Submitted by Janine on
Back before barring blacks became banned
Bristol buses blocked brown-skinned blokes becoming buscrew
But better Bristolians batted back
bit the bullet and boycotted the buses
Bent-backed, booted bipeds bicycled,
as bitter brushes blazed between bile and benevolence
Bands of brave, belligerent banner-bearers
branded the ban biased, barbarous balderdash
Submitted by Janine on
A version of this was published in Solidarity 568:
This story of colour bars in the UK railway and bus industries begins after the Second World War, when Britain had a labour shortage and people moved to Britain in increasing numbers from Caribbean countries and elsewhere.
NUR Opposes Racism
Submitted by Janine on
Speaking at an online meeting of rail workers in September, Janine Booth tells the story of the period after the end of the Second World War when black people came to Britain but met opposition from some white workers, until the 'colour bar' was defeated in 1966.
Submitted by Janine on
This article was published in RMT News, September 2020.
By Janine Booth, Chair of RMT National Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee
One hundred years ago, two hundred and fifty blind people from across the UK marched from Newport, Manchester and Leeds to London in protest at poverty and poor working conditions.
Submitted by Janine on
Janine's poetic turn at the 2020 online celebration ofthe 1911 Llanelli railway strike.
Submitted by Janine on
The last issue of RMT News contained a useful pull-out on the historic 1919 railway strike. It captured some of the excitement of the action and its success in beating back pay cuts. The strikers and their supporters are heroes of our history and deserve to be remembered and honoured.
Submitted by Janine on
Also posted on the Workers' Liberty website here.
As 1919 began, working-class people in Britain and many other countries looked forward to leaving the Great War behind them and rebuilding their lives.
Submitted by Janine on
Submitted by Janine on
In this three-minute video, Janine introduces the momentous events of 1919.
Submitted by Janine on
Text of the George Lansbury Memorial Lecture, given on 16 November 2016 at Queen Mary University, London.
