Have a very Merry Christmas from all comrades of the Class Consciousness Project. 👍👍

The Great “What If?” – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/05/18/the-great-what-if/

This year has seen many disappointing incidents within the trade union movement but none more so than the composite motion C21 where unions offered their support to the NATO led Kiev regime.

Let's not forget how British trade unions in 2023 supported Imperialism.

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/09/12/reject-the-lies-of-nato/

Here's the discussion we had about comrades who tried to argue against this at a fringe event in Liverpool.

https://youtu.be/dfMN5F7ftKE?si=QE8CmhReURVWyuGX

A Workers Revolt – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/04/04/a-workers-revolt/

The EU supports fascism in all its forms because its roots are not in democracy. It was created to subvert the will of the people and strengthen the capitalist countries of Europe under the servitude of the USA.

🇺🇸🔥🚢Houthi Impact on Global Shipping Growing Daily🇾🇪🌍💰

International logistics firms are grappling with escalating prices for ocean and air freight, along with stranded cargo due to vessels being redirected away from the Red Sea due to concerns about potential attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen

Logistics firms have indicated that the ocean freight cost for a 40 foot container traveling from Shanghai to the UK has surged from $2,400 just a week ago to a current rate of $10,000. Last week, the rates for a 20-foot container were at $1,900. Additionally, reports suggest that trucking rates in the Middle East have more than doubled recently

“What we are experiencing here is a light switch event where vessels are being redirected in real time. But, that said, in certain trade lanes you are seeing freight rates going up between 100% to 300%,” Baer added, noting “This does not appear to be totally driven by changes in supply and demand.”

Subscribe @therevolutionreport

Support our work by donating here!

At 9pm on channel 5 tonight you will have another chance to watch Michael Palin's visit to the DPRK (or North Korea as it's noscriptd).
This so-called travel documentary series is littered with atrocious moments and none more so than this little man's massive ego in the great socialist state of Korea.

Here's our critique on Palin's programme. If you do decide to watch them make sure you read this too.

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/06/19/western-exceptionalism/

A Sheathed Weapon – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/06/02/a-sheathed-weapon/

The Housing Question – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/06/10/the-housing-question/comment-page-1/#comments

The DPRK is insulted and ridiculed in the western press. The bourgeois owned media does not want the successes of socialism to become common knowledge.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has succeeded in creating a country where the workers live respectful lives created by their labour.

🌍 🚢 North Transport Corridor Gains Strategic Significance Amidst Red Sea Disruptions

In a world of shifting trade dynamics, the North Transport Corridor (INSTC) is emerging as a game-changer, Paul Goncharoff, a businessman and chief manager of consulting firm Goncharoff, LLC, told Sputnik India.

Here's why it's making waves, as per Goncharoff:

📊 Reducing Shipping Times: The INSTC, designed as an alternative to the Suez Canal, slashes shipping times between India and Russia by a whopping 30 days. Example: In October 2022, shipping a 40-foot container from Moscow to India cost around $10,000; today, it's under $5,000 and still falling. This efficiency is vital, considering Russia's pivot to Asia and Asia's quest to diversify its suppliers.

🌐 Reconnecting India: The INSTC reopens trade routes lost during the partition of Pakistan in 1947, reconnecting India with Central Asian markets. This was hampered by historical rivalries. Now, Indian overland trade routes to Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond are being partially restored, promising economic revival.

🚀 The Eurasian Transport Hub: Recent disruptions at the Suez Canal and its logistical constraints have exposed vulnerabilities. The INSTC emerges as the most viable alternative, and its importance will likely prompt the European Union to reconsider sanctions on Russian and Iranian ports. Longer routes mean higher costs, and these could translate into political issues, putting pressure on European politicians to choose cost pragmatism.

📆 Future Outlook: While the exact timeline remains uncertain, expect the INSTC to play a pivotal role in European political decision-making by 2024/25, addressing EU consumer costs and inflation. The world of trade is evolving, and the INSTC is at the forefront of this transformation.

Boost us! | Subscribe to @geo_gaganauts

We are not all doom and gloom. In between our indignation of trade union failings our most experienced comrade has been writing more light hearted tales.

Terry's a Union Man!

Here are the 3 editions wrote in 2023!

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/04/07/terrys-tales-of-a-union-man/

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/06/25/terrys-tales-of-a-union-man-2/

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/09/01/terrys-tales-of-a-trade-union-man/

🥶♻️🇪🇺The EU is Shooting Itself in the Foot by Deindustrializing🇪🇺📉🛢

During a company meeting to review the year's preliminary results, Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller claimed that the EU is purposefully diminishing the demand for natural gas.

With sanctions on Russia blocking the purchase of natural gas, energy prices are skyrocketing and some nations are vowing to abolish nuclear energy. Spain has affirmed its intention to close down all nuclear reactors in the country by 2035, aiming to focus on increased investment in renewable energy sources.

Klaus Muller, head of Germany's Federal Network Agency said, “The era of cheap energy is over, at least as long as we continue to consume large quantities of conventionally generated energy,”

Sanctions related to Ukraine and the Nord Stream pipeline's sabotage last year have led to a decline in Russian gas exports to the EU, previously a primary route.

Subscribe @therevolutionreport

Support our work by donating here!

Welfare Reforms – Benefits – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/09/09/welfare-reforms-benefits/

Labour protest in Finland: a strike is coming in February

The Teollisuusliitto industrial union has announced a new two-day strike from February 1st.

“The union is stopping the work of the Kokkola and Kilpilahti industrial zones on February 1 and 2, 2024,” said the head of the union, Riku Aalto.

Neste, which is considered one of the world's leading producers of renewable fuel, is ready to join the action.

The purpose of the strike is to protest the labor market reform actively promoted by the government. The document envisages a serious tightening of labor conditions: a ban on strikes, simplification of dismissals, reduction of benefits and allowances.

“The government’s policies are a serious blow to the benefits, rights and working conditions of workers. Therefore, employees have no choice but to pay in kind,” said Neste representative Sami Ryynänen.

On December 14, a large-scale trade union strike took place in Finland, organized by the Central Association of Trade Unions (SAK). About 100 thousand people took part in it. Losses from the strike amounted to approximately 100-130 million euros.

One of the things we have worked on is creating resources to help trade union reps and/or political activists.

We will continue to update it in the new year so save the link and check back when you need too.

https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/resources/

A truly great investigatory journalist. One of the few with courage and ability to find the truth and show it to the masses. Never once allowing the establishment stooges silence him like so many other journalists.

RIP John Pilger

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/31/renowned-australian-journalist-john-pilger-passes-away-at-84

In Defense of Communism: WFTU opposes and condemns the neo-fascist policies of Javier Milei government in Argentina
http://www.idcommunism.com/2023/12/wftu-opposes-and-condemns-neo-fascist-policies-of-javier-milei-government-in-argentina.html

The Fate Of Greece – Class Consciousness Project
https://classconsciousnessproject.blog/2023/10/13/the-fate-of-greece/

Some men, faint-hearted, ever seek
Our programme to retouch,
And will insist, whene’er they speak
That we demand too much.
’Tis passing strange, yet I declare
Such statements give me mirth,
For our demands most moderate are,
We only want the earth.

“Be moderate,” the trimmers cry,
Who dread the tyrants’ thunder.
“ You ask too much and people fly
From you aghast in wonder.”
’Tis passing strange, for I declare
Such statements give me mirth,
For our demands most moderate are,
We only want the earth.

Our masters all a godly crew,
Whose hearts throb for the poor,
Their sympathies assure us, too,
If our demands were fewer.
Most generous souls! But please observe,
What they enjoy from birth
Is all we ever had the nerve
To ask, that is, the earth.

The “labour fakir” full of guile,
Base doctrine ever preaches,
And whilst he bleeds the rank and file
Tame moderation teaches.
Yet, in despite, we’ll see the day
When, with sword in its girth,
Labour shall march in war array
To realize its own, the earth.

For labour long, with sighs and tears,
To its oppressors knelt.
But never yet, to aught save fears,
Did the heart of tyrant melt.
We need not kneel, our cause is high
Of true men there's no dearth
And our victorious rallying cry
Shall be we want the earth!