WE NEED NATIONAL ACTION TO WIN
www.socialistworker.co.uk
he summer of consultation is an opportunity for PCS members to discuss what level and type of action we should take next in our national campaign over terms and conditions, pay and jobs. The Tories have escalated their war on the working class. In his Comprehensive Spending Review on 26 June, chancellor George Osborne announced plans that, if unchallenged, will drive millions of people into deep poverty and desperation. PCS has played a leading role in opposing the cuts through strikes and other protests over the last six months. The PCS has also campaigned for an alternative to austerity based on tax justice, benefit justice, job creation and investment. Our union struck alongside teachers and lecturers in June 2011. This put pressure on other, bigger, unions to call the strike by 2.5 million in November that year. We must rebuild and develop that unity across both the public and private sector.
Teachers are set to strike in the autumn
injury, shadow chancellor Ed Balls boasted that Labour was tougher on unemployed people than the Tories and repeated the lies about migrants causing the crisis. Ed Miliband has gone on the warpath against Unite and called a special conference to weaken the link between Labour and the unions. We should defend Unite against the Labour leadership, but we desperately need an alternative to Labour which stands up for working people and against austerity.
by a levy across the membership, is being put forward as an option, following a motion carried at the recent PCS conference. This can seem like an attractive alternative proposition. However, it is no substitute for PCS members acting together, and if possible alongside others. We need a clear commitment to national action from our unionand thats what branches should support. We all feel stronger when we strike together. And there needs to be an escalation Consultation of the action we have taken previously. The most effective way to beat austerity Unite, Unison, GMB, the TUC and would be for all of the unions to strike other unions have called for a mass protest together. Last year the TUC voted to at the Tory Party conference on Sunday 29 examine the practicality of a general September in Manchester. It is right that strike. We must keep pushing for this to happen. But we cant wait for this before we PCS is also building and promoting this demonstration. take further action. Tens of thousands of teachers in the Funding North West of England struck on 27 PCS is funding transport from all parts of Juneand won enormous support from Britain and branches should be organising for other workers, parents and the public. We members to be there. What better way to win should have been on strike with them. If we fight after the summer we wont be support for escalating strike action than by marching together in our thousands against alone, and that should give us confidence. Teachers across England and Wales plan the Tories next month? Labours response to the Tories is an utter to strike in the autumn. The Communication disgrace. It has promised to stick to Osbornes Workers Union has decided to ballot spending targets if elected. To add insult to its members for strikes in Royal Mail over attacks linked to privatisation and firefighters are balloting for national action I would like to get Socialist Worker regularly over pensions. We should coordinate our action with I want to join the Socialist Workers Party those unions and any others who are prepared to fight back now. Name. ................................................................................................................ In the current PCS consultation, a number of questions are being asked of Address............................................................................................................. members. The union executive should .......................................................................................................................... have given a clear and fighting lead recommending the action it believes would Phone.............................................e-mail........................................................ win. Selective action, with groups of members Return to SW industrial, PO Box 42184, London, SW8 2WD taking strike action in areas which can have e-mail [email protected] or phone/text 07986 936094 a serious industrial impact, being supported
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