Newham workers angry at councillors
AROUND 100 people met to support Michael Gavan, victimised chair of Newham Unison, at a meeting in Stratford on 11 February.
Michael Gavan highlighted the hypocrisy of councillors on £35,000 a year expenses with town hall managers on over £100,000 while they cut services, jobs and pay. Newham's New Labour council is run like a one-party state and wants a compliant union, something it has not got.
The meeting came to life after two bin workers told of their own victimisation and hardship. Their frustration spilled over as union officials were berated for a lack of action. Two one-day strikes have taken place in defence of Michael Gavan but there is a need to build on the bitter anger of the wider workforce.
Guest speakers Tony Benn and John McDonnell spoke of the need for unity in struggle and explained how unions originally set up the Labour Party to provide workers with a political voice.
But New Labour long ago turned its back on working-class people and that task has to be repeated. The trade unions should provide the backbone for a new political voice in the form of a new workers' party.
Manny Thain
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In The Socialist 13 February 2008:
Local Government workers
Birmingham council workers' biggest strike for decades
'Single status' in the West Midlands
Bosses prepare to force through more cuts
Newham workers angry at councillors
Socialist Students
Feature: The great university swindle
War and terrorism
Socialist Party news and analysis
Millionaire welcomes economic recession!
Liverpool's tale of two cities
Cardiff marches to save schools
100 people pack London world economy meeting
Transport
Cuts and backlogs cause delays
International socialist news and analysis
Polish miners gain strike victory due to iron determination
Chad conflict - part of a wider power struggle
Interview
Prison officers: Fighting for trade union rights
Building the Campaign for a New Workers' Party
Comment
Comment: Opportunist blunder further splits Church of England
Workplace news and analysis
Land Registry staff vote for action
London Underground: Strike ballot in safety row
Campaign Against Climate Change trade union conference
Shelter staff ballot for action
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