All Around the UK subcategories:
UK Towns and cities keywords:
Plymouth
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Plymouth - PCS - Jobs - Strike - DWP - Redundancy - South West - Redundancies - Devon - Health - Pensions
Plymouth PCS members fight relocation threat
PCS members in action, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
On 6 November PCS members took strike action to prevent a relocation which would likely result in around 50 redundancies. On the picket line the Socialist had the opportunity to speak to Jerry Crowley, Devon Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) PCS branch secretary and Robin Nicholl, South West PCS DWP regional organiser.
What is the reason for today's strike action?
Jerry Crowley (JC) We're striking to prevent a relocation to Clear Brook House. Should this relocation go ahead around 50 people could lose their jobs because they will be unable to travel to the new site for a variety of reasons: health, caring commitments, or through simple lack of transport.
What is the reason for the suggested relocation?
JC We don't understand the rationale. We were told it was to save money but we believe that could be best achieved by maintaining the current set up. The back-of-house work still needs to be done and we believe it could and should be done here in the city centre. Retaining the current set up will eliminate the cost of relocation and potential redundancy payments and, most importantly save jobs.
What's the mood been like on the picket line?
Robin Nicholl (RN) The mood has been buoyant.
JC It's definitely been one of the best attended pickets we've held at this site.
RN And that's really had a positive impact. We've signed up new members and we've emboldened a number of people not to cross the picket line.
What are the next steps from here?
RN If the employer proceeds with the planned relocation, our members are more than ready to take further action. Especially after the huge amount of support we've had from coworkers, members of the public and all those who have come out with us today on the picket line.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999