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From The Socialist newspaper, 8 October 2014
Training tomorrow's trade union militants
Young workers and trade unionists marching for jobs, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Matt Whale, Chesterfield Socialist Party
The East Midlands region ran a successful event to help train newer Socialist Party unionists how to work effectively in their union. A dozen mostly young members from five different unions attended the day school in Chesterfield on 20 September.
The event was run by Dave Gorton, East Midlands Socialist Party trade union organiser. Dave introduced the opening discussion on our party's history in the movement and our role as Marxists in the workplace.
Everyone was encouraged to raise issues or ask questions on matters in their own workplace. These ranged from problems that arise in multiple workplaces to being asked to represent people with racist views.
The afternoon session featured some role play. We simulated a union branch meeting, complete with agenda, reports and motions. We had to decide if and when to intervene as if we were the only Socialist Party member present. This was a great opportunity for us to ask questions on terminology. We also learnt some different approaches the party may take to the same issue, depending on the mood of the workers and the meeting.
Finally there was a brief introduction to casework, aimed at us looking beyond each individual member's problems to see recurring patterns in a workplace.
In the pub afterwards (run by local party member Trevor Maris!) all of us agreed the day was a huge success. We're going to meet again next year to discuss how we've been able to apply the skills we learnt. This will be vital for each of us to carry on the key work of our party in building and galvanising trade union activity.
If your region is interested in knowing a bit more about the day school, or even want Dave to come and run something similar, please email [email protected]
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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.
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In The Socialist 8 October 2014:
Socialist Party news and analysis
We need ideas to change the world
UK - A tax haven for the super-rich
International socialist news and analysis
South Africa: "A workers' party must emerge"
Middle East: Repel IS and Western imperialism
Coordinated attacks on Hong Kong movement
Ebola crisis: Consequence of profit before health
Stop corporate plunder of Bangladesh energy
Socialist Party workplace news
Public sector: why we have to strike
RMT tube workers join October action
Teachers: Pay rise? What pay rise?
Sheffield: Green workers red with anger
M25 maintenance workers protest
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Training tomorrow's trade union militants
Finance to fight for the future
School students organise disabled rights meeting
Ice cream, you scream, we all scream for £10 now!
Readers' comments
Exhaustion from buzzer to buzzer
Bedroom Tax: Still making tenants' lives hell
Scotland: Workers need a new mass party
Correction: Labour's private health links are worse!
Obituary
Andrew Price: Fighter, teacher, party campaigner
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