UNISON NORTH LANARKSHIRE BRANCHTELL DAVID CAMERON AND GEORGE OSBORNE WHAT YOU THINK!
Cameron, Osborne and Pickles are asking all public sector workers for your ‘best cost saving ideas’, to help them implement cuts - so let’s tell them! Please reply by going to this website, which is open until 8 July - http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
Below are some responses that you and members of your branch can use. Please ensure you cascade this around all your members and ask them to respond by 8 July.
1. 1. 1. 65% of local government workers earn below £21,000 pay them the £250 now!
2.Local government workers have the lowest pay and worst conditions of service in the public sector, don’t cut them further!
3.Get local residents to decide on council tax levels to maintain vital local services – not Council Tax freezes from Westminster
4.Stop wasting public money on privatising local services
5.Stop dividing ‘front’ and ‘back’ office worker. They need each other to deliver efficient and effective local services
6.Councils – not private companies - must continue to run local services to ensure transparency and a real say for local residents
7. Stop cutting vital public services– this will make life harder for everyone, especially women and poorer households, and set back the economic recovery
8.Stop cutting public sector jobs – this will hit tax revenues, increase unemployment and make the deficit worse
9.Cut the bankers’ bonuses, and make them pay for the crisis they caused – a Robin Hood Tax could raise billions every year
10.Cut spending on private consultants and employment agencies – directly employed in-house staff are the best people to improve services
11.Cut out the privatisation profiteers – outsourcing and PFI are damaging our public services and cost the taxpayer more
DAVE PRENTIS RESPONDS TO TORY BUDGET
"Today, George Osborne has unveiled a budget that will pile pressure on public services, working households and vulnerable groups – while the banks return to business as usual, and tax giveaways are lined up for big business and the better off.
"Now more than ever, we need a union that will stand up for fairness, be a voice for the voiceless and hold the powerful to account.
"UNISON is ready. We have been training our organisers and activists up and down the country, equipping them with the tools and resources they need, to maximise our influence and get results for our members.
"Last week, at one of the most unifying conferences in our history, we agreed a national strategy and plan of action to protect our members and the services they deliver.
"I truly believe that if we move forward together – ignoring those who seek to divide or distract us, focused on delivering for our members and speaking up for our public services – we can come through this period stronger, better organised, and more influential than ever before.
"However you voted, my pledge to you is that I will be on your side – and I will ensure you have the full force of the union behind you as you face the challenges ahead.
"United, determined, ambitious for our people and our union – this really will be our time
UNISON CONFERENCE 2010 - TWEET UPDATES FROM DELEGATES
For more information, visit the special conference 2010 section of our site.