Successful conference prepares Socialist Party South West for the Battles Ahead

Sunday, 07 February 2010 22:28 Jim Lowe

On Saturday, Socialist Party members from the length and breadth of the south west travelled to Bristol for the annual regional conference. The day's discussions were fruitful, and have helped to prepare members for the many challenges ahead in 2010.

The day was split into three sessions. The first, in the morning, was introduced by guest speaker Hannah Sell, deputy general secretary of the Socialist Party. In a far-ranging introduction, Hannah outlined the perspectives, economic and political, for Britain in the coming months. This provoked a variety of contributions from the floor, which served to add to the analysis provided and gave everyone a concrete picture of how the situation is developing in the public services and other workplaces.

One comrade, a UNISON activist from the Bath and Somerset branch, told of impending cuts of 15% in his health trust. Others detailed the increased bullying and exploitation that the bosses are visiting on workers. The prospects of a Tory government were noted, though as this is likely to be of a weak nature, in terms of majority (or lack of it) and mandate.

As well as seeking to respond to events such as attacks on public services, the Socialist Party seeks to anticipate them. We have already set up the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign, which will prove a focal point for the struggles of unemployed workers and youth in the coming months and years. Our work in the unions is also aimed at preparing the ground to defend jobs, pay, and public services. Many at the conference outlined their role as trade union activists, and also the broader work in unions, aimed at strengthening organisation, democracy and militancy.

Last Updated on Sunday, 07 February 2010 23:05 Read more...

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition launched

Friday, 05 February 2010 00:35 Jim Lowe

TUSC logo Support is growing for the newly-formed Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), which will fight dozens of seats in the upcoming general election. The coalition has the backing of RMT (transport union) general secretary Bob Crow, the Prison Officers Association general secretary Brian Caton, the Socialist Party, the Socialist Alliance, the Socialist Workers Party, the Democratic Labour Party, Socialist Resistance, as well as many other trade union activists. Details of the policies of TUSC can be found on its new website.

TUSC has been launched because of the need to create a political alternative to the agenda of cuts, privatisation, war and corruption of the main parties. TUSC stands explicitly on a pro-working class platform, rejecting the mainstream political consensus that we should suffer slashed public spending, frozen wages and job cuts to pay for the problems caused by the recklessness of the bankers and the inevitable crises of the capitalist system.

Unfortunately, at this election TUSC will not be standing in Devon, but supporters are invited to help out with the campaigns in Bristol South (whose current MP is New Labour minister Dawn Primarolo) and Coventry North East (where TUSC candidate, Cllr. Dave Nellist, is up against defence secretary Bob Ainsworth). The TUSC leaflet can be downloaded from here. Hopefully, TUSC can develop into the alternative that is direly needed to the establishment Westminster parties. Please promote TUSC and what it is trying to achieve, even if this time you won't have the chance to vote for them or campaign in your local area.

Last Updated on Friday, 05 February 2010 01:16

VICTORY AGAINST VICTIMISATION AT A PLYMOUTH ROYAL MAIL OFFICE

Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:40 Jim Lowe

"JUSTICE!

When heading into work on a Saturday morning in October I could never of imagined the events that were about to unfold in my delivery office - West Park, Plymouth.

We were due to take our 3rd day of local strike action on the following Monday so relations with management were tense but on the upside togetherness amongst the workforce was very strong.

Our union rep Alastair Sinclair had earlier in the week been called to a dismissal interview based on his attendance. Alastair had taken 8 days sick in 9 years. Given the low level of this sickness and the fact that many of us (including me) had far worse records we were confident that he would also be given a 2nd chance.

After about 10 minutes on my sorting frame on that Saturday morning the buzz came around that Royal Mail had sacked our rep. At first there was a feeling of complete disbelief. Because of the fact that Alastair had been given a period of notice by the company our rep stood in the middle of the office sorting whilst knowing that he had been sacked.

In perhaps the most unified moment I have seen in my 29 years in Royal Mail almost as one the whole office marched out of the door and onto the gate. We were out because Royal Mail had taken a cheap shot at our rep, we were out because we knew Alastair could have sold us out, called off our local strike and protected himself but he chose to put us first. We were out defending our friend and we were out because we knew if Royal Mail were able to sack our rep with no comeback then none of us were safe.

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:43 Read more...

Victory for the Sodexo workers!

Tuesday, 19 January 2010 01:22 Jim Lowe

On Friday afternoon, Sodexo workers at North Devon District Hospital finally won their battle for pay rises, sick pay, and a lump sum payment upto £3600. The new terms and conditions, which apply from the 1st January of this year, are now in line with the Agenda for Change agreement. The lump sum compensates the Sodexo workers for lost earnings from October 2006, when Agenda for Change was supposed to be implemented. Years of requests from UNISON did little to move the Trust and Sodexo to honour the agreement. It was the determined strike action taken that moved them, with the resolve of the strikers only deepening as the dispute went on. The strikes were well organised and received widespread support from other hospital staff, the public, and other UNISON and union branches.

Saturday's rally in support of the Sodexo workers was transformed into a victory celebration. Speakers rightly highlighted the importance of strong union organisation, which has only got stronger as a result of the struggle. UNISON membership among Sodexo staff has risen from about 80 to around 200 (out of roughly 300). The experience and confidence gained will be invaluable for future struggles, which as Jessica Pearce of the PCS union pointed out in her speech, are sadly inevitable. Jessica stressed that a united struggle will be required in the face of the onslaught workers currently face, which is set to intensify over the course of 2010.

Workers who are employed by private sector contractors still face a raw deal in many parts of the public sector. Alongside important struggles such as the one at North Devon District Hospital, we must continue to fight to bring back in-house all services performed in the public sector, and the renationalisation of services and utilities currently in private hands. Only with publicly owned and democratically controlled public services can we be sure that workers and the public don't see wages and services cut to fill the pockets of shareholders and bosses.