Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.
Europe the continuent, the European Union, and European countries.
COUNTRY REPORTS France – Women trade unionists have been concentrating on increasing women’s involvement in the unions, and on campaigning against violence against women. At Gare du Nord railway station, African women cleaners are often sexually assaulted by male bosses. … Read more
Daniela Zlatova of Bulgarian transport trade union FTTUB gave an impressive account of the union’s efforts and achievements in involving women. FTTUB : has 10,500 members includes 86 trade union bodies in transport and telecoms has 9 women out of … Read more
From RMT News June 2106 RMT member Janine Booth talks to Brussels transport workers after the March 22 terrorist attacks I have been talking with Brussels transport workers and trade unionists in the aftermath of the 22 March Daesh/IS bombings … Read more
SpeakEasy: Spoken Word Brussels is an ‘open mic’ evening of spoken word (and a bit of music) in a basement in the Ixelles area of the city. Modelled on similar events in Paris and London, it has been taking place every two weeks since … Read more
I have been talking with Brussels transport workers and trade unionists in the aftermath of the 22 March Daesh bombings which killed 32 people and injured hundreds more. Amidst the news reporting and political demagogy, it is important that their … Read more
INTRODUCTION/CONTEXT The opening address stressed the importance of women workers organising in a male-dominated industry and the context of women’s struggles in a time of austerity and terrorism. There was a minute’s silence for the victims of terror attacks. ATU (Romanian … Read more
What is working life like for women (and men) on the Bucharest Metro? How does it compare to our situation on London Underground? In Bucharest with the ETF Women’s Committee, I spoke with Metro workers and gathered some facts … The … Read more
WHAT IS THE ETF? The European Transport Workers’ Federation, linking transport trade unions across Europe. RMT is one of several UK affiliates. Its Women’s Committee includes nominees from various countries and sectors. I am a member of the Committee for … Read more
Want to exit left? Continental motorway: All exits to right.
Published in Solidarity 396, 2 March 2016. One hundred years ago this week, conscription came into force in Britain. The Military Service Act placed men between 18 and 41 years of age into the army reserve unless they were married … Read more
Follow the links for a shocking story of a Stalinist anti-semitic purge. London is loyal, London’s a comrade London has toiled through many a bomb raid London’s a leader, London’s a fighter London is feeling the noose closing tighter Those … Read more
First part of a three-part report from the meeting of the Europen Transport Workers’ Federation’s Women’s Committee in Berlin, 12-13 October 2015. Women’s health and safety at work The Committee is compiling a training module about women’s health and safety at … Read more
The final part of my report from the European Transport Workers’ Federation’s Women’s Committee meeting held in Berlin on 12-13 October 2015. Mid-term women’s conference. The Committee’s work is organised around 4-year terms: we are currently in the 2013-17 … Read more
Originally published on Workers’ Liberty’s website. There was a discussion at Workers’ Liberty’s ‘Ideas for Freedom’ discussion weekend in 2006 about ‘The Left and Cultural Relativism’. The two speakers were Janine Booth and Peter Tatchell. These are the notes from … Read more
Alexander Kirchner, Chair of German transport trade union EVG, spoke at ETF Women’s Committee on 12 October 2015. His two key points were: 1. EU Fourth Railway Package This package of proposals is driven by the European Commission to promote … Read more
Haters gonna hate Dictators gonna dictate Tyrants gonna tyrannise Rebels will rebel and rise Rival rulers gonna ride Rebellion’s discontented tide Bombers gonna bomb Pogromists will pogrom Fighters gonna fight Families gonna take flight Borders gonna rise Papers gonna scandalise … Read more
If Nicholas Winton were saving the children today His Transport of Kindness would camp out in fear at Calais Compassion is easier cast back through history’s mist Abhorrence for migrants but Oscars for Schindler’s List No humans may cross here, … Read more
Meeting in Brussels, the European Transport Workers’ Federation Women’s Committee will share information and reports from women trade unionists across Europe’s countries and transport sectors, and agree on a publicity campaign to tackle violence against women transport workers – it’s not … Read more
An ETF Women’s Committee meeting consists of the elected Committee members, representatives of each sector (railways, civil aviation, etc), guests from affiliated trade unions, local women trade unionists (this time, from Antwerp port), and ETF staff. At the next meeting, … Read more
Country Reports Spain From 2007, the socialist government introduced equality legislation and a framework to demand action against sexism and harassment. But since then, the situation has been worsened by economic crisis, with equalities driven off the agenda, curbs on … Read more