Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/829/19520
From The Socialist newspaper, 15 October 2014
On the road to higher wages
Linda Taaffe, Secretary, Waltham Forest Trades Council
Workers in Waltham Forest are amongst some of the poorest in London. So the call for an immediate, big pay rise that rang out loud and clear from the Waltham Forest Trades Council motorcade really resonated.
Ten vehicles, representing local trade unions in dispute with the government, wound their way slowly through the main roads on 4 October to advertise the TUC's "Britain needs a pay rise" march.
Horns blared. People stopped and came out of shops. They waved and gave signs of support; they got the message. Enough of austerity and poverty wages, we can join together and fight back against a government that only represents millionaires.
One young woman said "Yes, all my family needs a pay rise" and grabbed a bundle of leaflets to give out. The lead vehicle carrying the trades council banner was emblazoned with Unite slogans, followed by vehicles, all decorated up with TUC 18 October demo posters.
Easy riders
There were Unite and Unison local government, Unite and Unison at Whipps Cross hospital, teaching unions NUT and UCU, and the firefighters' union FBU complete with flags and motorbike rider. Then came the bakers' and food workers' union BFAWU, and lastly campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs.
Groups of leafleters at four sites along the busy route handed out nearly 2,000 leaflets - despite the rain. These included translations into five languages, urging all to join together to stop this race to the bottom that the bosses want - and to make a start by coming along to the demo on 18 October.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
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 15 October 2014:
£££ Britain needs a pay rise
Fight for mass action to end cuts and low pay
Mark Serwotka: Building a strong, fighting union
Fight the cuts!
How a mass campaign stopped the cuts
Challenging the austerity parties
Barking and Dagenham council at a crossroads
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tories and Labour in crisis after Ukip win
International socialist news and analysis
Ireland: Stunning byelection victory for Socialist Party
Obama's strategy to beat IS lies in tatters
Socialist Party workplace news
First NHS pay strike for 30 years
Local government pay: reject offer, reinstate action!
Care UK workers mark 81st strike day
600 St Mungo's housing workers to strike for a week
Recycling workers strike over pay and conditions
Severfields engineers strike against bonus cut
Youth Fight for Jobs
Young workers say: decent jobs now
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
'Political awakening' continues in Scotland
Building the Socialist Party
We need YOU to join the Socialists!
Home | The Socialist 15 October 2014 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020