The Scottish government needs to defy Johnson’s Tories and act independently to save lives
A Scottish rs21 member argues that the Scottish government must break with Westminster in order to tackle the Covid-19 crisis appropriately.
Safer sex – lessons from the AIDS crisis
Colin Wilson remembers the community responses to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
Strikes in the time of coronavirus
How can workers respond to the unfolding coronavirus crisis, without forfeiting our collective power? A UCU member reflects. Originally published on Notes from Below.
The cradle will rock
The social crisis produced by the coronavirus has had a major impact on children and the way their care is organised. Here, a nursery worker reflects on a fortnight of uncertainty and change.
Mods and Rockers: the 1960s youth cult
Following his earlier A brief history of the Teddy Boys, Mitch Mitchell recalls the rivalries, real and manufactured, between the Mods and Rockers.
Organising in response to COVID-19
As criticism of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic mounts, rs21 members highlight the flourishing grassroots responses that aim to provide support and to demand more effective action from government and employers
Acting on COVID-19
With cases of the pandemic rising rapidly, we cannot rely on government or business to put health before profits. rs21 members have produced a set of actions and demands to campaign around and a summary of the safety legislation can allow workers to take action or leave work.
Film review: The Plan that Came from the Bottom Up
Steve Sprung’s retelling of the story of the Lucas Plan provides an inspiring lesson in how workers might build a sustainable future for all, writes Zareen Taj.
Statement: Students stage occupations at 11 UK universities in support of UCU staff
Students occupy buildings at eleven UK universities in support of striking staff.
Report from the #FeministPickets
Last week we republished the call from Women’s Strike Assembly for feminists to link up with the current higher education strikes. rs21 members report from the #FeministPickets
A crucial week for the university strikes
With negotiations reportedly going well, but the current wave of strikes ending alongside the climate strikes on Friday, rs21 members explain why this is a crucial week and explore some of the debates among strikers.
Break the border
Refugees are currently reaching the Greece’s border with Turkey in large numbers after the Turkish state withdrew all border enforcement. The Greek state has responded with violence.
US Presidential election: following the money
As commentators pick over the results from Super Tuesday, Kim Moody walks us through the labyrinth of a US electoral system built on distrust of mass democracy.
Report: Greta Thunberg at Bristol YouthStrike4Climate
Escee reports on Greta Thunberg’s visit to Bristol on Friday, 28 February.
London and Edinburgh stand with the Wet’suwet’en
On 1 March, there were demonstrations in London and Edinburgh standing up in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and their allies, demanding that the Canadian government end this cycle of colonial violence.
Feminists to the pickets!
The Women’s Strike Assembly are calling for feminists to link up with the current higher education strikes and organise feminist pickets on Monday 9 March 2020.
University strikes escalate from Monday
UCU and EIS members are briefly returning to work before escalating their strike on Monday. rs21 reports from the higher education strike around Britain.
Bolivia after the coup
The re-capture of power in Bolivia by traditional elites, backed by US imperialism, has legitimised racism and a wave of repression. But the MAS may be beginning a process of democratic renewal.
Solidarity needs rebuilding, urgently
The university strikes provide an opportunity to relearn traditions of collective solidarity which strengthen both the strikers and those giving solidarity.
What a way to make a living | A former call centre worker
A former temporary employee with an educational charity reports on her time in the customer services call centre.
University strikes resume: day 1
The latest wave of strikes for pensions, pay, equality and against casualization and unsafe workloads began today (20 February 2020). We bring you some initial reports.
Video: Stop the deportations – end the Windrush scandal
Ian Allinson reports from a rally in Manchester against deportations, the hostile environment and the mistreatment of the Windrush generation and their descendants.
Support the UK’s biggest ever HE strikes
From Thursday 20 February, workers across the higher education sector will be taking strike action over pensions, pay, equality, casualisation and workloads.
Report: The China Question conference
David Brophy reports on The China Question conference in Brooklyn.
Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en!
As Canada’s rail network is shut down by indigenous and allied land defenders, the struggle against a fracking pipeline project on Wet’suwet’en territory has received international attention.
Music of the people: Country & Western
Mitch Mitchell (‘the Fenland Kid’) is back with another people’s music playlist. This time he’s here with a brief history of Country and Western.
Report: Youth Strike For Climate, 14 February 2020
Our members report on the Youth Strike for Climate on 14 February 2020.
North Sea oil: devastating new report
The UK’s North Sea oil tax regime spearheaded a wave of privatisation across Britain and the rest of the world, argues Juan Carlos Boué in a new report published today.
Video: Insurgency around the world
At a recent rs21 meeting, speakers gave eye-witness accounts of insurgent movements in Bolivia, Hong Kong and Algeria, as well as highlighting the importance of international solidarity.
Tough lessons to learn
The struggle against worsening conditions and cuts in education continues. Andrew Stone, 6th form college teacher and District Secretary of Wandsworth NEU, writes in a personal capacity about an upcoming strike and a ballot in Tower Hamlets.