Agreement reached on: Cuts, Job losses, Water charges

Written by Gary Mulcahy Saturday, 06 February 2010 20:03

New party for working class needed

As the sectarian politicians were cocooned in the luxurious surroundings of Hillsborough Castle, involved in a sectarian tug of war over so-called “power-sharing”, the economic war against working class people stepped up a gear.

The announcement that two US manufacturing companies, Avaya (Nortel) in Monkstown and Hughes Christensen in East Belfast are to pull out of Northern Ireland with the loss of 500 jobs is a real blow to the workers and their families and to young people who have been deprived of the chance of securing work at these factories in the future.

Deal won't deliver for working class

Written by Ciaran Mulholland Saturday, 06 February 2010 11:41

On 5 February the DUP and Sinn Fein agreed a deal on policing, justice and parades. The deal was announced in triumph as a “historic breakthrough” by Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness sitting along side Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen. Policing and justice will be transferred to local control by 12 April and the issue of contentious parades will be reviewed over the next three weeks by a “working party”. On 9 March an Assembly vote will be required to agree the package.

Health Cuts Exposed

Written by Pat Lawlor Friday, 05 February 2010 13:43

Assembly cuts responsible for closure of Unit at the Royal Hospitals

It can be exclusively revealed that the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has imminent plans to close the Elliot Dynes Regional Rehabilitation Centre at the Royal Hospitals. Pat Lawlor, West Belfast Socialist Party representative, described the move as "part of a series of stealth attacks on the health service".

Britain – New mass party needed for workers

Written by Ciaran Mullholand Wednesday, 03 February 2010 14:27

Politics in Britain is dominated by the imminent general election, which must occur by June 3rd at the latest but is widely expected to be on May 5th. The election will occur against a background of a war in Afghanistan, the deepest recession since the 1930’s, and savage attacks on the living standards of working class people.

Billions stolen in unpaid wages

Written by Gary Mulcahy Friday, 05 February 2010 11:19

A shocking new report released by the TUC has uncovered how employers have stolen £27.4 billion last year from workers in the UK by not paying overtime.

Save our libraries

Written by Tommy Black Thursday, 04 February 2010 12:43

Plans to close 15 libraries across Belfast  – a massive 45% cut in library provision - have been announced by the NI Library Authority. East Belfast will be particularly hit hard with libraries at Ballyhackamore, Tullycarnet, Braniel, Woodstock, Ballymacarrett and Gilnahirk facing closure.

Community campaign stops school closure

Written by Domhnall O’Cobhthaigh, Fermanagh Socialist Party Thursday, 04 February 2010 16:58

As reported in The Socialist (October 2009), grassroots campaigns have been growing to meet threats posed to the continued existence of rural schools throughout Fermanagh. The most developed of which established itself around the demand that St Mary’s Brollagh, a rural secondary school just outside Belleek, remain open.