June 2009

Sacked convenor Rob Williams has been reinstated in his job at the Linamar factory in Wales. This represents a great victory for organised trade unionism.

As the MPs expenses scandal rolls on and on, many voters have expressed anger at the way these people have gone about trying to get as much cash for themselves as possible. We have received this letter which reflects what many in the Labour movement are thinking.

It seems highly likely that tomorrow, June 10th 2009, there will be severe disruption on the London Underground system as a result of industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union (RMT). It is important that all Londoners understand the issues and get behind the RMT.

This title was borrowed from a documentary screened on BBC2
in May. Its presenter, clergyman Conor Cunningham of Nottingham
University, predictably said No, Darwin did not kill God.
His was the latest shot in the long war between Science and Religion. Darwin, it seems, opened
up a new front, but was it the decisive one? Is Science killing
God? Is Darwinism the final nail in the coffin?

Some economic commentators and financial journalists have divined the ‘green shoots’ of economic recovery’ growing out of the present crisis. Perhaps the wish is father to the thought. Are they right? Most obviously stock exchanges in Britain and all over the world have been booming since the beginning of March. We have to be careful here. Remember there were four 20% or more rallies on the NYSE between 1929-32, when the overall trend for share prices was definitely down. These are often described as suckers’ rallies that take place in a ‘bear market’.

The
Annual Delegate Conference of the public sector union PCS took place
on 20-22 May in Brighton against the background of the worst global
recession for a generation and an unprecedented political crisis at
Westminster.Matt Wells reports on the issues discussed at one of the most important union conferences of the year,

The issue behind the ballot was cuts. The last time our union took
industrial action was in 2007. When we went back there were 4 phases to
the agreement that was signed. Phases 1 and 2 have gone through. Phase
3 is currently being implemented and is being met with stiff
resistance. If a worker doesn’t turn up for work unforeseen, the others
have to cover their duty – and we don’t get paid for it!

General Motors, the largest car manufacturer in the United States of America, which employs nearly a quarter of a million people world wide, has filed for bankruptcy. This has initiated the largest industrial insolvency the world has ever seen with debts of £105 billion! The firm, which owns Vauxhall and its European sister Opel, employs 5,500 workers here in the UK. The future of the British employees have entered into uncertainty with sale of the European arm of General Motors to a consortium led by Canadian car parts manufacturer Magna, backed by Russian investment bank Sberbank.

Each summer a special call is made to workers around the world to
contribute towards a special appeal for funds to help aid the work of
Marxists and socialists in struggle internationally. The UK target is £5,000 – can you help? Click here to donate online