Unity needed – to stop the EU pulling us apart
The parliamentary parties are for saving capitalism and enhancing its profits. And the EU is the instrument designed for this…
Workers May/June 2015
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Zero for us, subsidies for them
As capitalism continues its drive to reduce workers to utter penury and, worse, compliance in that drive, the number of workers on zero hours contracts has soared from 200,000 in 2010 to 1.8 million in 2015.
Politics and survival
By the time you read this, the election will probably have morphed into a grand negotiation about a coalition. This they call politics.
US backs down over Cuba
Every year workers throughout the world celebrate May Day. Forty years ago, it coincided with the liberation of South Vietnam. This year, May Day comes hot on the heels of the US’s massive climbdown over Cuba – brilliant news.
Something for nothing
With Scottish universities among the highest users of zero-hours contracts, it is fitting that the University and College Union (UCU) should hold its annual congress this May in Glasgow.
And the next generation?
The number of young people choosing to study science is actually rising, despite the fees. From 2007/8 to 2013/14: Physics up 16 per cent, Engineering and Technology up 15 per cent, Biological Sciences up 30 per cent.
Science for the people: Away with superstitions
If all Britain had in the way of scientific research were just what is contained in London, we would be a global scientific power.
The DevoManc debacle
There’s been very little support for splitting up England whenever it has been put to the vote. Two years ago the people of Manchester voted not to have an elected mayor. They could not see why they needed yet another politician.
Three steps towards unwanted devolution
1. Plan announced to give Greater Manchester greater control of its finances and an elected mayor
2. Devolution agreement between Chancellor of the Exchequer and leaders of the GMCA
3. Memorandum of Understanding between NHS England and Greater Manchester
1975: Victory in Vietnam
Vietnam’s long struggle for independence culminated in victories for this small country against the military might of France and of America…
Barts: start talking
THE LARGEST NHS trust in Britain is blundering towards the precipice of bankruptcy – flawed from the inception of the Barts PFI deal, delivered under the last Labour government.
The battle for the arts: people versus profit
Should the arts be expected to create capital, and capital expected to fund the arts? Or are the arts an essential human function that ultimately cannot be controlled by capital?
Arts education for all, too
No matter how hard it tries to push a private/public partnership agenda, the Warwick report cannot escape the key role of state education in developing the creativity and curiosity of students.
Unity 'frees camp' from ISIS
Reports have reached Workers that the combined force of all the armed rival Palestinian factions in the giant Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, plus the Syrian Arab Army, have liberated most of the camp from ISIS.
Pay turmoil in Unison
Unison’s local government sector has been thrown into turmoil following the hijacking of the union’s democratic procedures after last year’s local government pay fiasco.
Steel - Strike ballot goes ahead
Steel workers employed by Tata Steel in Port Talbot, Scunthorpe, Rotherham and other sites are to ballot during May on strike action over imposed changes to the pension scheme.
Scotland - The £7.6 billion hole
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded that Scotland would be left with a £7.6 billion gap in its finances if it pursued fiscal autonomy, because falling oil revenues would leave the country with a tax shortfall – to be met by cuts or taxes.
RMT protests against subsidising European rail services
A series of protests across the north of England are highlighting the way British rail passengers are subsidising rail services in other European countries.
National strike looms over rail pay
Rail unions RMT and TSSA look set to call around 20,000 Network Rail staff out on strike in a fight over pay after talks at ACAS broke down.
Paying the cost of university
A report at the end of March showed that almost half of the 9 per cent increase in household debt in 2014 in Britain was accounted for by young people trying to fund their way through university.