Campaigners fight the cuts (From York Press)
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York campaigners head to London for mass demonstration against Government's cuts
8:58am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
Brian Clark, vice president of Yorks Trades Council, who is taking part in the TUC organised March For The Future in London. Picture by Ann Czernik
COACHLOADS of campaigners from York and North Yorkshire will head to London this weekend for a mass demonstration against the Government’s funding squeeze.
Saturday’s TUC-organised protest march in London is expected to draw in hundreds of thousands of people voicing their anger against Westminster spending reductions and privatisation.
York & District Trades Union Council (TUC) and York Stop The Cuts have organised a convoy of coaches to the Hyde Park demonstration – dubbed A Future That Works – with those taking part including union members, students and residents who say they fear public services are being ravaged by lack of funding and the spread of private sector involvement.
“As somebody with a disability, earning the minimum wage and with a son at university, the cuts to housing benefit and the rise in tuition fees are affecting me and my family,” said care worker and single parent Jane Brown, who is among those joining the London rally.
“All my children want to do is get an education so they can contribute to this society. All around me, I see people devastated by cuts to benefits and services, and that’s why I’ll be marching on Saturday.”
Mark Bentley, a member of research staff at the University of York, said: “We believe cuts to public services are the problem, not the cure.
“Instead, we need to crack down on tax avoidance by big companies and we need a banking sector which serves industry and people, not its own corporate pockets.”
The marchers will also include Brian Clark, vice-president of York TUC, and Brian Golding, GMB convenor at Nestlé and a trade unionist for 30 years who says his father was “blacklisted” for union activity.
He said: “It’s why I do the job I do – I want to make things better for people.
“The economic crisis is a great excuse to get rid of services. If I can put back a little bit to support public sector workers, I will.”
Coaches will leave Leeman Road coach stop at Memorial Gardens at 8am on Saturday.
For tickets, phone York Stop The Cuts on 07980 316414 or turn up on the day.
Comments(6)
Pete the Brickie
says...
12:08pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Brian Golding, GMB convenor at Nestlé and a trade unionist for 30 years said
“It’s why I do the job I do – I want to make things better for people.
Nothing to do with the generous salary, short hours and feeling of power then?
Zetkin
says...
12:22pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Pete the Brickie wrote:The huge majority of trade union activists work the same hours for the same pay as their colleagues, and their union activity is entirely voluntary and done in their own time.
Brian Golding, GMB convenor at Nestlé and a trade unionist for 30 years said “It’s why I do the job I do – I want to make things better for people.Nothing to do with the generous salary, short hours and feeling of power then?
If it was done in any other sphere of activity Nickndave would be wetting himself in excitement at a fine example of the Big Society.
But of course you don't have to be an "activist" or even a member to take oart in this demo - just turn up at Leeman Road before 8.00 on Saturday morning, and you'll be able to buy a ticket for the coach.
MrsHoney
says...
1:32pm Thu 18 Oct 12
I've always found people who are involved in Unions tend to like the sound of their own voice and be trouble makers. I don't think money comes into it.
bob the builder
says...
8:49pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Pete the Brickie wrote:Exactly, the blind fools who pay union subs - subsidsiding the lifestyles of union leaders, need to wake up and start demonstrating for with cuts to the salaries and perks of said union officials. Call themselves socialists is a joke, more borgeois capitalist than our bankers. The unions have too much financial sway over the Labour party who since Blair have become indistinguishable from the Tory party. How the Labour rank and file can't see that beggars belief.
Brian Golding, GMB convenor at Nestlé and a trade unionist for 30 years said
“It’s why I do the job I do – I want to make things better for people.
Nothing to do with the generous salary, short hours and feeling of power then?
YSTClinguist
says...
1:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12
bob the builder wrote:Your advocating of individuals to carry out acts is unrealistic. Unions have had their positives and negatives, but they are a structure that organises, has a structure and access to legal frameworks by understanding the law better than the average individual. They exist because certain people (employers) so often don't follow the law and individuals fighting against the oppression was very difficult for them.
Pete the Brickie wrote:Exactly, the blind fools who pay union subs - subsidsiding the lifestyles of union leaders, need to wake up and start demonstrating for with cuts to the salaries and perks of said union officials. Call themselves socialists is a joke, more borgeois capitalist than our bankers. The unions have too much financial sway over the Labour party who since Blair have become indistinguishable from the Tory party. How the Labour rank and file can't see that beggars belief.
Brian Golding, GMB convenor at Nestlé and a trade unionist for 30 years said
“It’s why I do the job I do – I want to make things better for people.
Nothing to do with the generous salary, short hours and feeling of power then?
If we look at MrsHoney's statement about not getting pay rises and thinking she is lucky to have a job, what happens when the wages drop so far that she cannot afford to maintain her family and goes into poverty? Will she still merely consider herself lucky to have a job then? The union members and non-union workers who attend this demonstration are fighting for those workers who aren't in unions, can't attend, will get the sack if they even say they were there, or talk about organising against employer oppression. Workers who can't take time off work because they don't get paid, and are on the breadline, or earning less than the minimum wage dictates.
I wonder what considerations of responsibility people consider when posting negative statements about those who make their living protecting the rights of others? An, "I'm alright, Jack," attitude is certainly an eyebrow raiser. The results of these attacks on individuals (union workers) here will be to prevent people demonstrating. Was this the goal in the first place?
powerwatt says...
10:30am Thu 18 Oct 12