Workplace news in brief

Blacklist action

As preparations were underway for major annual maintenance work at the huge Fawley refinery near Southampton, new workers turning up for induction faced lengthy queues to get on site. Blacklist campaigners were leafleting in protest at the exclusion of a Unite rep by contractors Hertel. Leaflets were well received as workers are clearly angry about workplace conditions at Fawley. Activists are determined that contractors will not be allowed to get away with this and are determined to protect the national agreement at Fawley. There is a lot of frustration that despite having handed in their CVs many have not been given the chance to work. The demand of jobs for all was given the thumbs up by many!

Choristers clash

Entertainers' union Equity has announced it will ballot the chorus of the English National Opera (ENO) for industrial action over pay and job cuts. Choristers at ENO have been told to expect a 25% pay cut and lose at least four jobs. The 44-strong chorus sang Hail Poetry from The Pirates of Penzance to launch their campaign to save wages, jobs and, in their eyes, the very future of ENO. Hilary Hadley, the union's head of live performance, said the dispute was about more than the wages and job security of its members because the proposals amounted to "cultural vandalism".

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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.

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