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VER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WELL see important developments in the fight against austerity. On Tuesday 4 February, London Underground will grind to a halt as the first of two 48 hour strikes takes place, called by the RMT and TSSA, against closure of the networks ticket offices and mass job cuts. On the same day Unison members in local government will be protesting against low pay. On 6 February university workers in Unison, Unite, UCU and EIS unions will be striking again for decent pay. Unison residential workers in Glasgow have struck for two 48 hour strikes already over shift changes, and plan more strikes. Its good to see unions taking action and there could be more to come with teachers union NUT and the firefighters FBU set to announce more strikes in their battles to defend pay and pensions. We urgently need strikesno matter how many times the Tories explain that things are getting better, we know full well that for us, things are getting worse.

STRIKERS SHOW HOW TO TAKE ON THE CUTS

Standing strong on the picket line: education workers striking to defend pay and the service

Tory spin of recovery for all is far from reality...

www.socialistworker.co.uk

Struggling

There has been a huge increase in the number of people relying on foodbanks just in the last 10 months half a million working class people struggling to survive have gone to one of the 400 run by the Tressell Trust! Its a disgrace that while 28,500 tonnes of food was binned by Tesco in the first half of 2013, three people are being prosecuted for taking discarded food from a skip. The average cut in real terms wages since the is 1,600, while the average household has lost 891 in last years benefit cuts and the average increase in energy bills for Npower customers is 137!

Meanwhile the right are trying to seize on a situation where anger among working class people is growing over poor housing, high unemployment and threadbare services in communities. The Tories ideological assault on migrants, sadly backed up by the Labour party, has opened the door to racist groups like Ukip, as well as fascists in the BNP and EDL to sow seeds of racism and division. Disgusting programmes like Channel 4s Benefit Street targets working class people who struggle by on benefits as the ones to blame for the impact of the economic crisis.

As workers we have the power to take the Tories and the bosses on and win. But it will take a serious strategy in every union and across the union movement. It is crucial that in every workplace and union branch, activists organise to deliver solidarity to those striking back now, by visiting picket lines, sending messages of support and inviting strikers into meetings.

Solidarity

Rake

It will take hard hitting strikes and solidarity to stop the assault. That means building networks of solidarity and organising pressure on union leaders to call the action that can win.

This is dangerously divisive as we face the most serious assault on living standards in generations. We shouldnt believe the lies and allow claimants and immigrants to become scapegoated. Every workplace should send a delegation on the 22 March Stand Up to Racism and Fascism rallies. This isnt a case of everyone in it together. As we all suffer, the rich continue to rake it in, with soaring profits, and mega salaries and bonuses for CEOs and bankers.

ACTIVISTS DIARY
Sat 15 March
Peoples Assembly Recall Conference Emanuel Centre, Central London www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk

Sat 22 March

Stand Up to Racism and Fascism Rallies and Demos, London, Glasgow, Cardiff www.uaf.org.uk

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