utilities

Scottish Water workers vote on industrial action

Scottish Water workers are being balloted on industrial action after the employer imposed a below inflation pay rise which had not been agreed.

The imposition of a 3% rise over 15 months – worth 2.4% over a year – ended six years of partnership working between the company and staff.

"This pay cut is simply not acceptable when inflation is rising – recently reaching 5.2% - energy prices are rising by anything up to 30% and food by 11%," said branch secretary Steve Scott.

UK: One in four will live in fuel poverty

Over 14 million people could find themselves in fuel poverty in the near future, if new figures from gas giant Centrica predicting a 70% rise in gas prices prove accurate - nearly a quarter of the population.

Around 4.5 million households are currently living in fuel poverty, equating to around 10.4 million people according to the government’s 2002 figures from the Household Survey, but another 1.6 million homes are likely to be added as prices continue to rise.

Water struggles in Mpumalanga

An article about struggle over water supplies Mpumalanga , South Africa.

Water struggles in South Africa

An article on struggles over water supplies in South Africa since 2000

1993-1996: The Dublin fight against water charges

A short history of the successful direct action campaign of non-payment which prevented the imposition of charges for water in Dublin, Ireland.

Winning the water war

LPG - a load of hot air

The Competition Commission has found evidence that huge monopolies dominating a major utility sector are taking advantage of the position - but apparently not enough to warrant action.

A report has found that the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is uncompetitive and could be ripping off vulnerable rural people, but has refused to suggest the breakup of controlling monopolies.

LPG is used to supply heating for housing not covered by the national gas grid, with people living in rural areas having gas periodically delivered and stored at their homes.

Hydro-jihad: water conflict and the class struggle - Melancholic Troglodytes

The Iraq War underlined the significance of three main commodities in the Middle East, namely: labour power, oil and water. This text investigates the role of water in relation to the class struggle.

"To the man who refuses his surplus water, Allah will say: 'Today, I refuse thee my favor, just as thou refused the surplus of something that thou hadst not made thyself."

1989-2001 UK water privatisation

UK Water privatisation - a briefing

February 2001 
 
 
 

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NI: Water privatisation delayed until 2007

Government plans to implement water charges and privatise the Water Service in Northern Ireland has been put back again, this time to April 2007.

Ineptitude, opposition and a desire to dissipate growing resistance may all play their part in the further delay.

The most damaging aspect of this announcement is that it becomes harder to focus attention on the issue and build effective resistance.

Electricity and the Politics of Struggle for People's Needs in Tembisa - Franco Barchiesi

DELIVERY FROM BELOW, RESISTANCE FROM ABOVE
Electricity and the Politics of Struggle for People's Needs in Tembisa

Franco Barchiesi

Debate 4 (1998)

1. Electric Dreams, Shocking Awakenings, High-voltage Responses.
The Pre-Paid Meter Box Riots and their Aftermath

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