How a GMB ‘partnership’ deal undermines the union at Deliveroo
We talk to union activists on the ground and those studying the gig economy about the deal.
‘If you want to organise at work, buy this book’
Organising at work can rebuild working-class power. In his forthcoming book, long-time activist Ian Allinson explains how it’s done.
Barristers on less than minimum wage? Support these strikes
An activist explains why criminal barristers are on strike over pay.
Major demonstration marks growing revolt over cost of living
The TUC march on Saturday was the biggest union demo for many years.
Lowering expectations: misrepresentations of McAlevey
Trade unionists have been inspired by McAlevey’s work. But now sections of the union bureaucracy are co-opting her insights.
Striking union organisers raided by Russian security forces
Russian security forces raided the apartments of independent trade unionists in Moscow in a direct attack on the organising of gig workers.
Growing strike solidarity networks in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester has been home to an unusual number of major strikes in the last couple of years. Local activists and rs21 members Ian Allinson and Derek Fraser discuss what we can learn from these and the development of solidarity networks around them.
The Kellogg’s deal: not so grrrreat!
Joe Allen assesses the recent settlement of the eleven-week Kellogg’s strike in the US.
The Difference is Striking in Higher Education
Thousands of UCU members took three days of strike action last week in a resumption of long-standing disputes with employers. Nick Cimini reports on what the other higher education trade unions are doing.
What is the rank and file strategy?
Transcript of a talk that a Unite rep and rs21 member gave on the rank and file strategy as part of a Notes from Below panel at The World Transformed in Brighton.
Strikes coming in Higher Education?
Grant Buttars discusses the UCU ballot results and prospects for action.
When is it right for a union to support dismissal?
Kathleen Stock has blamed UCU for her decision to resign from her position.
The power to change the system
With COP26 just around the corner, a wave of industrial action in Scotland is demonstrating the huge opportunity of linking workers’ struggle with climate organising.
Obituary: Eileen Cook, 1950-2021
Eileen Cook, who died on 6 October 2021, was a life-long trade unionist, feminist campaigner, and revolutionary socialist. She is much missed by many, including her comrades in Edinburgh rs21, who remember her in this obituary.
Unite Policy Conference backs climate action
Unite’s Policy Conference backed the COP26 protests, workplace action and climate strikes, but remains attached to technical fixes.
An injury to Paul is an injury to us all
Sam O’Brien reports from a solidarity protest for UNISON President Paul Holmes.
How can unions rebuild power?
Ian Allinson reviews Jane Holgate’s new book, Arise! Power, Strategy and Union Resurgence, an exploration of why unions have failed to revitalise themselves.
Sharon Graham wins stunning Unite victory
Graham recognises the need to focus on rebuilding workplace power to reverse union decline.
Outsourced Staff take strike action at the Royal Parks
Picketing Royal Parks staff are part of an industrial struggle backed by two trade unions, Tom Schofield reports.
Stop Cambo
Pete Cannell, an activist in Scottish environmental group Scot.E3, looks at the political significance of the growing campaign to prevent the development of new oil and gas fields in the North Sea
Voting opens for Unite’s General Secretary
Ballot papers for the Unite general secretary election are being delivered this week and voting will end on 23rd August. rs21 members in Unite explain why they are urging a vote for Sharon Graham.
Back the sacked Goodlord strikers
The dispute in the referencing department of East London property services company Goodlord has entered a new phase after the firm sacked strikers in their 13th week of industrial action.
Unite elections: An interview with Howard Beckett
There are three candidates competing for the left vote in the Unite elections. rs21 interviewed Howard Beckett about his election platform.
Who should be Unite’s next General Secretary?
Campaigning for Unite’s general secretary election is underway. None of the candidates is ideal, but rs21 argues for critical support for Sharon Graham.
Justice over profit – organising in the legal sector
The law is often seen as a privileged arena, but the industry has staggering wage inequality. Two founding members of Legal Sector Workers United explain their strategy.
The Tories are robbing our pensions by stealth
The Tories have sneaked through an obscure change to the Retail Price Index (RPI) that means big reductions in many pensions and downward pressure on pay. Unite activist Ian Allinson explains.
Ten strikes that need your solidarity
As strike activity ramps up again, rs21 brings together ten strikes you should know about this month. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic there was a short period where no strikes happened anywhere in the UK, perhaps for the first time in decades. This was due to several factors: balloting companies were unavailable, there […]
Tactics of resistance: what’s the point of pickets?
In part two of a series looking at differing tactics for winning battles in the workplace, Derek Fraser looks at picketing, and how it can be used successfully in the current context.
The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists revisited
Construction workers have been among the hardest-hit by Covid-19, with profit-hungry bosses keeping sites open throughout the pandemic.