I attended the rally tonight at SOAS in support of the SOAS 9. There were around 100 people. Speakers spoke about how positive it was when students went into occupation over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza earlier this year and now SOAS goes into occupation over the barbaric treatment of the cleaners. There may have been a victory won regarding the demands but the fight is ongoing.
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Solidarity is the core ingredient to this.
We are seeing a continued criminalisation of people usually at the bottom of the pile, in this case migrant workers, along with the the so-called ‘war on terror’ that perpetuates racist propaganda. Privatisation and contracting out of facilities gives private companies like ISS power to exploit.
We have seen the election of 2 fascist MEPs and threatened pogroms in Belfast coupled with state racism and the use of the vile immigration laws. Along with the further onslaught of public sector cuts and more privatisation.
ISS was the cleaning company for the Northern and Jubilee tube lines. RMT cleaners fought for better pay, won but are still waiting for this extra pay!!
The AGM of the RMT is coming up and there was talk of putting forward motions supporting migrant workers. GMB congress passed a motion supporting migrant workers. And today, final day of Unison conference, General Secretary, Dave Prentis, read out a statement condemning the actions of ISS and SOAS management and their commitment against the raids on the cleaners. Prentis will be formally writing to Alan Johnson, and London region Unison will be writing to SOAS management and ISS. There are also plans to put pressure on SOAS management to kick ISS out of the college!!
Rosa, one of the cleaners in Yarl’s Wood, spoke at the meeting via a phone call. She thanked people for their support and solidarity. It also makes her feel stronger knowing that there’s support outside. It was moving and poignant having Rosa’s words relayed back to us in the room. We made sure we sent loud cheers and clapping to make sure she heard that we were on her side.
Practical things people can do is the two cleaners in Yarl’s Woods need the basics such as money for phones, to keep that link with the outside world. It would be appreciated if people could visit Yarl’s Wood as that would keep their spirits up. There is a desperate need for a pro bono solicitor and experienced independent doctors who could visit Yarl’s Wood as there have been continued hunger strikes regarding the appalling treatment dished out.
What was constantly expressed in this meeting was the need for solidarity and unity.
I left before the end of the meeting. But some of my own ideas include more protests outside Yarl’s Wood as that will boost the morale of the people imprisoned there and that they haven’t been forgotten (I recall in the early 1990s attending protests out the loathsome Campsfield House), up the ante of protests outside ISS and get as many TUs, Trade Councils, SU’s and other organisations to work together, highlight and to fight against the continued onslaught of state racism.
El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!
