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From The Socialist newspaper, 6 February 2008
Birmingham: Thousands on strike against pay cuts
More than 20,000 Birmingham Council workers were on 24-hour strike on 5 February 2008 over a new pay and grading system and employment contract which will see many lose basic pay. The council want to impose the new system at the end of March.
Clive Walder, Birmingham Socialist Party
Schools, museums, libraries, leisure centres and council offices were closed, some with 80-strong picket lines mounted from 6am.
Over 3,000 came into the city centre for a lunchtime rally and lobby of the council - a significant increase from previous protests.
About 14 per cent of the 40,000 workers affected stand to lose money, many of them thousands of pounds a year, some up to £18,000.
Many who are receiving increases are not going to get the genuine equal pay they have been fighting for. Also the council is imposing performance-related pay, seven-day working and 'job flexibility'.
The council offered refuse collectors an extra £8,000 a year if they didn't strike but that would still leave them £2,000 a year worse off. The council were clearly worried about the political effects of rubbish piling up in the streets and a united strike of council workers.
This is a major dispute that deserves the backing of all trade unionists and has national significance in the battle for equal pay nationally.
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In The Socialist 6 February 2008:
MPs' insult to low-paid workers
Protests as multinational grabs health centre
Rich avoid paying £25 billion tax bill
War and terrorism
Bush and Brown's Afghan strategy lies in tatters
Socialist Party women
Fight attacks on abortion rights
Socialist Party news and analysis
Victory! Bristol campaign saves library
Victory! Hull youth workers save jobs
Inspiring victory for Polish workers
Shell output is down, but profits hit new record
Young workers and Students
Protest against university fees
Refreshing student work in Bangor
International Socialist Resistance website
Environment and socialism
Incinerators: Our health at risk!
Stop the Anglesey nuclear time-bomb
Socialist Party debate
How can an alternative to the main political parties be developed?
International socialist news and analysis
Kenya: Workers' movement must provide an alternative
France: LCR votes to launch a new party
Workplace news
Birmingham: Thousands on strike against pay cuts
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