15Now's Kshama Sawant in London this weekend

A Socialist Party press release 4.11.14

Winning $15/hr minimum in Seattle inspires low paid in UK

In Seattle, a city the size of Glasgow, 100,000 workers will be lifted out of poverty thanks to the campaign for a $15 an hour minimum wage which swept Kshama Sawant into the Seattle City Council last November.

Now, with 46 million Americans living in poverty and income inequality reaching levels not seen since the 1920, the magnificent 15Now campaign is spreading across the United States. It has vibrant campaigns in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York City, and in nearly 20 other cities.

Here in Britain, with 5 million workers earning less than a living wage, the call for a Ł10 an hour minimum - campaigned for by the bakers' union and the Socialist Party - is gaining momentum. Hundreds of low paid workers will be attending the Socialism 2014 event in London this weekend to hear Kshama explain how the 15 Now campaign was built in Seattle.

Kshama Sawant is speaking on Saturday 8th November 2014 at a 6.30pm rally in the Camden Centre.

On the same platform will be:

Ruth Coppinger, a new Socialist Party MP in Dublin who is among those spearheading a mass non-payment campaign of the Irish government's brutal water tax.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, a union at the forefront of fighting austerity.
Ian Hodson, general secretary of the bakers' union, BFAWU, which launched the Fast Food Rights campaign.
Peter Taaffe, general secretary of the host organisation of 'Socialism 2014' - the Socialist Party.
Brian Smith, secretary of the biggest public sector trade union branch in Scotland, Glasgow Unison (speaking in a personal capacity).

For information about the event, see: www.socialism2014.net

EVENT PRESS CONFERENCE

Hear and meet Kshama Sawant, Ruth Coppinger and others:

2pm, Brunei lecture theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG.

For a press pass for this conference, contact in advance:

Sarah Sachs Eldridge: [email protected] 020 8988 8771
Judy Beishon: [email protected] 020 8988 8770

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