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From The Socialist newspaper, 16 September 2009
National Greed
Workers from Newcastle's National Grid office walked out on 11 September in protest at the threat of their jobs being outsourced to a low wage economy. Hundreds then rallied at the Monument in Newcastle to protest against the threat of 189 workers from the office being sacked.
Elaine Brunskill
Terry Merrin explained: "The main aim today is to raise the profile re the potential job losses in Newcastle. National Grid are actively looking at outsourcing jobs to outside providers. They are looking at poorer countries like India".
One of the workers, Wah, commented: "The National Grid is profitable, they made £3 billion last year, so it's not the recession - just shareholders wanting more". Another protester, Darren Polwarth, whose wife works at National Grid pointed out: "They're already making a profit - so it's just greed". While workers in Newcastle face the sack, seven National Grid directors have been given £9.7 million in salaries and bonuses.
Workers have also been angered to hear that while they are facing the sack National Grid found money for a senior executive to park his Ferrari in a dehumidified garage!
Workers who spoke to The Socialist were pleased with the turnout for the rally. However, one worker correctly pointed out: "Today's demo will raise awareness, but we also need strike action".
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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 16 September 2009:
Big business to blame for climate change
No Job Cuts
No to cuts in jobs and services
Capitalist market prescribes diet of cuts
TUC conference - reactions to Brown's speech
TUC conference: Fightback rally
War and occupation
Socialist Party workplace news
Nationalise Anglesey Aluminium to save jobs
Rover - Gangster capitalists were treated as saviours
London RMT: Discussing an election coalition
Leeds council workers on indefinite strike
Construction workers' pay - reject the deal!
The fight against the building blacklist
Socialist Students
College workers strike against vicious cuts
Vestas
Vestas: the fight is far from over
Coventry Socialist Party councillors show support for Vestas
Socialist Party feature
Interview with POA leader Brian Caton
Socialist Party women
Victory - Decent jobs not exploitation
Socialist Party review
International socialist news and analysis
Japan: Election ends Liberal Democrats' 54-year reign
Bangladesh: Angry protests at police attacks
Sri Lanka: Defiant Tamil protest
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