If you are angry over cuts and want to join others in resistance or get involved. We can help with publicity networking and campaigning.

International Womens Day March Against the Cuts

Sunday 5th March in central Manchester. Called by MCAC and supported by Unite The Union’s Save Our Sure Starts Child Care Conference. An organising meeting date and further details to follow

Lobby of Manchester City Council Meeting
9.30am Weds 7th March
A further £60 million of cuts to Manchester Services are set to be passed at this full Council Meeting.

7pm Tuesday 24th January – MCAC Meeting
Next meeting of Manchester Coalition Against Cuts will be at the NUJ offices, Agenda to follow.

Sign the online petition here    Visit the campaign website www.saveourfireservice.co.uk

Already almost 300 jobs have already been cut from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. Recruitment has been frozen for the last two year.

The Tories have made further cuts to the fire service as they try to raise money to pay off a deficit built up bailing out greedy banks.

In order to implement the Tory cuts, the Labour controlled Fire Authority have drawn up a Corporate Plan for £23 million of cut this year – with even more cuts to come next year.

We are all used to seeing five firefighters on a fire engine – a driver, who also works the radio, in addition four fire fighters who fight the fire. Not any more! In future only four firefighters will crew a fire engine, so just three will be available to fight the fire.

With less back up, how can this be safe for those who risk their lives going in to burning buildings ? In future how can people trapped in burning buildings be sure they can be rescued in time?

The cuts plan would see one of the two fire engines currently at the Moss Side Fire Station got rid of.

Overall the fire cover at night is being cut back. In future a third of all wards in Manchester will have less cover.

The head of the Fire Service for Manchester, Andy Heywood, says that these cuts ‘will mean very little for the people of Manchester!’

But the Corporate Cuts Plan he is set to push through will mean an 11% cut in fire cover during the day, and a 15% cut during the night. Half of Manchester will have to wait longer before a fire engine can get to a fire!

This cuts plan relies on more fire crews from other areas of Greater Manchester will be called on to assist if their is a fire in Manchester. But Trafford, Salford, Stockport, Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, Tameside, Bolton, and Wigan ALL face cuts. The biggest cut is to be a 40% reduction in cover in Trafford.

The FBU is the trades union which represents fire fighters and control room staff. They have begun a ‘campaign to highlight to the public of Greater Manchester the negative impact the governments budget cuts are going to have on the level of service we will be able to provide over the next couple of years
and beyond.’

Their main concerns are:

1. There will be less fire engines available during the day and even less at night when most fire deaths occur.
2. The time it takes for a fire engine to arrive will go up in 57% of the wards across the county.
3. There will be less firefighters on some fire engines, this will present two problems. Firefighters would be unable to commit crews initial due to safety issues due to reduced crew size, in reality firefighters would almost certainly compromise their own safety which could have repercussions for the individuals concerned.

Please sign the e petition launched by the Manchester FBU and register opposition to these cuts.

The ‘consultation’ over the impact of these drastic cuts closes on the 23rd January 2003.

Tell the Fire Authority what you think of the cuts plan by email

Manchester Coalition Against Cuts will host an open meeting in early January at which fire fighters will explain their concerns. Details to follow shortly.

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

Support the trades unions strike for Pension Justice & march with us Against the Cuts. Meet Liverpool Rd at 11am for 11.30am march.

June Catterall has worked in the Health Service all her life. At Stepping Hill and Hyde Hospitals, and at Withington psychiatric hospital.

‘I was also mobile warden for Social Services in Gorton for nine years. I used to work far more than I should have. If some one needed help I was always there. Over the years it got more difficult. The cuts made it harder. I got upset over the cuts,’ she said.

‘I used to do three shifts and look after three kids. It takes its toll. In the end the stress got to me and I had a breakdown.’ June became a patient. ‘I got fantastic treatment,’ she said.

June was out on the street last week campaigning outside the MRI hospital in Manchester, petitioning to save the psychiatric unit Edale House, which is now threatened with closure.

Edale House is a purpose built psychiatric unit built under using the PFI financial scheme. Now the Trust says it is too expensive and must be shut. Patients who live in the central Manchester area would in future have to travel to North Manchester or to Wythenshawe in the south to receive treatment. It would be much more difficult for family and friends to visit.

‘Its just a cost cutting exercise,’ explained Pat Wheeldon,’ who is the founder member of the focus group which supports carers and patients. ‘We have 70 members in our group.’ she said.

Patients with mental health conditions who need treatment, care and support, are being squeezed from both sides by the cuts.

As well as health cuts, social services are also being cut. ‘Outreach teams are going in January,’ explained Pat, who is a carer for her son who has a dual diagnosis.

People were queuing to sign petitions and lend support on the campaign stall outside Manchester’s largest hospital MRI. Health campaigners will be joining with those fighting the savage cuts to adult social care made by Manchester City Council next week. Some are travelling to London for the Unite the Resistance Conference.

‘I believe we all must come under the same umbrella where we can be clearly seen by everyone to be 100% behind the NHS,’ said Paul Reed, from the Manchester Users Network, one of the patient groups central to the fight to save Edale House

Facebook page here. Download the leaflet.

An invitation to a public event to SAVE OUR SERVICES

As I am sure you are aware Manchester City Council has announced massive cuts to social care in our city. These cuts will have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people in our communities at a time when the wider economic crisis is already making the problems that people face much worse. This includes support for people with disabilities, mental health problems, who are homeless, are escaping domestic abuse, teenage parents, the elderly, and people with drug and alcohol dependency issues.

We believe we can stop these cuts. Manchester Coalition Against Cuts has organised a public event to bring together people from as many of the affected services as possible. We are extending the invitation to workers, service users, trade unions and anyone that wants to protect these vital services.

If you are able to attend please confirm by e-mailing or texting your name, organisation (if any) and how many will be attending to saveourservicesmanchester@gmail.com, or 07916 725 396.

Finally, if you are able to get any funds from your union branch or wish to donate as an individual to the campaign please get in touch.

Yours sincerely
Manchester Coalition Against Cuts

N.B. This is a child friendly meeting. We do not mind children making a bit of noise in the meeting. Although we cannot afford professional childcare, there will also be people helping to organise a child friendly zone adjacent to the meeting room.

Individuals and organisations are strongly encouraged to attend. After the excellent NW TUC demonstration against the Tories on October 2nd, the next big date is November 30th when public sector workers are expected to take united strike action in defence of pensions, plus there  are numerous other campaigns and actions that are regularly taking place.  Come along and plan how MCAC can play a role in mobilising for these struggles.

* Late arrives need to ring 0161 237 5020 for access

Assemble

12 noon, Liverpool Rd, off Deansgate, Manchester M3 4JR. This is a 10 minute walk from Oxford Rd station, 15 minutes from Piccadilly and Victoria.

Salford Feeder March

Assemble 10:30am at Fire Station Square, The Crescent, Salford M5 4NZ, opposite Salford University

Education Feeder March

Assemble 11am, University Place, Oxford Rd, opposite main buildings of the University of Manchester, M13 9PL

The short march route assembles at Barbirolli Square, outside the Bridgewater Hall from 12.45,half a kilometre from the Q Park Car Park at the rear of the rally site. Any one who wants to join the short route should park in the Q Park and then make their way to the assembly point.

The rally is outside Number One First Street at the junction of Whitworth Street West and Albion Street, M1 5DE

Route map of demonstration http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/Manchester_March_Map.pdf

Public transport: buses

Diversions will be in place for several bus services: 8, 12, 15, 16, 26, 33, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 63, 70, 84, 85, 86, 99, 101, 104, 105, 109, 111, 130, 142, 143, 197, 250, 255, 256, 263, A40, X41, X43, X50, X57, Metroshuttles 1 and 2.  For details, go to http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/CPC-Demo-Service-Information.cfm

Public transport: Metrolink

There will be changes to Metrolink services on Sunday 2 October from 12pm to 3pm (approximately). There will be no services across the city at this time:

• Altrincham and South Manchester lines - trams will terminate at Deansgate-Castlefield
• Eccles line - there will be a replacement bus service between Eccles and Trafford Bar, where passengers can get the tram to Deansgate Castlefield
• Bury line services will not be affected

Information is available at all Metrolink stops and the website www.metrolink.co.uk

On Sunday October 9th, join UK Uncut on Westminster Bridge and help block the bill.

Action supported by Right to Work and Keep Our NHS Public

Manchester Coach to Block the Bridge

FREE COACHES to & from London DIRECT from MANCHESTER city centre, leaving Albert Square at 7am. The coaches will leave London at 8pm. The coaches are free but you will need to pay a deposit of £5 which you will get back on the coach (or can donate to UN Uncut).

To reserve a place please e-mail Steph at spikewords@hotmail.co.uk Please only book a place if you are definite about going.

Block the Bill

On one side of Westminster Bridge is Parliament. On 7th September, MPs in the Commons voted for the end of the NHS as we know it. Yet the coalition’s Health and Social Care bill was not in the Lib Dem manifesto. It was not in the Tory manifesto. None of us voted for this.

On the opposite side of the bridge is St Thomas’ Hospital, one of Britain’s oldest medical institutions. If the bill passes, hospitals like St Thomas’ will be sold to private corporations, the staff put on private payrolls and beds given over to private patients. Despite the government’s lies, this bill represents the wholesale privatization of the NHS and, with it, the destruction of the dream of comprehensive healthcare provided equally to all.

On October 12th, the Lords have a chance to vote down the bill, and a huge Liberal Democrat rebellion is brewing. We have one last chance to save our NHS.

***On Sunday 9th October, just three days before the Lords vote, join UK Uncut in a spectacular act of mass civil disobedience to block the bill. By blocking Westminster Bridge we symbolically block the bill from getting from Parliament to our hospitals. Yes, it will be disruptive. Yes, it will stop the traffic. But this is an emergency and we have to shout as loud as we can.***

Get to the middle of Westminster Bridge shortly before 1pm. When Big Ben strikes one, pick one of the tactics below and help block the bridge:

- Bring some fake blood and play dead
- Bring hospital radio to the bridge with some music and comedy
- Bring a nurse for a resuscitation skill-share
- Dress up in scrubs and perform an operation
- Enjoy a picnic overlooking Parliament
- Share stories about the the NHS
- Invite a friend from across the pond to describe the reality of a privatised healthcare system
- Invite older generations to describe a time before universal healthcare
- (if you’ve got other good ideas, email them to ukuncut@gmail.com)

The action will only go ahead if 1000 or more people plan to attend. (We’ll be in close contact with St. Thomas’ before and during the protest to ensure access for emergency vehicles.)

We will not let a coalition of millionaire politicians and private health lobbyists destroy our NHS. Be on Westminster Bridge for 1pm on October 9th and together let’s block this bill from getting to our hospitals.

See you on the bridge.

Steph x