Workers’ struggles continue – build the socialist alternative
Editorial of the Socialist – the paper of Socialist Party Scotland, issue 69
2022 witnessed the biggest strike wave in Scotland, and indeed across Britain, since 1989. The trade unions and the working class were back!
That idea was trending across not only social media and news outlets, but more importantly among young people and working-class communities more generally.
The pay concessions won by workers taking action proved that strikes can push employers and governments back.
As result union membership is up and new reps and shop stewards have emerged, in particular in unions where action has been taken.
The effectiveness of the strike weapon was driven home by the Scottish Police Federation general secretary, whose members have been protesting over the cost of living rises.
He pointed out: “Over the last two years teachers and the fire brigade have had 12.35% rises and nurses and doctors 14.5%. “Last year we got 5% and so far this year, nothing. “Some of these other workers have gone on strike or threatened to, but we cannot do that.”
This aptly sums the reality that workers taking strike action is the most effective method of improving pay and conditions at work.
Socialist Party Scotland supports the right of police officers to be unionised and to take strike action.
For almost 100 years the Royal College of Nursing had a no strike clause, yet the pressure of the capitalist crisis forced that union to change tack and embark on a series of strikes, first in Northern Ireland and now in England. Majorities for strike action by the RCN were also achieved in Scotland.
While it’s true that the strike wave receded in early 2023 in Scotland, with trade unions in the NHS, schools etc agreeing pay deals that while big improvements on the original offers were still below inflation, there are strong signs that a new eruption of struggle is emerging.
As we report in this issue of the Socialist, Scottish local government workers in schools have returned huge votes in favour of strike action over pay.
Scottish colleges are due to see a total shutdown for one day in early September and rolling action into October, as support staff and lecturers take action.
Universities are also likely to see a return to action. In addition, the RMT and Aslef disputes, going on now for well over a year, are still live. Numerous strikes in the private sector have also continued to take place.
The bottom line for workers is the cost of living crisis is not over. Wages are still falling compared to inflation. Interest rate rises are inflicting yet further pain on anyone with a mortgage, a loan or credit card debts.
The economy is slowing and could be entering a new recession as we approach the end of 2023. These factors explain why the Tories, weak and divided, are facing an annihilation at a general election next year.
While they are desperately trying to stoke up ‘Culture Wars’ on immigration, trans rights and racism generally, this will not save them.
The latest round of anti-union laws – the minimum service agreements – are on the statute books but it remains to be seen if and how they attempt to use them.
If they are used, the trade unions must respond with a mass campaign of action to make them unusable.
Labour government
The likelihood of a Starmer-led Labour government are growing by the day. But it will be a government entirely committed to serving the interests of the British capitalism.
Starmer and his allies have been utterly ruthless in surgically removing all vestiges of Corbynism from the Labour Party.
The watering down of their limited plans for workers’ rights and a refusal to support spending increases for hammered public services are designed to send a message to big business: you’re priorities are our priorities.
If Labour are in pole position to defeat the Tories, it’s only because of the enormous class anger in society at rampaging inequality, the inflation crisis and a desire for change.
For the SNP leadership, still dealing with the after shocks of Sturgeon’s resignation, the election is likely to result in a loss of a swathe of SNP MPs.
Labour can make gains in Scotland, and even if they don’t defeat the SNP, anything close to matching the nationalists in a general election will be a defeat for the SNP.
The nationalists have undergone a haemorrhaging of support because of its anti-working class policies. They are self-inflicted victims of being in government during a strike wave which has seen tens of thousands of workers striking against an SNP/Scottish Green government with a impeachable record of carrying out cuts.
The political capital accrued by the SNP in the aftermath of the 2014 independence referendum has been largely spent. As Socialist Party Scotland predicted would be the case.
While support for independence remains solid at around 50%, there is no confidence that the SNP leadership can lead that struggle – one which requires a confrontation with British capitalism – to a successful conclusion.
An enormous political vacuum has therefore opened up in Scotland. The SNP are hoping to limit the electoral damage by appealing to independence supporters to continue to back them.
Labour are asking for support to get rid of the Tories. Both in their own way could be partially successful at a general election.
But there is little enthusiasm for either variant of these pro-capitalist platforms.
political voice
The need for a mass working-class political alternative has never been greater. It is clear that if the trade unions, or an authoritative section of the movement, was to move to create a political vehicle it would engender huge support.
Socialist Party Scotland would enthusiastically welcome such a development but would argue for it to have a bold socialist programme and democratic, federal structures to encourage mass participation.
While this development may not take place before a general election – there is no question that the experience of a Starmer-led government, enslaved to the interests of capitalism, would be brutal in its treatment of the working class.
That reality would accelerate moves towards a new mass workers’ party. In the meantime, we will continue to argue for the maximum number of workers and trade unionists to stand in a general election.
As we are doing in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election as part of the Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Our appeal to workers and young people who are angry at capitalism and are looking for a political voice: Join Socialist Party Scotland and help build the struggle for a socialist solution to the endemic, crisis-ridden profit system.
