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From The Socialist newspaper, 7 October 2020
Selling the Socialist
Socialist Party: Campaigning for the NHS
(Click to enlarge)
Leeds - NHS isn't failing, private companies are
The Socialist Party received a warm response from the public when out campaigning on the NHS on 3 October. Five of those who came up to the campaign stall donated £5 each to our Fighting Fund.
We called for a properly funded NHS, with a 15% pay rise for NHS and care workers. We also called for an end to NHS privatisation, including nationalising Covid testing and tracing.
One nurse who signed was furious that the NHS was getting blame for the failures of test and trace: "It's not us that are failing, but private companies like Serco and G4S who are being paid exorbitant sums to jeopardise people's lives and livelihoods."
Iain Dalton
Coventry - NHS workers don't feel safe
Grim weather didn't stop dozens of residents and NHS workers signing the Socialist Party petition to scrap hospital parking charges on 3 October. One woman, whose granddaughter is a nurse, told us she thought the parking charges were "absolutely disgusting".
Most NHS workers who signed took our 'fight NHS low pay' leaflet, which explains the crucial role trade unions can play in fighting for decent pay.
Increasingly, NHS staff are telling us they are seriously worried that Covid outbreaks will spread around staff. Several workers told us they just do not think their workplaces are safe.
The editorial of the Socialist pointed out the need for democratic working-class control of health and safety - see 'Covid restrictions expose Tory splits' at socialistparty.org.uk.
Adam Harmsworth
Donate to the Socialist Party
Coronavirus crisis - 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.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- 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 special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 7 October 2020:
Coronavirus news
Tories put profit first: Gambling with our jobs and lives
Massive testing 'glitch' caused by privatised fragmentation
Contact tracer speaks out: privatised system 'in chaos'
Workplace news
Unison: Hugo Pierre's fighting programme to transform the union
Equity 'Panto Parade' demands more support for arts workers
News
Fight for jobs and homes for all - defend the right to asylum
Spooks step up surveillance of left
Probation Service: 'angry, frustrated' staff need fighting lead
Students
Cardiff student protest demands: 'refund our fees!'
Southampton students oppose unjust collective punishment
Black History Month
Non-fiction: 'Why I no longer talk to white people about race'
International
Worldwide capitalist crisis deepens - step up the fight for socialism
'Frozen conflict' reignites in Nagorno-Karabakh enclave
Germany: "Heroes" strike to demand a pay rise
Campaigns
£9,000 for education by Netflix
Leicester: Don't let them close our hospital
Waltham Forest: Council picks over 60 sites for mass gentrification
Say no to finance capital-backed luxury tower block in Enfield
Socialist Party: Campaigning for the NHS
Final total: £73,586 raised - now let's do it again
Defend Bracknell Community Services
Readers' opinion
Film: 'Sick' - 'They've got people looking in the wrong direction'
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