Once the bustling heart of Christian pilgrimage, Bethlehem now faces shuttered hotels, empty streets and a shrinking Christian community, while Israel’s assault on Gaza and the tightening grip of occupation destroy hopes of peace at the birthplace of Christ, writes Father GEOFF BOTTOMS
MANY keyboard commentators will have itchy fingers poised to express outrage but a key point should not be missed – no matter how uncomfortable and even traumatic this is, GMB is actually taking steps to deal with the problem.
There are specific historic foundations underpinning the macho culture of trade unions particularly in unions that formerly represented almost exclusively male industrial workers.
But a number of unions, traditionally male preserves, increasingly represent women workers. GMB’s membership is now over 50 per cent women. It is high time for fundamental change in our culture and practices that genuinely enable the very best and most talented women to rise up the ranks of the trade union movement.
In the final part of a serialisation of his new book, JOHN McINALLY explains how in 2018, after years spent rebuilding the PCS into a leading force against austerity, a damaging rupture emerged from within the union’s own left wing
Working-class women lead the fight for fair work and equitable pay and against sexual harassment, the rise of the far right and years of failed austerity policies, writes ROZ FOYER
ROS SITWELL reports from the Morning Star conference on ‘Race, Sex and Class Liberation’ last weekend
Glasgow Trade Union Education Centre secures two-year partnership after a landmark campaign



