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Manchester bus drivers' indefinite strikers fight on
Strikers at 'Go North West' in Manchester Photo: Unite North West (Click to enlarge)
Manchester Socialist Party members
Bus drivers in Manchester at Go North West have been on the picket lines, on indefinite strike over the deplorable actions being taken by the employer.
In another act of 'fire and rehire' the company is imposing a new contract with more hours, worse terms and conditions and a shift system which would have a massive effect on workers' lives.
The picket line was strong, with around 70 workers in a fighting mood. It is the actions and attitude of their employer that have forced them to take this action, voting 82% in favour of strike action after the employer tore up their contracts and withdrew from the negotiating table.
The drivers were keen to explain that they weren't striking for extra pay or changes in conditions - they had to vote to strike in order to defend their lives and livelihoods.
There is a strong feeling of 'we are out until this is won', that their action links with others around the country, and that they are defending a potentially massive issue for all workers.
The drivers on the picket today felt this attack on their conditions and on trade union negotiating is "abhorrent and vicious".
Go North West bus drivers and others across the country have worked throughout Covid-19 - having PPE battles along the way - and are high on the list of the most effected by Covid infections and deaths.
And now their employer says thank you by launching an attack on their jobs; already slashed sick pay in the middle of a pandemic! 'Key workers' aka the working class deserve and demand more.
Picket lines at the Queens Road Depot, Cheetham Hill are 5am - 5pm every day.
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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.
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