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From The Socialist newspaper, 1 October 2014
CWU needs a political fund but also political representation
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is this month balloting all members on whether to retain its political fund.
All trade unions with such a fund legally have to hold a full postal ballot every ten years.
Recent CWU campaigns, including opposing Royal Mail privatisation, the remote sourcing of BT call centres and post office closures, have relied heavily on the political fund.
The union leadership, recognising the anger towards the Labour Party from rank and file members, has stated that: "Political fund review ballots are not about affiliation to the Labour Party."
Labour allowed the Con-Dem government to privatise the Royal Mail without so much as a whimper.
The Labour leadership went further by overturning the decision of its conference to renationalise the service if it wins the 2015 general election!
The CWU should run a separate poll over its affiliation to the Labour Party.
It is important that trade union members have a political voice. For that reason the Socialist Party supports the retention of the political fund.
But this support is alongside campaigning for disaffiliation from the pro-austerity Labour Party and laying the foundations for a new mass workers' party.
Carl Harper, Peterborough Royal Mail worker
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 1 October 2014:
International socialist news and analysis
US led bombings will worsen divisions
Hong Kong: "umbrella revolution" changes everything
Socialist Party news and analysis
More brutal cuts from the imploding Tories
Housing - a history of class struggle
Socialist Party workplace news
Pay cuts: Angry and ready to strike!
Local government pay: Reject employers' proposal
Hove Park victory: academies can be stopped
Doncaster Care UK workers start record strike
Continuing Bob Crow's legacy after RMT election
CWU's political fund and political voice
Socialist Students
York University - Student housing letting agency victory
Round up: Socialist Students at the freshers fairs
What party should students vote for?
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Scotland is in a party joining mood
Readers' comments and reviews
A day in the life of an agency worker
Film review: Still the enemy within
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