Richie Venton, SSP National Workplace Organiser The public declaration in favour of a second referendum on Scottish independence by current general secretary of the STUC, Grahame Smith, is not only extremely welcome, but of profound significance. In truth, Grahame is applying the ABCs of democracy; the right of the Scottish people to determine their own future, […]
Richie Venton, SSP National Workplace Organiser Nobody likes to strike, nobody likes to lose 8 days’ salary, nobody likes to cancel classes. But honestly, I’m exhausted. That one comment from a striking UCU member encapsulates the conditions that have driven over 40,000 staff in 61 universities—twelve of them in Scotland—to take eight days’ strike action […]
Morgan Lewis-Wilson, SSP Social Media Coordinator November the 9th marked the date of the Scottish Socialist Party’s 2019 annual conference, a coming together of members from across the nation to discuss and debate the direction of the SSP. A Brexit General Election? Conflict over Brexit in Westminster came to a head last month with the […]
At the SSP National Conference 2018, after full hustings for contested posts and statements from the nominees, the party elected its office-bearers. The 2018/2019 members of the committee are as follows: Joint National Spokespeople: Colin Fox, Róisín McLaren National co-Chairs: Calum Martin, Christine McVicar National Secretary: Hugh Cullen National Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Jim McVicar National […]
by Richie Venton Our SSP street stall and street meeting outside Starbucks in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall St today gained a really warm reception from shoppers. As we blasted out the message – over the din of the howling wind! – about multinationals like Starbucks and KFC robbing workers of their rightful wages by calling them apprentices, […]
by Richie Venton, SSP national trade union organiser Main photo: Max McKay – Richie Venton, USDAW NEC member addresses 200-strong trade union solidarity rally at Strathclyde University. “No capitulation!” “Reject the deal and sustain the strike!” That was the angry message from the ranks of striking university staff to their own UCU union leadership after […]
By Ken Ferguson Union activist, shop steward and workplace convenor Richie Venton has won a resounding victory in a hard fought contest for two Scottish seats on the UK executive of the retail and distribution union USDAW. Richie fought the contest on a platform of progressive left demands including an immediate wage of £10 an […]
Richie Venton remembers lifelong peace activist, teacher and much-loved socialist Ron Mackay It is with profound sadness and sense of loss we have to announce the death of SSP member and good friend to many of us, Ron Mackay. Ron, aged 93, was a lifelong socialist and peace activist, and above all an inspiration to […]