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From The Socialist newspaper, 10 June 2020
Socialists call for trade unions to join the fight
The PCS union represents workers doing all sorts of jobs for the government. Socialists in that trade union, including members of the Socialist Party, are organised in the PCS 'Broad Left Network'. At the 4 June meeting of the union's elected leadership, the national executive committee, Broad Left Network supporters Dave Semple and Fiona Brittle brought up the mass protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd.
PCS and Socialist Party member at the Coventry Black Lives Matter protest (Click to enlarge)
We raised a motion urging the union to state support for "the demonstrations that are being called across the UK, with suitable social distancing and other protective measures, including in Cardiff at the weekend, Belfast on Monday, and Glasgow and London on Wednesday, to show visible solidarity with those protesting in the USA. PCS encourages members to take part in further protests in a safe way..."
Unfortunately, some other members of the national executive committee argued against this support, claiming the demonstrations are unsafe. Reluctantly, we agreed to 'remit' the motion for further discussion by the union's senior officers, who argued we must consider how such activity can be supported in the era of social distancing. Better this than risk the motion being voted down.
Fighting racism means fighting capitalism, and it's the organised working class which has the power to do both. This means it is urgent for the trade unions, including PCS, to give full support. Yes, we need to keep safe - but on the streets is where we show that black lives matter!
Dave Semple, PCS union national executive committee member (personal capacity)
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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.
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In The Socialist 10 June 2020:
Black Lives Matter
Fight racism and class inequality. "Seize the time!"
Black Lives Matter protests sweep country: How can the movement win?
Black and white youth rise up against racism - US protester speaks to the Socialist
Capitalism = racism: "You fight capitalism with socialism"
"We're going to fight racism and capitalism with socialism"
France: 20,000 rally against Paris's killer gendarmes
Socialists call for trade unions to join the fight
Schools
Tories backtrack in England - Stand firm for school safety
Oppose the Welsh government's reckless return to school plan
Workplace news
Non-essential retail to open - Organise at work
Debenhams: Workers made to pay for Covid-19 crisis
Workers' union and campaign group fights Derby Rolls-Royce job cuts
Homerton Hospital - withdraw private contract
News
Test-and-trace fiasco - the ringing of the cash till
Coronavirus pandemic news in brief
BAME coronavirus deaths - an indictment of capitalist inequality
Lessons from history
Roosevelt's New Deal programme - reforms to save capitalism
Obituary
Ken Douglas: A tireless and determined fighter for socialism
Campaigns and reports
Why we joined the Socialist Party
Donate so we can raise our socialist message
Readers' opinion
As a health worker, I had to march against racism
Readers' opinion: Things will never be the same
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