The Socialist 31 October 2018

Only a socialist alternative can end austerity

Crisis Tory Budget brings no relief from austerity

Save Our Schools

Only a socialist alternative can end austerity

Homelessness, Universal Credit misery, high rents, cramped flats, isolated estates...end the housing crisis!

Philip Green scandal - bring him down like BHS

60% of wildlife wiped out - urgent action needed to save planet

Glasgow's equal pay uprising shows power of working class

CWU conference: Sharpen up our act? Yes. But weaken our democracy? No

Welsh college staff set to strike on pay and workload

UCU: General secretary censured but anti-union laws frustrate strike ballot

Driving London's buses - a laser in the eye and a boot up the bum!

PCS Left Unity election: ballot opens

National Gallery reps endorse Chris Baugh

Precarious workers march against gig economy

Peterloo: "If the people were to rise and smite their enemies, was not this the time?" Samuel Bamford, demonstrator

Bolsonaro - a threat to workers and all oppressed people

Parliamentary coup in Sri Lanka

Call to arms by Southampton council unions

Campaign building to save Scarborough and district hospitals

The Socialist sales successes in Leeds

'Lucas Plan' film tells story of workers who set out alternative to job losses

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Welsh college staff set to strike on pay and workload

College lecturers in Wales have voted by an overwhelming majority to strike, busting the undemocratic Tory strike threshold. The employers, Colegau Cymru, refuse to recognise the all-Wales ballot. They demand the union divide up the dispute college by college, despite Colegau Cymru negotiating for all colleges collectively.

UCU strike, 25.5.16, Cardiff, photo Dave Reid (Click to enlarge)

We've witnessed ten years of barbaric educational vandalism by the Tories. 91% of University and College Union (UCU) members voted for an improved pay offer on a 52% turnout. 54% voted in the workload ballot, 90% backing strike action.

Intensifying workload, job cuts, and a decade of real-terms pay reductions (approximately 20%) are lowering staff morale. Some of our members even seek charity support as they face financial difficulties.

The Education Support Partnership claimed requests for grants were up 40%. Our 7.5% pay claim goes some way to recompensing these losses.

A UCU Wales survey showed members are working 50, 60 and 70-hour weeks, but getting paid for 37. Lecturers are literally working two days for free.

UCU Coleg y Cymoedd members hope that Colegau Cymru agree to the workers' demands.