Workplace news in brief

RMT conference

The 2010 RMT transport workers' union conference totally rejected the Con-Dems' attacks on the working class.

Delegate after delegate warned of the cuts to come. Even MP John McDonnell, the convener of the RMT parliamentary group, called for extra-parliamentary action to force the Con-Dem government out of office.

The union also called for RMT members and others to organise to defeat the anti-trade union laws. The conference overwhelmingly supported the executive decision to support Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates in elections and to continue to work for workers' political representation.

A London Underground worker

London Underground

RMT members employed by Tubelines, a failed maintenance company that has now been taken back in-house by Transport for London, are taking strike action from the evening of 14 July until 16 July.

The action is taking place to oppose jobs cuts and attacks on working conditions. During the first strike on 23-25 June, many train drivers refused to work on health and safety grounds.

RMT members employed by London Underground are also being balloted for strike action, likely to take place in August, against 800 job cuts (see The Socialist issue 631 for more details).

Opposing health cuts in East Lancashire

Health workers in East Lancashire are fighting against threats to frontline jobs and working conditions at the special centre for people with learning disabilities in Whalley.

Calderstone NHS Trust, which runs the facility, is having £5 million cut from its budget over the next three years.

This could result in 200 job losses.

One hundred health workers and their supporters marched through Whalley village on 30 June to protest against the cuts as part of a union-organised day of action.

A Whalley health worker

BT ballot cancelled

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called off the balloting of its members in BT over the company's 2010 pay offer, following legal advice that anti-union laws could be used to invalidate the ballot.

There will now be further negotiations between the CWU and BT while the union looks to re-ballot. More in a future issue of The Socialist.

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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.