The poorest have become the victims of a political jape, says TUC

Cheryl Pidgeon speaking at the
Midlands TUC event on public sector cuts

Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announced by the Chancellor today (Wednesday), TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Right across government the Chancellor has announced eye-watering cuts that will have a desperate impact on communities, business and hard-pressed families. But he has not had the guts to spell out the detail, and instead tried to talk up a few crumbs of good news.
“Worst of all, to score a cheap party political point about Labour spending plans, he has loaded cuts on to benefits and welfare payments. Those who have not had a minister fighting their corner but who are most vulnerable to cuts have lost the most today. The poorest have become the victims of a political jape.
“But the biggest tragedy of all is that the spending review is likely to fail on its own terms. These cuts will depress the economy by causing a million job losses and undermining business and consumer confidence. There will be plenty of pain, but little to gain.”

TUC All Together rally in Central Hall

Trade union members from all over the country attended the Methodist Central Hall in London to re-affirm that there is an alternative to the spending cuts we are expecting in the Comprehensive Spending Review, tomorrow (Wednesday). 

Brendan Barber speaking at today's rally.



Over 2000  members crammed into Central Hall, leaving several hundred outside as we reached capacity on a balmy autumn day. Those fortunate enough to get inside heard a number of contributions from a string of union general secretaries, led by speeches form the TUC's Brendan Barber and UNISON's Dave Prentis.

The rally was followed by a lobby of Parliament where both Conservative and Lib Dem MP's were to be targeted. The Tories, we have been told, were called to a meeting and constituents were left to meet the MP's staff. If true, one wonders how they will react when constituents visit their surgeries to ask for advice and support as a result of the governments policies to cut jobs and services.



Bright future for school students

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a question time session at a local Birmingham school with a year 10 Economics class. The format was as the BBC show, although on the BBC the invited panel guests turn up unlike the local Lib Dem councillor who didn’t show. A shame, as she would have given a different take on a series of excellent questions put to us by a group of very bright students.

Questions covered the government’s response to the current economic situation, the role of equalities in the UK, pay for public servants and the position of women in the workplace.

I came away thinking that our futures will be all the richer if students like these are allowed to grow and develop and are afforded life and work chances that many of my generation have taken for granted. At this point, one can only hope.

Midlands TUC Public Services event

Keith Sonnet addressing the meeting

The Midlands TUC held its Public Services conference last Saturday (16th October) to discuss the regional response to impending cuts in public services. Headline speaker for the event was UNISON Deputy General Secretary Keith Sonnet.

The meeting heard from delegates about individual union approaches to the impending - and indeed already announced - cuts.

Workshop sessions were held on specific themes, Organising and Communities, Communications, the Political and industrial responses that would be necessary. Over 70 delegates attended the half day event held at The Spot Conference Centre, Derby.

Northampton trade unionsts take to the streets to protest against austerity cuts



CWU members campaigning
to keep the post public

 Northampton trades council and union members from public service unions took to the streets to discuss with local people the impending cuts. Members from Unison and the Communication Workers Union organised stalls in the centre of Northampton. Media coverage is available for


Explaining the cuts
to the public



BBC Look East:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tx6kz.
It also contains an interview with Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis.
Thanks to Northampton Trades Council Secretary Sarah Ansell for this report and the photos.

Midlands support for ETUC Day of Action against public sector cuts

Midlands trade unionists are supporting today's ETUC Day of Action against the cuts with a series of events in towns and cities across the region. Trade unionists and service users will have a presence on many high streets across the midlands, asking people to sign petitions and explaining what the cuts will mean. Events taking place include:
Northampton:
12 noon: Street stall in the Market Place – this will be next to NBC Notice board (nr Burger King / water foundation).



12 noon: Street stall in Abington Street stand – this will be in front of H & M

Derby:

12 noon: Derby Area Trade Union Council have organised jointly with the People’s Charter and UNISON a public leafleting session in the City Centre between 12:00 midday and 1:30pm followed by a rally in the Market Place (opposite the Assembly Rooms) beside the memorial between 1:30-2:00pm.

Birmingham:
4.45 pm: UNISON West Midlands media event with a coffin and Grim Reaper touring Birmingham city centre, followed by speeches at 6.00 pm in Victoria Square.

Leicester Together

The English Defence League are planning a march in Leicester on Saturday 9th October. The Hope not hate campaign have organised a petition to stop the march - you can sign up here: http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/Stop-the-EDL-in-Leicester

Look out for details of the celebration of Leicester's vibrant mult racial comunity, details will appear here soon.