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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 October 2016
Workplace news in brief
RMT members joined by Socialist Party member and Unite bus steward Joanne Harris, photo by Helen Pattison (Click to enlarge)
Southern strike
Socialist Party members joined RMT strikers at London's Victoria station on 11 October, the first morning of a three day walk-out on Southern Rail. The long-running dispute has been stepped up with further action planned on 18 October and dates in November and December. Mick Cash, the RMT's general secretary, said: "Despite all of the threats and bullying from the company, RMT can confirm that the strike action is rock solid and determined again across the Southern Rail network."
William Hill wage axe
Managers for William Hill bookmakers across the country are set to lose up to £6,000 from their salaries as the company undergoes a restructure. While shop floor staff have been brought up to the Tory 'living wage' of £7.20, the companies' top managers seem to believe that this justifies sacrificing the pay of long-serving staff as the gambling market, like retail, is being squeezed.
This move has seen Unite the Union respond with a series of protests outside William Hill stores across the country on 7 October. In Leeds, protesters leafletted outside the shop on Boar Lane.
The protest got strong support from passing members of the public, several of who stopped to help us leaflet other people passing by. One former William Hill worker, who while passing offered their support, simply told us: "they're an awful company to work for." Workers in bookies like William Hill are put under a lot of pressure, handling large sums of cash sometimes with just one person in the store.
The Socialist Party supports Unite's attempts to organise these workers and gain a decent wage and working conditions.
Iain Dalton, Leeds
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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 12 October 2016:
Housing crisis
Butterfields victory: housing crisis can be beaten
Tories’ £5bn for housing not enough
What we think
Tories whip up division over Brexit...fight for a socialist, internationalist exit
Where next for the BMA junior doctors' dispute
Socialist Party news and analysis
Suicidal phone calls: fight to reverse tax credit cuts
Black History Month
Malcolm X: hero of black liberation
Socialist Party workplace news
Union library campaign strikes blow against Bromley Tories
Bin workers' strike - "about more than just pay"
Ritzy strikers walk-out and rally
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Mass movement stops total ban on abortion
South Africa: The battle for free education
Shimon Peres - a wolf in sheep's clothing
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Lambeth working class demo against cuts and gentrification
Appeal: Don't let the banks wreck our finances!
Momentum should show Blairites the door, not Socialist Party members!
Lobby to keep vital day centre funding
Bradford day centre campaigners meet to fight closure
Fight to save care homes in Carlisle
Cable Street 80th anniversary demo
Health and social care attacks
Attack on young people's health and social care: urgent fightback needed
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