Europe
Britain: Leeds refuse workers vote to continue strike
By Barbara Slaughter, October 23, 2009
At a mass meeting on October 21, striking Leeds refuse workers voted by a massive 92 percent majority to reject the “final offer” from Leeds City Council and continue their seven-week strike.
Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
October 23, 2009
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
British postal workers launch two-day national strike
By Chris Marsden, October 23, 2009
Britain’s postal workers began two days of strike action yesterday, the first major national strike since 2007.
Germany: Closure of Quelle mail order business costs 7,000 jobs
By Peter Schwarz, October 23, 2009
Three weeks after the federal election, Germany’s best known mail order company is being closed down with the loss of 7,000 jobs.
France: CGT’s industrial policy means workers will pay for the crisis
By Pierre Mabut and Antoine Lerougetel, October 22, 2009
The French General Confederation of Labour national day of action, in collaboration with the Sarkozy government, is an attempt to deal with the economic crisis at the expense of the working class.
Norwegian election dominated by debates over oil fund
By Jordan Shilton, October 22, 2009
On October 13, Norway’s re-elected coalition government led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced its 2010 budget amid claims that the country had weathered the global economic downturn.
Germany: Armed Forces memorial unveiled in Berlin
By Bernd Reinhardt, October 22, 2009
Leading political and military circles in Germany are conducting a systematic campaign to revive militarism.
The British National Party and “Question Time”
By Julie Hyland, October 22, 2009
Media lawyers this week rejected a warning by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain that the British Broadcasting Corporation could face legal action if it allowed Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Pa...
Britain: Thousands of jobs threatened in higher and further education
By Robert Stevens, October 21, 2009
Thousands of job cuts are being implemented at higher and further education institutions throughout the UK.
Roman Polanski refused bail by Swiss court
By Hiram Lee, October 21, 2009
The Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland has refused to release filmmaker Roman Polanski on bail.
France: New Anti-capitalist Party tries to channel worker discontent with the unions
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, October 21, 2009
Inside the NPA, whose leadership refuses to make any criticism of the CGT union, the Prometheus Collective and Clear Tendency factions are trying to provide a cover for the party under conditions of w...
British secret service chief justifies torture
By Chris Marsden, October 21, 2009
The head of Britain’s secret service, MI5, has publicly defended the use of torture to obtain evidence against alleged terrorists.
