Why you should be at Unite the Resistance in Plymouth Saturday 14th January
There is a huge need to organise the Fightback. This includes a number of key issues:
Strike Action: The Unions are now split over the Pensions fight, but over 1 million workers have rejected the Government offer of negotiations within by huge cuts. The negotiations are only offered if unions accept working longer and paying more to receive less pension – exactly what we took strike action against on 30th November 2011, when over 3000 marched through Plymouth City Centre. There is still much to fight for - even unison are divided, with Unison Health rejecting the deal. The unions rejecting the deal MUST call strike action, before half-term - we can provide the lead! We must build and Unite the Resistance! http://righttowork.org.uk/2012/01/unite-the-resistance-lobby-of-the-tuc-and-emergency-national-meeting/
The Health & Social Care Bill has been shown to signal the privatisation and dismantling of the NHS. Our own Derriford Hospital remains in financial deficit with wards closed, doctors, nurses and health worker jobs cut and far more cuts to come. Plymouth’s community health services have been cast adrift from the NHS and will be repackaged for sell-off on the free-market over the next 18 months. http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php
The Welfare Reform Bill is now in debate at Westminster, and aims to reduce public spending on range of welfare benefits from Disability Living Allowance to Housing Benefit. Suicide, extreme destitution and homelessness will be the results, according to a huge range of charities. We have to stop the Bill. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2012/jan/10/welfare-reform-bill-live-discussion?newsfeed=true
Poverty – the gap between rich and poor in Plymouth is extreme, with a difference in life-expectancy of over 17 years between professionals living in Plymstock and workers living in Devonport. The poverty indicators are high and horrible. All the Government policies listed above are making the situation worse and worse. There must be a Fightback! http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Plymouth-children-living-poverty/story-14378788-detail/story.html
Political Paralysis – where is the political challenge to this demolition of the Welfare State and assault on the poorest and low paid? We must build a political pole of resistance that fights for social justice and redistribution of wealth.
Direct Action - The Occupy Movement continues across the world, UK Uncut continues their actions despite the Dickensian “exemplar” jail sentences of the student protesters and protesters who occupied Fortnum & Masons (London) 26th March. The Plymouth Occupy Campaign is holding a protest at 1pm outside the Plymouth Civic Centre (opposite the Guildhall where our Conference is taking place) on Saturday 14th, and we shall support. http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/ https://www.facebook.com/occupyplymouth
These are some of the reasons for the Conference in the Astor Room at Plymouth Guildhall, Armada Way, this Saturday, 14th January starting at 10:30. There will be space for discussion, information exchange, workshops and planning. There will be refreshments, plus sandwiches and fruit at lunchtime. We will create a programme for Action through the Spring. Your attendance is needed, and I hope you will be there.
We hope you will help with the day, by
forwarding this URL
circulating this leaflet
offering £5 if you have a job and are paid, and £2 if you’re not.
Just turning-up on the day (or book at http://www.plymouth-tuc.org.uk/index.php/events/108-plymouth-unite-the-resistance-conference )
