The Socialist 14 February 2018

We can win the fight for the NHS

We can win the fight for the NHS

Stop press: victory - campaign saves NHS rehab ward

McDonnell says Labour would put services 'irreversibly' in workers' hands

Tamil youth march for justice

Rent doubles in a decade: cap rents, build council homes!

What we saw: Tory-Blairite EU love-in

Oxfam scandal: we need democratic aid and working class solidarity

How should TUSC approach the local elections and Brexit negotiations?

Czechoslovakia 1968: 'Prague Spring' challenges Stalinism

Cape Town drought

Brazil: Lula conviction confirmed

Big political strike against Finnish government's attack on unemployed

France: rallies in support of oppressed Kurdish people

UCU uni strike: coordinate public sector fightback

Sadiq Khan's bus drivers' London licence doesn't go far enough

Newham teachers strike again as anti-academy pressure mounts

Woolwich Crossrail walkouts to demand promised bonuses

Threat of action defeats pay cut at Surrey council

Haringey protests HDV - but Labour fails to kill it off completely

Staines fire services saved

Carlisle debate - socialism or social democracy?

Enjoyable and successful Cardiff Refugee Rights gig

I'm now a 'manager' and I can barely manage!

In Windsor none of us want to see homeless people on the street

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Threat of action defeats pay cut at Surrey council

Unison pay strike, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Socialist Party members in Surrey council Unison

A week before Christmas, Surrey County Council told over 300 adult social workers they weren't entitled to the incremental rise that had been agreed and they'd received from 1 July. This amounted to an average of a £1,500 a year pay cut.

The council Unison branch went into dispute and after a successful campaign the ballot result was a 66% turnout, with 85% voting in favour of action. At the final appeal stage, in a direct presentation to the councillors, lead negotiator and Socialist Party member Paul Couchman presented the union's case.

Victory

After four days the councillors decided there would be no change in pay and an 'exception' would be made. This is an important victory for Unison members working as social workers and occupational therapists in Surrey. Suffice to say organising works, we won and all members have received their full increments backdated to 1 July.

We now have to make sure there is a fair pay rise for all staff across the board in 2018.

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Socialist Party news and analysis

We can win the fight for the NHS