The economic crisis: public meeting

THE ECONOMIC CRISIS—How bad will it get? What can we do about it?

Thursday 16 October, 7pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1 (Holborn tube)

SPEAKERS:

• JEREMY CORBYN MP
• LARRY ELLIOTT Economics editor, the Guardian
• MICHELLE STANISTREET Deputy general secretary NUJ
• CHARLIE KIMBER People Before Profit Charter
• PAUL BRANDON Unite union 1/232 Holloway bus garage

CHAIR: Kevin Courtney NUT NEC

All speakers in personal capacity

Hosted by supporters of the People Before Profit Charter

“They call this Black Friday. We say it's fightback Friday "

Sweating like a pig!!, originally uploaded by solomonsmfield.
Sweating like a pig...See more of my pics at my flickr stream here

“They call this Black Friday. We say it's fightback Friday and from this day we are letting it be known that we will be calling more protests”.

I'm still recovering from last nights March on the Banks-what a bloody brilliant demonstration.

Read full reports here at Socialist Worker, The Financial Times, Channel 4, Lenin's Tomb, Ady Cousins and google for many, many more-we certainly made an impact and created an element of revolutionary fervour.

The City of London police, who clearly are not used to this sort of demo, didnt have a clue how to respond. Bright red, huffing and puffing and sweating like mad they were rounding round in circles. They tried to block roads but didnt have enough police. Their dogs turnt on the handlers, the horses (only 2) were shying away. A comrade pointed at one police in front of his face-the officer said "don't wag your finger at me" oooh, how scary!

About 70 SOAS students attended and all were really militant-some said it was their first demo and they loved it. Well dont to Elly and co for getting in with the SOAS banner-shame i couldnt get some pics.

See SOAS Alex and Hannah centre stage here on AP (whatever that is...)

Can't wait for the next demo. Vive la revolution...

Watch Martin Smith on Channel 4 on 'Come back Communism'! Ignore the smarmy presenter-she doesn't add anything enlightening.

Public Meeting on The Recession: What does it mean for us?

All welcome to this public meeting at Friends Meeting House, Euston Rd, WC1.

Hosted by People Before Profit

Paul Mason, economics editor of Newsnight, in discussion with...

Graham Turner, GFC economics and author of Credit Crunch

Please call Clare Solomon (me!) on 07958 034 181 for more details

People before Profit stunt at Eurostar.

Just after lunch on Friday 15 August ten comrades armed with props, banners and leaflets descended upon the entrance of Eurostar terminal at St Pancras to protest about the treatment of its' cleaners. Eurostar cleaners get just £6.37 an hour even if they work nights and for however long they have worked for the contractor, OCS, with no pay rises EVER. They are not entitled to sick pay for the first three days and do not get the statutory bank holiday pay. Like the Tube cleaners they are demanding dignity at work and proper rights.

We put on a small visual stunt to show the Eurostar bosses that we will stand by the cleaners in their struggles. What ensued slightly freaked us out!

St Pancras station, once publicly owned, is now private property belonging to Eurostar so we knew we wouldn't have long before the police turfed us off. A comrade donned a fat cat outfit complete with greedypig mask and we gathered behind the People Before Profit banner for a speedy group photo. We then began to quickly hand out leaflets to unsuspecting staff and customers, particularly targeting people with luggage. The reception was very warm and immediately other St Pancras staff, security, cafe and shop workers took notice of what we were doing and came out to give us their full support.

A few Eurostar staff came over to us from the other side of the barriers, grabbed a stack of leaflets and took them back through the barriers. We could see them surreptitiously handing them out to all the staff within the Eurostar offices. They then re-approached us, gave us their phone numbers and expressed their gratitude that we are taking up these issues The were very angry about the treatment the cleaners receive and continued to describe how all the staff are also treated appallingly. They are looking forward to coming out on strike with other RMT members on Wednesday, and they will also be attending the rally on Tuesday.

A couple of Community Support Officers (the lesser paid plastic police with bugger all power but who generally strut around as if they do) walked slowly towards us. We tried to ignore them but we could not help noticing them staring at the banner; they smiled, nodded in agreement then went on their merry way leaving us to carry on-which we did in total bewilderment.

The goodwill continued to flow: Carole Vincent (infamous Big Brother contestant) got into friendly banter, as usual, another member: he said he was a fan of hers and had wanted her to win BB-he was only too pleased to he had talked to the police because he totally agreed with the cause and wanted us to continue.

In the end, after a full 50 or so minutes (bearing in mind that we had prepared to be removed within 2 minutes) and after running out of leaflets we gathered our kit, wished everyone solidarity for the impending strike actions and bid our farewells. We left with a resounding feeling of confidence that next weeks strikes are going to be lively, angry and no doubt will impact in a big way.

We send a clear message to the government and the big bosses that we will not stand for further cuts and demand the reinstatement of the most basic rights that should be afforded to every human being.

What can i say: It's been emotional...

Clare Solomon

Read more about the People Before Profit charter

Read more about the industrial battles on London transport scheduled for next week