Support the council workers!

Tomorrow, 600,000 local government workers go on strike, which will continue through to Thursday. While inflation has significantly increased the cost of living, the Government has insultingly offered the people who keep public services working just a 2.45% pay 'rise' this year. Coming on top of the abolition of the 10p tax rate, this is yet another kick in the teeth for some of Britain's lowest paid workers.

Unison and Unite are therefore holding joint action, and the Socialist Party gives complete support to those on strike. The unions are asking for 6% or an extra 50p an hour, whichever is the greater. It should serve as a reminder as to the values of capitalism and its representatives and apologists in parliament that essential and valuable public servants such as refuse collectors, librarians and teaching assistants should have to strike to try and secure what is a very moderate demand, while billions are spent on war, diverting public money into shareholders pockets and tax cuts for the wealthy.

Unfortunately, Unison and Unite continue to fund the very party that is trying to cut the living standards of its members. They would be better placed for fighting for fair pay, union rights and defending jobs, pensions and public services if they broke with New Labour, which is just another party of big business, and helped form a new party that fights for workers and young people.

Devon Socialist Party calls for:

- United public sector trade union action, wherever possible.
- A Devon Living Wage at a level to be determined by the relevant trade unions and inflation linked.
- Laws limiting the ability of trade unions to be swept away, and for unions to be allowed to be more flexible in their actions and the use of their funds, and for solidarity strikes and picketing to be legalised.
- An end to cuts and selloffs in public services at local and national level.
- A new party of the working class to be formed, based on the unions and involving socialists, community campaigners, environmentalists, antiwar activists and young people.