Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1015/28161
From The Socialist newspaper, 24 October 2018
PCS legal win - build further pressure from below to defeat the Tories
PCS members on strike, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
The PCS civil service union has won £3 million in damages following the union's challenge to the attempts by the Tory government to cut off its financial support from the DWP.
This follows the victory in the High Court in May 2016 when it was ruled that it was unlawful to have removed check-off (the union's ability to collect subscriptions directly from pay packets). Katrine Williams, a member of the PCS national executive committee and also a Socialist Party member, was one of the two union members who brought the legal challenge back then.
The work of the national union, the national executive committee and, most importantly, the tremendous work of reps on the ground in rebuilding the union when the Tories removed the ability of PCS to collect membership subs, was brilliant.
This work - to re-recruit 160,000 members onto direct debit - meant that the union emerged from this battle in a stronger position.
The key now is to turn this latest victory into one that fully compensates the union for the attacks waged on all government departments and arms-length bodies across PCS, not just the DWP.
The Chris Baugh for Assistant General Secretary campaign, which the Socialist Party supports, believes it's now vital to involve groups and lay representatives in discussions on submitting those legal challenges and how we can back this up with pressure from below.
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