The Socialist 20 January 2016

Unite the fightback

Unite the fightback: Coordinated strikes needed

United workers' action can save NHS

Water firms' £1.2bn in profit off human need

Political policing: Met spy targeted socialists

Trident debate: socialist programme needed

Housing crisis reaches level of 1960s

Civil service: £1bn on consultants

Outrageous attacks on Corbyn for 'sexism'

Them & Us

1986 Wapping strike - Defeat of the print unions

People's Budget meeting success

Carmarthenshire Unison campaigns against council cuts

Unite the Union local government committee votes for no-cuts budgets

Preparing a no-cuts people's budget

Momentum and democracy in Hackney and beyond

Angry Labour meeting puts councillors under fire

Gateshead carers oppose respite centre closures

Celebrating Eleanor Marx's birthday

Nationalise Tata to save steel jobs!

Tube workers to strike again to defend jobs and conditions

Reinstatement victory for John Vasey

Shop workers lobby council against Sunday opening

Workplace news in brief

USA: Fight the billionaire class!

China: Financial turmoil spreads fear across global markets

Northern Ireland: Defy anti-abortion laws

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Gateshead carers oppose respite centre closures

Elaine Brunskill, Socialist Part Northern region

For years Gateshead's Labour councillors have boasted they would always protect frontline services for the most vulnerable. That claim is now being shredded as the council looks to close or privatise the Marquis Way and Blaydon Lodge respite centres for disabled adults.

Outside Gateshead Civic Centre, carers of disabled adults, including parents and grandparents, made a phenomenal amount of noise at the protest to save these services. Clerical staff were twitching at office blinds to see what was going on. After about half an hour we were invited inside so council workers could hear our views.

Sleep

The officers listened intently as carers gave numerous examples of their concerns over the council's plans. Parents described bad experiences in the past with private respite provision, largely due to understaffing and high turnover.

In contrast, Blaydon Lodge and Marquis Way were described as "amazing and unique facilities". The same with Grove House, the equivalent children's centre, which is also under threat. It was clear that the staff at these centres are very highly regarded.

These centres mean that for one or two days a month, carers can have time off. When asked what they do with this time nearly all of them replied "catch up with sleep!"

During the course of the meeting, carers highlighted the report in the last Socialist - in Stoke-on-Trent, Tories and independents are using council reserves to fund services. If the Tories can do it, why can't Labour?

On the protest, there was anger that Gateshead Council has recently spent £45,000 revamping the offices of council leader Mick Henry and his cabinet. The feeling was that services for disabled people were more important than swanky offices for bosses.

In this issue

Socialist Party news and analysis

Unite the fightback: Coordinated strikes needed