Marley Tiles workers strike against bullying bosses
"The highest-paid bullies in the world", was the view of a striker at Marley Tiles near Reading taking part in a 24-hour strike on 31 March.
The directors are paid £200,000 each and are attacking the workforce, attempting to force them to accept worse terms and conditions and pay. They have sacked GMB members and reps for taking legal strike action.
This is following earlier strikes, after staff rejected a 1% pay offer, despite a company profit of £16 million last year. Talking to the pickets it's not just the pay but a culture of bullying too, and an issue with pensions that has led to them taking action.
However, the angry pickets are determined to get a decent pay rise and the other issues resolved. There were many toots of support from passing motorists.
John Gillman, Reading Socialist Party and Reading Trade Union Council (personal capacity)
Donate to the Socialist Party
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.
In The Socialist 7 April 2021:
News
Racism exists! Unite to fight all inequality
Report condones vigil police violence - democratic community control a necessity
Low-paid workers shouldn't pay for Covid crisis
The system is broken... youth unite and fight back
Fighting Fund: An amazing £39,948 raised
Schools
Sexism in education: It shouldn't be like this!
Pimlico Academy protests: "Run by racists for profit"
Academy schools have become business ventures
Protests
Defiance continues against anti-protest bill
London: #BuhariMustGo protests are back
Local elections
Councillors have a choice - don't vote for cuts
Former Labour parliamentary candidate to stand for TUSC
Workplace news
NEU elections: Elect a socialist leadership to fight for national action and a united campaign
GMB general secretary election: A fighting, socialist leadership needed
Sparks take deskilling protests to Hinkley Point
Marley Tiles workers strike against bullying bosses
New British Gas deadline and strike dates
Childcare
Childcare in crisis: A socialist solution
Liverpool
Right-wing Labour and Tory commissioners out of Liverpool!
Brixton riots
1981 Brixton riots: Racism and poverty - the anger explodes
International news
Brazil: Bolsonaro regime plunges into a deeper crisis
Readers' opinion
Home | The Socialist 7 April 2021 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook