N30 - Why unions HAD to strike for ALL

Why were the strikes important? Why are the trade unions so vital to the fight against the coalition government? How did the strikes help those not in unions or not on strike?

Lets make one thing clear - these strikes have to be about far more than public sector pensions. Yes, because of the anti-union laws in Britain, the unions need to have a specific reason to strike. The public sector pension reforms were that reason.

But while striking over unjustified pension reforms is perfectly valid, this struggle needs to be seen in the wider context of the anti-cuts movement. To not see the strikes in this context lends ammunition to the anti-strike, right wing attacks on the trade unions.

Report of Sylvia Pankhurst Event

Preparation started back in early June. First we got available dates from the Plough. Then we got in touch with Mary and Liz for dates that would fit them.

Really from then on it was not too difficult. The Plough put the event in its programmes. We got some A4 posters from the film producers, stuck a notice on the bottom and circulated them.

Elijah designed flyers for the event and a preview featured on the North Devon Journal's cinema page.

I wrote a letter to be given to each cinema goer which I enclose.

Forty-six people attended. Women outnumbered men. For a North Devon Communist Party event that is excellent. We had a literature stall which was well received. Free issues of the latest copy of Liberation, invitations to the next Liberation event and copies of the Country Standard were given out.

The Peoples Charter: New group in Torrington

As of February 2012 the Peoples Charter movement will be expanding into Torridge and West Devon. I shall be setting up a group for Torrington and the surrounding area (to also include the local college Petroc), in order to help promote awareness for alternative economics and the community.

Morning Star Appeal

Readers and supporters of the Star launched a massive internet campaign today in response to an urgent appeal for £75,000 by Christmas.
An overwhelming £15,541 was received in the first day, but there is still a long way to go. Assistant editor Richard Bagley said:
"The response has been absolutely staggering in such a short space of time. Everyone here has been buoyed by the tremendous support that has been shown for the only left daily in the country." But he warned, "We've got a long way to go yet."
He urged readers and supporters to keep up the momentum in every possible arena to raise funds.

Anti-Capitalist, Pro. . . ?

For all the diversity of the Occupy movements around the world, about the only thing they (broadly) agree on, is that they are anti-capitalist.

I say broadly, because some people involved may not be completely "anti-capitalist" but are certainly anti-status-quo-capitalist. And I suppose that puts them in something of a New Labour position. They are the new Third Way sort of ditherers.

And I don't think ditherers is too harsh. They would call themselves "anti-greed", which is fair enough, but being anti-greed means they've swallowed the right wing lie that the 2008 financial crash was caused by greed. That sort of analysis completely ignores the fact that capitalism is an unsustainable system with inherent contradictions and exploitation at its core. To blame the greed of a few people, but believing in the system, is just sticking your head in the sand.

Occupy Bristol Video

From the Guardian

Occupy Plymouth

Taken from http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Protest-group-sets-camp/story-13778063-detail/story.html

THE FIRST of what are expected to be many tents were erected in Plymouth city centre, as protesters highlighted the nation's growing discontent with the financial crisis.
The Occupy Plymouth activists chose the Jigsaw Garden, opposite the Roland Levinsky building at Drake Circus, to build the encampment, and shortly after noon on Saturday, the first three tents were pegged down.
By nightfall they were joined by several more tents, with others expected to follow over the next few days.
The Occupy Movement said it hopes to bring together hundreds more like-minded people in the coming days, claiming they will "stay for as long as possible", mirroring protests across the globe.
Some of the early arrivals wore Guy Fawkes masks made famous by the V for Vendetta graphic novel and film, and now used as the symbol for Anonymous – considered the world's most famous group of hacker-anarchists.
Tim Gulliver, media spokesman for the Occupy Plymouth group, said the plan was "to stay for as long as possible."
Tim, from Peverell, said the group – started on Facebook – had held two planning meetings and has the support of Plymouth Trades Union Council and various political organisations.
He said the aim was to "draw attention to the inequalities in society" and speak for 'the 99 per cent'.
He said: "Figures from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs show that the richest one per cent of the population owns 23 per cent of the total UK wealth.
"The Times Rich List shows how the rich are getting richer every year. We clearly aren't all in this together.
"We come from different political backgrounds and from none. We come from across Plymouth and the surrounding area.
"We are old and young, in work, out of work and in education. What unites us is the knowledge that the system we live under is wrong, unsustainable and economically and ethically bankrupt.
"We have come together to stand against the greed of corporate Britain and the belief that the 'free market' can solve all of our problems.
"We are part of a global movement because the system we stand against is global in its exploitation.
"We live in a country of vast inequality and have a government that is more concerned about business profits than people.
"We are the 99 per cent."
Tony Staunton, secretary of Plymouth Trades Union Council, said he believed the protest offered hope and inspiration to workers facing cuts and unemployment.
He said: "This is the start of the English revolution. We have applauded the revolts across southern Europe and the Middle East against the plunder of the super-rich, now we are fighting back here at home.
"The demand is simple – the super-rich corporate executives and bankers have taken all the taxpayers' money, and we want it all back!"
A lone Police Community Support Officer was on hand as the first activists arrived.
PCSO Tyrst Fentem spoke briefly with them, as the first tents were placed on the private land. He said he merely warned them to keep safe, particularly at night, and to contact police if they felt threatened by anyone.

Devon and Cornwall Housing Crisis

Taken from BBC News

Homes in Devon and Cornwall 'cost 13 times annual wage'

Average house prices in Devon and Cornwall are 13 times the average annual individual wage, according to the National Housing Federation (NHF).
It said the average house in Cornwall costs £228,585, with the average individual salary at £17,628 a year.
In Devon, the average home costs £241,575, with the average income at £17,940 a year, the organisation has said.
The NHF added there was a greater need for affordable homes.
Jenny Allen, South West lead manager for the NHF, said: "Lack of supply is at the root of the problem.
"Ministers need to act now to implement a range of measures to turn the tide on the current housing crisis, ensuring that homes continue to be built in the region and that affordable housing options remain."
The federation said more young professionals and middle income families are being priced out of the market.
The figures have been published in a report called the South West Home Truths.
In Devon, the South Hams is the most expensive area to live and Plymouth is the cheapest.
In 2010, the NHF said the average house prices in Cornwall and Devon were 12 times the average annual wage.

21st Century Marxism - Weekend Festival

Weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November
A weekend of culture and debate, with 37 sessions, seminars, plenaries, a film viewing, a book launch and campaign launches.
Internationalist Rally with leaders of the communist movement from Russia, China, India, Cuba, South Africa, Ireland and Britain.
Click on the image above to take you to the main CP site with full details.
Speakers include:

Prakash Karat [India]
Yuri Emeljanov [Russia]
Navid Shomali [Iran]
Eugene McCarten [Ireland]
Robert Griffiths
Alvaro Sanchez [Cuba]
John Foster
Cheng Enfu [China]
Mary Davis
Hans Modorow [Germany]
Liz Payne
Blade Nzimande [South Africa]
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Gawain Little
Professor Prem Sikka
Carolyn Jones
Bill Greenshields
Ben Stevenson
Phil Katz