Workplace news in brief

Victimised RMT rep Glen Hart, photo by NSSN (Click to enlarge)

Rep defended

Tube workers are being balloted in defence of victimised RMT rep Glen Hart. The National Executive Committee considers that there is strong support for Glen from members across all London Underground grades and have taken the decision to conduct a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike. A dispute exists over the continued suspension and threat of disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against Glen. This will remain in place until Glen Hart is reinstated to his full substantive role. The ballot papers were posted out to all London Underground members on 21 January and the closing date is 4 February.

Anti-cuts protest

Brighton Hove and District Trade Union Council has called a demonstration for 30 January against the Labour-run city council's unprecedented cuts to public services.

The protest will start at 12pm at The Level, before marching to the town hall. Trade unions and local campaigners are demonstrating in the face of Ł68 million of cuts, and the huge impact this will have across the city.

National Shop Stewards Network

The NSSN is hosting a public solidarity meeting in Port Talbot on Wednesday 10 February to build support for the steelworkers facing job losses (see last week's issue of the Socialist).

It is at 7.30pm in the lounge at the Grand Hotel Station Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1DE (opposite the train station).

It is open to everyone and speakers include Rob Williams, NSSN national chair and former Swansea Visteon (Ford) union convenor.

See www.facebook.com/NationaliseTATA and shopstewards.net for more information and updates.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.