Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/641/10366
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 October 2010
National conference called against cuts in jobs and services
Rob Williams, Unite convenor, Linamar Swansea, addresses National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) lobby of TUC conference in Manchester 2010, photo Suleyman Civi (Click to enlarge)
After a very successful TUC lobby and the first national demo against cuts in Manchester just a few weeks ago, the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) steering committee has taken a unanimous decision to follow up with a national conference to stop cuts to jobs and services. The provisional date is Saturday 22 January.
Linda Taaffe, secretary NSSN
At the meeting the feeling was expressed that the NSSN had played a role in influencing the TUC to call a national demo, albeit next year. Many spoke about the positive responses that the lobby of rank and file trade unionists had engendered, and reported enthusiasm for regional events against the massive Con-Dem cuts being prepared.
NSSN supporters in London, Wales and Manchester, amongst others are now organising demonstrations in conjunction with unions like PCS, RMT, FBU, NUT and others around the time of the comprehensive spending review.
It is crucial that any fight to save jobs and services must have well-organised trade unions at ground level at the core of the struggle. All felt that the NSSN has established a real track record, especially over the last year and since the onset of the financial crisis, and has earned the respect of many trade unions both at national and local level.
National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) lobby of TUC conference in Manchester 2010, photo Suleyman Civi (Click to enlarge)
At the same time there are millions of workers not yet in unions, like part-time women workers, students struggling with fees and debts, the growing ranks of unemployed and those subject to swingeing welfare cuts.
Also massive reductions in services are giving rise to lively local campaigns about privatisation in schools, hospitals, Royal Mail and cuts to libraries, services for elderly and disabled etc.
The NSSN appeals to both trade unionists and anti-cuts campaigners - young workers and students, black and white, men and women, young and old - to support this conference.
Let's make a start in thrashing out a real strategy for action in the struggle to create a force that can defeat this vicious cobbled-together millionaire government. If we defeated Margaret Thatcher, the iron lady, on the poll tax, we can do the same to Tory boys Cameron and Clegg!
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In The Socialist 6 October 2010:
Defend Child Benefits
Socialist Students
Campaigning Socialist Students win support
YFJ and PCS unite against cuts in Leeds
Socialist Party editorial
National Shop Stewards Network and the struggle against Con-Dem attacks
National conference called against cuts in jobs and services
Anti-cuts campaign
No excuses for not fighting cuts
Thousands tell Tories: 'No cuts'
Bristol MPs fail to answer young workers' anger at PCS debate
Meetings and protests against the cuts
Labour councillor's contempt for care centre users
Protests on October 23 to fight the government's spending review axe
Socialist Party workplace news
Time to strengthen RMT's fighting leadership
Health and Safety
Warning: this government could seriously damage your safety
Europe: fighting the cuts
Spain: workers demonstrate their strength
Ireland: a socialist alternative to the crisis
Portuguese workers win the promise of a general strike
Internationalism against austerity: 100,000 demonstrate in Belgium
Socialism 2010
Why you should come to Socialism 2010
Socialism 2010 - a weekend of discussion and debate
International socialist analysis
Chávez wins majority but right-wing gains ground
Socialist Party review
Anti-racism
Nuneaton: community must organise against racism
Leicester: action needed against EDL
Campaign defeats BNP in Stroud
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