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From The Socialist newspaper, 25 January 2017
2017 Unite general secretary and executive elections
Len McCluskey addresses striking BA workers on 19 January photo Rob Williams (Click to enlarge)
In the upcoming Unite the Union elections the Socialist Party is supporting Len McCluskey for general secretary. Under Len's leadership, the union has taken a more militant stance with a whole number of disputes.
Gerard Coyne, the union's West Midlands regional secretary has announced that he will challenge Len McCluskey.
Clash
For the Socialist Party, this election is a fundamental clash about the political and industrial strategy of the biggest union in the country. Coyne is the candidate of the Blairites and behind them the capitalist establishment, who see the election as an opportunity to strike a blow, not just against Len McCluskey but also Jeremy Corbyn in Labour.
In the executive elections that take place at the same time, four Socialist Party members are running on the United Left slate.
Suzanne Muna has been on the executive since 2015 and is again standing for one of the London and Eastern territorial seats.
Housing worker Suzanne, secretary of the Unite housing workers branch, says: "I have been an active trade unionist for over a decade, leading several successful strikes. I have also led a branch actively resisting attacks on pay and working conditions for housing workers.
"During my first executive term, I have highlighted the housing crisis and supported members in all sectors demanding higher wages and better conditions."
Jamie Cocozza, a branch secretary representing workers in passenger transport is on the list for Scotland.
Former anti-cuts councillor Kevin Bennett is up for election in the General Engineering, Manufacturing and Servicing (GEMS) sector and Jimmy Tyson is standing in construction.
Nominations are from 16 January - 17 February and voting is between 27 March - 19 April. See unitedleft.org.uk for full slate.
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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 25 January 2017:
What we think
NHS under attack
NHS SOS: Save the Women's Hospital
Defiant mood at North Tyneside STP consultation
Lancashire: Hospital workers protest consultation
Paignton: organising against hospital closure
Socialist Party news and analysis
Reject Surrey's 15% council tax increase
Bristol police taser own race relations adviser
2016 hottest year on record, air poisonous
Wales council votes to buy back homes
Isle of Wight independents resign over cuts
Come to the TUSC national conference 2017!
International socialist news and analysis
Huge anger internationally on marches against Trump
India: struggle against land grab in Pune
Workplace news and analysis
RMT determinedly continues Southern strike
Incensed BA cabin crew strike and protest over pay
Steely opposition growing to Tata pension offer
2017 Unite general secretary and executive elections
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
Don't we need competition to spur on progress?
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Huge anger against Trump across Britain
South London: march to save community centres
Obituary: Bernard Roome 1947-2017
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Ed Balls: 'Speaking Out' for capitalism
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