The Socialist 14 June 2003

New Labour Isn't Working

Fighting For A Living Wage

Euro debate - independent workers' struggle needed

Iraq: Occupiers, Privatisers And Exploiters

France - millions keep up strike movement

Drop All Charges Against Day X Detainees

Tony Woodley Speaks To The Socialist

Unison And The Political Fund

Left Make Gains On Unison Executive

PCS Elections - Big Opportunities For The Left

Manchester: Electricians Fight De-Skilling

Dick Turpin rides again

Blair's Lies Sow Divisions At The Top

Bush's plan for an Israeli/Palestinian conflict settlement comes unstuck

Austria Over One Million Strike Against Pension Cuts

Iran 1978-79: A Revolution Stolen From The Working Class

Previous issues, etc

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Manchester: Electricians Fight De-Skilling

ELECTRICIANS WORKING at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, a major prestige project for the city council, started to take strike action a few days ago.

Christian Bunke, Manchester Socialist Party

Steve, the local shop steward, has just been made redundant. He stood up for a fellow worker also fired by the management. "We want the right to be consulted. We want to stop unskilled workers doing electrical work, in contravention of national health and safety legislation and our national agreement."

Their employer, DAF Electrical, refuses to negotiate with the TGWU, the union electricians are organised in. They increasingly use unskilled workers to do skilled electricians' jobs, for as little as half the skilled rate, despite skilled electricians being the cheapest in the European Union.

It puts workers at risk, skilled and unskilled alike and the company does not even pay wages on time.

But the resolve of the trade unionists has been strengthened, says Steve: "The support from the Manchester public and from fellow trade unionists has been overwhelming, I've even got cheques coming in from other electricians.

"Whole branches are getting involved, from ours as well as other unions. We had a donation this morning from the PCS. This is happening all over Britain, not just this site. The resolve amongst younger trade unionists has been great, we will broaden the campaign out to other workplaces."

Manchester Socialist Party also gives full support to this campaign. For information about how to make donations contact: 07813 456 831.

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New Labour Isn't Working