unity!
scottish-communists.org.uk April 2017
No thanks Nicola SeConD referenDUm
PeoPle’S aSSembly
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he forty eighth screening of the film I Daniel Blake, held under the auspices of the People’s assembly, took place in glasgow last month. in Scotland six more are to be held bringing total screenings to over 50 from aberdeen to berwick with attendances of 70 to almost 300. Not bad for a film that was in cinemas for three months and can be bought for less than a tenner in most supermarkets. What makes it stand out is the fact that it tells a story that while hidden in mainstream media is a daily reality for working people and their families throughout Britain. This was apparent by contributions given by those who had personal experience of the governments iniquitous sanctions regime, these contributions highlighted how the film if anything did not tell a horrific enough story harrowing though it was. That the People’s Assembly organised these events is not surprising given that most trade unions in Scotland are affiliates along with a variety of political and
community groups. With the Labour Parties Campaign for Socialism and the SNP Trade Union Group both represented on the Scotland wide steering group it is perhaps the only organisation that can rightly claim to be the broadest based group opposing austerity now. With its key demands deliberately focused on the concerns of working class families it offers an opportunity to campaign on issues rather than constitutional arrangements. 1 A fairer economy for a fairer Britain 2 More and better jobs 3 High standard social housing 4 Protect and improve public services 5 Fairness and justice 6 A secure and sustainable future Local assemblies based around Trades Councils are in the forefront of campaigns in support of claimants unjustly sanctioned by the DWP, highlighting and opposing cuts in local services, antifracking and environmental concerns. These local groups are re-establishing the links that existed between trade unions and working class communities. Earlier this year every council group leader and every councillor were sent a
Peoples Manifesto highlighting the implications for working people if they went ahead with proposed cuts. We also offered alternatives and assistance in creating budgets that halted any more cuts and could even expand services. Some councils like North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire have set no cuts budgets and are expanding services, it can and should be done across Scotland. The PAS are not against councillors we see them as our allies in the anti-austerity movement if they listen to voters concerns we will support them. People came to the film show because of anger and it is time for the movement to help focus this anger where it belongs. Not on the DWP worker most probably in receipt of benefits after years of zero pay rises but at the governments in Westminster and Hollyrood not forgetting the faceless ones in Brussels the architects of “our” austerity via the neo liberal Lisbon treaty. They need to be challenged and the People’s Assembly in Scotland is in the forefront of this so come on board and be part of the fight back. KEITH STODDART
Partnership no more ClaSS Collaboration
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he CommUniSt Party has never supported Partnership working with the employers or government. it recognised such a “partnership” was bogus, dampening down militancy in the workplace, fostering passivity, isolating activists and incorporating unions into the employer agenda. One partner made the other pay for austerity with cuts to pay, terms and conditions, and job losses. It led to a lazy approach to organising — why bother with such time-consuming tasks as face to face meetings with members when you were guaranteed a seat at the top table. It also led to an unhealthy relationship, and even collusion, with the bosses by senior stewards and full-time officers combined with the targeting of trade union militants and “trouble-makers.” Employers saw the role of union full time officers as policing their stewards and dealing with the
“hotheads”. Concessionary bargaining became the order of the day, with give and take, with workers always doing the giving. Accept cuts in real pay and terms and conditions and it will save jobs, workers were told. It was a proven myth, a dead end for workers with the employer always coming back looking for more concessions. Areas covered by collective bargaining were removed piecemeal and no less fatally, it created a political divide between trade unions and service users and the wider community, something that militant trades councils are well aware of. The partnership approach has been pushed by union leaderships in many unions and by the STUC and TUC. Recently the STUC General Secretary, probably recognising the unease felt by many lay activist of the extremely close relationship between the STUC and the Scottish Government, warned of the danger of dependency in that relationship. However interesting developments are
taking place in the Scottish movement with a lot of interest being shown in the writings of the US labour organiser Jane McAlevey and her call for “Deep Organising” in the workplace and a PCS motion to Congress calls for such an approach. McAlevey criticises the collaboration approach to industrial relations which will be music to the ears of many stewards, and the need to identify what she calls “organic leaders”. She recognises, again not be new to active trade union councils, of the importance of winning our case not just in the workplace but also in our communities and pays respect to the left and communist organisers in the US Congress of Industrial Organisation who adopted such an approach. Shortage of space curtails a fuller account of her writings but interesting developments indeed. A case of “Back to the Future”? For some of us it never went away. TOM MORRISON
Trumped US left wing view
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ontrary to the impression put out by media elites, the working-class vote was not overwhelmingly for trump, nor was the working class vote the backbone of his success. The Electoral College totals swung his way thanks to narrow victories in a few key rust-belt states. Many factors contributed to the Trump victory, but two stand out. First, there was a discernable shift among many voters in working class strongholds previously giving majorities to Obama to turn in the direction of Trump in 2016. As (liberal pundit) Paul Krugman noted in his 2008 alert and warning to the Democrats, addressing relevant economic issues is decisive in winning the working class vote. With the Sanders economic program strangled in the cradle, desperate voters saw nowhere to turn but to the false, demagogic hope of putting the industrial toothpaste back into the tube, of creating jobs out of Trump’s magic. Democratic Party operatives and their media lapdogs have done their most to evade blame for the Party’s abandonment of working people’s interests. Instead, they have painted workers as pathologically bigoted and ignorant.... By diverting the spotlight to working class dysfunction, the third-way, New Democrats who dominate the party can escape blame for their willful neglect of the multiracial working class’s increasingly desperate plight. Second, Trump was a magnet for every backward, reactionary, racist element in the US. They, too, saw the arrogant, abrasive, loud-mouth as someone in whom they could place their hopes. Trump’s aggressive break with the typical politician’s syrupy civility was taken as a sign of contempt for the alien, the different, those perceived as threatening (Ironically, these same hates and fears were, in the past, invested in softspoken religious leaders and smoothtongued conservative gentlemen). Trump engages in the Old South tactic of drawing attention by surpassing all others in racebaiting and fear-mongering, but it’s important to note that this simplistic tactic only works where an atmosphere of racial friction and fear already exists. edited extract from Zoltan Zigedy’s blog http://tinyurl.com/znbentp
iS niCola Sturgeon justified in calling for a second Scottish referendum and to demand it before summer 2019? Certainly she has the right to do so. every nation has that the right to selfdetermination – and hence there must be an associated right to be able to assess whether this is the will of its people. in 2014 this was not the case. but, the first minister argues, the eU referendum and the different results in Scotland and england have materially changed the situation. however, the real question is not about rights but, as the first minister herself argues, about circumstances and, for socialists, this means about how far exercising this right will help or hinder working people in securing class justice and ultimately a society in which capitalist exploitation is ended. and this is the rub. in using the outcome of the eU referendum as justification, the first minister is now linking the issue of independence to membership of the eU and will be asking people to vote for both. there are two problems here. first, as Jim Sillars has said, although he is a foremost independence supporter, he could not vote for independence on these terms. in doing so he would be voting to leave one union and to ‘join an even worse one’. by that he means an economic union which enforces neo-liberal policies that will be disastrous for Scotland. the eU’s convergence terms for the single currency will mean drastic austerity, a massacre of public sector services and jobs and the prohibition of any effective public sector intervention in the economy. the rule of corporate capital will be intensified. there is, however, a second reason. the next two years will see a massive battle at british level to ensure that the anti-working class, neo-liberal regulations of the eU are not permanently written into british law – and that any proworker regulations are preserved. to have an independence referendum scheduled for spring 2019 at the latest will mean that the crucial months required for securing a progressive outcome on the eU will be overshadowed by an independence campaign – and one in which the Scottish government will portraying the eU quite uncritically as uniformly good for working people and not acknowledging its neo-liberal, antiworker economics. nothing could better suit theresa may if she wants to maintain, as she does, these elements in british law. this is why this is not the time for a second referendum and why it should not be linked to eU membership.
Exploited social care workers deserve a new deal SoCial Care
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orkerS in social care, the majority women, face many challenges daily. they range from violence at work, low pay, no trade union recognition and collective bargaining agreement to name a few. For most social care workers the threat of violence or actual violence is a daily occurrence. A recent member survey by Unison found that 50% of workers had been physically assaulted whilst working. All of these assaults have been reported to management but only 44% of workers felt that the report was taken seriously. It is common place by employers to dismiss such incidents as “part of the job”. The same goes for sexual harassment, verbal aggression and threatening behaviour. Some employers even go as far as to blaming their staff by asking “What could you have done differently to avoid this incident?” without offering any support. This is unacceptable and must change. Social care workers receive very little
pay and recognition for the job they are doing. Zero hour contracts are rife and many workers do not get paid for travelling time in between clients. Sleepovers are paid way below the minimum wage and overtime is part of the job. These employees deal with finances, cook, clean, wash, administer medication, talk, support, reassure …the tasks are endless and often they are only given 15 min per visit. Organising in this sector is challenging due to disparate workplaces and the sometimes even hostile attitude to trade unions by employers but it is the only way to change the working conditions in the social care sector. Trade unions also need to put pressure on local authorities who are giving contracts to these employers. Some minor victories have already been achieved, for example the sleepover payments but we can’t rest until social care workers feel safe and supported at their place of work and are being paid a fair wage, are respected and enjoy full trade union recognition with fair terms and conditions with all the benefits that this entails.
‘The Morning Star is the most precious and only voice we have in the daily media’ Jeremy Corbyn “Catch a Morning Star And put it in your pocket Never let it fade away” This was the refrain of former STUC general secretary Bill Speirs every time he appeared at an STUC Morning Star social. Bill was a tireless supporter of the paper. He campaigned to ensure that it reached Scotland on the day of publication and was instigator of our Voices of Scotland column. Bill knew the importance of a daily paper that was loyal to the trade union movement. Over the past two years the Morning Star has, unlike other daily papers, maintained its Scottish circulation (the Herald is down a quarter and the National by a third). But the Star’s sales remain far too small for the financial viability of a paper that receives no commercial or government advertising. Its sales are also too small for it to fulfil its political role. The attacks on the leaders of our movement, Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey in particular, are unprecedented. They require daily rebuttal. So also do the attacks on trade
unionists in a year when draconian antitrade union laws are being enforced and real wages are being cut once more. This is why the Morning Star is organising a special Spring Scottish circulation drive.The paper will be available in more shops. A promotional leaflet has been prepared. And there will be a special voucher enabling new readers to get the paper at a reduced cost. But, as with every circulation drive for the paper, the secret of success remains its existing readers. Generally new readers will be won only if existing readers tell others about it and politically persuade them of the paper’s importance. This is what the Scottish Morning Star Campaign Committee hopes you can help. If you need promotional materials contact its Secretary John Foster on foster631@btinternet.com or Bernadette Keaveney, Circulation Manager at the paper bernadettekeaveney@peoplespress.com. If you have a story contact the Scottish correspondent Zoe Streatfield at zoestreatfield@peoples-press.com
Time to go breXit
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ow ShoUlD britain’s exit from the european Union proceed? on this as well as other fronts, the labour movement in britain faces challenges that will shape the future of working people and their families for a generation writes Robert Griffiths. The starting point must be to recognise the character and legitimacy of the vote to leave the EU. It was not a mass expression of working class racism. According to Lord Ashcroft’s poll of 12,369 voters, the most important issue for half of all Leave supporters was UK sovereignty. Only one-third put control over immigration first, although both sovereignty and immigration as well as the economy were important to the majority of anti-EU voters. However ill founded, expressing concern about the impact of immigration on local jobs, wages and public services is not a sure-fire indicator of racism. Nevertheless, just under half of Leave voters also had a negative view of multiculturalism, with only one quarter seeing it as positive. Clearly much work remains to be done to strengthen the links between our different communities, overcoming ignorance and prejudice. At the same time, one-third of black and ethnic minority voters opposed EU membership, including a majority of Sikhs and Jews. The Lexit Left Leave referendum campaign involved many Indian, Bangladeshi, Turkish and Greek workers here. The political outlook of Leave voters was equally mixed. More than one-third of Labour and SNP and a majority of Plaid Cymru supporters opted to leave the EU, along with a quarter of Greens and almost one-third of LibDems. Just under half of voters described either capitalism, globalisation or both as a force for ill in society, the majority of them voted Leave. In fact, they comprised around one-third of anti-EU voters. As for the validity of the referendum, before June 23 almost all campaigners accepted that the result should be implemented whichever way it went. Who would have dared suggest otherwise? Nothing strengthen UKIP’s position in Labour’s heartlands more than refusing to ROBERT GRIFFITHS IS GENERAL SECRETARy OF enact the people’s decision. THE COMMUNIST PARTy
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i want to join the Communist Party/young Communist league name address post code age if under 28
return to Communist Party 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 7DA scottish-communists.org.uk HSTUC 2017
this pamphlet looks at the course of the brexit negotiations themselves: how options are currently being defined by the british government and what their implications are for workers’ rights. it starts by examining the eU: its positive achievements but also its neo-liberal economic framework and the consequences both for the crisis of social democracy and the rise of right-wing populism. the third section looks at the objectives of british big business and the City of london, the relationship with the US, and most important of all, why british big business and the City will not and cannot resolve the basic problems facing the british economy and why public sector intervention is essential. the pamphlet ends by considering the opportunities and dangers posed by the negotiations for working people in britain. it argues that the opportunity now exists for restoring democratic control over the economy, for addressing the structural problems of stagnation and job loss and for re-establishing workers’ rights. a campaign for such an outcome has the potential to galvanise a wider movement across europe and constitutes the best chance for winning the battle against right-wing populism. the alternative, of the tory government creating a new rightwing populist base for neo-liberal economics, is one that should persuade every trade unionist of the necessity to campaign for a progressive settlement. buy at http://tinyurl.com/hwj6pby www.communist-party.org.uk
People’s Assembly sets the pace aUSterity
Join the revolutionary party of working class power and liberation
Not surprisingly, the SNP is exploiting the voting differences between England, Wales and Scotland to advance its mirage of independence under the Crown, the Bank of England, the EU and NATO. The best response is to put forward the positive case for working class unity, progressive federalism and wealth redistribution. It is also claimed that the result is invalid because it was achieved with lies. But lies and scares were used prolifically on both sides, including by Cameron, Osborne, City bankers, the CBI, the Institute of Directors, the IMF and NATO. The Communist Party and its Lexit allies found that telling the truth about the anti-democratic, pro-big business and racist EU was enough to counter the propaganda from reactionary quarters on both sides. The need now is to rebuild left and labour movement unity against the Tory government and its austerity and privatisation policies. That must include proposing an alternative agenda for Britain’s exit from the EU which promotes working class and the people’s interests. Therefore Britain’s Communists propose the following positions: l No to membership of the European Union ‘Single Market’ and TTIP – regulate the movement of capital, commodities and labour in the interests of working people. l Renounce EU Court of Justice rulings protecting the super-exploitation of migrant workers – no more undercutting; equal terms and conditions for all. l Enact any progressive EU social and environmental policies into British law. l Continue funding vital programmes previously supported via the EU. l No more EU budget contributions – invest in public services and housing. l Regain full freedom to cut or abolish VAT. l Guarantee residence for EU citizens currently living in Britain. l Uphold the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights. l Reverse the racist anti-immigration rules imposed on non-Europeans as part of the EU ‘Fortress Europe’ policy. l Withdraw from the EU Common Foreign and Defence Policy and its aggressive alliance with NATO.
he PaSt year has been a hive of activity for fife People’s assembly, ending in it being praised in westminster, through an early Day motion by local mP, roger mullin. from helping to organise the first may Day march and rally in fife for decades, to its campaigns against the draconian working practices at amazon and Sports Direct, campaigns against cuts to local government funding and the nhS, its work outside the local Job Centres against welfare sanctions and work Capability assessments. after its demonstrations outside amazon the campaign received worldwide coverage as it highlighted the fact that amazon workers were living in tents near to the warehouse. representatives were interviewed by radio stations from as far afield as new Zealand, with questions then being raised in holyrood about the poor working practices amazon and its agency
partners are inflicting on workers. the next year is shaping up to be just as busy, with the second may Day march organised for 6 may. Campaigning for council election candidates to agree to the aims of the People’s assembly for local government and the on-going work outside the Job Centres. fife People’s assembly remains committed to being open to everyone regardless of political allegiances. to working within our communities and build greater links with all community organisations to campaign against the on-going ideological austerity agenda and the resulting cuts to our communities. we will increase and strengthen the links we already have with fife tUC and local union branches. fife People’s assembly will continue to grow over this coming year and will tackle head on any inequalities we find within our communities or the workplaces of fife and beyond. TAM KIRBy
Communist review theory and discussion journal of the Communist Party Spring 2017 the overthrow of tsardom Part 1, the gathering of the Storm Andrew Rothstein Chinese CP contribution to imCwP in vietnam writers and the Spanish Civil war John Manson Space, time – and Dialectics. Part 4 Martin Levy Revolution exhibition review Nick Wright the Sealed train Lars Ulrik Thomsen Soul food with Mike Quille