Campaign news

LRC rally in Manchester calls for unity against the cuts

30th October 2010

The LRC rally ‘Stop the Cuts! There is an Alternative’ in Manchester on Saturday 30 October brought together campaigners in unity against the cuts. NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear outlined the alternative to cuts before briefly outlining the NUJ’s dispute with the BBC, which will see NUJ members on strike on 5/6 November (LRC members and supporters are encouraged to get to picket lines outside BBC buildings).

POA General Secretary Steve Gillan also addressed the meeting and emphasised the importance of trade union rights, and expressing his dismay at the failure of enough Labour MPs to back the Lawful Industrial Action Bill. Steve added that these unjust laws must not constrain action against the cuts.

The Rally heard from former Halifax Labour MP and LRC member Alice Mahon, who was followed by CWU Executive member Peter Keenlyside, outlining the threat to UK postal services from the Coalition government’s Postal Services Bill 2010, which aims to privatise the Royal Mail. FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack highlighted the struggle faced by firefighters in London, all of whom face the sack from 27 November as the Tory Fire Authority seeks to impose new terms and conditions. The meeting pledged its support to striking firefighters and LRC members and supporters are encouraged to attend picket lines in solidarity on Monday 1 November, and then Friday 5 and Saturday 6 November.

Preston Labour councillor Matthew Brown spoke to the meeting, and there was a lively discussion about the importance of engaging with Labour councillors, and prospective councillors, in anti-cuts campaigns - building local anti-cuts campaigns that will support councillors who resist the cuts. The coalition government is forcing local councils to implement its cuts and it will take time to build confidence and opposition among a new generation of councillors to refuse to pass on these cuts to their communities.
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John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, rounded off a very positive event with a call for unity and solidarity against the cuts and attacks on public services and the welfare state.

Trade unionists from the UCU, NUT, PCS, Unison, GMB - as well as a range of campaigners - also spoke in the debate from the floor.