Its been an emotional return to face to face congress for members of the GMB this week, the first one since the pandemic. The opening at the weekend saw the traditional banner parade carried out to the stirring rendition of Jerusalem, many delegates clearly emotional as they took time to reflect on the last fewContinue reading “GMB Congress underway”
Category Archives: Industry
TU Group statement: FBU, ASLEF and the question of Labour Party affiliation
The Trade Union Group is deeply disappointed by the decisions made by both the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) at their respective annual general meetings in May 2022 to affirm their affiliations to the Labour Party. The Labour Party is an imperialist, anti-worker, anti-trade union andContinue reading “TU Group statement: FBU, ASLEF and the question of Labour Party affiliation”
ASLEF and the fight for political independence
The news that ASLEF will remain affiliated to the Labour Party is disappointing but not unexpected. Supporters of disaffiliation knew that it was going to be a difficult task extricating ASLEF from this abusive relationship. The General Secretary Mick Whelan (who is regarded by all as a decent and principled man) sits at the headContinue reading “ASLEF and the fight for political independence”
Support the striking rail workers! Defend the right to strike!
The Workers Party of Britain denounces Network Rail’s plan to cut up to 2,500 rail jobs, condemns transport secretary Grant Shapps threat to criminalise strikes and welcomes the overwhelming mandate for national strike action delivered by an RMT ballot of over 40,000 rail workers. A magnificent 89 percent voted for strike action on a turn out of 71 percent.
Support the NSK strikers in Durham!
The Workers Party of Britain denounces the refusal of NSK Europe to budge from its derisory pay offer of 1.6 percent and warmly supports workers at NSK’s two Durham factories who plan to extend their ongoing strike action until 15 May. With the Retail Prices Index hitting 9 percent and still climbing, the 1.6 percentContinue reading “Support the NSK strikers in Durham!”
Victory to the rail workers!
jobs and congratulates the RMT for balloting over 40,000 of its members for strike action. Workers whose jobs are threatened include those who maintain tracks, signals and overhead lines. The RMT is to ballot its members in fifteen train operating companies, including LNER, Chiltern, Avanti, Cross Country and South Western.
TU Group Statement on boycott of Russian oil tanker in Orkney
Trade Union Group statement on boycott of Russian oil tanker in Orkney. The photo (above) depicts the scene of the Trade Union House in Odessa, where trade unionists were burnt alive by neo-Nazi’s in 2014, Ukraine, photo courtesy YouTube user 9plus0 https://www.youtube.com/c/9plus0media The WPB Trade Union Group has noted with concern a report in theContinue reading “TU Group Statement on boycott of Russian oil tanker in Orkney”
Airbus workers vote to strike
On a ballot with an 84 per cent turn out, 94 per cent of Unite Airbus members voted for strike action.
Plaque to honour the match girls strike
An important moment in trade union history will now be marked by a blue plaque commemorating the 1888 matchgirls’ strike in east London. It is one of 14 blue plaques to be put up in the capital this year by English Heritage. The organisation has sought to broaden and diversify the scheme by inviting nominations from theContinue reading “Plaque to honour the match girls strike”
Victory to the striking college lecturers!
The Workers Party of Britain denounces the ongoing attack on college lecturers’ pensions, pay and working conditions and commends their decision to go on strike for ten days in February. University bosses want to make a 35% cut from lecturers’ guaranteed retirement income, refuse to rectify the 20% real terms pay cut that has openedContinue reading “Victory to the striking college lecturers!”