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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Construction workers protest

On 7 September, about 150 construction workers from South Wales and as far away as Drax and the Isle of Grain, supported by members of RMT, PCS, and Unite as well as Youth Fight for Jobs, blockaded the construction site at Uskmouth power station. They were protesting at the failure of contractor Siemens to adhere to an agreement to employ local workers on the site.

Dave Reid, Socialist Party Wales

Hundreds of construction workers are unemployed for the first time and it's not because there is a lack of work. Siemens has preferred to bring in labour from Eastern Europe rather than employing unionised local labour at nationally agreed rates.

They occupied the road leading into the plant for three hours, preventing anyone getting into the plant. The police were powerless to do anything to move the workers until the workers marched to the plant and allowed the traffic to move.

A number of cars and minibuses carrying workers to work turned back. Some workers who did go in phoned the union to offer to come back out.

But as Phil Willis from the Isle of Grain pointed out, the key issue is organising inside the site to force Siemens to adhere to the agreement. On the Isle of Grain they have succeeded in forcing the employer to work to union agreements by hard work from the stewards on the site. "It's the only way to do it" he said.

Attending the protest were apprentices Aaron Rowson and his mate Scott. Aaron is frustrated that he cannot finish his apprenticeship because he cannot find work: "I just want to be fully qualified". The support of Youth Fight for Jobs, who had a prominent contingent on the protest, was appreciated by many of the workers.

New protests and meetings are planned, with Lindsey Oil Refinery workers pledging to come to the next one.

In this issue

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