The Socialist 9 September 2009

We demand real jobs!

One million unemployed young people: 'We demand real jobs!'

Youth Fight for Jobs action

Youth unemployment: Future jobs or fake schemes?

Bring the troops back now!

TUC conference: Workers willing to fight - in spite of leadership

Socialist Party TUC meeting

No to bosses' agenda

Time to fight back!

Workers' action can stop NHS cuts

PCS members prepare to fight cuts and privatisation

Unite election: United Left hustings

Witch-hunted Unison member given extra charge

Construction workers protest

Inaugural meeting to establish a North Wales branch of the National Shop Stewards Network

Socialist Party trade unionists meeting

Postal workers national ballot: Vote 'yes' for strike action

Protesting against scabbing managers

RMT action: Bus workers strike for pay rise

Vestas workers: Stop the blades

Comment: Vestas protest

RMT wins no compulsory redundancy position but future battles loom

Marxists and the Second World War

Return of al-Magrahi to Libya ignites a political storm

Northern Ireland: Councillor joins Socialist Party

Failing academies

City of Life and Death

Previous issues, etc

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Socialist Party trade unionists meeting

Organising for further battles

On 5 September, following a hectic year of work so far, 70 Socialist Party trade union activists met in central London. We were discussing the industrial battles we have been involved in and the work of the Socialist Party within them.

In the morning session, Socialist Party general secretary Peter Taaffe introduced an interesting discussion on the stage we are at in the world economic crisis and recession and how this could affect the development of industrial struggles.

The afternoon session was introduced by PCS assistant general secretary Chris Baugh and concentrated on the looming cuts in the public sector, how working people can prepare to fight back against these attacks and the central role that organised socialists can play in building the sort of democratic, fighting trade unions that working people need to do this.

In the discussion, people recounted their experiences of organising in their particular unions, with important contributions from activists in PCS, Unison, RMT and NUT amongst others. Questions about how trade union leaderships can be forced to act, and how trade union struggle can be linked to community campaigning against service cuts and other important issues were also raised.

The meeting was an important opportunity for Socialist Party members to get together with other activists in their union and discuss the specific tasks that Socialist Party members will face over the coming months.

If you're a Socialist Party member who wasn't able to get along to the meeting, get in touch with your union's Socialist Party group convenor for a report. Or arrange to have a report back at your Socialist Party branch.