The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is hosting a series of public discussion meetings under the heading ‘Enough is Enough! But what do we do at the ballot box?’. The aim is to provide forums, on as wide a scale as possible, to discuss how a working-class alternative can be put in place for the next general election.

Go to socialistparty.org.uk to read reports from the meetings so far, and see tusc.org.uk/events for future dates near you.

Leicester

Kumaran Bose, BFAWU bakers’ union, discussed the fight to unionise Samworth Brothers, Leicester’s largest private employer, which produces over a billion sandwiches and pastries every year. Workers had shift allowances, paid breaks and a workers’ profit-share scheme removed. Kumaran was sacked for unionising, though workers did win a pay rise through his brave organising.

Kirsty Smith, Lincoln TUSC, spoke on the rapidly changing mood around the strike wave. She had persuaded workers to join a union and fight for better wages during the cost-of-living crisis.

Socialist Party general secretary Hannah Sell said that even a small number of TUSC representatives in parliament and local councils could begin to transform the political direction, and speak for working-class interests.

Lots of the 28 that attended the meeting also spoke. After canvassing for Labour in the December 2019 general election, Unite the Union member Phil said he was disappointed to see right-wing Labour MP Jess Phillips celebrating the exit poll defeat for the Jeremy Corbyn-led party. Labour member John said Keir Starmer had broken every promise he made to win the leadership election.

A Labour councillor spoke of his disappointment at Labour turning its back on socialist values. The Labour council plans to raise the cost to residents of district heating schemes by 70%. TUSC supporters plan to stand an anti-cuts slate in the council elections in May, but not against any councillors who vote against cuts.

Read about the campaign of the Samworth Brothers’ workers and sign their petition – unionisesamworths.co.uk

Alex Gillham, Leicester Socialist Party

Swansea

There was loud applause from the 30-plus crowd after the Socialist Party’s workplace and trade union organiser, Rob Williams, said: “We need a new workers’ party, whose leaders would actually encourage MPs to support and attend picket lines, strike rallies and demonstrations, along with local councillors who would refuse to pass on Tory cuts”.

Mark Evans spoke in a personal capacity as the secretary for Carmarthenshire council Unison union. Mark said his union branch is preparing for yet another huge battle with the Plaid council, which will yet again implement millions of pounds of cuts, instead of supporting Carmarthenshire Unison’s legal ‘no-cuts’ budget.

Ginny Bayliss, Swansea Socialist Students, highlighted the devastating impact of the cost-of-living on students and young workers. But they’re also willing to fight back. “We need a new workers’ party to stand up for young people, and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an important step in that direction”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) rep for Parcelforce thanked many in the audience who had visited their picket lines. He wanted to see the Tories kicked out of office, but remained extremely sceptical that Keir Starmer would renationalise Royal Mail.

Gareth Bromhall, Swansea Trades Union Council secretary, is “looking forward to representing TUSC in future elections, and confident in building on the support TUSC has received”. The discussion from the floor was proof that young people are not passive and apathetic, but angry, motivated and militant.

Alec Thraves, Swansea Socialist Party

Sheffield

A Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) supporter explained some of the steps that the Labour and Green council could take (but isn’t) to help working-class people, and to ensure that no one is homeless, cold or hungry in the city.

60 people – 46 in person and 14 on Zoom – listened to trade unionists currently in dispute or balloting for action. The speakers included the assistant branch secretary for striking RMT members, Joe Howard, as well as Socialist Party members Holly Johnston, an NHS worker, and Liam Ball, a university worker. The meeting was chaired by former Bolsover Labour councillor, and now Sheffield TUSC candidate, Sue Statter.

People from the floor spoke about the issues in their own workplaces, and the need for a new workers’ party so that we can have a real alternative to the pro-capitalist policies of the four establishment parties. Here in Sheffield, we have a so-called ‘collaborative council’ of Labour, Lib Dems and Greens carrying out Tory cuts!

And Sheffield TUSC already has 23 potential candidates to contest the 28 Sheffield wards in next year’s local elections. The meeting also unanimously agreed to stand at least one candidate in Sheffield – in Sheffield Central – in the general election.

Gary Drabble, Sheffield Socialist Party