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From The Socialist newspaper, 25 November 2020
Heathrow workers to strike against 'fire and rehire' plans
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Workers at Heathrow Airport are to take strike action for four days in December against the bosses' "fire and rehire" plans, cutting pay in the process.
The workers' union Unite says the action by frontline employees would effectively close London's main airport for periods in the run-up to Christmas.
4,000 staff have been told to sign new contracts, cutting pay for some by about 20% or up to £8,000. Unite says the airport has large cash reserves.
The strike action, by firefighters, engineers, operations, security and baggage staff, will take place on 1 December, when the new contracts take effect, and then on 14 December and 17 and 18 December.
Unite's regional coordinating officer Wayne King said: "The airport is using the Covid-19 pandemic as a smokescreen to permanently cut workers' pay.
"In the midst of a global pandemic, no key worker should be forced to take such deep pay cuts by an employer that claims to have billions in reserves."
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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.
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In The Socialist 25 November 2020:
Socialism 2020
Socialism 2020: Growing search for ideas to change the world
Pay freeze
Covid crisis: "We won't pay the price"
Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels: A revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the development of socialism
Workplace news
Little Ilford school strike stands firm - council must use reserves!
Heathrow workers to strike against 'fire and rehire' plans
Covid, vaccines and the NHS
Stop the Tories putting profit before health
TUSC
TUSC sets out core policies for May 2021 local elections
Readers' opinion
Mangrove: When the black community made a stand against state racism
CripTales: A painful reflection of a system that pits us against each other
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