Rank and file socialist Roger Bannister is to stand for general secretary of public service union Unison. The Socialist urges all Unison branches to nominate him for the position. Roger stands for a nationally coordinated fight by all public sector unions to stop cuts, privatisation and attacks on workers' pay and union rights. Not a penny more of union members' money to go to any MP or councillor voting to attack our members' jobs, wages and services.

Gunstones victory

Stop press - victory for bakery workers at Gunstones in North East Derbyshire ahead of planned 6 August strike by bakers' union BFAWU. Check #Gunstones on Twitter for latest.

High security

Members of prison staff union POA at Ashworth high-security psychiatric hospital are voting on possible strike action. The union is balloting from 5 to 19 August after bosses sacked two members. More details when available at socialistparty.org.uk.

Return of Phoenix

A second Unite rep was sacked by electrical contractor Phoenix at a central London site on 31 July. Last issue, we reported on a protest in Canary Wharf after Phoenix sacked a newly elected steward for general union Unite. Graham Boxall had requested subcontracted workers move to direct employment, as set out in union agreements. The protest got Graham reinstated - but Phoenix is threatening to sue over the demo! See shopstewards.net for updates on the latest sacking.

Manchester Uni

The University of Manchester is threatening 219 jobs, and wants to privatise services including IT. The joint unions have been sidelined and treated with contempt. Lecturers' union UCU is mobilising mass meetings for action, and calling on management to withdraw attacks and negotiate meaningfully. Socialist Party members in the campus unions, and members of Socialist Students, support striking to head off attacks.

A University of Manchester UCU member

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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.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.