Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1118/31926
From The Socialist newspaper, 27 January 2021
British Gas engineers continue strike against fire-and-rehire plans
Leicester
"This is a pivotal moment for workers in this country. If this happens at British Gas, if they are allowed to fire and rehire their workforce on worse terms and conditions, the contract of employment for every worker in the country is not worth the paper it's written on.
"You need to support this because you could be next. There are companies watching what is going on at British Gas at the moment with keen intent, because if it goes through here, they will be coming for you next."
Paul Carvell, British Gas engineers' GMB union shop steward, spoke to the Socialist on the picket line at Aylestone Road, Leicester during their ongoing strike action.
"The company thought we would be wilting by now, but the opposite is happening. We are getting more and more support and media coverage. Trade unionists are seeing what is happening, and are realising this could be a tactic used by other employers."
After an 89% vote for strike action, British Gas engineers are carrying through their ten days of strike action announced so far. These workers have kept people's homes warm throughout the pandemic and have been rewarded with a vicious attack on their hard-won conditions. Many have worked for British Gas for decades, but their loyalty to their customers in not matched by their profiteering bosses. Essential workers who are risking their health are seeing big business and the Tory government treat them with contempt. And at the same time, the GMB union has revealed British Gas board members have raked in £37 million from outside work.
The trade union movement as a whole needs to stand up and fight like these workers. We need to campaign for privatised industries to be renationalised under democratic control in order that they can be planned for the benefit of all.
Steve Score, Leicester Socialist Party
Southampton
GMB strikers protested in Southampton on 25 January at the brutal threat to fire and rehire British Gas workers if they don't sign new contracts that attack their pay and working conditions. Engineers were angry at the threat to their futures: "They want us to work an extra 156 hours a year for no extra money. It's come as a big shock to everyone. This strike is about the threat of being fired, if they get away with this who is next?"
Nick Chaffey, Southampton Socialist Party
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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 27 January 2021:
News
Covid spreading, poverty rising, rich get richer, fight for socialism!
Health, Covid and the vaccine: It's a class issue
Poverty wages: When workers can't afford to self-isolate
Fees frozen at £9,250 a year, fight for free education
DVLA Covid outbreak: They only care about output and productivity
Jaguar Land Rover: West Midlands superspreader
Schools
Schools: 'We have to fight for everything'
Martin Powell-Davies for NEU DGS: "We need to use our collective strength"
What we think
Biden, Labour, and the need for a new mass workers' party
Workplace news
Sage care workers strike again: Billionaires refuse to pay up
Unison NEC elections: United left challenge needed to fight slaughter of jobs and services
Steel site scaffolders strike for the 'rate of the job'
Merseyside: DHL workers at Burton's Biscuits strike against half-baked pay deal and bullying bosses
British Gas engineers continue strike against fire-and-rehire plans
Low-paid hospital workers strike
NHS
Overwhelmed, underfunded, underpaid, and still fighting for safe PPE
Health worker cooperation in the face of the pandemic
Arab Spring
Ten years since the 'Arab Spring'
TUSC
TUSC is up and running for May elections
Come to the TUSC local elections conference - 7 February
Why I'm leaving Labour and campaigning for TUSC
Councillors in Surrey resign from Labour and look to stand independently
Campaigns
Solidarity meeting with Mohamud Hassan
Save Our Square from New Labour gentrification
Help fund a challenge to austerity at the ballot box - donate today!
International socialist news and analysis
Mass protests in Russia against Putin regime
Review
TV review: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain
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