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From The Socialist newspaper, 17 January 2018
RMT strikes against driver-only operation continue
RMT picket line, Newcastle, 8th Jan 2018, photo E Brunskill (Click to enlarge)
"Everyone passing understands that this strike is about rail safety" said one of the striking guards on 12 January.
The mood on the Northern Rail picket line after three days of strikes was rock solid. Also, the strikers were clearly buoyed up by the refusal of train drivers to cross picket lines in Manchester and Wigan.
Having seen first-hand the impact of privatisation on the rail networks the strikers also expressed concerns about ongoing privatisation of the NHS.
The view was expressed that although the Tory government has all the anti-trade union laws at its disposal, it is weak and divided. One of the strikers repeated the quote from the late Bob Crow: "If we all spit together we can drown the bastards!"
Elaine Brunskill, Bournemouth
RMT members on the picket line at Bournemouth were keeping warm and expressing their determined mood with the song 'Never cross a picket line.' They said they were getting support from people who were concerned about the safety of rail travel.
One picket said they wanted the assurance of a safety-critical guard which would guarantee accessibility for disabled and vulnerable people.
The guards are performing a function only a guard can do almost on a daily basis. Particularly on the late shift, many passengers on the Bournemouth line would have to alight at unmanned stations and some of them need the help of the guard.
Jane Ward, Hull
The strike was well supported throughout the week. A particular feature of the strikes was the support from the passing public.
Many of them linked the cuts to the guards on trains to other cuts, in particular in the NHS.
Socialist Party members supported the strike on all of the days and sold 17 copies of the Socialist to striking RMT members and members of the public.
Mick Whale
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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.
- 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 17 January 2018:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Carillion crisis: demand action to save jobs and services
NHS crisis: under pressure from all angles - end cuts and sell-offs!
Victory! Trump's UK visit cancelled by fear of protests
What we think
Corbyn's Labour needs 100% anti-cuts strategy and fight for democracy
International socialist news and analysis
Tunisia: explosion of protests against government austerity
Stop repression in Hong Kong and China
Workplace news and analysis
RMT strikes against driver-only operation continue
Mini-strike wave continues and intensifies
Hackney school cleaners strike
PCS union 2018 elections - nominate the left slate for a continued fighting leadership
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
We must fight all council cuts!
No to the Woolwich monster block
Undercover policing legal challenge
Heating scandal on east London estate
Lobby pushes Liverpool council to oppose privatisation
Packed Newham meeting against academies
Socialist Party women's meeting brings together members to share experiences
Southern Socialist Party conference
Opinion
Opinion: foster care is work - carers deserve workers' rights
Opinion: British imperialism can take no credit in fight against Isis
Theatre: 'Young Marx' shows growth in great platform for his ideas
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