Danni Perry’s flag display at the Royal Opera House sparked 182 performers to sign a solidarity letter that cancelled the Tel Aviv Tosca production, while Leonardo DiCaprio invests in Tel Aviv hotels, reports LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
Pioneering women created today's trade union movement
New PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE talks about the women who reshaped the cause of labour
YANA PETTICREW explains what’s behind the strike and how the entire sector rests on super-exploiting an unorganised workforce
STEPHEN ARNELL casts a critical eye over the sudden rash of challenges to the two-party system on both sides of the Atlantic, noting that today’s performative populist politics sadly lacks Roosevelt’s progressive ‘Bull Moose’ vision of the early 20th century
BILL KIDD MSP says increasing Britain’s nuclear arsenal at this time is dangerous and expensive folly
ROGER McKENZIE asks whether the US’s shift to targeting everyone at once will instil greater co-operation among rising powers
SINCE becoming PCS general secretary in February, I have travelled the country speaking at PCS branch AGMs, Stop the War and Palestine solidarity rallies almost every day.
As we mark International Women’s Day, I can say that one of the biggest honours so far was to address the Women Against Pit Closures 40th anniversary event last Saturday in Durham. As a proud feminist and trade unionist, I was humbled to pay tribute to one of the most inspiring working-class movements of our lifetimes.
I wouldn’t be the first woman general secretary of PCS were it not for feminist working-class heroes of 40 years ago who, against insurmountable odds, stood up for their class.
More from this author
Civil servants are worried that work they are being asked to undertake may be contributing to potential Israeli war crimes – and PCS will back back any member facing disciplinary action for refusing to work on arms export licences, writes general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE
Public and Commercial Services union leader FRAN HEATHCOTE warns the Chancellor not to take an axe to the Civil Service – and points to measures that would genuinely improve the public sector
As the government ploughs ahead with £3 billion in welfare cuts, arbitrary office-return mandates, and below-inflation pay rises, women will bear the brunt through deepening poverty and increased caring burdens, argues FRAN HEATHCOTE
There is no stronger economy without the stronger wages that provide extra disposable income, which is why workers – including civil servants – must have their pay boosted in real terms, along with restored union rights and insourcing, says FRAN HEATHCOTE
