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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RMT action: Bus workers strike for pay rise

Vectis bus workers in Newport and Ryde (IOW) took strike action on 3 September over pay. Their picket was well supported with Vestas RMT members joining in in solidarity. RMT branch secretary Keith Murphy spoke to The Socialist: "We were expecting a meeting with management back in March to discuss pay. Talks were not started for a couple of months. At the first meeting the union asked for an increase, but not the 15% claimed in the local press!

"The company said they could not afford it even though they made a £2 million profit in the first quarter of this year. No offer was made and an RMT meeting agreed to ballot for industrial action. No talks with management took place and the decision was taken to strike. Management continue to refuse talks but have sent out texts and three letters to staff calling on them to come to work. We will be meeting again this week and have action planned again for this Friday and Saturday."

Vectis enjoy a monopoly on the island and take every advantage, fleecing passengers and holding down workers' pay. There will be two more strike days on 11 and 12 September.