spot Campaigns

spot Organisations

triangle Arguments for socialism

All Arguments for socialism subcategories:

* Arguments for socialism

Capitalism

Globalisation Anticapitalism

Marxism

Arguments for socialism keywords:

Banking crisis (15)

Banks (291)

Clause 4 (1)

Clause four (6)

Consciousness (11)

Democracy (190)

Minimum wage (312)

Nationalisation (205)

New workers parrty (6)

Northern Rock (34)

Party funding (1)

Photographs (4)

Planning (86)

Podcasts (5)

Socialism 2007 (17)

Socialism 2008 (13)

Solidarity Scotland (1)

Solidarity (383)

The Socialist (1175)

Them & Us (25)

Trade union organisation (7)

Vaccine (13)

What we saw (38)

Workers (1873)

Workers press (1)

Working class (852)

Solidarity

Highlight keywords |Print this article

From: The Socialist issue 990, 11 April 2018: Youth demand a future

Search site for keywords: Hull - Workers - Strike - Refuse workers - Students - Solidarity - School - Yorkshire - Trade union

FCC Wilmington refuse workers' strike in hull stands firm

FCC strikers were supported by Socialist Party members and Hull trade union council, 1.3.18, photo Keith Gibson (Click to enlarge)

International solidarity from Spanish school students

Paul Spooner, Hull Socialist Party

The refuse workers at FCC Wilmington waste processing in Hull continue to stand firm in their demand for equal sick pay. The strike is actually getting stronger as workers from other sites in the Hull and east Yorkshire area are walking out in support. The strikers have been buoyed by the support from local council bin workers who have refused to cross the picket line.

Solidarity messages and finance have also increased. The National Education Union (NUT section) conference bucket collection raised £700 and local construction workers on a neighbouring site have raised £300. Other trade union branches are also sending donations.

Perhaps the biggest morale booster was the news that the Spanish student union would be organising a solidarity protest at the FCC headquarters in Madrid and Barcelona. They have also pledged to raise the issue in the Spanish labour movement.

On 7 April, pickets and supporters gathered for a musical rally in support. We were treated to great sets from Joe Solo and the Hillbilly Troupe. Labour MP Emma Hardy pledged her support to rousing applause and promised to raise the issue in parliament.

Mick Whale, who together with Damian Walenta had been instrumental in organising the NEU bucket collection, got a good response when he linked Joe Solo's song 'No Pasaran' about Hull International Brigader Jack Atkinson to the current struggle against Spanish-based FCC.

Tony Smith, speaking on behalf of the pickets, thanked a number of people for their support, including Socialist Party members Keith and Janet Gibson. "The best thing about the strike", he said, "was the friendship of the pickets themselves".

There is a growing confidence that the strikers will win this dispute. Messages of support and donations are still needed. Please send to Adrian Kennett, secretary Unison Hull, 39 Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU12 2AG. Make cheques payable to Unison Hull City branch.

Donate to the Socialist Party

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.