Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1015/28159
From The Socialist newspaper, 24 October 2018
Glasgow council workers - historic strike for equal pay
Glasgow council workers protesting for pay equality, photo Glasgow City Unison (Click to enlarge)
Over 8,000 low-paid Glasgow council workers - organised in Unison and the GMB unions - made history on 23 and 24 October by striking for equal pay. It was the biggest strike for equal pay since the heroic struggle of the Ford Dagenham workers brought about the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
In a show of industrial power, strikers shut down schools and council services across the city. The morning picket lines were solid and there was a huge turnout of trade unionists across the city on a lunchtime solidarity march and rally.
The strikers are supported by their families, those they serve and care for, and the working class across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond. Socialist Party Scotland - which stands for the building of a mass working class party that fights all cuts - offers its 100% solidarity and support.
The strikers have served notice to this divisive Scottish National Party-run council that if it does not meet the demands of the trade unions after the two day strike, then Unison and GMB are completely justified in organising further strike action.
The council needs to understand that only by giving 13,000 workers and retired claimants what they have been owed for 12 years in wages and pensions, and by committing to a equality-proof job evaluation and pay grading scheme from now on, will this dispute end.
- Trade unions can send messages of support to [email protected]
- Strike-fund donations to UNITY Trust. Sort code 60 83 01 Account number 20275789 - Drew Rigden, Treasurer Unison Glasgow City Branch, 84 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LQ. 0141 5527069.
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 24 October 2018:
What we think
'People's vote' should be a general election
Workplace news
Support RMT strikes against the elimination of guards on trains
Glasgow council workers - historic strike for equal pay
3aaa collapses - 4,500 apprentices left guessing their futures
PCS legal win - build further pressure from below to defeat the Tories
Ladywood Primary school strike
News
Universal Credit could trap women in violent relationships
Blairites plan to expand their very own academy chain
Tories ensured Carillion meltdown went unchecked
MPs revel in £2m worth of free foreign trips
Wales
Welsh Labour leadership election: 'Corbyn candidate' must pledge end to austerity
Refugees
Join the fight for refugee rights
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Can you donate to the Socialism 2018 appeal?
Enthusiastic response to new podcast
Students and workers march for increased college funding
Joining the Socialist Party has helped me understand the world and how we can change it
Health services in meltdown - fight to save our NHS
Newcastle Utd fans' campaign against owner Mike Ashley continues
International socialist news and analysis
Germany: Bavarian elections and huge anti-racist demonstration mark an historic weekend
Opinion
1821 Cinderloo uprising: "The crowd thought it had nothing else to lose"
Home | The Socialist 24 October 2018 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020