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Solidarity

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From: The Socialist issue 936, 15 February 2017: March to save our NHS

Search site for keywords: Tesco - Strike - Solidarity - Ireland - Workers - Union - Usdaw - Pay - Trade union - Redundancy - Low pay - Cuts

Solidarity with Tesco Ireland Valentine's Day strike

Solidarity from the NSSN in London photo Paul Callanan (Click to enlarge)

Scott Jones, Usdaw union East London retail branch chair (personal capacity)

Up to 15 Tesco stores in Ireland took strike action on Valentine's Day 14 February after members of the trade union Mandate, which represents more than 10,000 workers at the company, voted 78% in favour of a walkout over contract changes.

The changes Tesco Ireland is attempting to force through without agreement affect approximately 250 workers employed before 1996. The new contracts would result in some workers experiencing reduced incomes of up to 15%.

Tesco began its attack on pre-1996 staff more than one year ago when they intimidated and bullied more than 900 workers out of their jobs through a redundancy programme. Strike action was narrowly avoided then.

The remaining 250 workers want to stay in the company on the contracts they have, but the company is insisting they accept reduced terms and conditions.

This followed moves at Tesco in the UK to drive down terms and conditions last year when hundreds of staff lost out as a result of the pay deal, which caused pay cuts in overtime, weekend and night premiums.

Meanwhile, Tesco reported that it had its best sales growth, winning market share for the first time in five years at the end of 2016. This profit was further boosted by the Christmas sales meaning that Tesco is on course to deliver a profit of "at least" £1.2 billion for 2016-17.

We support Tesco workers in Ireland and their trade union Mandate for taking this action. And we call on Usdaw, the shop workers' union in Britain, to raise solidarity and discuss industrial action so that the strength of the 160,000 Usdaw members in Tesco is used to fight against low pay and attacks on conditions.

See usdawactivist.wordpress.com and facebook.com/UsdawActivist for more

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.