Labour movement history in Britain shows workers secured reforms through collective pressure and political representation, rather than being gifted from above, writes KEITH FLETT
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Shopworkers do not want longer Sunday trading hours
Usdaw general secretary PADDY LILLIS explains there is no benefit to keeping shops open longer on Sundays for the employers or the customers — and doing so would be a massive blow to workers' pay and conditions
ROGER McKENZIE draws attention to the much-neglected oral traditions of the global South that define the identity – and therefore the liberation – of its custodians
Established as a landmark victory for the climate movement, the CCC promised to hold governments to account. Today, it is understating the danger of climate chaos and impeding the radical action needed, says IAN SINCLAIR
The real ‘humanitarian threat’ isn’t Cuba but the United States, where poverty, lack of healthcare and illiteracy abound, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
CLAUDIA WEBBE looks at how Britain’s Nato ally has upped the stakes in its effort to silence domestic dissenting voices
REPORTS that the government is yet again looking at deregulating Sunday trading were met with dismay and disbelief by our members who are on the front line of delivering essential services during the Covid-19 emergency.
The government claims it will help the country out of recession, but that is wrong, misguided and a slap in the face for key workers. Shops can already open for 150 hours week, adding a few more hours will not make difference, but could be very damaging to shopworkers’ lives, our communities and the retail sector.
Usdaw members have worked throughout this crisis keeping the supermarket shelves stocked. This move to deregulate Sunday trading hours seems an opportunistic use of the coronavirus crisis. I would hope that the government would instead spend its time exploring how we can ensure that these low-paid key workers can get the level of pay and job security they deserve.
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