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Behind the elegant walls
Bath, Somersert, photo from Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)
The city of Bath, a popular tourist attraction, returned a big Tory majority at the general election. But behind the elegant surface of Bath's Georgian walls is a workforce that is ready to be politicised.
Many workers, often living below the minimum wage, cram into small rooms and are financially bled by private landlords. Homelessness has also risen while many local working class families are forced to leave because of high property prices and rents.
The growing tourist industry has made the hotel sector into one of the most lucrative areas of business development, promoted by the city council. A big percentage of the workforce is employed in the hotel service sector. Most are paid the minimum wage, some less; others work zero-hour contracts or even get no contract at all. Many hotel workers receive no sick pay.
Some owners adopt illegal practices by stealth, making workers accept by threatening job losses (with no employer reference on dismissal). Many worry that retirement will bring them little or no pension - this makes employees work significantly past their 'official' retirement age.
Most hotel workers are not at present members of unions. One woman working in housekeeping told me: "I can't afford to pay the membership but even if I did I'd lose my job, for being seen as a trouble-maker".
The Socialist Party's role in aiding workers in their fight for justice could be crucial. Many low-paid workers are ready to struggle and would feel the benefit of talking with others in similar situations who understand their plight.
Kit Jenkins, Bath
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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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