Brothers and sisters,
We are now one week away from the biggest day of industrial action that the Con-Dem coalition has faced since its coming to power. 750,000 teachers, lecturers and civil servants will stop work in a co-ordinated day of action. The primary unifying issue is the massive attack on public-sector pensions. Pay more, get less, work ’til we drop? No thanks! PCS members will also be striking against a 2-year pay freeze and cuts of over 100,000 in the Civil Service. Lincoln TUC will be holding a protest march and rally which will bring together trade union members and supporters from Lincoln to raise publicity for the cause.
We will be assembling at 11am at St Marks Square near Debenham. The march will move off at 11.30am, and arrive at Speaker’s Corner near the Cornhill in Lincoln at 12noon. There will then be a public meeting at the Stag’s Head organised by the NUT at 13.00. We encourage everyone to do as much as they can in the meantime to get the maximum turnout possible. If you are on strike, come down. If you aren’t, can you take the day off or have a long lunch? How many people can you get from your workplace, school, college or community to join us? I have attached a leaflet that you can print off and forward to all your contacts. We also need speakers for the rally. Can your union or campaign group provide a speaker?
Then, on Friday 1st July, there will be a PCS lobby of Karl McCartney to oppose the proposed closure of Lincoln Benefit [processing] Centre. This will result in the loss of over 130 jobs to the local economy, as well as a reduced service for those accessing Jobcentre Plus benefits. This will take place at 5pm at the St Faith’s Parish Hall on West Parade. I have attached a leaflet and petition that you can print off and forward to contacts. Please get as many signatures on the petition and support your colleagues in Jobcentre Plus.
Finally, UNISON, GMB and UNITE – the 3 unions organised in Lincolnshire County Council – will be holding a rally to stop the closure of 8 care homes for the elderly across the county. It will take place at 09.30 on 5th July. With the crisis facing Southern Cross, it is obvious that privatisation of social care is dangerous and wrong and we need to do everything possible to support our local public services. Please print off and forward the attached poster advertising the event.
In solidarity,
Nick Parker,
President, Lincoln and District Trades Union Council
