These are exciting times for socialists in the Public and (PCS). cral The year 2000, which had seen a gradual upturn in the fortunes of the PCS left and SIRDS O1 4 BCW among membership. nership' ended spectacularly with the clection or tae socratist can didate, Mark Serwotka, as венски восстану There now exists the best opportunity in more than a ensure that civil servants have a union that is run democratically and is willing to fight to defend their interests.
April 21, activists will attend a special conference called, at Serwotka's behest, by beit Umity to discuss tow to build the left and organise effective campaigns on pay, privatisation other issues that matter to PCS's membership.
The conference will have to address the experience port 1990s, years in which the left excluded from power while the rightwing leadership allowed governments reform' the civil service to the detriment of workers' interests.
The creation of PCS in 1998 with a rulebook that institutionalised bureaucratic powel, scolca to gustantee the indefinite continuation of control from tbe too down by officials like gensecretary, Barry Although and KHSOOO National Moderate Group.
dominant enthusiastic advocate of Blair's policy of 'social part- DOURSE Reamsbottom refused to lead campaigns wrong (o against the Tory privatisation policies that has continued to under Unwilling to campaign for This a return to civil service-wide has pay deals based on cost of sharp living increases rather than performance Keamsbottom even vetoed election where members felt cratic union. confident enough to take on one their own management.
Splits in the ruling righteral secretary election being withdrawal and prioritising elections psst and in orchange pr campaigning.
and in exchange being allowed to continuc in KOTH office until May 2002 and to subtle influence. remain an official until he reaches retirement age. on the gon the clection, Committee rank-and-file winger, Mark Serwotka, was the sur- ing the balance Blairite full-timer, Hugh Lanning. Left Unity's decision to supReamsbottom claim that believing negotiations that no socialist candidate there would have could win - was uttery dis credited by Serwotka's con- carly election for Serwotka to win. Left Unity swung behind Serwotka after forger, however, that the left Reamsbottom pulled out, its triumph the long-term through the active Parts (SP) has involvement refused to accept that it was campaigas that orns papaabstain from the ble results in terms of better pay and conditions. criticise Serwotka won on a higher Serwotka for risking a split than UHUH sequence of meant that are normally apathetic saw debate is likey on the outcome of this clectson April 21 over the left's tactics significant in its cilerts to bulld on the make their voting and turn while. Part of the reason for PCS into a fighting, demo. this must Serwotka's record as a seriin this ous branch and departmen. debate are the Socialist Party tal activist who has consisand their fellow-travellers, as well as the remnants of the strikes - and got results.
Even before his election, tion. These have a record of there were signs of an upturn in militancy, with a sharp increase in strike ballots. In positions in the bureaucracy melt led management on which they can exert itself They point to the presence but the Crown Prosecution Executive Service saw a two-day strike (NEC) of five that led to a significantly members, hold- improved pay of power massive boost in recruitment setween the two fratricidal to the union.
This militancy, port their arguments. They assisted Serwotka's victory.
without is in turn being boosted by the profile of the new general remember the outcry when onment of 12-year olds.
When Tony Blair remored Clause 4 from Labour's platform, he removed the only effective weapon for • Building on the success of the nrivatised railwaysthe highest accident rate in Europe - New Labour will proceed with the privatisation of Airways control and the London Underground. Anything the Tories can do • Education, Education, dollar a day, in Education. Having been so spite of the successful with Chris unprecedented Woodhead, New Labour will growth of global now be looking for another wealth. It is from some of Conservative as head of education watchdog, Ofsted.
Zambia, that teachers are Woodhead's policies, supAnd not only teachersBlunkett, have contributed nurses too! "The crisis in to today's situation, which Britain and other rich counTries is depleting the supply recruit sufficient teachers. of nurses in the Third to make up zor this, tac World", according to Dr.
government is recruiting Nascema Al-Gasseer, senior (cachers tom overscas, scientist of the World Heath depriving less developed Organisation, for nursing countries of sorely needed and midwifery.
resources. This is, probably, and midwives play pivotal to make un for the tallure of roles in providing essential the debt redemption pro- services to the poor and marginalised populations."
The South African Perhaps this is all part of Development Community New Labour's ethical for(SADC) is suffocating under cign policy?
a huge external debt burden Don't of more than $79 million.
I shour which give Old Agc In sub-Saharan Africa, Pensioners that munificent nearly 50 per cent of the 75p 3 week increase last year people subsist on less than a Vote New Labour and all First group, been Public Services Association the 1 members in is usual in clections, suggesting
secretary-elect. enough The forces that made up worth- Serwotka's campaigo under the banner, 'PCS Must surely Wicestand better than the Left Unity Icadership the central importance of serious campaigos on the key issues, mobilising Cassaud the membership. The vindication of their support for a left candidacy bas JOOKIRK and in touch with members than the SP et al. management Some clements of this campaign Socialist Caucus supporters in the Employment Service, who have been expelled from and a conclusion that Left Unity is finished as credible which and that Foo must recal Back should itself become a nermanent organisation anc take up the leadership of the of the same - will be given unto you for another four glorious years!
PCS must recapture past militancy of its predecessor, the CPSA left. This neglects the fact that Left Unity retains considerable support among the most and politically conSous on o U808that it is a genuinely demo. cratic organisation with a long and comparatively honourable To seek to discard this legacy in order left them to build an alternative organcredible isation is both sectarian and far BUTE positive approach is that argued by Serwotka ( SWP and also previously in Outlook: that healthiest forces should challenge the bureaucratic force Unity leadership and in so doing strive to build Left Unity into a stronger, more campaigns-oriented organiare curbed, where will the 85000+ cheques into New Labour's coffers come from?
Silent guns
Not all Israelis share Barak and Sharon's enthussasm for killing Palestinians. The Isracli army has been hit by an unprecedented wave of disobedience. Scores of soldiers have refused to serve in areas which have seen the worse violence during the intifada. Hundreds of serving soldiers have requested transfers from the West Bank and this the Gaza strip or have and more refused reserve duty. Thousands have opted out by dodging the compulsory military service. In a fanfare of publicity, His