Yesterday, March 24th, civil
servants organised in PCS staged another strike in protest at government
measures that will affect pensions, redundancy pay and jobs. It is a
sign of the growing militancy of British workers, who are reaching
the limit of what they can take.
Ealing TUC have sent out an appeal to all trade unionists to give support to the BA strikers who will be taking further action this weekend.
Ealing TUC have sent out an appeal to all trade unionists to give support to the BA strikers who will be taking further action this weekend.
Over the last year Cambridge residents have
seen a number of attacks on the industries and public services in the
city. 12
months ago, Cambridge University Press, the oldest publishing house in
Britain,
announced plans to outsource much of its work; Addenbrookes, the main
city
hospital, has recently been told to find £40 million in efficiency
savings; the
workers in the CWU came out on strike last October against modernisation
plans
for the postal service. All of these words – “outsourcing”, “efficiency
savings”, “modernisation” – are clearly euphemisms for attacking jobs
and
services.
Over the last year Cambridge residents have
seen a number of attacks on the industries and public services in the
city. 12
months ago, Cambridge University Press, the oldest publishing house in
Britain,
announced plans to outsource much of its work; Addenbrookes, the main
city
hospital, has recently been told to find £40 million in efficiency
savings; the
workers in the CWU came out on strike last October against modernisation
plans
for the postal service. All of these words – “outsourcing”, “efficiency
savings”, “modernisation” – are clearly euphemisms for attacking jobs
and
services.
On
Saturday 20th March the ragtag bunch of ex-football hooligans
and far-right activists who call themselves the English Defence
League (EDL) descended on Bolton, in their latest attempt to stir up
trouble.
On
Saturday 20th March the ragtag bunch of ex-football hooligans
and far-right activists who call themselves the English Defence
League (EDL) descended on Bolton, in their latest attempt to stir up
trouble.
Civil Service workers organised by the PCS union will be taking further
industrial action on Wed 24th March, Budget day, in defence of jobs and
conditions. The attacks being mounted by the government on the
redundancy arrangements currently in place are aimed not only at saving
money at workers’ expense but also at preparing the ground for further
waves of attack at a later stage.
Civil Service workers organised by the PCS union will be taking further
industrial action on Wed 24th March, Budget day, in defence of jobs and
conditions. The attacks being mounted by the government on the
redundancy arrangements currently in place are aimed not only at saving
money at workers’ expense but also at preparing the ground for further
waves of attack at a later stage.
Ireland: The
decision to make redundant all of ‘Aer Lingus’ 1,200 cabin crew (270
permanently) and then rehire most on a lower wage and longer working
hours, has been met with fierce resistance from the 1,000 strong IMPACT
union at the airline. The
airline announced these plans for job cuts, after restructuring plans
were introduced due to 66.2 million Euros worth of losses in 2009. Job
cuts and restructuring are part of plans at Aer Lingus to save 97
million Euros by 2011, in order to save the airline from bankruptcy.
Ireland: The
decision to make redundant all of ‘Aer Lingus’ 1,200 cabin crew (270
permanently) and then rehire most on a lower wage and longer working
hours, has been met with fierce resistance from the 1,000 strong IMPACT
union at the airline. The
airline announced these plans for job cuts, after restructuring plans
were introduced due to 66.2 million Euros worth of losses in 2009. Job
cuts and restructuring are part of plans at Aer Lingus to save 97
million Euros by 2011, in order to save the airline from bankruptcy.
13
years after declaring that New Labour’s priorities were "education,
education, education", it seems that the government has a new mantra of
"cuts, cuts, cuts". On the 18th March, it was announced that funding
for universities would be slashed by £573 million, representing a cut
of 7.3%. The budget cut is the first time higher
education (HE) funding has been reduced since New Labour came power
and is a threat not only to students, but also to academic staff and
other university workers, who are facing the prospect of large job
cuts.