The Socialist 9 November 2006

NHS: Stop this market madness

NHS: stop this market madness

Doctor attacks Labour-backing Prentis

Health minister's 'scary' performance

The public-sector fat cats

Out of the horse's mouth

Students can defeat fees

Campaign to defeat top-up fees

Build a real alternative to BNP

Hanging Saddam won't end crisis in Iraq

Solidarity - Scotland's socialist movement

Reactionary Jewish and Arab groups in homophobic campaign

National action needed against performance pay

Devon teachers get organised

Education protests

When British imperialism hit the rocks

Previous issues, etc

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Doctor attacks Labour-backing Prentis

AN ANGRY east London GP has written the open letter below to Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the largest trade union in the NHS, UNISON.

"I AM a GP in Waltham Forest and have lived here most of my life. I remain at a local level a keen supporter of effective unions as advocates for working people. Frequently I ask my patients who are in difficulties in their workplace to draw on the resources of their union, or if not members, to consider joining.

Many of my patients are health service staff locally and frequently the lowest paid. I find it astounding that you in the leadership of UNISON can sit back and watch as swathes of your members are in jeopardy with respect to their jobs and their working conditions yet you have been quite happy to bankroll New Labour the architect of this debacle.

The Prime Minister has flung the NHS into yet more destabilising change to produce some miraculous "legacy" before his long overdue exit. Your members are suffering and you are bankrolling it. You fund it...ergo you are responsible for it.

Shame on you. A union betraying working people..."