In response to a meeting to oppose the ‘cruelest cuts’ from Manchester City Council to Adult Social Care over 40 people attended a meeting hosted by Manchester Coalition Against Cuts. Seven trades unions and two trades councils were represented.
Karen Riessmann Unison NEC & Kinsley Abrams Unite NEC were key note speakers.
There were many contributions from representatives from users groups, students, and trades unionists. The meeting was chaired by a social work student from Manchester University who is part of the Social Work Activists Network.
Karen outlined how the Tories are trying to push 1 million off incapacity benefit, while Manchester City Council are set to cut back funding to 60 voluntary organisations in the City. ‘Womens Aid will be cut so more women will be forced to stay in violent relationships.’ She said, “The government want to re introduce the idea of the deserving and the undeserving poor, they want to make it so that benefits are no longer a seen as a ‘right.’ But we all pay taxes, national insurance and VAT. We earned it – we deserve it!”
Kinsley Abrams was very well received. ‘I am a Labour Councillor in Lambeth but I have been suspended because I refused to vote for the cuts. I represent the Youth and Community Sector in Unite the Union. Every day I wake up and another club or center has been close. I could not oppose the cuts when in union meetings meetings and vote for cuts when I am in Labour meetings.’ Kinsley is the only Labour Cllr in the country who defied the whip and voted against cuts.
Services to help those with Mental Health needs are being cut from both the NHS and from Council. One health worker talked of the ‘suited monsters on more than £100,000 a year who make cuts and then tell us that its actually an improvement to the service.’ A council worker who has ‘been in the front line of social work for twenty years’ talked of how there is now a business model in social care. ‘They try and blame the individuals who have problems. They want a compliant culture. People at the top do not care.’ Keith, who is a full time carer for young people with alcohol and drug problems, told of how already people like him need more help. After the cuts there will be even less for the carers ‘who save them £ millions’ due to the help we give the most vulnerable.
We agreed that on the 30th November Strike Day we will be marching behind the Manchester Coalition Against Cuts banner. Meet Liverpool Rd at 11am for 11.30 march.
Next meeting of Manchester Coalition Against the Cuts
Tuesday 13th December at the NUJ Offices on 5th floor, Arthur House Chorlton Street. Call 07765 122 829 for help with access. (No meeting on Tues 29th November)
Agenda
1. After the November Strikes where next?
2. Fighting the Cuts in 2011 & planning for our annual meeting on Sat 7th Feb
