Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/492/2524
From The Socialist newspaper, 21 June 2007
Manchester council swings the axe
YET AGAIN Manchester city council are welcoming New Labour to the city for Brown's 'coronation'. Last time they blew millions of pounds on "security" for these unwanted guests. This latest shindig won't come cheap either. But when it comes to things working-class people really need, the council swings the axe.
Hugh Caffrey
Cuts to the health service still loom, and the Labour council has done nothing about it.
Even Liberal and Tory councillors in Lancashire have done more to scrutinise these cuts! Labour councillors just hope we won't notice.
The "independent review" of proposed cuts to mother and baby units has finished gathering evidence and will make recommendations to the government soon. Campaigners should hope for the best but prepare for the worst, and be ready to resist if any closures are proposed.
Cuts to Children's Services are on the way: just after receiving £millions of extra money from the government, the council announced 10% of staff would be made redundant.
Across Manchester the housing is being turned over to associations, which use cowboy contractors to cut costs.
Behind all this stands the government, for whom the councillors are happy to be lackeys and hatchet-men/women.
Ultimately, Gordon Brown has held the purse strings and set the rules for local government, and we are expected to bear the bitter fruits of his policies.
But working-class people are fighting back. Socialist Party members throughout Greater Manchester have been fighting cuts to the NHS, alongside many campaigners from communities and unions.
In Wythenshawe we are helping tenants hold the housing association to account.
In Salford we have campaigned against reductions to bus services, some of which have now been reinstated.
Across Greater Manchester together with other council workers we launched "Manchester Unity Stewards" to unite workplace struggles for decent pay, against job losses and resisting privatisation.
If you agree with what we're doing, get in touch or come to our next meeting.
We meet every Tuesday, 7pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount St., Manchester.
More info 07769 611 320 or manc_sfe@hotmail.com.
Manchester Unity Stewards and Activists Group (MUST) meeting
After Unison conference and NEC elections, how to fight pay cuts, privatisation and job losses.
Rank-and-file body MUST unites stewards and activists from across Greater Manchester to discuss the way forward.
Next meeting: Wednesday 4 July, 7pm, Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
More info 07793 738 389 or must-activists@hotmail.co.uk
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In The Socialist 21 June 2007:
New PM... same old Bosses' agenda
Brown stresses 'continuity' with Blair
Manchester council swings the axe
Workplace news
Postal and post office workers demand action
National shop stewards' network
Workers must fight Ford sell-off plans
UNISON Leadership get a roasting from angry delegates
Greenwich UNISON wins concessions
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Stop Hatchet Hewitt's NHS plans now
Blood centre workers fight job cuts plan
Socialist Party news and analysis
Something for everyone at the summer camp
How Cadbury's keeps shareholders sweet...
War and terrorism
Palestinian infighting blows apart 'national unity' government
Socialist students and ISR
Have Scottish students got free education?
Workplace news and analysis
Deskilling and destaffing - Tube bosses' dream
PCS leadership recommends new deal to members
Global Warming
Turning the tide for alternative energy
International socialist news
South Africa - third week for public-sector strike
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