www.socialistworker.co.
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Dont let the Tories divide us
DEFEND THE
RIGHT
TO
STRIKE
T
he Tories are a nasty bunch and
even they know it! The scale of the
Tories assault on the poor has led
even their own back bench MPs to
condemn George Osbornes planned
cuts to tax credits.
And the attacks will go on and on.
Thats why the Tories are trying so
hard to stop us fighting back.
This week the Trade Union Bill was
pushed through parliament. The bill is
the biggest attack on our right to strike
and organise for generations.
New ballot thresholds will make
legal national strikes almost impossible.
There are attacks on the right to
picket, limits on unions rights to back
political parties and an opening for
bosses to use agency workers to break
strikes.
Cameron and Co are worried that
the mood that led to the election of
Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader and
that has led to hundreds of thousands
taking to the streets against austerity
since the election could spill over into
increasing numbers of strikes:
Junior doctors are balloting to strike
against attacks on unsocial hours
payments and to defend the NHS.
Tens of thousands of them have
protested over recent weeks.
College lecturers took strike action
over pay this week across England.
Thousands of steel workers marched
against job cuts in Scunthorpe and
Scottish steel workers are set to march
again on Sunday.
And in recent weeks weve seen strike
action win victories:
At the National Gallery in London
PCS members won their dispute and
won the re-instatement of sacked rep
Candy Udwin.
Unofficial action at SOAS university
by Unison and UCU members saw
Unison branch secretary Sandy Nicoll
reinstated.
Postal workers in Bridgwater Somerset
walked out unofficially this week to
defend a disabled colleague.
We have to be prepared to take on the
new Tory laws, just as workers at SOAS
and at Bridgwater did.
If we arent prepared to defy these
laws then well let the Tories and bosses
take away our most powerful weapon
strike action.
Divide
As well as attacking our unions the
Tories are eager to divide our side.
Their response to the refugee crisis
stands in stark contrast to the generosity
of ordinary people.
While tens of thousands of people
have joined protests and collected
support for refugees, the Tories want to
play divide and rule.
They are scapegoating refugees and
Muslims to divert anger about the
savage cuts theyve made.
On 12 December Stand Up to Racism
have called a day of action to defend
refugees. We should all get behind it, and
raise money and solidarity for those who
desperately need it.
The Tories are planning many more
years of austerity. We need to stand
together and fight back.
That means opposing all scapegoating
and building a movement that can
defend our right to strike.
Unite the Resistance conference
Fight austerity,
defend our
unions
Saturday 14 November, 11am-5pm
@ Bloomsbury Baptist Church, 235
Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H
Speakers include:
John McDonnell MP
shadow chancellor
Natalie Bennett
Green Party leader
Candy Udwin
PCS National Gallery
striker
Ian Hodson
BFAWU national
president
Fast Food strikers
from the US
Keith Ewing Institute
of Employment
Rights president
John Hendy
employment rights
barrister
Paula Peters DPAC
All speakers in a
personal capacity
c I would like to get Socialist Worker regularly
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General `12/11/15
