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Frontline workers speak out
Where’s our PPE? Where’s our testing? Where’s our money?
London bus drivers’ action over safety stops front door boarding
26 transport workers have died from Covid-19 in London, the majority of them bus drivers. Now London bus drivers have forced Transport for London (TfL) and bus companies to implement some safety measures
Care homes coronavirus scandal: blood on their hands
There is growing anger at the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis. 400,000 people living in care homes have been abandoned – surrendered to the virus.
PPE shortages: “I feel so bloody angry”
The guidelines we follow on use of PPE have changed dramatically during this pandemic. At first we were told we must wear full PPE for every patient suspected of having Covid 19.
Trade union activists from across the south of England came together for a Socialist Party meeting on Zoom on 18 April, writes Paul Couchman, Surrey County Unison branch secretary (personal capacity).
Management tells carers PPE would ‘worry’ residents
My sister works as a carer in a local privately run care home. She has been worried sick over the policies for coronavirus not being implemented there
Councils must demand control of supplies and reversal of austerity
Despite their claims of “partnership” between central and local government, it’s clear the Tories have not involved councils in their Covid-19 planning at all, writes Hugo Pierre, Unison union national executive committee member (personal capacity).
More dispatches from the front: ‘There are so many more patients dying’
The main concern with staff at the moment is it’s week four in Covid ICU and no sign of anyone being tested yet, writes a NHS intensive care technician.
World economy
World economic crisis: A Marxist approach to the coronavirus crunch
How badly could the economy be affected by the coronavirus crisis?
Workplace news
No ‘back to school’ until outbreak is under control and trade union agreed safety arrangements
Tory splits over a coronavirus ‘exit strategy’ are being played out over the question of when to fully reopen schools, writes Martin Powell-Davies, a National Education Union member.
DWP: Action on workers’ safety, and protection of pay and conditions needed
More than two million people have claimed benefits in the last four weeks. Failed Tory austerity is impacting health care workers having insufficient PPE and testing.
JD Sports: Shut up shop and give us full pay!
JD Sports workers have been organising to demand the company close its warehouse, and pay all shop-floor and warehouse workers full pay for the duration of this crisis, writes a JD Sports worker.
RMT: Lift the suspension of Steve Hedley
A statement in Red Lines – the bulletin of Socialist Party members in the RMT transport union – calls for the lifting of the union executive’s suspension of Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley.
Bromley Libraries ‘restructure’ in middle of pandemic!
Bromley Library workers are facing a restructure, including moving to new work locations, in the middle of this health emergency
Lenin at 150
In January 1917 the world was in flames amid the barbarism of the first capitalist world war. Yet within months, the Russian revolutionary socialist Vladimir Lenin was the elected head of the first democratic workers’ government in history.
Coronavirus news
National plan for testing needed
Capitalist press attacks Tory incompetence
Tory think tank proposes attack on pensions
Shocking increase in domestic violence killings
Domestic abuse killings have more than doubled during the coronavirus lockdown, according to Counting Dead Women (CDW), the organisation that monitors the killing of women by men
US private healthcare system in meltdown
As the number of unemployed workers applying for benefits rises to 22 million due to the coronavirus crisis, reactionary US president Donald Trump is determined to end the country’s health lockdown measures, which he sees as undermining his chances of a second term in office
Workplace safety
The history of struggle to make the workplace safe
Campaigns
Excellent support for Socialist Party special appeal
We have had a fantastic response to our special appeal to help finance the publication of the Socialist and promote the ideas of the Socialist Party in this corona crisis, writes Chris Newby, the Socialist sales organiser.
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Clapping, driving, postering – for workers’ rights
We clapped and we demanded workers’ rights. Health workers called for protests in cars at hospitals – demanding PPE and the resignation of health secretary Matt Hancock.
The role of the Socialist during the corona crisis
“Read the truth. Read how to fight back. Read the Socialist.”
Policies that really protect the NHS
Coronavirus: Students’ charter
Socialism the Podcast: What do our listeners think?
I was listening to the latest episode of the Socialist Party’s podcast while cooking. My boyfriend came in to ask who was speaking and how someone who talks sense had been allowed on the radio!
Readers’ opinion
Covid-19 patient speaks out: fantastic support from under-resourced health workers
Steve Nally, a support worker in the housing sector, was among the first Covid-19 patients at St Thomas’ Hospital in south London
Going viral: Socialist comments and letters
The Covid-19 pandemic is a world social crisis which touches every aspect of life.
