Last weekend saw the first ever conference of young members in Unison, which represents workers across the public sector. But delegates hungry for radical ideas and bold strategy were left unsated. We need to fight to transform our unions.
Thousands of Tesco distribution workers could be taking strike action this Christmas, affecting supermarkets across the UK. The fight for decent pay and conditions must be a fight for nationalisation, workers’ control, and socialist planning.
This weekend sees the Unison young members conference in Cardiff. Writing in a personal capacity, NEC member Lilly Boulby explains why young workers need a union that not only represents their interests, but is prepared to fight for them.
Alongside this week’s action by UCU members in universities throughout the country, higher education workers at Goldsmiths in London are in the middle of a three-week strike against job cuts. We offer them our full solidarity in this struggle.
The latest round of strike action by lecturers begins tomorrow, with UCU members fighting over pensions, pay, and conditions. We call for the maximum mobilisation of workers and students – and for escalated struggle to defend education.
RMT members on the London Underground are preparing to strike against Tory attacks on jobs and safety, in light of the reopening of the Night Tube. The whole of the labour movement must mobilise to fight the cuts to public transport.
Unison members in the NHS and local government are currently being balloted in disputes over pay. With workers in other unions facing the same battle, the potential exists for a united public sector strike. But this requires fighting leadership.
Due to the poor pay and prospects on offer, gig economy bosses are struggling to recruit enough drivers. At the same time, precarious workers are getting organised. The labour movement must lead the way with a militant, socialist fightback.
Lilly Boulby – a young, left-wing member of the Unison NEC and Labour Link – has been expelled from the Labour Party. Activists must fight back against this bureaucratic attempt by the right wing to maintain their grip over the labour movement.
Management at Cambridge University recently decided to outsource the institution’s entire estates department to a single private contractor, threatening jobs, pay, and conditions. But staff and students are uniting and fighting back.
Unite members at Weetabix are striking for four days a week over fire-and-rehire attacks. The whole labour movement must resist the bosses’ offensive. Only militant action and bold socialist policies can offer a way forward.
Following a recent ballot, UCU members in higher education are set to take strike action once again. A debate has opened up in the union about how to best achieve a victory. As part of this, UCU Marxists present here a strategy for winning.