Hundreds of the lowest-paid hospital workers took to the picket lines across Wigan on Wednesday. It marked the first day of a 48-hour strike by Unison and Unite union members against outsourcing.

McDonnell backs PCS strikes, but no guarantees from MPs over reversing cuts

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has promised that Labour will “stand on every picket line we possibly can” if civil service workers strike over pay.

PCS set to announce dates of national strike ballot

Workers in government departments have suffered a pay freeze or 1 percent increases—well below inflation—for some eight years.

Pay cuts and precarious contracts fuel college strikes

One picket said simply, “I’ve worked here on a zero hours contract for ten years.”

The war on sugar lets food firms off the hook

It looks like the food industry is winning the first battle in the war over sugar in food.

Right wing government in Spanish state could be on brink of collapse

Prime minister Mariano Rajoy is in trouble after a court case revealed systematic corruption in his party.

Staring reality in the face

The working class movement is not in rude health. But, argues Simon Basketter, change can happen quickly. Socialists must be ready when it does and start organising now

Storm over student mental health crisis

Hundreds of students joined a March for Mental Health in Bristol last Friday demanding that the university improves its mental health services.

Anti-racists get organised to say no to the racist DFLA in Manchester on Saturday

Anti-racists plan to protest against the Democratic Football Lads Alliance (DFLA) in Manchester on Saturday.

Campaigners say ‘the border kills’ after Belgian cops shoot two year old

Refugee support organisations in northern France have slammed the Belgian, British and French governments after a two year old refugee was shot in the face on 17 May.

Civil service workers set to start a national strike ballot

Civil service workers are set to ballot for strikes to end the Tories’ public sector pay cap. The PCS union is expected to give formal notice of the ballot on 11 June and begin balloting on 18 June.

SNP report exposes its pro-market leadership with ‘cuts commission’

A recent economic report by the Scottish National Party (SNP) is a major disappointment for those in the independence movement who want to end austerity and cuts.

UCU congress to reflect a transformed union after an historic year

The University and College Union (UCU) will hold its annual congress in Manchester this week.

Rally and a strike ballot to fight huge budget cuts at east London school

Around 80 staff and parents rallied against cuts outside Langdon Park school in Tower Hamlets, east London, last Thursday.

Migrant children missing at Trump’s racist border

The world had a glimpse of the reality of the ever-more brutal US border system last week.

Workers fight the outsourcers at the University of London

Workers at the University of London (UoL) are set to walk out on 6 June as part of their fight to be taken back in house by the university. Currently they are employed by Cordiant.

More sites strike after TGI Fridays seizes tips

Workers at four TGI Fridays stores struck on Friday of last week in their dispute over tips and pay.

Uber agrees to sick pay - but on its own terms

Taxi firm Uber has announced it will introduce sick pay and maternity pay for its drivers.

Reports round up - Bridgman workers show bosses the door

Pride is a celebration—but can also be a protest

Tens of thousands of people took part in the Birmingham Pride LGBT+ march and festival last weekend.

West Midlands fire fight

Firefighters in the West Midlands have voted for action over contracts

Transport workers at Luton airport strike, other strikes postponed

Workers employed by Clece Care Services, which provides transport assistance at Luton airport to passengers with reduced mobility, struck on Monday and Tuesday.

Care workers back walkout against pay cut

Around 120 care workers in the Bath and North East Somerset area have overwhelmingly voted for strikes over pay.

International

Germany: 70,000 anti-racists protest against far right AfD in Berlin

The protests were supported by over 120 organisations including the Labour-type SPD, Die Linke, the Greens, trade unions, Muslim organisations, refugee groups and cultural groups.

Greek general strike set to bring country to standstill

Public and private sector workers in Greece are set to walk out on a general strike on Wednesday.

Left candidate leads polls ahead of Mexico election

Elections set to take place in Mexico on 1 July could deliver a left wing president in the shape of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Protests in France continue against Macron’s attacks

Big marches took place across France, showing the continuing readiness to fight President Emmanuel Macron’s “reforms” that attack workers and aid the rich.

Irish repeal movement’s historic win deals blow to bigotry

Irish voters delivered a landslide two to one vote to repeal the 8th Amendment and liberalise abortion laws last Saturday.

Fresh war threats from Israel

Palestinians in Gaza were bracing for another assault by Israel as Socialist Worker went to press on Tuesday.

Comment

Livingstone case shows it’s risky for Corbyn to appease the right

Every time the Labour right have confronted Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters in open combat they’ve been defeated, usually humiliatingly. But they’ve just been allowed to score a major victory

Features

Biggest strike against privatisation in years—Road to Wigan Cheer

The NHS is threatened with a new form of privatisation. The rise of the wholly-owned subsidiary is bosses’ latest wheeze to sell off hospitals in England through the back door. But hundreds of workers in Lancashire are striking back. Tomáš Tengely-Evans joined the picket line in Wigan

Reviews

Giuseppe Penone's sculptures explore links between nature and artist

Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s latest offerings are a poignant reminder of how we’re alienated from the natural world, says?Esther Neslen

Rage and hope on new album from Parquet Courts

Until now this brilliant New York band’s most well-known song was called, “Stoned and starving”.

What We Think

Mamoudou Gassama case shows the price of citizenship

Good news came recently to all undocumented migrants living in fear of the French state. All they have to do to gain citizenship is save a child’s life.