Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/976/26644
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 January 2018
Leeds college pay protests
Leeds City College workers are demanding meaningful raises, photo Dan Moyle (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)
Following successful pay protests in November at Leeds City College further education unions UCU and Unison decided to keep the momentum going in December and planned repeat action.
Staff want to show they are serious about receiving a meaningful pay award this year by holding protests every month - until the college shows it is willing to enter a constructive dialogue on the issue. Staff have not received any rise in pay over the last two academic years despite the ever-rising cost of living.
At the Printworks Campus on 13 December, ten staff members braved heavy rainfall to make their presence known outside and show they were not going to back down. The following day at the Park Lane Campus around 30 staff members gathered with placards and flags, sang songs and ate mince pies.
Unison members are also currently being balloted about whether or not they wish to consider strike action over the refusal of Leeds City College to accept the Association of Colleges' recommendation of a 1% pay rise last year.
Leeds City College Unison member
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 3 January 2018:
New Year statement
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Tory prescription for mental illness: stress and bureaucracy
Socialist Party news and analysis
Widening wealth gap, increase in poverty...make the fat cats pay
Mobilise against rip-off executive pay
Rail: fares up, bosses' pay up - delays and cancellations up
Thousands live in tents and sheds - seize empty homes
Heart unit rescued by campaigning saves baby with pioneering surgery
NHS in winter crisis as Branson creams off £1bn
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Blairite council 'all ears' to rich property developers
Stop the rotten redevelopment plan, demand residents
Housing victory for Sussex students
Leeds: temporary reprieve for playing fields
Bradford protest against children's service cuts
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition conference
Socialist Party workplace news
Equal sick pay rights for staff at Charlton Park Academy
Newham: school strike solid against academy
International socialist news and analysis
Catalan elections: PP humiliated
Home | The Socialist 3 January 2018 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020