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Friday 30 November 2012

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.

Monday 19 November 2012

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: