Workers' Liberty

The new issue of Hackney Solidarity is now available. Read the articles here; e-mail your name and address to Janine for printed copies.

by Janine Booth

Hackney desperately needs more secondary school places.

Around 40% of youngsters go out of the borough to secondary school. This is a totally unacceptable situation which causes stress to our kids and our families.

ALMO is no solution

Hackney Council is pressing ahead with its Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), despite very little support in the community.

When Hackney Solidarity asked residents of Mountford estate, we found that most people had not heard of the ALMO, and those who had knew little of the detail.

There will be gold medals for corporate sponsors, TV networks, sportswear manufacturers and politicians.
But will Hackney’s workers and communities get the wooden spoon?

The Olympic Games are big business. But unless we put up a fight, we could end up with ‘regeneration’ that pushes up prices, reduces our green space, and creates facilities that local residents can not afford.
Property developers will use the opportunity to make a ‘land grab’.

by Charlie McDonald, local PCS branch secretary

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members working in dole offices and jobcentres in London have voted for a series of strikes. The first may take place on 16 November.

Brook Community Primary School is in its first full year of Fresh Start. Teachers, other staff, and the kids, are all working hard, and things seem to be getting better.

But is the school getting the support it deserves from the authorities?

by John Leach

In Spring next year, we get to vote for our Councillors. Hackney Solidarity will stand in this election, giving people the chance to vote for socialist candidates who support Hackney working-class interests.

Hackney Solidarity knocked on doors on the Pembury. We asked people’s views about life on the estate.
Many complained about the building work. It has been noisy, disruptive, and continually delayed.