London to loose 12 fire stations with over 500 jobs going, fight all cuts!

Its been reported today that London is due to loose 12 Fire stations and over 500 workers as a result of these huge cuts recommended by the London Fire Commissioner. This will have a devastating impact on London and the Fire services ability to deal with large scale fires and disasters if and when they occur. This wills not only put people at risk it will also risk many people’s homes and business’s which need protecting too. Boris Johnson who is slowly ripping into London’s public sector jobs and services in his second term of office cannot hide from these eye watering cuts these are his cuts and his cuts alone. It will be interesting to hear the Labour party and what they have to say on this no doubt they will oppose these cuts in words but in actions what will they do? A petition her and there will not keep a fire station open I’m afraid. The Fire Brigades Union lead by Matt Wrack a good fighting socialist need to lead this battle bringing on board anti cuts campaigners, local community members and the local residents who will loose these Fire stations. Other stations not affected need to link up with those under threat saying to Boris Johnson and his Tory chums no to all closures we wont accept closure of one for keeping another open that’s divide and rule and something the Labour party are very good at we should campaign for no to all cuts in the Fire service and for a investment in the Fire service keeping all services and jobs in the public sector with good levels of pay. This is a service we cannot do without if god forbids there was a major fire in London again loosing this many fire stations would be crippling to the city. We cannot allow these cuts to happen and every possible tactic and strategy must be considered including the threat of mass strike action over these cuts. As I’ve blogged before unions have many reasons of which to call national strike action on this is just another one to add to this list. Save our fire stations, no to divide and rule and for a fully funded publically accountable fire service that benefits the many.

TUSC conference trade unionists and socialists organise the fightback

Today I attended with other comrades the TUSC – Trade union and Socialist Coalition conference in London at ULU.

A very well attended conference given what else was going on in London today various protests and march’s so to get 50 or 60 top trade unionists and socialists out in late January from all over the country was very positive.

The morning session was on the legal side of what can councillors do to fight the cuts. At present we do not have control of a council yet but this can change. Dave Nellist of the socialist party , Charlie Kimble of the SWP and Nick Wrack from TUSC helped answer some of the legal questions from the floor on needs budgets and what powers councillors still have today.

The question that there could never be another Liverpool struggle again in the country is a myth and the powers are still there today to create a mass campaign against the cuts demanding the money back off the government.

Local councils have millions in their reserves which none have even tried to look into using to plug a gap to protect vital essential services and jobs.

The morning session was full of excellent contributions and questions with us all feeling we can be quietly optimistic whilst remaining realistic of TUSC’s opportunities for the coming period.

Much of the meeting was taken up of comrades condemning Ed Balls and Ed milibands Labour party for the other week accepting all of the tories cuts now not just some as was the case before. They have said they agree with a public sector pay freeze and will not be reversing any of the tories cuts.

With the brilliant strike of 2 and a half million workers on November the 30th last year many will be asking who do we have to vote for us now and who will support our struggles
It is clear now labour do not and have openly attacked striking workers in Southampton and nationally on the day of N30.

Working people need a political voice I have argued continuasly for some time now and TUSC and its slate of left trade unionists in the GLA London elections can make crucial breakthroughs this year if a big campaign is fought.
The afternoon session was taken up with comrades discussing how to fight a election campaign discussing election strategy canvassing, leafleting and getting the TUSC name out there.

Some great suggestions and comments from all. It is clear our priorities will be to get Dave Nellist re elected in Coventry as he is a key player in the movement but we should be looking to be bold and go on the offensive if we can looking to get new councillors willing to vote against all the cuts and privatisation.

There is mutterings inside the labour party of splits and disillusionment in the party you may say this is nothing new but I think we are in different times. During the biggest attack on ordinary people since the 30’s and all 3 main parties agreeing pretty much who do people have to speak to them. TUSC can be that beacon it wouldn’t be a wasted vote as eventually we will gain enough credibility if we continue to stand against the cuts. We will not be going away anytime soon and we are serious about winning. Winning can also come in the form of getting our ideas over to a layer of workers out there looking for an alternative. There is clearly a layer of people who are against all the cuts, anti capitalist and actively looking for a change and an alternative to austerity.

TUSC can be that banner with a clear modest programme of no to all cuts, using any powers councillors have available to them to protect jobs and services, against raising council tax to bridge gap, set needs budgets and mount campaign delaying tactics to protect and sustain services and jobs.

Not a job or service needs to be cut. There is 120 billion + worth of tax that is evaded every year by the very rich if collected properly either through nationaisation of the banks or stricter tax laws of offshore bank accounts. With a rolling out of a mass affordable council house programme to meet the needs of people and an investment in public services this can lead to jobs and a way to a fairer future for all. This would not be it but would be a start to a transition to a socialist society where peoples needs are put before a minority of peoples profits.

TUSC has big potential we must be realistic about our chances but attempt to stand as broadly as possible in towns and cities. Its never too late to decide to stand and you may be surprised at how you do. Instead of waiting for a new workers party you can actively get involved today in helping the starts of such a project.

History doesn’t travel in a straight line if you have a correct programme which speaks to people you can grow very quickly indeed and this can be the case with TUSC.

I look forward to the next period I think we have everything to gain, It will not be easy don’t get me wrong but if we do not fight on all available plains open for us you can sure bet the far right will do and fill that gap.

So its time to get talking about alternative in our communities, schools, workplaces and pubs and popularise the idea of TUSC and being brave and standing ourselves. The future can be bright, we can win !


to read more about TUSC including our recent press release on the left slate we have for the GLA london elections check out
www.tusc.org.uk

TUSC calls for support of anti cuts candidates in GLA elections next year

This excellent letter which has been drawn up by comrades in the RMT and the FBU in a personal capacity is to help move the process on more towards TUSC or under another name as a union candidate standing against all cuts in next years GLA london elections. You can read it below and find out more about TUSC the trade union and socialist coalition at
www.tusc.org.uk

Dear Sister/Brother,

We believe that in next year’s Greater London Assembly elections there must be trade union and socialist candidates who oppose all the cuts being forced through by the Con-Dem government. We cannot support Labour’s policy that some cuts are necessary but should be implemented more slowly. We deplore Ed Miliband’s criticism of millions of trade union members who are ready to strike over pensions.

The recession is causing untold misery. Already four in ten children (650,000) in London live in poverty, a higher proportion than anywhere else in the UK. Unemployment in the city has passed 400,000 for the first time in 15 years. These cuts, whether implemented more quickly or more slowly, will have a devastating impact on the lives of the vast majority of people who live or work in London.

The most vulnerable will suffer terribly – older people, the disabled, the sick and young people. But almost everyone will be affected. Even those with relatively better-paid jobs now face a future of insecurity, with the attacks on pensions.

One in ten workers in London earns less than the poverty threshold. One in six is paid less than the £8.30 living wage. Last year, city bonuses totalled £14 billion.

A handful of millionaires and billionaires can afford their penthouses and palaces but housing for the vast majority of Londoners is an endless nightmare. House prices and rents continue to rise, forcing more and more young people to stay at home. Transport fares are due to rise by 7%.

Privatisation has put millions into the pockets of the company bosses whilst jobs, pay and conditions are attacked. Workers facing a pay freeze in the face of rising prices are forced further into debt or difficult decisions.

We cannot afford these cuts. Everything that makes life tolerable is being destroyed. We need an alternative policy - one that puts ordinary people before bankers’ bonuses and big business profits.

Following discussions involving the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition and representatives of our unions in London, we have decided to appeal for your help to ensure that there will be candidates we can support in next year’s GLA elections.

With the expenses scandal and attacks on working-class living standards, is it any wonder that only 26% of voters trust MPs. We want candidates people can trust; who will fight against all cuts and defend the interests of ordinary Londoners.

We ask for your support. Please print and sign this statement (opens as a pdf). We will be calling further meetings to plan our campaign and want you to get involved. We are stronger when we stand together. Together we can make an impact next May.

Yours in solidarity,

Steve Hedley - RMT London organiser

Ian Leahair - FBU executive member for London

John Reid - RMT Assistant regional secretary, London Transport

Ben Sprung - FBU regional organiser for London

(All in a personal capacity)