Lead story

Will Syriza betray Greek poll result?

by our European Affairs correspondent

THOUSANDS of Greeks poured into central Athens to rejoice at the news of the decisive rejection of the Eurocrats’ bail-out deal on Sunday. In Paris the leaders of Franco-German imperialism met soon after to plan their next moves. President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel had clearly hoped for a big yes vote that would undermine the Syriza government and possibly even force premier Alexis Tsipras to resign. But others joined in the jubilation.

Cuban President Raul Castro congratulated Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, after his victory at the referendum held on 5th July. Raul said that the result showed the support of the Greek people for the brave stance of the government headed by Tsipras. This was repeated by Fidel Castro, the father of the Cuban Revolution, who said that the courage of the Greeks was admired by people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Greeks that he will support them in the financial hardships they face after the Greek people overwhelmingly voted “No” to further restricting terms of an international bailout programme.

But the real purpose of the snap poll called by premier Alexis Tsipras was simply to strengthen his hand in the negotiations with the Troika of the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Troika wants to impose an even harsher regime on the Greek working class including pension cuts and tax increases, in exchange for a new financial aid package. Tsipras wants the Eurocrats to accept Syriza’s plan which is almost 90 per cent identical to that of the Troika. It accepts most of the demands for more cuts to wages, jobs and social welfare to stimulate capitalist “growth” and it is committed to Greece keeping the Euro.

Read the full story here >>

Will Syriza betray Greek poll result?

Paddington rally for two major rail strikes

MEMBERS of the RMT rail union, the train drivers’ union Aslef, TSSA and Unite held a rally on Wednesday evening 8th July in Paddington in support of two major rail strikes due to start on Wednesday evening — on First Great Western and on the London Underground.

The LU dispute centres on plans by Transport for London and London Mayor Boris Johnson to introduce 24-hour running of some LU lines at weekends.

Talks on Tuesday to avert the planned 24-hour strike failed. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT has received the latest offer from London Underground during the ACAS talks today

“Our representatives on London Underground have discussed it and are clear that it is divisive and unacceptable. While a small minority of staff are being offered a non-consolidated one-off lump sum the remainder of staff are ignored and the key issues of work/life balance and the personal health and safety concerns are side lined.

“The deal as it stands is financed off the back of the proposed axing of over 800 safety-critical station jobs and is deliberately constructed to play individuals off against each other in the most cynical fashion.

Read the full story here >>

Paddington rally for two major rail strikes

Editorial

Unions move behind Corbyn

THE GIANT union Unite last week decided to back Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership contest — a move of enormous significance for the whole political arena in Britain. Other Labour affiliated unions: the train drivers’ union Aslef, and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) have also backed him, along with the non-affiliated RMT and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

But affiliation status is no longer quite so crucial in this contest because the Labour Party’s leadership selection rules have changed. The unions no longer have a bloc vote but all members of affiliated unions have an individual vote. The union leadership can only advise its members how to vote.

But members of non-affiliated unions and any other member of the public who can be bothered can easily register with the Labour Party as a supporter for just £3 and have a vote in the selection — and in the selection of the deputy leader. Those who live in London will also be able to vote in the selection of Labour’s candidate for London Mayor.

Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to stand has motivated a lot of left-wing activists who have grown cynical and angry over “New Labour”, Blairism, the Iraq War and the current Labour leaderships abject failure to challenge the Tories on austerity and welfare cuts to register as supporters, bringing a huge swathe of genuine socialists and peace activists back into the mainstream political arena.

The big public health sector union Unison has yet to commit though there is a vigorous Unison4Corbyn campaign going on inside the union. Unison’s National Labour Link Committee will meet on 29th July under strong pressure from the active membership to support Corbyn

Read the full story here >>

Unions move behind Corbyn