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----- Original Message -----
From: Downwithcapitalism <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 12:16 PM
Subject: [downwithcapitalism] Strikes around the World
WSWS. 14 June 2001. Workers Struggles: Europe and Africa.
EUROPE
Thousands protest in Paris against job losses.
On June 9, more than 20,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Paris,
France to protest against a series of large-scale lay offs. Recent
announcements of job losses have included those at the food group
Danone, the indebted airline Air Libert and the British retailer Marks
& Spencer.
The march and demonstration was held in the east of Paris, and many of
those in attendance chanted slogans demanding job security be given
priority over profits.
The protest was held five days before a parliamentary vote on a bill
proposing to impose limited restrictions on profitable companies
planning large-scale layoffs. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has
said he will oppose the proposals.
Refuse disposal workers in Brighton, England sacked for protesting
changes to shift rotas.
Refuse collectors in Brighton and Hove in southern England took
unofficial strike action on June 11, in a dispute over new shift
patterns. The waste disposal company Sita employs the workers.
The strike is the latest in a series of disputes between workers and the
company, which was awarded the town's refuse disposal contract by
Brighton and Hove Council.
The recent dispute began when Sita suspended a group of workers who
refused to follow the new shift patterns, stating that they were
unworkable. The company is then alleged to have suspended the workers,
leading to dozens more walking off the job in protest and occupying the
main refuse depot in Hollingdean.
In response, the company has sacked approximately 140 workers, members
of the GMB trade union. The Hollingdean depot remains under occupation.
Brighton and Hove Council suspended refuse collection in the town and
gave Sita 48 hours o resolve the dispute or have its contract
terminated.
Train guards in UK vote to strike in protest at downgrading of safety.
On June 12, train guards in the UK voted to strike for 24 hours on June
25 and July 4. The guards are employed by 23 private train companies and
the strikes are expected to bring virtually all rail services across the
country to a halt.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called the strikes after an
overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action to preserve the guards'
primary responsibility for passenger safety on trains. The guards
complain that they have been downgraded to "Kit Kat sellers", with
passenger safety being placed on already overburdened drivers.
The guards voted by an average of four-to-one in favour of strikes
across the 23 train operators. RMT members at two other rail
companiesGreat Eastern and the Isle of Wight's Island Linevoted
against industrial action.
A recent survey published by the RMT showed a high level of public
support for the guards' concerns. One of the main findings was that rail
passengers want a train guard to be responsible for safety in the event
of an incident.
Greek aviation staff to strike for improved contract.
Civil aviation authority workers in Greece are to strike for 24 hours on
June 15, and will hold a further 48-hour strike on June 29. The workers
are demanding an improvement in their contract, including additional
benefits and better pay.
The action was called by the OSYPA federation, which includes several
aviation workers' unions. The industrial action is expected to have a
widespread impact, as it will be held when the tourist season enters its
high point.
Supermarket workers in the Irish Republic vote to strike over pay.
Tesco supermarket workers in the Irish Republic are to take strike
action at the end of June in a dispute over pay. The stoppage will
involve some 9,000 workers, who plan to picket the 75 Irish stores of
chain, which also operates in the UK. The workers are members of the
Mandate trade union and Ireland's Services and Professional Technical
Union.
AFRICA
Gambian civil servants strike over transport fare increase.
Gambian civil servants have called a strike to protest a government
decision to increase public transport fares. The civil servants
described the increment of one Dalasi (15.8 Dalasi=US $1) in fares as a
slap in the face for underpaid workers who have not received a wage
increase for a long time.
One civil servant, speaking after the government announced the increase,
said, "We are being pushed against the wall and we can take it no more.
We will consult with our colleagues who are also suffering like us, for
a possible strike action." Soon afterwards the strike was called.
Nigerian doctors to join nationwide strike.
Doctors in the Nigerian capital Lagos decided last Thursday to join a
strike over pay that has already caused widespread disruption to
hospitals in other parts of the country.
The strike was called 11 days ago by the Nigerian Medical Association,
which complains that doctors earn much less than the $500 per month
claimed by the government.
Until now, the strike had not been widely observed by locally employed
doctors in Lagos, but that is now set to changeincreasing the
industrial unrest faced by the Nigerian government. As well as a strike
by university lecturers, there has been a rise in food prices,
widespread power cuts, and a fall in the value of Nigeria's currency,
the Naira.
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