PCS: All out on 1 May

THOUSANDS OF Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members will be on strike on 1 May in defence of the public sector and pay, jobs and services.

Socialist Party members on the PCS executive have campaigned for this action to be co-ordinated across the trade unions and for the TUC to organise a national demonstration in defence of the public sector on 1 May.

Socialist Party members are now standing for election to the PCS national leadership.

Janice Godrich, a member of the Socialist Party's sister party in Scotland (International Socialists) is standing for re-election as president.

Kevin Kelly is standing for vice-president and the following Socialist Party and International Socialists members are standing for the national executive. All these candidates have proven track records of fighting for PCS members at branch level and nationally:

Mark Baker, Marion Lloyd, John McInally, Chris Morrison, Rob Williams, Danny Williamson and Sevi Yesildalli. Kevin Greenway will also be standing in the section for law court staff following the merger of their union with PCS.

These candidates are standing as part of Left Unity, which is part of the Democracy Alliance slate. This was formed five years ago in response to the attempt by the old right wing, under Barry Reamsbottom, to keep the democratically elected general secretary Mark Serwotka out of office. For more information see the Left Unity website: www.leftunity.org.uk

The ballot closes on 27 April.

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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.