The Socialist 20 February 2019

Tories out, Blairites out

Nationalise Airbus and other manufacturing plants to save jobs now!

NHS crisis deepens: Workers' and community action can save our health service

What we heard

What we saw

"There's no planet B": Thousands of youth strike against climate change - we need socialist change!

Youth strike for the climate reports: "There's no planet B"

TV: Les Misérables - Hugo's novel and this adaptation both offer a message of hope

The Socialist Inbox

Eight Blairites split - Now kick out the rest

PCS Left Unity must unite on pay and elections

Universal Credit staff ballot for action

Annoyed?! I'm annoyed to be on poverty wages

Nationalise to save jobs at Honda!

Birmingham bin strike against 'blacklisting'

Deliveroo riders strike against exploitative pay and conditions

Leicester college pay strike goes on

Cardiff Uni: urgent action needed to stop job cuts

Hackney: Unite fights racism and victimisation

Harrowing accounts of austerity at Unison women's conference

Unite GLL pay campaign

Spanish state: social polarisation and budget defeat force snap election

Unite union London council workers back Enfield Labour no-cuts call

Leeds TUC presents a no-cuts alternative budget

Socialist Students conference shows potential for fighting leadership

London housing campaigners disrupt auction

Birmingham Uni: Standing up to racism is not harassment!

Leicester Socialists stand against Blairite mayor

Lincoln students back UCU ballot

Leicestershire needs NHS beds

Claimants and union slam Universal Credit

Energy retail firm collapse hits Tyneside

New recession fear stalks the world economy

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Manchester Deliveroo strike, February 2019, photo Tom Costello (Click to enlarge)

Deliveroo riders strike against exploitative pay and conditions

Tom Costello, Manchester Socialist Party

Fast food giant Deliveroo can usually expect to have a surge in orders on Valentine's Day. Things were slightly different this year, as around 40 riders in Manchester took militant strike action, demanding an end to poverty pay and insecure conditions.

Their central demands were: £5 per delivery, £10 an hour for waiting times and pay boosts for freezing weather.

It is well known that Deliveroo riders face some of the harshest and most exploitative working conditions in the country.

The company has a long history of describing its workers as 'self-employed'. This gives senior management an excuse to cut back on services and vital protections for staff.

This was pointed out by the strikers, who drew attention to the lack of support they receive after accidents and injuries they face on the job.

All of this created an energetic and determined mood on the pickets. The strike started early at the company's offices.

Riders were appalled to see the gates had been locked and security had been sent out to try and move us all on.

This didn't break our spirit. We simply marched, horns blaring, to their other office in the city centre!

The mood from the public was overwhelmingly supportive. Cars and vans would regularly pull up to show solidarity and take leaflets to show to workmates.

This is not surprising. The last decade has been one of vicious assaults from capitalist bosses and their governments, and workers are more desperate than ever to see mass action to follow as an example.

What we need now is for the trade unions to properly mobilise. The TUC must act immediately to call action to end the gig economy. We cannot sit through any more years of this!

This version of this article was first posted on the Socialist Party website on 16 February 2019 and may vary slightly from the version subsequently printed in The Socialist.

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Nationalise Airbus and other manufacturing plants to save jobs now!