Letter from General Secretary of Unison D Prentis

I have reproduced a letter from Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison, urging all members to particiapate in the big march on the 26 March.

.....Join us on 26 March On 26 March 2011, thousands of people will march for public services in London, to tell the government that savage spending cuts are unnecessary and unfair. I'd like to invite you to join us on the TUC march. When the Tory-led government was elected, it promised us that it would protect front line services, that it would protect the NHS and that it would protect the most vulnerable in our society. But now 140,000 local government jobs are to go in England and Wales alone this year, 50,000 jobs will go in our NHS; police staff roles are being cut and across the UK vital local services are being axed. Inevitably those who lose out will be the vulnerable that the government vowed to protect. The impact on our communities could be devastating. Research shows that cuts to public services hit the poorest the hardest: services such as SureStart, giving our very youngest children a fair start in life; the education maintenance allowance that enabled hundreds of thousands of young people to stay on in education; pensions for low-paid workers that are now coming under attack. Meanwhile, the bankers keep their bonuses, their massive profits and their tax loopholes. UNISON is speaking up for a fairer way, to protect your schools, your hospitals, your communities, your jobs and your pensions. On 26 March we'll be marching for the public services that we hold dear. Join us with your friends, your family and your colleagues. If you've never been on a march before then this is the one to come on. Secretary

Barnsley victory for Labour

Everyone of course predicted that Labour would win Barnsley but what is significant is that the Liberal Democrats who are now in bed with the Tories came 6th.

This should be a signal to an unpopular and undesirable in many ways coalition government that the electorate is not happy with the regressive policies they are serving on our tables every day. Any sensible Liberal should now take time to think as to whether their 'flirt' with power is worth total defeat at the next general election? Time to remove Nick?

Women Educating Women in Zimbabwe

I have been empowered and I will educate other women”“I am no longer afraid, I have been empowered and I will educate other women, both formal and informal workers, to participate actively in the ZCTU and also in the community so that they are involved in decisions that affect their rights” Lucia Masekesa, ZCTU and ZICEA.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19239-f0.cfm

Act now for a fair EU investment policy

The European Parliament is about to vote on a new set of rules for investors when operating abroad. Please sign this petition to let Brussels know that we want a balanced EU investment policy for decent work and sustainable development.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19244-f0.cfm

Hands off our pensions campaign

I am reproducing an email I received today from Barbara an activist leading the campaign against the attack on our pensions. This is perhaps one of the bigest priorities we should all be concentrating on as the Con the Libs government is so determined to make us all pay for mistakes by those who are now getting huge bonuses in the city!!

Hi -
Just 3 weeks ago, I started the ‘hands off our pensions’ petition because I was so frustrated and angry when I found out I will have to wait an extra 2 years before I get my State Pension.
I knew that lots of other women about my age would be in the same boat - but the response we’ve had has been incredible. Over 7,500 people have already added their voices to our campaign.
And today I’m asking you to email your MP to ask them to support our campaign too:
http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/handsoff-email
Thousands of women have got in touch to tell us how worried they are. The more stories I hear about other women who, like me, are suddenly faced with the prospect of up to 2 more years at work, the more I want to make sure I do everything I can to get this government to drop their unfair plans.
We’ve worked hard for our pensions, and it’s wrong to move the goalposts so close to retirement.
Together we’ve run a great campaign so far – but now it’s time to ask our Members of Parliament to say ‘hands off our pensions’ too. Emailing your MP is really easy. If you enter your postcode it will set it all up for you – and you can personalise your email with your own story if you like.
http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/handsoff-email
These pension changes are unnecessary and unfair – let’s keep the pressure up so the government knows we won’t accept them without a fight.
Thanks,
Barbara

Two weeks left – Hyde Park Calling – get creative

The TUC invites you to make an awareness raising TV-style advert about the impact of the spending cuts. You have 60 seconds to get your message across.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/union/tuc-19236-f0.cfm

Unison retired members

There are around 17,000 retired Unison members in the London region and around 140,000 in the whole country. Put it in another way the RM division in the whole of London could be one of the largest branches in the capital or the national collective would have the same numerical strength as the London region!

We are talking about people who spend anything from 20 to 45 years working in the public sector with vast knowledge and experience who are still physically active but not working, people who could be helping branches with all sorts of TU related activities so there is a clear need for a more defined role and more involvement. I know that the London region has started working on increasing the role of RM's and I also know that my own branch, Lambeth local government, is dedicated to helping out the branch in its current struggles in fighting cuts in jobs and services.