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Workplace
222 posts
“The cost of living is increasing very rapidly, and our wages are not keeping up!” Interview with a striking council worker
Council workers took strike action in Northern Ireland this week against a real-term pay-cut amidst a rising cost of living. The Socialist spoke to Cassie, an admin worker at Belfast City Hall organised in Unite the Union, about why she decided to take strike action.
Bosses face wave of workers action across Northern Ireland: Trade unions must coordinate action
In this “post-lockdown” economy most of the developed world is facing the worst labour shortages since the late 1990s. Workers are facing rapidly rising inflation and huge increases in the cost of living beginning to bite into workers’ pay; along with a continuation of over eighteen months of exhausting pandemic working conditions, some outright dangerous. In the face of these crises, workers are increasingly moving to challenge their bosses and are becoming galvanised, at least at a workplace level, to demand increased wages and better working conditions.
Solidarity with the UCU
Ballots and strike action can’t be turned on and off like a tap. A consistent campaign, with enough time to get high enough turnouts in ballots and build sufficiently for strike action, should be a basic starting point. Unfortunately, despite many rank and file activists in UCU wanting this, them general secretary and the leadership of the union are not delivering. Motions passed at the Special HE conference for a longer ballot period and for the USS and Four Fights were not implemented by the executive, for example.
University strikes: Staff and students, unite for the future of education!
From 1st – 3rd December, academic staff at 58 universities across the UK – including Queen’s University Belfast…
Sharon Graham wins! Now build workplace power to win for workers
While an official announcement has yet to be made, multiple sources have now confirmed that Sharon Graham has won the election to become the general secretary of Unite the Union. Socialist Alternative members send our congratulations to Sharon, for whose candidacy we mobilised support.
NIPSA General Secretary: Left victory but serious challenges ahead
For the first time in its history, members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) – the…
Unite General Secretary election: Defend a democratic campaigning union against the right – vote Sharon Graham
We are at a crossroads because the outcome of this election will have a profound effect on the union and its ability to organise. A victory for right-wing candidate Gerard Coyne, which is possible given how close he came in the last election and the huge support he is getting from the right-wing of the Labour Party and the establishment, would represent a massive defeat for the union. Coyne is determined to smash the left within the union, taking to The Sun during the last general secretary election to attack Len McCluskey over his support for Jeremy Corbyn.
LEFT WING MAJORITY IN UNISON NEC ELECTIONS: NOW TRANSFORM THE UNION!
In a result which has bucked the current trend of elections in the trade unions, the left secured…
Rights & Wages of Pizza Express workers sliced and burned
The head offices of international chain Pizza Express are guilty of decimating the wages and livelihoods of the waiters and chefs who work for them. The attacks come in many forms.
NIPSA: Public sector workers need a democratic, fighting union
Statement from Socialist Party activists in NIPSA This week, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) is having…