Socialist Party (Ireland) Struggle, Democracy, Socialism

Since December, a hugely significant strike has been taking place in Turkey. Around 12,000 workers employed by TEKEL, part of the previously fully state owned tobacco industry, were given the choice between accepting "C4 status" or simply joining the ranks of the unemployed as a result of the privatisation of the sector.

One year on from the killing of two British soldiers at Massereene barracks in Antrim and the shooting of a PSNI officer in Craigavon, attacks carried out by dissident republican groups have become more frequent, sophisticated and deadly.

Mortgages should be immediately re-assessed and reduced. Commenting on the “Negative equity in the Irish Housing Market” report from the ESRI, Joe Higgins MEP said...

“Mumia Abu-Jamal has been on Death Row for almost 30 years in Pennsylvania. He's currently sitting in a very small dark cell on death row. He is in solitary confinement as are all on Death Row. Mumia only gets to bathe three times a week. He is allowed outside five days a week for a little over an hour. However, when he is allowed outside, he is isolated in a cage. He has a bleak existence.”

In the current economic climate it seems those of us lucky enough to have a low-paid job have forfeited our right to respect and decent treatment.  With hundreds of thousands on the live register at the moment, it's an employers' market. The employed are feeling the pressure of thousands in the queue behind them, and the pressure of employers trying to cut down on costs.

The TEEU applied for a variation of the Registered Employment Agreement in order to implement the increase in the rate of pay for electricians in the building industry that was agreed after the week long strike in mid 2009. Yet again, on 19 February last, the Labour Court adjourned a decision on the matter.

It's difficult to watch families being evicted from their homes without being moved. Michael Moore’s documentary, "Capitalism: A Love Story", reviewed here by LAURA FITZGERALD, is at its best when it’s revealing the ruthless face of US capitalism and the economic crisis that has gripped it since late 2008.

The Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, has spelt out plans to make a further €3 billion in cuts at the next Budget. €500 million of these cuts are to come from public sector "reform" and if the unions don’t agree, he will impose further pay cuts.

Taxi Regulator must put a halt to issuing new taxi licenses and implement an independent review of the Taxi industry.

"The obscene notion of people being forced to work, particularly in physically or mentally stressful jobs, until the age of 68 before they can retire is an obscenity. Mary Hanafin complains that we are living too long. Well there is no better way to shorten the lives of building workers, teachers and so on than prolonging their working lives" – Joe Higgins MEP.