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Posted on 7 February 2018 at 14:49 GMT
DLR cleaners and security staff strike
Following a strike on New Year's Eve, RMT members working on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London went on strike on 1 and 2 February to force their employer, the outsourcing privateer ISS, to come back to the negotiating table. The strike involves cleaning and security staff.
The dispute is about the refusal of the management to adhere to agreed procedures and to respond to the union's pay claim.
The mood on the picket line was upbeat and determined. There had been a rock-solid response to the strike call, pickets reported to the Socialist. They also said that ISS had recently taken over the contract and probably hadn't come across unions before and so was taking an arrogant attitude.
The pickets were very interested to hear about the action last year at the London hospital nearby, when a similar situation arose of a new contractor trying to throw its weight around after taking over a contract. The summary abolishing of tea breaks led to a spontaneous walkout of cleaners; the management, Serco in this case, was forced into a humiliating climb down.
The workers were confident though that the bosses would be forced to back down in the face of a united response from the union membership. Anger is growing though over reports that ISS is paying scabs double pay, while withholding money owed to the workforce.
Pete Dickenson
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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.
2020