Submitted by x344543 on Tue, 09/06/2005 - 3:47am
ACTION ALERT - Please send a variation of the following letter (in your own words) to: presiding.officer@scottish.parliament.uk
Dear Mr. Reid,
As a supporter of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the British Isles, I am appalled that the Scottish Parliament intends to suspend the pay and benefits of 15 parliamentary workers, including members of parliament. This suspension will affect our members' pay, access to their workplace and benefits, including contributions to their pensions, and allowances which are primarily used to pay staff salaries.
By threatening IWW members' livelihoods, the Scottish Parliament is violating their dignity and security.
By excluding the Scottish Socialist Party and union representatives from the meeting that made this decision, the Scottish Parliament sought to silence our members and strip them of their right to defend themselves.
We condemn the Scottish Parliament for its severe reaction to a harmless protest for free speech and free assembly in Scotland during the G-8 meeting. As a result, workers now face punishment for their association with the SSP. This is unfair.
Submitted by x344543 on Mon, 08/22/2005 - 1:33am
From the Industrial Worker - September 2005. 
The IWW’s Scottish Parliament Job Branch has filed a strong protestagainst the Parliament’s decision to strip the Scottish Socialist Party members’ 14 staff of one month’s wages, noting that the decision – taken by the Labour Party majority – violates the workers’ fundamental labour rights.
The protest was filed jointly with the National Union of Journalists. The IWW and NUJ represent the 14 workers affected.
The issue arises from a decision to strip the SSP delegation of its salaries, facilities and support staff after the four Socialist parliamentarians protested within the chamber against a government ban on protests at the site of the G8 summit in Gleneagles despite parliamentary votes to allow demonstrations. Protests were subsequently allowed.
Neither the unions representing the affected workers nor the SSP, which employes them, were informed of or permitted to attend the meeting of the Scottish Parliament committees where the decision was taken, nor were the IWW or NUJ notified that action against our members was being considered.
Submitted by x344543 on Wed, 07/20/2005 - 11:46pm
The Industrial Workers of the World in the British Isles condemns the July 7, 2005 terrorist attacks against ordinary working people in London.
By deliberately attacking people going to work during rush hour, the attackers are seeking to turn workers into pawns and victims in their power struggle with the British state. The IWW condemns both the attackers and the British government for feeding a cycle of violence in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
The IWW urges workers to act in solidarity with one another and ensure that they protect working class interests, which will only be harmed by an escalation of the so-called war on terror.
The workers of the emergency services immediately sought to rescue, treat and prevent more harm. We hope their efforts are recognized not only now, but in the future as they cope with the impact of this work on their physical and mental health.
We urge working people across the British Isles to support one another and the families of those affected by these attacks. Solidarity is the answer to terrorism as an injury to one is an injury to all.
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