jobs and pay
Call a 24-hour general strike to defend the NHS from the government's cuts and privatisation monster: Hardly a day passes without reports of ward closures, casualty departments shutting, and more job losses in the National Health Service
10 October 2012
Why we're marching on 20 October
NSSN march to lobby of TUC, Brighton, 9.9.12, photo Sarah Mayo
The plebs are revolting on 20 October - that is how the millionaire government will see it. You could write their press releases in advance: 'the protest is pointless, we will not change our policy' writes Derek McMillan, Brighton Socialist Party
10 October 2012
Who they are, What they Say and What they've done
54% Tory MPs went to fee paying schools
38% Tory MPs went to Oxbridge
27% Tory MPs have worked in finance (compared to 7% of the general population)...
10 October 2012
Venezuela presidential election
Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, salutes the US-backed opposition, on a visit to Britain, photo Paul Mattsson
Chavez comfortably secures victory over neoliberal right: Thousands flocked to Miraflores, the Presidential Palace in Caracas, to celebrate the victory of Hugo Chávez in Sunday's (7 October) Presidential election, writes Tony Saunois in Caracas.
10 October 2012
Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster against shameful treatment
Tesco drivers in Doncaster have been given three months notice by their new employer ESL, with no promise that they will be re-employed
10 October 2012
Campaign Kazakhstan: A musical and political evening
Cellorhymics in concert at the Campaign Kazakhstan event, London 2 October 2012, photo Keith Dickinson
Campaign Kazakhstan hosted a very impressive event in London on Tuesday 2 October. Its aim was to raise awareness and financial support for those who resist the attacks of the regime in Kazakhstan.
10 October 2012
Demo for a living wage for London's transport workers
Transport union RMT, along with supporters from the community, will be stepping up the demand next week that Mayor Boris Johnson increases the London living wage to £10 per hour, for cleaners and other low-paid workers...
10 October 2012
Tories promise more pain... Kick out the 'nasty party'!
March against the Con-Dem government on 20 October
There's a whiff in the Birmingham air. The Tories met here in a state of panic. It's all going wrong! The Con-Dem government faces humiliating failure
10 October 2012
Amnesty International staff take strike action
"Workers' Rights = Human Rights", read placards at Amnesty's offices when Unite members took strike action
11 October 2012
Southampton anti-cuts councillors form new council group
Coxteth councillors Keith and Don campaigning with others to save Oaklands pool, Southampton, photo Southampton SP
Coxford ward Labour councillors Keith Morrell and Don Thomas were suspended from their council Labour group for opposing the closure of a swimming pool
15 October 2012
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders' dispute 1971-72
A prolonged battle to save Clydeside shipbuilding jobs began in 1971 and went on until October 1972. This 40th anniversary serves to remind us of a team of shop stewards who worked tirelessly, backed by the workforce and community, to save the shipyards on Clydeside.
16 October 2012
Distribute NSSN leaflets on Saturday's TUC march
The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) has spent the last few months helping to build for Saturday's TUC demonstrations in London, Glasgow and Belfast...
17 October 2012
Youth Fight for Jobs fortnight of action 13-28 October
When I finished university and qualified as a social worker I expected to find a post. But like many other young people across the world today I cannot find a job, writes Wyllie Hume
17 October 2012
Hands off our NHS! - Victory in Gloucestershire
Save our services: Stroud against the cuts fighting against NHS cuts, photo Gloucestershire Socialist Party
The area reserved for members of the public was packed for the Board meeting of NHS Gloucestershire on 15 October, writes Sue Powell.
17 October 2012
Stop the gas price hike - Nationalise the utilities!
Stop the gas price hike - graph shows that household gas prices do not mirror wholesale gas prices as claimed, photo by Sources: Office for National Statistics/Bloomberyg
The privately owned gas companies are going to hike up the price of gas and electricity...again!, writes Alec Price.
17 October 2012
Tony Mulhearn in front of one of the house built by Liverpool City Council in the 1980s, photo Harry Smith
Better to break the law than break the poor: As a lifelong Liverpool football supporter, I was delighted to read recently that Liverpool were top of the league, writes Tony Mulhearn, former Liverpool councillor and the then District Labour Party president.
17 October 2012
Poll tax: When organised mass action defeated the Tories
Militant: Scrap the Poll Tax, photo Dave Sinclair
18 million refused to pay: The campaign against Thatcher's poll tax is an example of how a mass movement can defeat a government, writes Steve Score, former secretary, Leicestershire Anti-Poll Tax Federation.
17 October 2012
The Socialist - Help us build it with the 20-20-20 plan!
A different kind of paper: Newspapers have been getting bad press lately. And largely deservedly so. The Leveson inquiry shone a light on the putrid relationship between the Murdoch press, pro-big business politicians and some police...
17 October 2012
Malcolm X, 12 March 1964, Library of Congress. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection, Ed Ford, World Telegram staff photographer
"By any means necessary" - Malcolm X's expression of militant civil rights - is known worldwide by young people fighting against racism, writes Hugo Pierre, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party.
17 October 2012
UCU strikers on a picket line in Swansea on 10 May 2012 public sector workers strike , photo Socialist Party Wales
Gateshead College lecturers took further strike action on 10 October in response to an attack on their pay and working conditions...
17 October 2012
On 10 October in Bromley, south London, the Unite regional officer Onay Kasab and three Unite reps were due to meet the employers to begin this year's pay discussions...
17 October 2012
Living wage now!: Transport union RMT is campaigning for London Mayor Boris Johnson to increase the London living wage to £10 an hour, benefiting cleaners and other low-paid workers...
17 October 2012
Stop the far right from 'uniting' on 27 October
Fight for jobs, homes and services, not racism: The English Defence League (EDL) is a far-right racist group. Many EDL organisers are not just racists. They are Nazis who oppose rights for women, LGBT people, trade unionists and the left, writes Suzanne Beishon, London Youth Fight for Jobs.
17 October 2012
Pakistan: Workers die as profit put before safety
In September a garment factory inferno in Karachi's Baldia Town took the lives of at least 275 workers, including a number of women and teenagers, writes Khalid Bhatti, CWI in Pakistan.
17 October 2012
A recent TUC organised conference, entitled 'Outsourcing and Austerity - Civil Society and the Coalition Government' was attended by over 100 people from the voluntary, charity and third sector as well as union and anti-cuts activists...
17 October 2012
Invest in caring - we're worth it!
Care arrangements for elderly relatives are now a major issue for families. Here is my experience, writes Pete McNally, Worcester.
17 October 2012
Fight back against austerity - support the Socialist Party
Can you make a donation to support the work of the Socialist Party and help maintain a socialist paper that has consistently been an independent voice for the working class?...
17 October 2012
Tamil demonstration in London, photo D. Carr
Tamil Solidarity was set up in 2009 as Tamil-speaking people were being slaughtered by the Sri Lankan armed forces. It's estimated that 75,000 Tamils were massacred...
17 October 2012
Fight for a socialist and internationalist alternative to the crisis-ridden EU
Striking Greek workers express their opinion of the Troika - the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (EC, ECB and IMF)
'But the EU is at war on us' exclaimed a number of Greek workers when reacting to the European Union (EU) being awarded a Nobel peace prize...
17 October 2012
Newcastle United football team has agreed a £24 million sponsorship deal with Wonga.com, the short-term payday loans company, writes Norman Hall, Newcastle fan.
17 October 2012
Stop health robbery in Sherwood Forest
Two weeks after Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust's financial crisis threatened it could run out of cash by January, it emerged that 120 breast cancer test errors occurred between 2004 and 2010, writes Karen Seymour.
17 October 2012
All three main parties have merged into one: All my life I have felt very strongly about injustice, discrimination and fairness for all. I spent all my life voting for a Labour Party, believing I was doing the right thing for all working class members...
17 October 2012
Academies: march to defend education on 20 October
16 February 2011 teachers at Chestnut Grove School in Balham, Wandsworth, south London, went on strike to show their opposition to the school becoming an academy.
It's rumoured that education minister Michael Gove has 'war charts' on the walls of his office plotting the onward march of academy schools, writes Martin Powell-Davies
17 October 2012
Osborne's 'shares' plan threatens rights
Fancy a few free shares in the company you work for? Well David Cameron's party for the aspirational privileged announced at its conference this week a policy that apparently could make budding capitalists of us all
17 October 2012
And the winner is: If watching Tory conference speeches brings you out in hives, you might have avoided Osborne's speech - a further £10 billion to be cut from the welfare budget, unconvincingly veiled in the language of 'fairness'
17 October 2012
US elections: And the winner is... Wall Street!
US President Barack Obama, photo by NASA
October has seen a tightening of the US presidential race. The Republican candidate Mitt Romney has gained support by exploiting the deep disappointment with Barack Obama
17 October 2012
Zhainagul and Askar Aidarkhan, wife and son of Aron Atabek, read his poems at a concert organised by Campaign Kazakhstan, London 2 October 2012, photo Keith Dickinson
Since its launch last year, Campaign Kazakhstan has succeeded in gaining support from prominent figures and trade unions
17 October 2012
Bus drivers: We need shorter hours!
As a new driver I remember being asked by the man behind the counter: "Are you resting tomorrow?" I answered "Yes", writes Barry Andrews, London bus driver.
17 October 2012
New sales of the Socialist in Kenilworth
On 13 October, the first Socialist Party campaiging stall in Kenilworth for many years was held. People were more interested than we expected, as ours is a traditionally right-wing town.
17 October 2012
We want a 24-hour general strike!
The National Shop Stewards Network spent the last few months helping build the TUC demonstrations in London, Glasgow and Belfast, writes Rob Williams, NSSN national chair.
17 October 2012
HMRC nurseries' protest - Nottingham
Another protest was held on Wednesday 17th October at HMRC in Nottingham against the proposed closure of the workplace nurseries which many workers rely on...
17 October 2012
17 October 2012
Hannah Sell addresses Socialism 2011
Unless we fight back, Greece will be our future: The battle against austerity has begun in earnest. Come to Socialism 2012 to discuss how this fight can be won, and how the struggle for a democratic, socialist society can be built, writes Hannah Sell, Socialist Party deputy general secretary
17 October 2012
Third day of strike action at Amnesty International
Today it was Unite members at Amnesty's 'International Secretariat' offices in central London who took strike action against a deal-breaking management
17 October 2012
Workers confront brutal South African capitalism
The Democratic Socialist Movement is playing a decisive role in the mineworkers' dispute, assisting and leading the strike committees and posing a socialist alternative to the corruption and betrayal of the ANC and NUM leaders, writes Alec Thraves, just back from South Africa
17 October 2012
Unions must build the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)
Alex Gordon, RMT president, addresses the London Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition launch meeting 2012, photo Paul Mattsson
On Saturday 22 September the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition national supporters' conference discussed the vital task of putting forward socialist candidates to fight the austerity cuts, writes Alex Gordon, RMT transport union President.
17 October 2012
17 October 2012
18 October 2012
Strike against increased workload at University of East London
Lecturers in the UCU at UEL went on strike today against longer working hours and other attacks
18 October 2012
Government advisor condemns scrapping of EMA - YFJE says bring it back now!
Claire Laker-Mansfield, Youth Fight for Jobs and Education spokesperson said: "This response from Milburn, to a study on social mobility, is a vindication of what we have been saying all along...
19 October 2012
Hull council workers demand that Labour councillors oppose cuts
In a week that saw redundancies announced in Hull at two companies, Seven Seas and McCain Foods, over 300 angry Hull City Council workers rallied outside the Guildhall at the start of a campaign to oppose the latest round of cuts in council jobs and services
20 October 2012
Large TUC demo opens new phase in anti-austerity struggle
150,000 workers travelled from across Britain to London to express fury at the Con-Dems' vicious cuts
22 October 2012
Scottish March for Jobs and Public Services inspires thousands
From 17 to 20 October, young people marched through the cold and rain from Stirling to Glasgow, demanding real job creation, an end to attacks on benefits, pensions and wages, free education, public works and affordable housing
23 October 2012
After October 20: preparing for a one-day general strike
The London 20 October TUC demo was a great success. But there was a feeling among many workers that more decisive action is necessary to force the government to retreat, writes Peter Taaffe
24 October 2012
Waltham Forest - Racists off our streets!
Over 50 'supporters' of the far-right EDL, including many of their leaders, were arrested while on their way to a 'surprise' demonstration at a mosque in east London
24 October 2012
Far right attempts to build support in Leicester
Anti-EDL demonstration in Walthamstow 1 September 2012, photo P Mason
The EDL continues to drag its travelling circus of violent anti-Muslim demonstrations around Britain
24 October 2012
Construction blacklisting - the tip of the iceberg
Stop blacklisting on the Olympics: re-instate Frank Morris, photo Suzanne Beishon
The big construction companies could be facing thousands of financial claims as a legal battle has been launched by blacklisted workers, writes Rob Williams.
24 October 2012
1.6 million 20 to 40 year olds are living with their parents because they can't afford their own home. 41% of parents believe their children will never be able to get on the housing ladder...
24 October 2012
Can Africa throw capitalism a lifeline?
"It is my firm belief that Africa represents the next global economic frontier, and I am not alone in that assessment." So said Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, to the US House foreign sub-committee on African Affairs on 17 April 2012, writes Peluola Adewale, Democratic Socialist Movement (CWI in Nigeria).
24 October 2012
Defend the NHS - Stop cuts at Dewsbury hospital
"We will fight, tooth and nail, to save our hospital services," is the message the people of North Kirklees will be sending the bosses of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust
24 October 2012
Standing for the 99%! Bring back EMA
I am standing for Bristol mayor to give a voice to the many young people who are having their futures stolen from them, writes Tom Baldwin
24 October 2012
On 19 October 35 court workers joined a lunchtime protest outside Birmingham magistrates court against government plans to privatise a large chunk of the criminal justice system
24 October 2012
Miners strike 1984-85 Police arrest Sheffield miner 19 April 1984 , photo Jacob Sutton
Members and supporters of the National Union of Mineworkers have drawn encouragement from the recent findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel
24 October 2012
'Priced out of renting a home, let alone owning one'
TUSC protesting about the lack of affordable housing at the Olympic Park during the GLA (London Assembly) elections 2012 , photo London Socialist Party
A recent report by the National Housing Federation shows that over the last three years there has been an 86% rise in housing benefit claims by working families
24 October 2012
Birmingham: cuts put children at risk
Campaigns are taking place across Britain to save children's services, photo Socialist Party
Birmingham's social services are in the spotlight once again. Ofsted has slammed Birmingham City Council, rating the quality of their care of vulnerable children as 'inadequate'
24 October 2012
Axe the Con-Dems' ban on building new LEA schools
Two new primary schools planned for Coventry have been shelved because, under the Con-Dems' 2011 education act, all new schools have to be 'academies' or 'free schools' (unless no sponsors take up the offer), writes Jane Nellist, Coventry NUT member.
24 October 2012
Privatisation opponents push out Cornwall council leader
On 16 October, the Tory leader of Cornwall council, Alec Robertson, lost a vote of confidence by 63 to 49
24 October 2012
Help build the voice for the Socialist alternative
The Socialist issue 738
On Tuesday 23 October the Guardian printed three letters complaining that the paper and its sister publication, the Observer, had failed to adequately report on the huge 20 October TUC demo against austerity, writes Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, Editor, the Socialist.
24 October 2012
Can you donate to the Socialist Party's appeal? We are aiming to raise £12,000 to enable us to buy a new server and are asking all our members and supporters to contribute, writes Ken Douglas
24 October 2012
TUC march supports general strike
"The TUC has agreed to consult on the practicalities of a general strike. Let's start right here - if you are in favour of a general strike raise your hands" shouted Len McCluskey
24 October 2012
Birmingham council threatens 1,000 jobs ... national Unison leadership responds meekly
The Labour council in Birmingham is considering cuts of up to £120 million next year, according to a press release issued by the union Unison
24 October 2012
Alex Davidson, Manchester Central TUSC candidate 15 November 2012, photo Senan
We have seen clearly the total failure of energy market deregulation, with another round of price increases, writes Alex Davidson, Manchester Central TUSC candidate for the 15 November 2012 parliamentary byelection.
25 October 2012
Urgent action needed to defend Ford plants
The Socialist Party sends its full support to Ford workers after Ford announced it intends to close two British plants
26 October 2012
Campaign activities for TUSC candidate in Manchester byelection
26 October 2012
Teachers at Stratford Academy strike against scandalous pay cuts
"It's like being run by the Stasi" a striker commented, as teachers at Stratford Academy, Newham, went on strike
28 October 2012
29 October 2012
Help fund a socialist alternative: The Socialist Party is asking for donations to the Socialism 2012 appeal
30 October 2012
The 'hardest hit' are being hammered - fight all cuts to benefits and services
5,000 people marched against the Welofare Reform Bill on 11 May 2011, photo by Paul Mattsson
A new 'Hardest Hit' report points to the huge impact that cuts are having on disabled people
30 October 2012
Birmingham cuts: council workers must lead a fightback
TUC demo 20 October 2012, photo by Senan
The Labour council is cooperating with the government to punish the poorest
30 October 2012
RMT demands action against blacklisting website
Transport union RMT today demanded action against a trade union blacklisting website which is actively targeting activists at all levels - even including volunteer union learning reps whose "crime" is helping colleagues acquire skills, training and education...
30 October 2012
31 October 2012
Start preparations for a 24-hour general strike
At the 20 October anti-austerity demonstration, three trade union leaders reflected the feelings of the majority of trade unionists in calling for a 24-hour general strike
31 October 2012
Spain: Autumn heats up as general strike approaches
Ten million took part in a general strike in Spain 29 September 2010 that shook Spanish capitalism , photo by Sarah Wrack
On 14 November a general strike called by Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and Cypriot trade union federations will take place against government austerity measures - part of a "day of action and solidarity" called by the European Trade Union Confederation...
31 October 2012
Savile case: How bullies and predators thrived
The revelations about Jimmy Savile's serial sexual assaults and rape of children over decades will disgust many from the 'Jim'll Fix It' generation, writes Eleanor Donne.
31 October 2012
Gas prices - All companies join price hike
Following the price hikes by four of the 'big six' energy companies, the French-owned EDF Energy kept tight lipped on whether it would follow suit, writes Alec Price.
31 October 2012
South African miners: the struggle continues
Following the massacre at Lonmin's Marikana mine in South Africa, in August, readers will be shocked and disgusted to learn of the on-going horrendous attacks on striking miners...
31 October 2012
On the tenth anniversary of the national Fire Brigades Union (FBU) dispute, a benefit event will be held on Friday 16 November
31 October 2012
Housing: How the market has failed
Glasgow 1915 Rent Strike, photo by Unknown
When strikes and protests won reforms: Five million people in Britain - two million households - are desperate for decent, affordable housing...
31 October 2012
Glasgow Unison's fighting strategy
In the May 2012 local government elections Labour held control of Glasgow city council, resisting a strong Scottish National Party challenge, writes Brian Smith, Secretary, Glasgow city Unison.
31 October 2012
Bromley council: Drop your plans or face a strike!
The council chamber in Bromley was so packed on 23 October that protesting council workers spilled out onto the council chamber floor, writes a Bromley council worker.
31 October 2012
No sackings!: CWU members in Coventry held a protest on 26 October against increasingly oppressive management. The bullying and unfair sackings resulted in an unofficial walkout on 25 October
31 October 2012
Work-for-your-pension: Lord Bichard tells us we should be 'encouraging' retired people to do community work or risk losing part of their pension...
31 October 2012
University of East London - scrap the unfair attendance policy!
Three strikes and you're out - that's the current rule for students at the University of East London (UEL)...
31 October 2012
Tory cuts will increase child poverty
Kick out the Con-Dems: on the TUC demo 20 October 2012, photo by Senan
Iain Duncan Smith, Tory minister for work and pensions, has again revealed the clear class warfare at the heart of the coalition government's policies, writes Alex Davidson.
31 October 2012
South London NHS debt funds Tories!
Two hospitals could be privatised with another losing its accident and emergency department on the orders of the South London NHS Trust (SLNT) administrator
31 October 2012
Socialist MEP obstructed by Kazakh authorities
Socialist Party (Ireland) MEP Paul Murphy has made a second attempt to organise a delegation to Kazakhstan
31 October 2012
Student demonstration must be just the beginning
10 November 2010 saw more than 50,000 students take to the streets in protest. The government's onslaught was just beginning
31 October 2012
Rotherham workers and youth unite against the National Front
In two weeks Rotherham has seen protests by far-right groups, first the English Defence League on 13 October followed by the National Front on 27 October
31 October 2012
Hundreds turned out to protest against deaths in police custody on 27 October in Westminster
31 October 2012
Scores of trains cancelled in west midlands
Kick the fat cats off our railways: If ever an example is needed which demonstrates how privatisation of key public services leads to job cuts, higher prices and a worse service, look no further than the rail network
31 October 2012
Two RMT strikes in London this week
A 24-hour Tubelines strike is taking place this Thursday 1st November and a 48-hour strike by cleaners in London Midland Churchill Contract Services this Friday-Saturday...
31 October 2012
Solidarity with Ford workers - Defend every job
Fords: Our jobs - here to stay
News of Ford's plans to close the Transit plant in Southampton has hit workers and the city like a bombshell, writes Nick Chaffey, Socialist Party southern region secretary.
31 October 2012
Scottish NSSN launches 24-hr general strike campaign
The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) conference in Glasgow on 27th October heard uplifting reports from an array of trade unionists from the public and private sector in Scotland on the theme of fighting the austerity onslaught and building towards a 24-hour general strike
31 October 2012
Stop cuts at Dewsbury hospital
Fight to save our NHS! Undeterred by the biting cold, 200 protesters took to the streets of Dewsbury
8 Dec Caerphilly and RCT Socialist Party: Revolution betrayed - What happened in the USSR?
9 Dec Hackney & Islington Socialist Party: Mental health and socialism
10 Dec Cardiff East Socialist Party: How the slave trade was ended
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