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From The Socialist newspaper, 24 September 2014
West Midlands fire engine cuts
Pete McNally, Worcester Socialist Party
Hereford Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is faced by management plans to reduce the number of fire engines in the county. Worcester Socialist Party members supported their protest against these cuts on 20 September.
It was an impressive effort by the FBU, with about 20 members leafleting and getting petitions signed. They had flags and placards and got a lot of public support.
The petition called for a referendum on raising council tax to fill the apparent shortfall in funding. We argued that it would be better to call for more funding from central government.
Herefordshire shares its fire and rescue authority with Worcestershire and only elects councillors every four years - so the chance to mount a no cuts challenge in 2015 must not be missed.
We asked FBU members to consider being candidates next year for the anti-cuts Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), which includes the Socialist Party. We found that one member followed TUSC on Twitter and another had previously stood for TUSC in Sheffield. So we may be able to challenge the cuts consensus in Herefordshire for the first time.
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In The Socialist 24 September 2014:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Labour to continue austerity offensive
Climate change: Summit for nothing
Academies lead to nepotism and profit making
Scottish referendum
1.6 million vote Yes in revolt against austerity
After Scotland revolt: all capitalist parties in crisis
Scotland Poll: Electric mood among YES supporters
International socialist news and analysis
Millions on streets for Catalan independence
Sweden: Conservatives collapse, extreme-right gains
Socialist Party workplace news
College lecturers join 14 October strike
Care UK: 'We'll fight them all the way'
Croydon leisure centre strike for decent wages
West Midlands fire engine cuts
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Tenants threatened by 'feudal lord'
Round up: Socialist Students at the freshers fairs
Socialist Party comments and reviews
The struggle for decent social care - a personal account
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