UK
Resist the poll tax!
Leaflet produced to encourage non-payment, as part of the movement against the Poll Tax.
In April 1990 the government intends to introduce a replacement for the rating system in England and Wales. (The changes will come a year earlier in Scotland.) The proposed replacement will be called the community charge or poll tax. The result of this measure is that everyone over the age of 18, with a few exceptions, will have to pay their own individual contributions to local government.
No go, P&O! - Thames Valley Class Struggle Group
Leaflet produced as an intervention into the 1988-1989 strike by P&O ferry workers against attacks on their working conditions.
Seafarers fight on
Anarchy and community in the UK
Article examining the meaning of 'community' in the current society, and what it would mean under communism.
This article deals with some aspects of community in British society today and in the hoped for revolutionary period. It does not touch on "primitive" or feudal communities.
CS gas and the use of force - Antagonism
Leaflet produced after some protesters were gassed at a demonstration against the 1995 Criminal Justice Bill.
This leaflet was produced after we were gassed on a demonstration. Although we suspected the police, we later found out that it was an activist who used CS gas on the demo. CS gas spray has since become part of the standard equipment of London's Metropolitan Police. A number of deaths have been caused as a result.
CS Gas and the Use of Force
Our lives against justice and rights - Antagonism
Leaflet produced for a demonstration against the 1995 Criminal Justice Bill.
This leaflet was produced for a demonstration against the Criminal Justice Bill. The demonstration ended in a riot. Although the bill was passed into law, the movement of opposition to it was an important episode in the formation of the "anti-capitalist movement".
Kill Kill Kill! - Antagonism
Analysis of the UK Criminal Justice Bill 1995.
The following text was handed out at a meeting of communists in London. It proved to be slightly too pessimistic on the question of "provocative actions". It also has a somewhat sociological view of class.
Straight Outta Luton
A short radical history of Luton in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas produced for the Free the Spirit festival organised by the Exodus Collective in September 2000. An exhibition based on it was displayed as part of the South London stage at the festival, which was held on land next to the M1 Motorway in Bedfordshire. It was distributed as a leaflet and published on the Practical History website.
Some people think that the only things to come out of Luton apart from Exodus are planes from the airport and a Second Division football team. Here we present some of the hidden history of henge builders, heretics, rebels, rioters, strikers, war resisters, animal liberationists, punks and party people. Most of the examples are from Luton and Dunstable, with a few from elsewhere in Bedfordshire.
Wind turbine manufacturing workers occupy company offices
Workers from the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight who are set to lose their jobs are staging a sit-in protest at the firm's offices.
Danish company Vestas Windsystems is laying off 625 workers at the end of July, despite rising profits. It said the Newport factory was being closed due to reduced demand for wind turbines in northern Europe.
About 20 people inside the offices in Cowes have vowed to remain there until "somebody listens to us". They began their protest at about 1930 BST.
Energy workers to ballot for strike action across Britain
Construction and maintenance staff at the giant petrochemical complex in Grangemouth are to be balloted for strike action. Members of the GMB and Unite unions will vote on the issue along with those at seven sites across the UK.
The unions said the action followed a loss of confidence in employer's body the Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA). Both sides are currently involved in negotiating changes to the so-called NAECI agreement.
The National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry or NAECI dictates issues including pay and conditions and the use of local labour within the industry.
Record rise in UK unemployment total
UK unemployment rose by a record 281,000 to 2.38 million in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics has said. The jobless rate increased to 7.6%, the highest in more than 10 years.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit increased by 23,800 in June to 1.56 million, which was less than analysts had forecast. Unemployment among young people has been especially acute, as firms cut jobs to reduce costs in the downturn.
