POA Press Releases

Unions come together to fight the cuts

A number of unions have come together under the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) to fight the 'grotesque' public sector cuts - as the Con-Dem Government indicate that it will be ordinary people who will have to pay for a financial crisis not of their making.

In the face of the Government's swinging austerity measures the TUCG have called an emergency strategy conference on 14th July to discuss how the unions should combine their campaigns and coordinate industrial action to defend jobs, wages, pensions, and the standard of living of ordinary people.

John McDonnell MP, Parliamentary Convenor of the TUCG, said "People rightfully perceive a grotesque unfairness in that they are being forced to pay with cuts in their jobs and services for a crisis caused by the greed of the bankers. Cuts on this scale will inevitably be met by resistance from not just trade unions but from across our community."

Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said "These proposals strike at the heart of essential, valuable public sector services and will particularly affect NUJ members in local councils and at the BBC. We're particularly concerned at this budget's implications for public sector broadcasting and remain fundamentally opposed to any proposals to use the licence fee as a cash cow to fund other projects.

"Its just the start of the ConDem's parliamentary term and already, they've made their intentions for the media sector clear. With them determined to defend commercial media interests, we will be equally resolute in our defence of public sector broadcasting and quality journalism. Along with other trade union leaders, I will be calling on the TUC to organise an ongoing, co-ordinated campaign of action to defend jobs and services."

Mark Serwotka, General of the Public Services and Commercial Union said "PCS fundamentally rejects the claim that cuts in public spending are inevitable, and we do not accept they are necessary. They will force more people out of work, put our economy at even greater risk and damage essential public services that we all rely on.

"We will be making the case for alternative means of dealing with the national deficit - such as closing the £120 billion tax gap, by ensuring wealthy organisations and individuals pay what they owe."

Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA, said "This emergency budget should not be about attacking loyal public sector workers, as they did not cause the fiscal deficit. The most vulnerable in society if public services are axed are going to suffer, whilst the culprits who are the bankers and speculators get off scot free . "

- Note -

- The Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG), which was launched in Parliament earlier this year, brings together eight national unions (BFAWU, FBU, NAPO, NUJ, PCS, POA, RMT and URTU), representing over half a million workers, with the objective of co-ordinating campaigning activities on key issues facing their members and giving the unions a new and stronger representative voice in Parliament and beyond.
- TUCG have called an emergency strategy conference on 14th July
- The TUCG is also supporting John McDonnell MPs' Private Members' Bill to tackle abuse of trade union ballots by employers and is hosting our annual Tolpuddle commemorative event Monday 19th July 2010.

For further comment or interview:

TUCG Office: 020 7219 1626
John McDonnell MP: 07956 292576
Simeon Andrews (TUCG Co-ordinator): 07984 401032

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