Their profit, our loss
This issue we review two books which show clearly where the wealth that workers create is going…
The challenge of steel
All steel-producing countries are cutting back on production. But only in Britain is it considered feasible to eradicate crude steel production entirely – though it is essential to any modern economy…
Are we witnessing the slow death of the EU?
Those in favour of staying in the European Union claim it is a force for stability. Nothing could be further from the truth – the EU is falling apart before our eyes…
EU Directive threatens investigatory journalism
Another directive, another threat. This time it’s journalists at the receiving end…
Work longer hours, retire later
The fight for lower hours didn’t begin with the EU. It certainly hasn’t ended with the Working Time Directive – the number of hours we are working is climbing steadily…
Into battle for the BBC
The upcoming renewal of the BBC’s charter is an opportunity to expose ‘austerity’ and demand the funding to make a great institution even greater…
Agencies for capital
The EU’s Agency Workers Directive hasn’t protected us – just encouraged the massive growth of casualisation…
Academies: brute force and ignorance
Thanks to George Osborne, ably supported by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, a new word is gaining currency – “academisation”, the forcible conversion of schools into unaccountable academies…
Safety requires strong union workplaces
28 April 2016
Workers Memorial Day was marked across Britain today, with construction workers taking the lead. Hundreds gathered by the Building Worker tatue in London.
Southern Railway strike over safety
27 April 2016
RMT members on Southern Railway have concluded a successful 24-hour strike over driver-only operation, forcing the employer back to the negotiating table.
Britain and the world
Barack Obama is not the first US president to lecture Britain about its place in the world. But he certainly chose a bizarre way to threaten the people of this country.
Private ambulance chaos
Patients relying on Sussex ambulances for transport to and from appointments have been left stranded after the contract went to a private company.
Social care: children's report hidden
Two years after it was published the government is still refusing to publish a report it commissioned into children’s social care services.
Poverty: food banks on the rise
The Trussell Trust announced in April that 1.1 million people in Britain are now using food banks to obtain emergency food supplies.
Health bursaries scrapped
The government has confirmed it will push student nurses and other health care students into debts of at least £50,000 each by scrapping the NHS bursary.
Local government pay in disarray
Pay strategies in local government are now in disarray. Unison, the largest union in local government, has come to a standstill as the members reject the union’s direction of travel.
A vote for a future
We have said that the fight to ditch the EU is the “decisive confrontation” facing the working class this year. During the referendum campaign, the battle lines have been drawn ever more sharply.
Network Rail: sleight of hand
25 April 2016
The government is revaluing Network Rail’s balance sheet in a transparent attempt to shore up its own crumbling accounts.
EU: no answer to unemployment
15 April 2016
Unemployment is endemic to capitalism and to all capitalist states. It remains high within the EU; remaining in will not change that.
Manchester meeting discusses why workers should vote to leave
13 April 2016
A meeting in Manchester on the referendum provided friends and colleagues with an opportunity to find out more about the nature of the EU and the reasons why workers should vote to leave.
Government U-turn over baseline tests for four-year-olds.
12 April 2016
Government ministers have abandoned controversial plans to judge primary schools based on new tests for four-year-olds.
Keep steelmaking in Britain!
8 April 2016
We must bring strong and immediate pressure to bear on our negligent, treacherous government to maintain steelmaking in Britain.
Junior doctors carry on as government cracks appear
8 April 2016
Striking doctors have been manning picket lines and engaging with the public in the latest rounds of their battle against the imposition of new contracts.
EU drives record balance of payments deficit
2 April 2016
The UK’s overall balance of payments – now known as the current account deficit – deteriorated sharply last year, thanks to a phenomenal deficit with EU countries.
German rail takes over Northern services
2 April 2016
Rail union RMT members hoisted the German flag over Newcastle Central station on 1 April, the day that German state railway operator Deutsche Bahn took over Northern rail services.
Migration statistics in turmoil
31 March 2016
One set of official statistics suggests that around 1.6 million EU citizens came to Britain between 2006 and 2014 – but another set suggests the figure could be a million higher.
Housing at the mercy of speculators and the EU
25 March 2016
The government is running down social housing intending to prime the market for foreign takeover. Fearing that Britain may exit the EU, speculators are already leaping into the property scrum.
ENO chorus success
25 March 2016
Members of the English National Opera chorus have settled their dispute about wage cuts. They had overwhelmingly voted to strike and not sing during the first act the opera Akhnaten on the last night of this acclaimed production.
Farmers march for a future
23 March 2016
Farmers from all over the UK marched to Downing Street on Wednesday 23 March to demand a future for British farming.
Junior hospital doctors’ action continues
14 March 2016
Hospital doctors were on strike again on 9 and 10 March. Picket lines were well populated and supported by the public as action against imposition of the junior hospital doctors’ contract continued.