Solidarity 3/128, 6 March 2008

Tories want to break Tube workers’ power

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:28

Author:

Jack Staunton

Tory candidate for mayor of London Boris Johnson unveiled his transport policy on March 3, including a promise to obtain a no-strike agreement on London Underground as well as the capital’s train services. This policy, echoing an earlier UK Independence Party manifesto pledge, further demonstrates the utterly reactionary agenda of the ex-public schoolboy Henley MP, who appears to have a serious chance of winning the election against Ken Livingstone.

Vote Lindsey German no. 1

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:26

“Red” Ken Livingstone’s campaign for re-election is being supported with a high profile statement signed by... trade union militants? left activists? anti-cuts campaigners?

A profitable way to “happiness”

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:25

Author:

Mike Fenwick

The recent survey of all the existing evidence for the effectiveness of the anti-depressants of the type made famous by Prozac has demonstrated how easily drug companies can get away with cherry picking studies that highlight the effectiveness of their drugs whilst hiding any negative results.

The survey revealed that none of these drugs had an effect better than a placebo in any but the most depressed patients.

Fighting low and unequal pay

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:24

On the 29 February members of the PCS union in the Department for Transport (DfT) took strike action over low and unequal pay, jobs and privatisation.

The strike had a great impact:

Rent rises in Lambeth!

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:22

Author:

Heenal Rajani and Dan Jeffreys

Lambeth council wants to increase council tenants’ rents by 6.5%. This is far higher than the increases in other boroughs and equates to around £250 a year extra for the average property.

Oppose the witch-hunt

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:21

A statement from “Defend the Five” Campaign —
This campaign has been launched because of the attack by Unison’s leadership on four London branches and five officers of these branches.

A campaigning union

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:19

Solidarity spoke to Steve Hedley, the newly elected Secretary of the RMT union’s London Transport Regional Council. The union is currently gearing up for a number of important fights.

Single status: time to level up

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:18

Author:

Frank Mitchell

Recently there have been a number of strikes and protests in local government in response to settlements of Single Status Agreements.

From charity to capitalist contractor?

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:16

On Wednesday 5 March 450 members of Unite union who work at Shelter struck for the first time in the housing charity’s 41 year history. A Shelter worker explains the background.

Knowing your place

Submitted on 7 March, 2008 - 21:14

Author:

Pat Yarker

Contradictions inherent in New Labour’s policy of increased diversity and “choice” in school-provision have surfaced again over admissions to state secondary schools.