All over the UK, workers are striking or are about to strike. They include
railworkers, London Tube workers, postal workers, workers in sixth form collegesand further education colleges and universities, nurses and bus workers. ----They are striking for pay rises, after wages have been frozen for years and nowinflation is making this worse. They are fighting to stop job cuts, to protecttheir pensions, and to stop their working conditions being eroded further. ----For example on Network Rail, there has been no pay rise for two years, 2,500 jobsare threatened and safety conditions are being attacked by management. ---- It isthis government, and previous Conservative and Labour administrations who haveimposed austerity packages on the majority of the population for many years. Theyare responsible for the attacks on wages, pensions and benefits. And when jobsare cut, this means there is an unsafe environment as on the railways and theUnderground, where station staff have been cut right back.These are people who help the disabled, tourists and lost children. Platformmanagement is important for its safety role, and platform staff help drivers makestations a safer place.Many workers are now far worse off than they were a decade ago. Years ofreal-terms pay cuts have eroded wages.Inflation has soared and we are now living in a cost of living crisis. Many arebeing forced to use food banks and find second hand school uniforms for theirchildren.Because of ongoing low pay for such a long time there are many vacancies invarious industries and professions. In the NHS there are over 47,00 unfillednursing jobs. Thousands have left these important jobs, jobs praised during theCovid pandemic as being those of ‘key workers'. These key workers, be they inpublic transport, education, health, or the postal service were praised bypoliticians and described as heroes for risking their health and lives. This talkhas not been turned into actions and this government is keen to stop workersgetting the pay rises they need just to keep up with inflation.The government, the newspapers and other media, and the management and owners ofindustries where workers are striking or are about to strike attempt to make outthat workers don't deserve pay rises, that they are as for example, withrailworkers already overpaid. This is a lie. Not only are wages being kept lowbut jobs are being cuts and pensions attacked whilst management in the NHS, inpublic transport, in education, in Royal Mail etc are paying themselves hugesalaries.Their fight is your fight. Workers are striking for all of the reasons above. Youknow that things are getting worse, that food and energy prices are risingmassively, that it's becoming more and more difficult to keep warm and to feedoneself healthily. A victory by one group of workers can inspire and encourageothers. We're all in it together.Whether you're a fellow worker, pensioner, parent or student you should supportstriking workers. Show solidarity by supporting picket lines, invite strikers tospeak at meetings of your tenants association or union branch. Speak at thepicket line or a rally. Put up a sign in your window in support. Donate money orfood.If these strikes are won, it could dramatically shift the situation in the UK. Itwould deal a massive blow to this government and show the power of the working class.https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2022/12/31/why-you-should-support-strikes/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten