Issue 20 — Winter 2020

Mick Armstrong recounts the rise and fall of the NSW Builders Labourers’ Federation, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the radical left that turned the union into one of the most impressive examples of socialist unionism in history.

Diane Fieldes and Jordan Humphreys look at how rank and file higher education workers rebelled against attempts by both university managements and their own union to impose job losses and attacks on their wages and conditions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this wonderful piece, Janey Stone draws upon the outpouring of articles, pamphlets, books, songs and poems produced by participants and supporters, many of which are completely forgotten now, to explore the role of women in the British Miners' Strike of 1984/85.

Ian Birchall examines how the Communist International engaged with syndicalists in an attempt to build an revolutionary working-class movement in the wake of the Russian Revolution.

April Holcombe writes an extended review of Laura Miles, “Transgender Resistance: Socialism and the fight for trans liberation”, Bookmarks 2020.

Róbert Nárai speaks to Jeffrey R. Webber on how the unfolding health crisis in Latin America is reshaping politics across the region. (This interview was conducted on 15 May 2020. In the meantime, figures for deaths and infections in Latin America have increased significantly.)

Kate Doherty reviews an important new book on the ecological crisis and its roots in capitalism.

Jack Crawford reviews Liz Ross’ new book about workers’ resistance to the Prices and Incomes Accord.

Darren Roso reviews a new biography of Werner Scholem, a leading figure in the ultra-left faction of the German Communist Party during the tumultuous Weimar republic.

Sam Pietsch reviews an account of the struggle for independence in West Papua, and the history of Indonesia’s occupation.