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Solidarity : A new movement for socialism in Scotland
SOLIDARITY WITH those fighting against low pay and oppression
SOLIDARITY AGAINST poverty and discrimination in all its forms
SOLIDARITY FOR an independent socialist nuclear free Scotland
SOLIDARITY AGAINST War and FOR Peace
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For a Socialist Fighter in Ballieston - Vote Tricia McLeish |
 Solidarity have chosen their candidate for the forthcoming Glasgow Council By-Election in Ballieston on September 18th. Tricia McLeish is a local government worker, an active trade unionist and a member of Unison. Tricia was the Solidarity candidate at the recent Glasgow East election. Born and bred in the East End, Tricia has been an active campaigner, socialist and trade unionist since she was 19 years old. 
Scrap the Council TaxTricia McLeish and Solidarity are working to ensure the ending of the unfair and unjust council tax. We want it replaced with a tax that would mean that pensioners and low paid workers pay less and the millionaires pay much more. Despite the empty rhetoric from the other politicians, the ONLY MSP in the Scottish parliament to table a bill to scrap the council tax was Solidarity’s Tommy Sheridan. Stop the Pay Cuts Alongside 200,000 other council workers, Tricia McLeish has recently taken strike action after Labour and SNP councillors threatened to make pay cuts for the next 3 years, Solidarity demands an end to attacks on public sector workers. With prices rising out of control we cant afford to accept a lowering of our wages. End the Fuel Bill Rip-off Tricia McLeish and Solidarity are demanding emergency action to end the scandal of soaring gas and electricity bills. The energy companies must be brought into democratic public ownership now so we can use their huge profits to slash fuel bills and end the rip off that is condemning millions to fuel poverty. Action on HousingTricia McLeish and Solidarity are campaigning for urgent action on the growing housing crisis. The credit crunch, sky high house prices and rising number of repossessions as the recession bites is creating a housing scandal. Urgent action is needed now to ensure public housing at affordable rents are available for all who need them. - Scrap the GHA. Return Glasgow's housing stock to local authority control.
- Cancel all local authority housing debt, with the released funds ring-fenced for new council house building.
- Emergency action to meet Shelter’s demand for 30,000 affordable social homes in Scotland in the next three years.
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Massive response to council workers strike rocks employer |
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Solidarity receives warm response
Over 200,000 Scottish Local Government workers took strike action on 20th August against proposals to cut the pay of council staff for the next three years. It was the biggest local government strike ever as services were brought to a halt as the three trades unions, Unison, Unite and GMB organised united action that produced a massive response from the membership. Judging by initial media stories, the Labour and SNP led employer, CoSLA, seems ready to admit that in hindsight 2.5% for each of the next three years is well behind the current rate of inflation and needs looking at. It is vital that the unions agree to an escalation of the action and at least name the dates for a nationwide two day strike in September to maintain the pressure on the employer. For reports of the rallies in Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness please click below |
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Solidarity with Local Government Workers |
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The local government shutdown in Scotland on the 20th of August will see up to 200,000 workers taking action against an insult - masquerading as a pay offer.
The Employers (CoSLA) have offered a derisory 2.5% annual rise for the next 3 years. CoSLA is led by a coalition of SNP and Labour councillors.
This action will be the biggest strike action in Scotland since the huge strike day in March 2006 in defence of pensions.
The ballot for action across the unions, UNISON, GMB & Unite, returned big majorities of 70% to strike. Council workers have had enough of year upon year below inflation pay rises, in effect pay cuts.
Inflation
Inflation is at 5% with the costs of food, fuel, rents and mortgages rising even faster. The current offer is a pay cut for all council workers and over the three years it could mean a real cut in wages of over 7%. A huge number of council workers are low paid with thousands earning less than £15,000.
Politicians from all the big business parties like to make headlines in the media claiming they value public services and public sector workers yet when it comes to putting their money where their mouth they suddenly go quiet.
We should not be taken in by the excuses of having no money. Last year, councils made at least £82 million in “efficiency savings”. Savings that council workers were forced to deliver. We demand that this money is invested in those that provide the vital services in our communities.
Escalate the action
Only a big show of strength today and if necessary an escalation of the action can win a better deal. The politicians that hold the purse strings cannot be influenced or persuaded to give us what we deserve through negotiation. It is only determined united action that can force them into meaningful talks than can deliver. We should do all we can to coordinate our action with other trade unionists fighting the pay cut policy like the PCS?and others. A one-day national public sector shutdown would send a powerful message.
Break the link
Union leaders cannot continue to maintain the illusion of influence with Labour. UNISON, GMB & Unite are amongst the biggest donors to the coffers of the Labour Party. Members quite rightly ask “what do we get for our money?” The answer is clear, more attacks on our pay and services. It is time to end the link with Labour and build a mass force that will stand up for workers and public services.
Jim McFarlane
Chair Dundee City UNISON
(personal capacity)
Solidarity will be organising meetings in areas across Scotland on Wednesday. Check the website in the coming days for more information
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The Rich get Richer - We Pay the Price |
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 Gordon Brown, New Labour and big business are carrying out daylight robbery. Gas and Electricity bills are due for huge rises, food prices are increasing by 16% a year, fuel costs are out of control and all Brown and New Labour can offer millions of low and average paid workers is pay cuts and tax increases.
The abolition of the 10p tax rate means an effective wage cut for millions. At the other end of the scale a tiny minority are continuing to rake it in at our expense. Ordinary people are fighting back however. Thousands of civil service workers have stepped up their strike action in defence of pay and conditions. Local communities are campaigning to save post offices and other vital services under threat. In Glasgow East, the voters gave Gordon Brown's New Labour the kicking they deserved. |
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 Scottish Demonstration
End UK support for Israel - Egypt - stand up to Israel
Sunday August 10th 2pm @ Mound Precinct on Princes Street
Supported by Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish Islamic Foundation, Solidarity. Speakers include:
Dr al Essi - in Gaza, awaiting delivery of medical supplies driven from Scotland by Linda and Khalil; Linda Willis - just returned from Rafah-Gaza border; Khalil al Niss - in Rafah-Gaza, still waiting to deliver medicines and medical supplies to waiting hospital Vanesa Fuertes - member of Scottish PSC delegation attempting to deliver medicines to Gaza in March 2008, turned back by the Egyptian authorities; Aamer Anwar - human rights lawyer; Osama Saeed - Chief Executive of the Scottish Islamic Foundation
Donnie Gluckstein - Ediburgh Solidarity Tommy Sheridan said: "Solidarity is affiliated to the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and fully supports Sunday’s demonstration to End the Siege of Gaza. The people of Gaza are suffering untold misery as a result of this Israeli imposed blockade and it needs to end now. What makes it worse is that it could not happen without western complicity, and that very much includes the UK. Whenever another child dies in Gaza through lack of food or medicine, or another Israeli missile obliterates a family home and with it the entire family, Gordon Brown should hang his head in shame. This year, Palestinians are commemorating 60 years since the Nakbah, the catastrophe, where the first act of the newly formed Israeli state was massacre and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population. Since then Israel has continued to act with impunity. Enough impunity. It is time to End the Siege of Gaza and it is time for justice for the Palestinians." For more details of the campaign visit: www.scottishpsc.org.uk |
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State Funeral for Thatcher is a National Disgrace |
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Coalfields Solidarity, the industrial branch of Scotland's largest socialist party formed by workers in Scotland's open-cast coal industry, have condemned the decision of New Labour leader Gordon Brown to grant a state funeral to Margaret Thatcher. In a statement, branch organiser Jim Monaghan:
"There will be a plenty of celebration in Cumnock and other former mining communities when Thatcher goes, but we wont be celebrating her achievements, we will be celebrating her end. She replaced coal with heroin and jobs with despair in this town and many others like it across the country. Gordon Brown should be ashamed that he choses to recognise Thacher's devastation as something to be rewarded, shame on him."
Tommy Sheridan, Solidarity's co-convenor also attacked the idea. In a radio interview he said:
"This is an insult to the millions of pensioners who were robbed when she ended the link to wage rises and prices, Thatcher shouldnt be given a state funeral, she should be burned at the stake, a private cremation would do."
for the full satement from Coalfields Solidarity click 'read more' below
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Internationalism is at the Heart of Solidarity |
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Internationalism has been and continues to be one of Solidarity’s key priorities. It is based on the understanding that an economic system predicated on profit regardless of the human, social or environmental cost is global in scope and reach.
This means that resistance and opposition to it must also take on a global aspect. Under globalization workers across the world have found themselves plunged into a race to the bottom with one another as they compete for the favours of global corporations.
It is for this reason that the wages and conditions of Scottish workers have diminished and will continue to diminish in real terms. As a socialist party which fights for a world in which cooperation and solidarity replaces competition and endless wars for markets and resources, we reject the idea that workers must compete for the crumbs from the table of global corporations whose profits rise year on year to levels that are beyond obscene.
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Aamer Anwar was cleared of charges of contempt of court today as three judges found him 'not guilty' of the charges. Supporters cheered as the socialist lawyer emerged from the court. In a statement he said: "As our government criminalises communities and creates 'thought crime', lawyers still have a responsibility to be the guardians of our liberties and to campaign against injustice. "Everyone likes to talk of the independence of the judiciary and prosecution but an independent defence able to speak without fear of recrimination by the state is an essential for freedom and justice." Co-Comvenor of Solidarity, Tommy Sheridan said: "This was an over-reaction by the trial judge and a waste of public money and time. Aamer Anwar was charged for doing his job - defending his clients fearlessly. Justice has been done today." For full details of the campaign visit www.sacc.org.uk |
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Terry Fields dies, aged 71 |
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Former Labour MP Terry Fields died at his home in Liverpool on Saturday 28th June. Solidarity wish to express our deepest sympathy to his family and comrades. Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan said: "I am deeply saddened by this news. Terry was a wonderful man who inspired many to get involved in the fight for a fairer society. He will be missed by all of us." |
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