Rank and file Follow

In Depth

Trump declares war on US workers

Where must the resistance go?

08 April 2025

A big picket line outside Imperial College in London. Strikers are wearing pink UCU hats or red Unite vests.

News

Activists discuss how to stop union leaders calling off strikes

Workers call for democratic control of strikes

22 February 2023

News

Rail strikers’ mass picket stops scabs in Liverpool

An example to follow

07 January 2023

In Depth

Part 1: A new activist’s guide to strikes, unions and struggle

Never cross a picket line

18 November 2022

Socialist Review Archive

Taking on Crossrail

Simon Basketter reports on an important step forward in the battle to rebuild union organisation across construction sites.

01 October 2013

Socialist Review Archive

The stamp of militancy

One hundred years ago thousands of workers took part in what became known as the Great Dublin Lockout.

01 September 2013

Socialist Review Archive

Start with solidarity

Mark Bergfeld responds to Sandy Nicoll from last months issue on the Pop-Up Union at Sussex university. Here he argues that our starting point has to be solidarity

01 July 2013

Socialist Review Archive

Are “Pop-Up” unions the way forward?

The emergence of the Pop-Up union at Sussex University has raised important debates about how to organise in the unions and how to address the inertia of the union officials.

01 June 2013

Socialist Review Archive

The Nasty, Meek and Militant: How to get the unions back in the fight

The great potential of the 30 November strike is in danger of being frittered away after unions called off national strikes on 28 March. Martin Smith looks at why the pensions fight has hit a roadblock and how we can restart the fightback

01 April 2012

Socialist Review Archive

Electricians dispute: sparks victorious!

Electricians have won a stunning victory which should give hope to us all. After a six-month-long battle they have defeated the wage-cutting plans of multinational corporations

01 March 2012

Socialist Review Archive

Pressure at the top

The mass strike on 30 November struck a heavy blow against the government and its cuts agenda. But since then some union leaders have put the breaks on. Julie Sherry assesses the role of the trade union bureaucracy and looks at how workers can increase the pressure for more strikes

01 February 2012

Socialist Review Archive

Construction lessons

Electricians have been protesting for months against wage cuts and attacks on their terms and conditions. Last December workers took unofficial strike action. Simon Basketter looks at the background to this battle and the prospects for rebuilding union organisation on construction sites.

01 January 2012

Socialist Review Archive

The minority movement

As major industrial struggle seems set to make a return to Britain, Dave Sherry looks at the strategy and tactics of the revolutionary left during the period of intense class conflict which gripped Britain between the end of the First World War and the General Strike of 1926

01 July 2011

Socialist Review Archive

Postal dispute: delivering first class resistance to Royal Mail bosses

With postal workers taking to the picket lines last month, Mark Dolan, a prominent CWU activist, writes about strikes, rank and file organisation and 30 years working in the post office

01 November 2009

Socialist Review Archive

A new period of class struggle

Unofficial strikes, occupations and rank and file action - we need to learn from the new struggles by trade unionists and non-unionised workers alike, argues Charlie Kimber.

01 September 2009

Socialist Review Archive

Trade unions – the need for unity and fightback

The scale of the crisis, and the avalanche of job losses, underlines the need for the working class to fight. This is why it was so disappointing to see two unions that have led the resistance, the teachers' NUT and the civil service's PCS, turn away from strikes earlier this month.

01 December 2008

Socialist Review Archive

Standing up room only

Thousands of bus workers across London have been part of a defiant fight against the privatised bus companies.

01 November 2008

Socialist Review Archive

With the workers always

Profound economic crisis and renewed militancy from the working class means the relevance of Marxist ideas for 21st century trade unionism, and the role socialists can play within the movement, is worth revisiting, argues Sean Vernell

01 October 2008

Socialist Review Archive

Pay Freeze: Learn from the past to shape the future

As increasing numbers of workers take action over pay Charlie Kimber examines the political dimension of the strikes and looks at the lessons we can learn from the past.

01 September 2008

Socialist Review Archive

Brown, bosses and workers after May Day

These may be Tony Blair's last days, but Gordon Brown has made it clear that Blairism - war, privatisation and cuts - will remain. Charlie Kimber looks at the issues which are bringing workers into confrontation with the government and how trade unions are organising

01 May 2007

Socialist Review Archive

Industry: Anger and Optimism

Recent disputes have shown a growing confidence and militancy among workers, argues Moira Nolan.

01 October 2005

Socialist Review Archive

Heathrow Dispute: Bring the Bosses Down to Earth

Strikes and solidarity are needed to bring the Gate Gourmet bosses' union busting operation to a standstill, argues The Walrus.

01 September 2005

Socialist Review Archive

Putting the Pressure On

Battle lines are being drawn between Labour and the unions. But how will the awkward squad deal with the issues?

01 September 2004

Socialist Review Archive

The Wildcats are Back

The victorious postal strike has put unofficial action back on the agenda, writes Martin Smith. Postal workers describe their success.

07 December 2003

<12 3 >

Subscribe to Our Emails