Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/560/6715
From The Socialist newspaper, 10 December 2008
In brief
Attack on child protection
Greenwich Unison has condemned a proposed 'reconfiguration' of the council's child protection service. They propose the closure of the children's services hospital social work team, the reduction of front-line child protection workers from 59 to 47, the closure of four children in need centres and the abolition of the current career progression scheme, with a detrimental impact on pay.
Unison branch secretary Onay Kasab said:
"No doubt, Greenwich council will say that this is not about cuts, this is budget driven. The proposals fly in the face of recent events. For example the proposal to abolish the hospital team will mean less joined-up working between agencies.
The Laming report following the Climbié tragedy highlighted the need for health and social care services to work together.
The council do need to be clear. If these proposals are rushed through, then Greenwich Unison will take action. We have no intention, and I am sure that residents will agree, of sitting by while cuts to services put children in greater danger".
Salford university cuts
The University of Salford wants to make £7 million-worth of "savings". Staff face redundancies and cuts, deepening the problems they'll already have from the economic recession.
About 100 teachers and students rallied on 28 November and a meeting on 3 December launched the SUDE (Salford University Defending Education) campaign. The next plan is for a day of action in late January.
Dave Brooke, Salford University Socialist Students
St Helens bakery
Sixty jobs have been lost at the famous St Helens bakers Pimbletts after it went into administration on 5 December and was sold to the much larger bakery chain Waterfields.
St Helens is like many post coal-mining towns in Britain that have found it very difficult to overcome the decline of major industry.
Pilkington Glass, one of the biggest glass manufacturers in the country, now employs less than 1,000 people in the town.
It was sold off to a large Japanese glass manufacturer in early 2006.
There are few jobs available in the town and the job losses at Pimbletts will further damage the local economy at a time of global financial crisis.
Tony Pentin, Merseyside
Protests needed
The Socialist has reported how two Unite shop stewards working for IMI Scott in Manchester have been made redundant in a process designed to break the union. They are appealing for support for their campaign for reinstatement.
- Email protests to the operations director at IMI demanding the reinstatement of the shop stewards and the other two workers made redundant: nigel.mathews@imiscott.co.uk
- Please copy protests and send messages of support to the campaign c/o Trevor: trevor.prior@yahoo.com
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In The Socialist 10 December 2008:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
International socialist news and analysis
Queen's rep suspends Canada's parliament
Chicago workers occupy factory
Socialist Party editorial
Welfare 'reform' - fight these attacks
Socialist Party campaigns
Usdaw presidential election - support Robbie!
DNA evidence - Labour's draconian laws...
Jean Charles de Menezes Coroner restricts inquest verdict
Lewisham's Greens and the BNP 'supporters list'
Education fightback
Student struggle in Spain - time of revolt
60,000 march against education cuts in Dublin
Wales - the true extent of student debt exposed
Workplace news and analysis
PCS gains steps towards settlement
Militant response needed at ex-Visteon plant to save jobs
Unite against university attacks
Hospital trust offers pay cuts for Christmas
Environment and socialism
Water - essential of life or blue gold?
Socialist Party review
Socialism and left unity - a critique of the Socialist Workers Party
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