The trade union Unite has been targeting Tesco stores across the UK and Ireland in an attempt to expose the company for its practice of exploiting (mainly migrant) workers in its supply chain.
In material handed out by activists at stores the union points out;
Tesco is the largest and probably the most famous retailer in Britain and Ireland. It claims its success depends on people: the people who shop with it and the people who work with it. Tesco claim their “every little helps” strategy is about treating people as Tesco would like to be treated. But evidence about the treatment of workers employed by companies in the British and Irish meat supply industry that supplies Tesco stores tells a different story.
Solidarity, Scotland’s Socialist Movement today wishes to mark the second anniversary of the deaths of two miners at the Pennyvenie Open Cast mine in Ayrshire on February 26th 2007 by continuing our call for a full public inquiry into health and safety in Scotland’s open cast mines.
Colin Ferguson and Brian French died in an industry that continues to be amongst the most dangerous of any workplace. Less than one year on from the tragedy, another opencast miner, Jim Griffen died at Penneyvenie, the frourth such fatality in less than 8 years. Since the year 2000, there have been 21 fatalities and more than 2,700 injuries in UK Coal fields alone. Worldwide miners are being killed or seriously wounded on a daily basis.
The Coalfields Solidarity Branch, which is predominately made up of open cast workers and their families, has campaigned for a public inquiry since that tragic day and last November the Solidarity Annual Conference agreed a motion backing the local branch’s campaign.
At this time our thoughts are with the family, friends and work mates of Jim, Colin and Brian and with those working in dangerous occupations above and below ground across the world.
In a move that would have made even Thatcher blush, this Thursday sees New Labour's latest attempt to sell off more of the family silver with a bill to privitise around 30% of the Royal Mail. Despite meeting with fierce opposition from back bench Labour MP’s and trade unionists, an unholy alliance of New Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP’s are set to back the proposals which Lord Mandelson has said are required if the Royal Mail is to survive in its current form.
As Senior Police Officers Prepare for a Summer of Rage, protesters in Ireland say; “Tax the Greedy – Not the Needy!”
Over 120,000 people brough Dublin to a standstill on Saturday during a protest over the Irish Governments handling of the economic ressession. Organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions the demonstration marked the latest stage in a series of protests across Europe over governments handling of the growing crisis in capitalism.
10:00 AM-5:00 PM Charles Wilson Building, Glasgow University, corner of University Avenue and Gibson Street.
The line up of international speakers already includes - Walter Wolfgang (Labour NEC), Ghada Karmi (Palestinian campaigner), Kate Hudson (British CND, Chair), Aamer Anwar (human rights lawyer), Pauline McNeill (Labour MSP), Sandra White (SNP MSP), Bill Kidd (SNP MSP), Neil Mackay (journalist), Hossam el-Hamalawy (Egyptian journalist), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation), Rose Gentle (Military Families Against War), Eamonn McCann (Raytheon Nine), Mohammad Asif (Scottish Afghan Society), Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition convenor), Ivona Novomestska (Czech bases campaign), STUC speaker, Alan McKinnon (SCND), Kenny Ross (Scottish Regional Secretary FBU), Mujahid Islam and others to be confirmed.
Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan joined dozens of angry parents, children and members of the community in a protest over council plans to close their school.The march was between St Agnes in Cadder and St Blanes, the school that children would have to move to if the closure goes ahead. Parents wanted to highlight the increased distances children would have to walk.
One of the campaigners, Sean Neilson, a former pupil said: "The march went really well. Having Tommy's presence really helped to raise awareness of the issue. Cadder is a small community but we are determined to make a point.”
“Stick together, stay united and keep fighting!” that was the message from Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan at Saturday’s demonstration against threatened school closures in Glasgow.
A huge turnout of over 1,000 adults and children brought Glasgow city centre to a standstill over lunch time with one of the most colourful and vibrant demonstrations the city has ever seen.
The message from the demonstration was clear…the parents,teachers, kids and communities from all of the 25 threatened schools and nurseries will fight the New Labour controlled council's closure decision to the bitter end. The battle has only just begun…
For more photos from the demo and to find out more about the schools campaign click 'read more' below.
George Galloway MP, Yvonne Ridley and hundreds of British volunteers are driving an aid convoy of over 100 donated vehicles packed with practical aid to Gaza leaving from outside the Houses of Parliament, London on Saturday the 14th February. This remarkable convoy will be over a mile long and carry a million pounds of aid raised in just four weeks.
Volunteers will drive the donated vehicles from all over Britain to Westminster on Valentine’s Day to form the convoy which will then drive almost 5,000 miles together through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt where they will cross the border at Rafah into Gaza on the 2nd March.
Events Calendar
Solidarity, Scotland’s Socialist Movement today wishes to mark the second anniversary of the deaths of two miners at the Pennyvenie Open Cast mine in Ayrshire on February 26th 2007 by continuing our call for a full public inquiry into health and safety in Scotland’s open cast mines. 
In a move that would have made even Thatcher blush, this Thursday sees New Labour's latest attempt to sell off more of the family silver with a bill to privitise around 30% of the Royal Mail. Despite meeting with fierce opposition from back bench Labour MP’s and trade unionists, an unholy alliance of New Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP’s are set to back the proposals which Lord Mandelson has said are required if the Royal Mail is to survive in its current form. 
As Senior Police Officers Prepare for a Summer of Rage, protesters in Ireland say; “Tax the Greedy – Not the Needy!”
Saturday 21st February
Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan joined dozens of angry parents, children and members of the community in a protest over council plans to close their school.The march was between St Agnes in Cadder and St Blanes, the school that children would have to move to if the closure goes ahead. Parents wanted to highlight the increased distances children would have to walk.
A LIFELINE FROM BRITAIN TO GAZA
