Workplace news in brief

PCS members marching, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

PCS takes the wheel!

2,000 Public Commercial Services union (PCS) members, in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which includes driving examiners and vehicle inspectors, have voted 85.1% for strike action on a turnout of 70% to oppose flexibility resourcing.

This allows for operational staff to be deployed anywhere without notice. It forces workers to travel on their own time and without insurance, incurring the equivalent of an extra day's work a week without pay. Also opposed are plans to increase testing targets.

The Socialist Party supports the PCS' fighting strategy and demands the DVSA stops these unscrupulous attempts and decisions to make staff work more for less, sooner rather than later, otherwise they may just be in for a bumpy ride!

James Hunter, North East Socialist Party

BAE job cuts

Britain's biggest defence contractor, BAE Systems, has announced it is to cut nearly 2,000 jobs. Unite the Union has said it will fight the decision.

Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: "These planned job cuts will devastate communities across the UK who rely on these skilled jobs and the hope of a decent future they give to future generations."

Cinema strike

Picturehouse cinema workers in London are to strike for eight days at venues during the BFI London Film Festival. Staff at the Hackney and Central cinemas will strike from 5pm on 6-8 October and from 11-15 October. Hackney strikers have said: "We will be outside the opening night event of the London Film festival in Leicester Square on 4 October from 5.30pm. We will be picketing our workplaces each evening for the rest of the strike days. You can join our picket lines at Hackney and Central cinemas from 5pm. The London Film Festival will make a lot of money for Cineworld at a time when many are taking part in a boycott of our cinemas. It is also a very clear message from the BFI and the industry as a whole that they are willing to turn a blind eye to low pay and the sackings of trade union representatives."

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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.