The Waltham Forest Anti-Cuts Union (WFACU) met during the first week of 2011 when 35 people discussed organising against cuts in the north east London borough, including having a demonstration in February.
Reports were given from trade unionists fighting cuts in local government by the Labour-run council, health and London Underground. Strike action by Waltham Forest local government Unison members is likely.
The meeting agreed to organise a demonstration to the town hall, when the first full council meeting of the year will vote on 600 local government job cuts.
Though there were no Labour Party members present, members of the Socialist Workers Party said that the local Leyton and Wanstead Labour MP John Cryer should lead this march for ‘maximum unity’. This proposal was rejected.
As WFACU coordinator Nancy Taaffe pointed out, when challenged Cryer has publicly said that he would not ask Waltham Forest Labour councillors to vote against cuts and to set a needs budget.
It was also agreed that lobbies of the January and February council cabinet meetings would be organised, along with lobbies of cabinet members’ surgeries.
