Rolls Royce workers vote for strike

A clear majority of workers have voted to defend their Amicus convenor Jerry Hicks who was sacked by Rolls-Royce, Bristol, for defending two of his members.

Graeme Jones, Amicus member north Bristol

The vote - 55 to 33 - is in favour of industrial action due to start on 23 August. This is continuous action and will be followed by a ballot of the entire site and perhaps at all Rolls-Royce UK sites.

Since his sacking last month, when there were spontaneous walkouts from the engine test areas where Jerry Hicks works, an industrial tribunal has recommended that he get his job back. It found that he was dismissed "probably on trade union grounds". The management have, so far, offered him a £50,000 pay-off which has been flatly refused by Mr Hicks. "I'm not for sale, and this union is not for sale. I will accept reinstatement and I'm happy to return to work with no ill feeling," he said.

Hundreds of Rolls-Royce workers and trade unionists attended a rally in Bristol last week in support of Mr Hicks. The speakers, who included Tony Benn and Bob Crow (general secretary of the RMT union), repeatedly illustrated the point that this issue is about defending trade union rights.

A collection was taken for the campaign and also for the sacked Gate Gourmet workers in Heathrow.
A national march and rally has been organised on Friday 2 September, 1pm, College Green, Bristol.
Messages of support: [email protected]

Socialist Party national trade union meeting

Saturday 3 September,

11am-4pm, Central London

Agenda:

The trade unions and Labour's third term

Speaker: Peter Taaffe

Building in the unions and the workplace - the Marxist approach.

Speaker: Bill Mullins

Short trade union caucus meetings

There will be a pooled fare. Anybody who needs more information should contact Ken Smith on 020 8988 8778 or Bill Mullins on 020 8988 8764

Burston Strike School Rally

Sunday 4 September 2005

11am to 4.30pm, Church Green, Burston, Nr Diss, Norfolk

Speakers include Paul Kenny, GMB acting Gen Sec and Tony Benn. Live music, children's fun area

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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.