Lewisham unions continue to fight cuts

Towards the end of one busy year and ready to start another one, Lewisham Trades Council members have continued to take an active role in fighting cuts:

Bromley Council attack workers

On Saturday 8th December we joined UNITE members from Bromley leafleting homes to warn residents of the council's proposals to sack all its employees and offer them new contracts on lower pay and worse conditions. Read more at the link below:
http://archive.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/bromley_bosses_told__don_t_br.aspx

Binmen set to strike

We also fully support the Unite members striking for reinstatement of their colleagues disgracefully sacked by Bromley Council. Read more below:

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/bromleybinmensettostrikeasbossesignoretheirpleas/

Save Lewisham Hospital

Union members across Lewisham joined protests on Thursday 13/12/12 to show mark the end of the consultation on the proposed closure and show their determination to defend the hospital. Hundreds joined in outside their workplaces like PCS members at Catford Jobcentre.

PCS Balloting for strike action

PCS Union members across the DWP are voting for strike action in January to stop compulsory redundancies across their department. If management do not back down the union has no choice but to strike. National ballots across the civil service to fight government attacks on pay and conditions look set to follow in February.

Bromley, Lewisham, civil service, private sector, public service - wherever the cuts are, unions will fight them!  

 

 

 

 

Trades Council Meetings 2013

Lewisham Trades Council meets six times a year at Depford Campus of Lewisham College on Deptford Broadway (nearest station: Deptford DLR). Meetings are on a Tuesday evening and start at 7pm and finish at 8:45pm, as the college closes at 9pm.

Meeting dates for 2013

Tuesday January 15th
Tuesday March 12th
Tuesday May 14th
Tuesday July 2nd*
Tuesday September 10th*
Tuesday November 12th

* these may be subject to change to accomodate college term dates

Usual Agenda

1. Introductions/apologies
2. Minutes and matters arising
3. Secretary'sreport
4. Campaigns and Disputes
5. Delegates reports
6. AOB

Attendance

Meetings are open to all trade union activists who live, meet or work within London Borough of Lewisham. We will, of course, ask your union branch to affiliate to the trades council, but appreciate that different unions have differing approaches to affiliation to the trades council network. Any issues about this can and will be resolved.    

Lewisham PCS members join national protest, prepare to ballot for action and applaud NHS workers

On Friday 30/11/12 over 40 PCS members held a 15 minute protest outside the jobcentre as part of the union's "Don't Rip up Our Rights" campaign. This addresses Government attacks on pay and conditions across the civil service.

They also welcomed the forthcoming strike ballot across the Department to oppose compulsory redundancies of 43 staff. We need more staff, not less Strike action will start in January 2013.

PCS members applauded workers from Lewisham Hospital A&E pledging support for the campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital and "adopting a ward" to help in the coming weeks.

Thousands march to defend Lewisham Hospital

JOIN THE MARCH TO STOP THE CUTS AT LEWISHAM HOSPITAL

A Government-appointed ‘special administrator’ has recommended that Lewisham Hospital closes its Accident and Emergency Department, along with other significant cuts that could also see maternity services closed and most of the hospital buildings sold.

These proposals are a threat to the health of local residents and, of course, the jobs of many healthworkers. The closure of Lewisham A&E would leave 750,000 people with just one A&E department between them – at Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich.

The recommendations have been made in order to meet the debts of the separate South London Healthcare Trust who are struggling to repay the costs of expensive Private Finance Initiative deals that are costing them £69 million a year. In short, these are financially-driven cuts and are nothing to do with improving NHS services.

The response of Lewisham residents and trade unionists has already been vigorous. Over 700 people came along to the protest meeting on 8 November. A big demonstration is now planned for 24 November. Lewisham Trades Council's banner will be there and, we hope, you, your family and friends will be there too!

The demonstration leaves from 2pm on Saturday November 24 at the 'grassy knoll' by the roundabout opposite Lewisham bus/train station and then marches to Lewisham Hospital for 3pm.

More information on the campaign, including an on-line petition and details on to how to respond to the official consultation can be found on this website:

http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/