Amy Sage, Bristol Socialist Party
At the Bristol Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) meeting on 19 October, Socialist Party member Sarah Sachs-Eldridge raised the urgent need for a working-class alternative to be put in place for the next general election to combat the cost-of-living crisis.
The National Education Union (NEU) is balloting its members over pay (see pages 6-7). Sheila Caffrey – National Education Union (NEU) executive and Bristol Trades Union Council president – speaking in a personal capacity, highlighted the need for a political voice to support these workers, and others, in struggle.
Dan Smart, a social worker and member of public sector union Unison, talked about the funding crisis in local government. An alternative budget should prioritise services and people.
Socialist Party member Tom Baldwin quoted a Communication Workers Union (CWU) picket as saying of Keir Starmer’s Labour Party: “It’s better to get punched in the face once rather than twice, but we are sick of getting punched”.
And read ‘How to fight for a workers’ alternative at a general election’
Can you fight the class struggle in elections?
Come and discuss at Socialism 2022
London, 19-20 November – tickets and info at socialism.org.uk
