“Hot Spring” in Europe? Present-day economic conditions demand that the working class fight back. The interests of the ruling class and the working class are irreconcilable. The bourgeois are screaming, "more cuts, more cuts" and the workers shout back "Enough is enough". The stage has been set for a "Hot Spring" in Europe.
Spain: Barcelona bus drivers’ strike – a victory for working class democracy After six months of struggle, 18 days of strike action and on the first day of their all out strike for a reduction in working hours, the bus drivers of Barcelona have achieved an important victory. And they won as a result of their united mobilisation, based on mass workers' assemblies taking all decisions, and coordinated through an elected committee.
Major strike shakes Switzerland - the Bellinzona railway workers The canton Ticino, that part of Switzerland which speaks Italian, and that everyone considers a model of social peace and serenity, has been shaken by a trade union struggle that has no comparison in the recent history of the country. It is the struggle of a very militant section of the Ticino working class, the railway maintenance workers.
Wave of protests sweeps Portugal Portuguese capitalism is one of the sick men of Europe. The "cure" the capitalists have in mind involves severe attacks on wages and working conditions. But now a backlash is taking place with huge strikes and demonstrations shaking the country, which is also producing radicalisation on the left.
Slovenia: European trade unions march for decent wages On April 5 while the EU finance ministers and bankers were meeting in Brdo pri Kranju (Slovenia) 35,000 workers from all over Europe marched through Ljubljana demanding higher wages as inflation eats into their living standards. A delegation of the IMT from Austria, Italy and Switzerland was present.
The high priests of the European Central Bank A recent bulletin of the European Central Bank (ECB) dealt with the causes of recent increases in the rate of inflation within the "Eurozone". It is no surprise to find that what they are concerned about are wage increases. Like the high priests in the past they try to cover up reality and make us believe in a fantasy world.
For a sliding scale of wages across Europe! - Statement of the IMT on the ETUC demonstration in Ljubljana This Saturday, April 5, European finance ministers will hold a meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called for a demonstration to demand better wages and conditions for workers in Europe on the same day. Supporters of the International Marxist Tendency from Italy, Austria and Switzerland will join the protest and give out the following leaflet in five different languages (English, Slovenian, Italian,...
How to deal with hecklers At a recent public meeting in London a couple of hecklers were attacking John McDonnell for being a member of the Labour Party. A veteran trade union activist answered them by comparing the Labour Party with a house that has been overrun by rats. The task of the working class is to clean up the house and get possession of it once again.
British Perspectives 2008: draft document This British Perspectives draft document (2008) is part of a wide-ranging discussion about the likely development of events in British society. It looks at the crisis of capitalism worldwide and how this affects British capitalism and also looks at how this impacts on the trade union movement and the political situation as a whole.
Ireland: Easter 1916 - Easter 2008 After the Easter 1916 uprising the actual class conditions that motivated the likes of James Connolly and the trade unionists who set up the Irish Citizen's Army to battle capitalism were written out of history. Radical ideas were demonised and Connolly's Marxism was airbrushed from history.
IRSP Easter Commemoration 2008 Speech For the interest of our readers we publish a speech delivered by Paul Little (of the IRSP Ard Comhairle) on Sunday, 23rd March, at the Republican Socialist Plot, Milltown Cemetery, Belfast. He explains that the aim of the IRSP is “to oust imperialism, oust capitalism in all its guises and end the occupation and exploitation of the Irish working class.”
Slovenia: 145,000 workers mobilise in national strike over wages On March 12, 145,000 workers took part in a massive work stoppage in Slovenia. Rising inflation and low wages are pushing the workers onto the path of class struggle. In line with the process of radicalisation taking place across Europe, the Slovenian workers are beginning to mobilise in a big way.
Home Thoughts From Abroad - A Kiwi in Slovenia The Slovenian workers have taken part in several massive mobilisations in recent months. Here we reproduce a New Zealand comrade's experiences and lessons learned during his recent stay in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Another massive general strike in Greece - the workers are radicalising and turning to the left Yesterday Greece was shaken by a massive general strike, the third in three months. An extremely militant mood is developing among the Greek workers. This is also being reflected in a sharp swing to the left in all recent polls. In particular, the Synaspismos, which stands to the left of the PASOK, is making big gains.
New website for the British Marxist Tendency We are delighted to announce that Socialist Appeal, Marxist voice in the British labour movement, has a newly designed website. Check it out!
