London’s Tube remains open – but are workers being kept safe? (Pic: Mike_fleming/Flickr) Tube workers in London are furious at being asked to risk their health by working in unsafe conditions as the coronavirus crisis grows. Joe, an RMT union rep in south London, told Socialist Worker, “People are trying …
Read More »It is no time for a truce with bullying post bosses
In Portishead near Bristol campaigning for the strike vote (Pic: CWU Bristol) Walkouts by postal workers on Monday in Bridgwater in Somerset and Southwark in south London underlined the angry mood among post workers. Nationally Royal Mail workers delivered yet another overwhelming vote to strike on Tuesday of last week. …
Read More »No care for ill or infirm people under Tory corona plans
A protest by Disabled People Against Cuts in 2016 The government has said that around 1.5 million people in England are in so much danger due to coronavirus they must “take themselves out of society”. Those with certain long term health conditions were instructed not to leave their houses for …
Read More »Corona crisis shows need to break from chaos of capitalism
A graveyard for airliners shows the chaos and waste of production under capitalism What kind of society could cope with coronavirus? As is becomingly increasingly obvious—not capitalism. Covid-19 reveals the limitations of our current system. One of capitalism’s central problems is a lack of democratic rational planning in the interests …
Read More »Organise for alternative to Tories’ shutdown
Tories are not willing to break with market logic (Pic: Flickr/Downing Street) There are no “market?based solutions” to saving hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people’s lives from coronavirus. We have to suspend capitalism. Resources from across society and the economy—whether car plants, corportate call centres, supermarkets or second homes—have to …
Read More »Anger over unsafe work conditions spurs some coronavirus strikes
Cleaners protest outside the hospital (Pic: Twitter/Helen O’Connor) Several groups of workers have taken the issue of coronavirus safety into their own hands. Royal Mail workers in South West London walked out last week over the lack of hand gels and wipes to protect them from the virus. Postal workers, …
Read More »Kate Osborne tests positive for coronavirus – the second MP with COVID-19
A second British MP today confirmed she had tested positive for coronavirus. Labour MP for Jarrow Kate Osborne said she has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus following a period of self-isolation and subsequent testing. Ms Osborne worked for Royal Mail for 25 years and only assumed her seat in …
Read More »Final week to win massive strike vote in Royal Mail
Royal Mail workers are campaigning hard to win a national strike ballot by the biggest majority possible. The voting continues until next Tuesday. This week the workers’ CWU union urged, “Be brave, be relentless, be the union”. On Thursday and Friday last week hundreds of well-supported workplace meetings were held …
Read More »Life on Oscott Road in Perry Barr – the ‘abandoned’ street near the Commonwealth Village
Fridge-freezers, shopping trolleys and mattresses are littered across Oscott Road in Perry Barr – even the post box is out of order. Perhaps, not what you would expect on a cul-de-sac that directly faces what will be the glamorous multi-million pound Commonwealth Games village. Despite massive regeneration of Perry Barr …
Read More »Labour doesn’t need to shift right – it needs to get creative | Tom Kibasi | UK news
The Labour leadership contest has been largely bereft of debate about the party’s future policy platform. Recognising the shift to the left during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, the main contenders have mostly promised to adopt the major planks of his programme, especially in economic policy. In the wake of a severe …
Read More »