All Campaigns subcategories:
Local government keywords:
Council workers
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Derbyshire - Union - Cuts - Council - Unions - Workers - Chesterfield - Local government - Austerity - Council workers
Union action needed to fight Tory Derbyshire Council cuts
Derbyshire children's centre workers marching in 2016 against plans by the then Labour council to close dozens of them - tens of thousands signed petitions but the campaign did no succeed - Labour was booted out a year later, photo by Chesterfield Sociali (Click to enlarge)
Chesterfield Socialist Party
Derbyshire's local government unions must respond with boldness and determination in the face of the Tory-controlled county council's latest round of austerity.
Last year, the council announced plans to consult on 'outsourcing' 20 of its 45 libraries to volunteers. Like virtually all local government consultations these days, the exercise was just an excuse to add some 'democratic' gloss to a decision already made in principle. That decision has now been confirmed.
Despite massive opposition among the workforce, the union leaders have not translated this into any form of action to prevent the transfers. Experienced library staff are about to lose their jobs.
This move will 'save' Derbyshire County Council £1.6 million. To put that into context, they have just announced a spend of £100 million over the next five years on the roads.
More recently, the council has attacked the school meals service by cutting back on hours. Some workers will face hours cut below the level where they can receive in-work benefits, so forcing them out of the job market because they will get more money by not working!
School meals workers in Derbyshire have already lost hundreds of pounds as a result of the council withdrawing from paying the Living Wage. Now many face losing another £1,200 a year.
It is a scandal the council could be forcing some workers to use food banks, a much-commented-upon irony given their occupation.
Knife crime
In another drastic cost-cutting measure, the Tory council has met the public's increased concerns over knife crime and street violence by putting at risk the jobs of 200 staff employed in the early help services for young people.
On all of these 'consultations', the council has simply ignored the unions' representations and refused to change its plans. It has no intention of listening to reason. Only the threat of action will force it to backtrack.
This is even more important over the biggest proposed change - privatisation of corporate property work, encompassing cleaning, caretaking, grounds maintenance, plumbing, electricians and so on. This could see up to 1,500 staff sold off to private contractors - more Carillions and Interserves in the making.
The annual budget of the whole operation is much less than the proposed increased annual spend on potholes and roads. It is simply a means to line the pockets of big business with revenue from the public purse. It must be fought.
Sadly, to date, the unions' responses have been inadequate. Campaigns are launched then peter out as leaders are not prepared to take the next step - moving from publicity to action.
The way to tackle such huge cuts is for all the unions to unite around a common programme of fighting austerity, which starts by telling workers their unions will back them fully. This will increase the confidence of trade union members and will also act as the best recruiting tool possible.
The success stories of striking council workers recently in Glasgow and Birmingham need shouting from the rooftops - these show what can be achieved with a bold union leadership.
- Chesterfield Socialist Party public meeting: 'the state of the unions'
- Tuesday 14 May, 7.30pm, Upstairs @ The Chesterfield Alehouse, 37 West Bars, Chesterfield S40 1AG
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- We must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
19 Nov Socialism 2022
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 020 8988 8786
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 077 7221 5281
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999