Articles from the Socialist, issue 519

6 February 2008

TGWU cleaners demonstrating against low pay. Photo Molly Cooper

LOW-PAID public sector workers are facing three years of below-inflation pay rises. Low paid workers earn a fraction of their MP’s salary, writes Adrian O’Malley, Unison branch chair, Wakefield and Pontefract Hospitals, Pinderfields Hospital.

Protests as multinational grabs health centre

Rich avoid paying £25 billion tax bill

Why they call them ‘fat cats’

Bush and Brown’s Afghan strategy lies in tatters

“MAKE NO mistake, NATO is not winning in Afghanistan.” These are the words, not of an anti-war group but of the opening line of a report by think-tank The Atlantic Council of the United States… By Tom Baldwin

Fight attacks on abortion rights

FOLLOWING LAST November’s Queen’s speech, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is making its way through the House of Lords at present… By Sarah Sachs-Eldridge

Victory! Bristol campaign saves library

CAMPAIGNERS celebrated at Bristol’s Council cabinet meeting on 3 February when the ruling Labour group announced the withdrawal of their threat… By Robin Clapp, Bedminster Socialist Party and MACA Chair – personal capacity

Inspiring victory for Polish workers

Fighting the BNP in Barnsley

Shell output is down, but profits hit new record

Young workers get organised

Protest against university fees

Refreshing student work in Bangor

International Socialist Resistance website

Socialist Students website

Incinerators: Our health at risk!

Seven boroughs are proposing a new plan for rubbish disposal in north London. Different sites are being looked at to build new waste facilities… By Paula Mitchell

How can an alternative to the main political parties be developed?

PCS workers on strike, photo Paul Mattsson

General secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), Mark Serwotka, has sent the contribution printed below to The Socialist, describing the attacks being made on public-sector workers by the government…

Kenya: Workers’ movement must provide an alternative

TALKS BETWEEN political rivals and foreign diplomats are continuing to try and solve the escalating sectarian bloodbath in Kenya…

Birmingham: Thousands on strike against pay cuts

More than 20,000 Birmingham Council workers were on 24-hour strike on 5 February 2008 over a new pay and grading system and employment contract which will see many lose basic pay… By Clive Walder, Birmingham Socialist Party