tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63774156340435685732024-02-07T03:52:39.417-08:00Furness Against the CutsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-42659389663537026362013-03-18T06:31:00.000-07:002013-09-06T10:54:31.580-07:00DORMANT - AWAITING 'SPRING' OF CONSCIOUS LOCAL ACTIVITY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> EXCELLENT CAMPAIGN </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> A 'SINGLE ISSUE' ONLY</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Furness Against the Cuts is not <i>dead -</i> just dormant and is likely to remain so for a while despite the mounting number of assaults on local services and on the standard of living of the Furness population in general. It is possible that, at some time in the near future, an individual volunteer might choose to stand in the town centre, hand out leaflets and appeal for local support to restore FAC but, based on previous experience, this is unlikely to achieve anything noteworthy. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recent 'Thousand Voices' campaign to halt downgrading of the maternity unit at Furness General Hospital,(FGH), initiated and led by Mandy Telford, wife of Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, was most successful and culminated in a Public Meeting attended by almost 400 members of the public some of whom raised several other issues of concern such as ward closures and other cost-cutting measures such as enlisting porters as 'deep clean' staff - a very responsible job for trained nurses who 'deep clean' contaminated surgical areas - seen as a cost-cutting ploy because porters are paid much less than trained nurses. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting was informed that steps had been taken regarding staffing of the Maternity Unit and there would now be no 'downgrading'. This was followed by a warning that UHMBT (University Hospital of Morecambe Bay Trust) was required to make savings of £50 million over the next five years; this would involve ending some services (such as specialist vascular services) and the transferring of others (such as urology services) to Kendal, and the possible closure of three wards - one medical, and one surgical and gynaecological.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As stated above, the Thousand Voices campaign was a 'single issue' campaign - saving maternity services at FGH - but this leaves other matters untouched. It is a bit like celebrating having put out a fire in the kitchen and ignoring the smouldering fires in other rooms of the house resulting in a sudden and catastrophic conflagration. - the FGH <i><u>building</u></i> will not be destroyed but the National Health Service as we have known it will cease to exist. What is more, if privatisation is completed (and given the apparent apathy of the ENGLISH public this is most likely) then under the privatisation rules of the European Union the NHS will be lost to Big Business for ever even though they will cynically retain the NHS logo.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Private health will only apply in England</b> - Wales and Scotland retain the principles of the NHS 'free at the point of need' .......free hospitalisation, free care for the elderly, free prescriptions and no hospital car parking charges. (And no fees for higher education, either!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But none of these things are mentioned by the local press. The editorial (Our View) of the Friday 8th March NW Evening Mail carried the glib heading 'Tough times lead to tough choices' and went on to defend the proposed merging of porters and staff qualified for </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">'heavy duty cleaning' and that this move will not present any dangers for patients. </span><i style="color: #660000;">(Where have we heard that one before? Muddz) </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">However, not content with leaving it at that, the poisonous individual who wrote the piece could not resist an opportunity for a bit of 'politics bashing'....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-style: italic;">'We must be careful not to mix politics with people's emotions' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Yes, mention <b>politics</b> - that's a good ploy to squash somebody's view. And <i>so</i> original - NOT. And how naughty of the union to upset people with warnings about the health risks of 'cheap' solutions.....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...followed up with the inevitable well-worn old-fashioned 'union bashing' thrown in for good measure....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="color: #274e13;">'There are legitimate ways for the unions to raise their concerns - but scaremongering must not be one of them.' </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Now that's really rich coming from this little nasty hypocritical rag of a paper when, some time ago, it backed a completely fictional campaign by that local political opportunist, Jamshid Hamezeian, who claimed there was a threat to maternity services at FGH (based upon a report by Labour councillor J. Piddock in which this came up as <u><i>just one of several options</i> </u>for consideration which he knew would be dismissed as unacceptable) This was made clear at a full council meeting but it did not deter </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hamezeian or the Evening Mail from continuing their outrageous scam - the Evening Mail to increase its circulation figures and Hamezeian to enhance his chances of being re-elected onto the town council. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Maybe if there had been some genuine scaremongering by the unions in this town then some of our townsfolk would not have later fallen foul of Legionnaires disease. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i> (T</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i>he<b> </b>result of yet another 'cost-cutting' measure - but who really cares? Muddz)</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">It has been announced just recently that the oncology unit at FGH is to close - much to the surprise of our MP, John Woodcock. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">(I wonder what he might have said if this news had been released before the public meeting? And what did I write - above - about smouldering fires in other rooms? Muddz)</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ANNOUNCEMENT</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until FAC returns to campaigning status, matters regarding local cuts issues will appear on -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> <a href="http://afurnessred.blogspot.com/">http://afurnessred.blogspot.com</a></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to view, click on the link<b> but be warned</b>.....t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his is a website dedicated to the wellbeing of all who depend solely upon a wage or a salary to earn a living and, subsequently, the smashing of the capitalist system of exploitation. So, if you are not a worker or a socialist, the site will be of little interest to you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i><br /></i></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-36643393971610207132012-11-02T14:15:00.000-07:002012-11-02T14:30:10.766-07:00THERE'S NO SILVER LINING IN THE SKY-EE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>FARCICAL AGM NAILS THE LID ON B&FPA COFFIN</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What ought to have been the Annual General Meeting of the Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association turned out to be an extended ordinary meeting - including an invited speaker who talked about aspects of the work of Age UK in Barrow - and this left no time for discussion on Matters Arising from the previous AGM or for any propositions that could have resulted in important changes to the Constitution. The rot has truly penetrated the structure of this organisation.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shall be resigning from B&FPA in November and devoting my time and effort in areas where there is at least some degree of opposition to this government and to the weakness of the party of opposition. However, should it ever arise that members of B&FPA are to take action in the town I will attend and give such assistance as I can. Something tells me my services will never be called upon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I salute the secretary, Margie Arts, who works tirelessly for the organisation and keeps the members informed even though members never actually use that information to achieve anything of significance. I also salute the memory of Ken Arts, husband of Margie and chairman of the association who regularly, in all weathers, campaigned on the high street against the cuts until just a few weeks before his death. And the members of B&FPA were content to let him get on with it whilst they sat at home infront of their TVs munching biscuits and slurping tea. If the members had any sense of shame they'd be out on the street campaigning in honour of their former chairman. But they have not, so they are not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is with regret I predict B&FPA will only continue to exist if it changes its name to Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Fun Club and erases all reference to 'campaigning' from its constitution.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-25078568940997135222012-08-24T05:59:00.000-07:002012-08-24T05:59:39.043-07:00TIME TO CALL IT A DAY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>BARROW & FURNESS PENSIONERS' ASSOCIATION SOCIAL CLUB</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The August meeting of the Pensioners' Association fully exposed the true position of the membership. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several had already (in July) terminated their membership over a spat about payment of conference admission - the admission fee was included in the cost of the Blackpool visit. The admission fee was £5 per person but members were only charged £3 - the association paid the balance of £2. It was assumed most of the thirty 'delegates' to the Pensioners' Parliament would, in fact, attend the several organised workshops on pensioner issues and would then provide feed-back at a future meeting but only THREE attended - the rest went off 'shopping' throughout the visit. The vast majority had absolutely no interest in being involved in the parliament or of being part of a campaigning organisation. Many of them had never been members of B&FPA but had always been very keen to attend the annual subsidised Christmas lunch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the August meeting, members devoted much time and effort to discussing where and when they could hold a 'dinner' and by how much the cost ought to be subsidised by the association. This sudden 'flurry of interest' was generated when the Treasurer (me) gave details of the funds held by the association - well over a thousand pounds. Members were reminded that this money was for promoting pensioner matters....campaigning for better pensions, allowances, health care, etc., by holding public meetings, advertising events in the local press, purchasing leaflets, posters, and placards and paying the expenses of any invited speakers.... <b>NOT</b> for partying. If partying, bingo, raffles, sing-alongs, and day trips was what interested them then there were plenty of other pensioner groups in the area already providing these. <b><i>Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association always was, and remains, a campaigning organisation - not a social club.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This message has been delivered several times during my six-year membership of the association yet that message consistently falls on deaf ears. The fact of the matter is that they do not want a campaigning organisation (which is why they never attend a leaflet distribution in the town for just two hours once a month) and, through non-cooperation, hope to change the constitution of the pensioners' association to that of a social club. Holding a monthly business meeting for members such as these, who hope to be 'entertained' and have a good carping session, is of no benefit to any pensioners' campaign and just a waste of activists' time and effort. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I can't see B&FPA continuing for much longer. Either it becomes a social club or it gets wound up altogether and matters will surely come to a head at the Annual General Meeting in October.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-84411678232535991112012-06-14T13:59:00.000-07:002012-06-14T13:59:38.344-07:00WHAT NEXT FOR FAC?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8fqLmgwJn3qAM9UK6E0BslunBy0CAs8gxQMFdYocvfWTbIP-rYBB3kc88ainBAy9qJJfPhHFzwIKj5EsUo0e0xtrSxxzUe5sNN_iO1O0Zq5cGEbf0fBM9Y_wj5fy_9H9D_gzV7916gXw/s1600/SAM_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8fqLmgwJn3qAM9UK6E0BslunBy0CAs8gxQMFdYocvfWTbIP-rYBB3kc88ainBAy9qJJfPhHFzwIKj5EsUo0e0xtrSxxzUe5sNN_iO1O0Zq5cGEbf0fBM9Y_wj5fy_9H9D_gzV7916gXw/s320/SAM_0342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groups prepare for the march to Winter Gardens, Blackpool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>AND THEN THERE WERE TWO.....</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">It is sad that only two persons attended the June planning meeting but it would seem that people are 'voting with their feet' to demonstrate their level of commitment for the campaign.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">The Pensioners' Parliament is being held in Blackpool next week and, this year, Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association has attracted a group of thirty to travel to this seaside town. Whether most of them will actually attend the parliament remains to be seen. And what is taken on board by those who <i><u>do</u></i> attend will be revealed in the months that follow (will they respond to the calls of the leadership of the National Pensioners' Convention for a broad campaign or will they simply carry on as normal - chat, cup of tea, raffle, then go home until next month?)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">It is certainly time to place responsibility in the hands of those sections of the community who wish to be represented at any street gathering or presentation. Indeed, this move is now long overdue. So, from now on, a stall will only be made available if at least one group actually requests it and can guarantee the presence of at least two persons to attend. This means showing up at a planning meeting and formally requesting the stall be set up on a specific date and for a specific start time and finish time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">In the meantime, it is reported that more people are beginning to suffer the consequences of the government's austerity measures - but clearly not suffering <i>enough</i> to persuade them it's time they did something about it.</span></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-44743344508757021802012-05-19T08:43:00.002-07:002012-05-19T08:43:55.812-07:00DOWN - BUT NOT OUT<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>AND THEN THERE WERE...NONE.</b></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This weblog has always presented things as they actually are and not as we would wish them to be. No matter how carefully some things may be planned for, such plans can be overtaken by 'events' beyond the control of the group and that is what happened today (Saturday 19th May). Matters are made worse when so much depends upon the efforts of so few - if ten are campaigning and two must drop out then this has little affect but if only three are able to campaign and two must drop out....</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it's something of a set-back because the next available date is not until next month which means there has been no campaign in May. Breaks in continuity could affect public perception of the campaign and can, in certain circumstances, undermine the confidence of the campaigners themselves. So far, there is no evidence that such breaks in the past have caused either of these but this does not mean damage will not be caused in the future - hence the need to reassess the structure of FAC.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next meeting of the FAC planning group will be held at Greengate Children's Centre on Wednesday 6th June from 6.30 until 7.30pm. </span>All who are against the cuts are welcome to attend. </b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-29099307081800686082012-05-15T05:24:00.000-07:002012-05-19T07:58:33.640-07:00STALL SET TO BE HELD ON 19 MAY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME, THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME, THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME - I DON'T KNOW-OH-OH-OH.....</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><b>(apologies to the Rolling Stones!)</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><b>The Furness Against the Cuts campaign will continue - it is the <i>structure</i> that might change. It is certainly not what I wanted to happen but a general unwillingness (and even point-blank refusal) to assist with the campaign undermined the principle of this being an open, democratic and participatory group with no hierarchical structure (chairman, secretary, treasurer, etc). Calls for assistance with the stall were largely unheeded and nobody wished to submit anything for the weblog. So, having been left 'in charge' this past year, I am considering 'taking charge' and deciding - without discussion - how the stall will be organised from now on. </b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">The statement that nobody supported the campaign is not <i>strictly</i> true for there were two exceptions - the secretary of Barrow & Furness Pensioners Association (retired member of the union, UNISON) has provided consistent support for the campaign as has a solitary member of the Socialist Workers Party (and member of the GMB union)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and both will still be welcome to use the stall as a focal point for their own organisation's interests eg to recruit for the Pensioners Association and for the promotion of the Socialist Worker weekend newspaper and any of its leaflets. Communist Party material will also be made available to the public. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the big change is that the stall will no longer be <b><i>'apolitical'</i></b> (ie no specific political content) but <u>'political'</u> in that it will permit socialist and communist pamphlets and magazines to be on display. Should other organisations not wish to be associated with either of these then they can go and set up their own stalls. The stall will, of course, continue to condemn government austerity measures and its attacks on pensions, the welfare state (public services) and the National Health Service. Peace and environmental issues will only be addressed in the context of 'the cuts' - how reduction of armaments production and adoption of an alternative 'diversification' programme could create long-term, sustainable growth in employment and the economy of Furness. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">There is just one thing that would disuade me from taking such a step and that is if the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">stall on Saturday19th May (10am until 12 noon)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> has trade unionists handing out their union's pamphlets, Barrow TUC attends to voice opposition to the government, local community organisations and charities have their representatives explaining to the general public what affects the cuts are having on the most vulnerable members of our society and religious organisations are there to condemn growing poverty. I think it's fairly safe for me to say that I shall be solely in charge of Furness Against the Cuts as of Sunday 20 May........</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-84330013018593473462012-04-05T08:01:00.007-07:002012-05-19T08:59:47.979-07:00INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb7ccx0OpQefbFZIll-zAp0D03D3v8iHRJjoUn8gwOT7dX9Q4STNOoP3BnrMT94LBObDJkvwb-PDJ6q6FzKpPK1YhE7YXfuGV-0co1D80R0gIHQdJwQdhAiS48I0DjeciUy_Sb7MlMTJ9/s1600/SAM_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb7ccx0OpQefbFZIll-zAp0D03D3v8iHRJjoUn8gwOT7dX9Q4STNOoP3BnrMT94LBObDJkvwb-PDJ6q6FzKpPK1YhE7YXfuGV-0co1D80R0gIHQdJwQdhAiS48I0DjeciUy_Sb7MlMTJ9/s320/SAM_0565.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrow Soroptimists on Jubilee Bridge </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">BARROW SOROPTIMISTS ASSEMBLE </span> </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barrow Soroptimists were joined by members from Windermere for a gathering on Jubilee Bridge, Barrow, to mark International Women's Day. The mayor, councillor John Murphy and his wife, the deputy mayor, attended the event but had to leave for another engagement after the photo opportunity provided by the local press photographer.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around twentyfive women and one solitary male were present on what was a cold, wet and miserable afternoon, and stood exposed to the wind and the rain for just over one hour.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Soroptimists are a 'women only' organisation and campaign on issues that are of specific concern to women but they often hold events to which men are invited. Barrow Soroptimists meet on the first Tuesday and Thursday of each month at Michaelson House, Fairfield Lane, from 7pm and any woman is welcome to attend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No other organisation in Barrow arranged any commemorative event for the occasion and, had it not been for the Soroptimists, the day would have passed by without notice just like other special days pass by such as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>28th April</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (Workers' Memorial Day), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1st May</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (May Day - Workers' Day of International Solidarity), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6th</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>9th August</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>21st September</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (UN International Day of Peace) or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1st October</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (International Day for the Elderly), for example.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although it was impossible to hold the usual Greengate Street planning meeting at the beginning of this month it is hoped there will be some type of FAC activity in the town centre before the end of this month but this will depend upon how many persons will be available to support an event. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next Planning Meeting of Furness Against the Cuts is due to be held at Greengate Children's Centre, Greengate Street, from 6.30 until 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd May. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> ALL WHO ARE AGAINST GOVERNMENT CUTS ARE WELCOME</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://furnessagainstthecuts.blogspot.com/">http://furnessagainstthecuts.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">email - furnessanticuts@btinternet.com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook - Furness Against the Cuts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phone: 07596 721 405</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-62551603757285473952012-04-05T07:30:00.001-07:002012-04-05T07:34:38.284-07:00ILLNESS AND WET WEATHER DAMPENS CAMPAIGN<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDT67jLNm6aflAAiRAcZHPw8o5wKP8CfhWuwyhBgjFeH9EXiud6Vcj8al6EtdBmoxd1h6tbKmDQoA8i9GI3JvLM9Gs1J8mJy91i4OTNYkDYl8qqxb8pS1M2v2Irzig3hoPQw8SL9p6q6F/s1600/SAM_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDT67jLNm6aflAAiRAcZHPw8o5wKP8CfhWuwyhBgjFeH9EXiud6Vcj8al6EtdBmoxd1h6tbKmDQoA8i9GI3JvLM9Gs1J8mJy91i4OTNYkDYl8qqxb8pS1M2v2Irzig3hoPQw8SL9p6q6F/s320/SAM_0568.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Walk, Barrow, Saturday 10th March</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ACTIVITY SUBDUED IN MARCH</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A combination of wet weather and the illness of a couple of anti-cuts campaigners meant that the activity in the town centre was reduced to just two persons distributing People's Charter leaflets at the entrance to the indoor market from 10am until 12 noon on Saturday 10th March.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, the event turned out to be especially fruitful in terms of leaflet distribution and engaging in conversation with individuals and couples who were shopping in Portland Walk. Most shoppers were of pensionable age and some were disabled but not many young, able-bodied people were about and, of those that were, very few accepted a leaflet willingly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unless Barrow Trades Union Council, individual unions, charities and community organisations finally decide to lend their voices to the local campaign then Furness Against the Cuts cannot be sustained for much longer. If FAC folds then there will be no sign of any local resistence to the Con-Dem government's austerity measures. Unfortunately, each individual organisation seems hell-bent on working alone, having a one-off, small and very brief protest and then 'disappearing back into the woodwork.' Just what they think this approach will actually achieve in the long-term is never disclosed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Easter holiday has caused cancellation of the April Planning Meeting at Greengate Children's Centre so the next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd May.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is noted that no support for the anti-cuts campaign was offered by any delegate attending the meeting of Barrow Trades Union Council held on Tuesday 3rd April. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-46914638648817843562012-02-03T08:57:00.003-08:002012-03-13T08:09:56.838-07:00BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDZQfFlxky8l6fD32a6KncRvIFuqpGKoCQbcaQ1l0Rx4k9Nr_PgDadhNmOjS9-ZgpXFMzGKQb2y6qrZb1khNKZ-tGjvPjneQs2M3l8x8wkoEjHMKps2bHmQuXqSk-w0XaQSG1gu8DXQJf/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDZQfFlxky8l6fD32a6KncRvIFuqpGKoCQbcaQ1l0Rx4k9Nr_PgDadhNmOjS9-ZgpXFMzGKQb2y6qrZb1khNKZ-tGjvPjneQs2M3l8x8wkoEjHMKps2bHmQuXqSk-w0XaQSG1gu8DXQJf/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> FAC WILL SUPPORT THE RMT</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>'NO TO MCNULTY' CAMPAIGN</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">The Steering Group, which met at the usual venue on Wednesday 1st February, agreed support be given to the RMT's 'No to McNulty' campaign and that FAC would seek to obtain signatures on the A5 sized postcards</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> 10am until 12noon at the front of The Forum, Barrow, on Saturday 4 February.</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The postcards are to be sent to the local MP but our MP, John Woodcock, cannot sign an Early Day Motion because he is a member of the Front Benches.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, completed postcards will instead be delivered to nextdoor Copeland MP, Jamie Reed. If our own MP cannot defend our services then we must approach one who might. (There has been insufficient time to determine this MP's position on the McNulty review)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Steering Group also considered several issues brought to light in the columns of the Tues 31 Jan 2012 edition of the NW Evening Mail. FAC is constantly watching for anything that could reduce the standard of living and quality of life of local people and this edition was spectacularly rich in (possible) examples.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #20124d;">Page 2</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span><i style="color: #20124d;">A health watchdog is asking people who have received emergency care at Furness General Hospital to share their experiences. </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">There have been deaths of babies in the Maternity department, examples of neglect of elderly and infirm patients, and a very recent case where a badly injured cyclist was to be sent home diagnosed as 'winded' when, in fact, he had sustained broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Are these events the result of poor management or medical incompetence? Or are they the result of stressed overworked staff trying to cope with impossible demands caused by financial cuts?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Note: </b> The Care Quality Commission (CQC) wants to hear from anyone who has experienced any type of emergency care or treatment at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital during the period 1 April 2010 to 13 January 2012. The Barrow meeting will be held on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Tuesday 21 February at the Abbey House Hotel, Abbey Road, commencing 3pm. </u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Page 4 </b><i>Small businesses in Cumbria are ready to call it a day, according to a report. Cumbria's small businesses are feeling the heat of the economic downturn, with many considering ditching their companies, a report from the insurance group Aviva has found. According to the study, one in three firm owners in Cumbria and the north west were <b>considering returning to the workforce as an employee.</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The closure of businesses means job losses; this is not socially or economically healthy for any community and this is why FAC is concerned. Local enterprise and regeneration organisations have been eliminated as funding was discontinued. The Marina Development project was abandoned. Despite these, local 'officials' continue to spout upbeat messages whilst Furness Labour MPs , past and present, declare that 'something should be done to create jobs.' Meanwhile, unemployment continues to rise.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Page 5 </b><i>Trident will have nowhere to go if Scotland votes for independence, a report by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said......the Scottish National Party says, come independence, Trident will go because alternative sites to Faslane and Coulport will be found in England. But a study by the MoD in 1963 had ruled out other sites, including Barrow. CND said "..a site that could be considered is Barrow where the submarines are built. This might be suitable if the navy only deploy Trident when there is a <b>full moon </b>and a high tide. Walney channel is too shallow for a submarine base."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The implications for workers at BAE in Barrow are obvious but local 'leaders', instead of embracing alternatives, doggedly stick to that old flea-bitten line "Trident means jobs. It is an essential deterrent." It doesn't and it isn't. It is obsolete, it provides no defence against terrorist attacks and is a criminal waste of vast sums of money. It offers nothing for the longterm development and prosperity of Furness. Unfortunately, except for some relatively small-scale high-tech enterprises, developmental courage and imaginative job creation are in short supply in this region.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Page 10 </b><i> More than 3,800 families living in 'oversized' social housing across South and West Cumbria are set to be hit by government plans to tackle under-occupancy. Ministers want to tackle the problem and reduce the housing benefit bill by stopping residents of council or housing association property from having an extra bedroom. Under the current rules, one spare bedroom is allowed. Analysis by the National Housing Federation shows 807 families in Barrow will be hit at a cost of £531 a year and 1,989 in Copeland for £505 a year.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The unelected ConDem coalition government races ahead with imposing austerity upon the non-millionaire members of the population and the Labour 'opposion' opposes nothing - indeed, agrees with the cuts!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Page 20 </b><i>At the lunch, Jackie Arnold, BAE Systems Submarine Solution's head of financial governance and strategy, who also represents specialist manufacturing on Cumbria's Local Enterprise Partnership board, said LEP had been meeting with other boards in the north west to see "whether other LEPs should collaborate."</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(That should be good for having business lunches and dinner parties for the next ten years!) But then she continues...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><i>"We have been working with Furness Enterprise in supporting GlaxoSmith Kline in Ulverston with growth plans." </i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>JUST A MOMENT! Furness Enterprise will soon be defunct and the future of GlaxoSmith Kline is not looking too rosey - </b>read Page 23 below.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #20124d;">Page 22 </b><i style="color: #20124d;">Hundreds of shops and commercial premises in Barrow are set to benefit from a free revamp.....the council has pledged an extra £100,000 which will allow businesses to apply for </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">(free)</span><i style="color: #20124d;"> grants of up to £2,000 to replace their shopfronts. Councillor Dave Piddock </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">(Labour)</span><i style="color: #20124d;"> leader of the council..."Even though we are facing extremely difficult times, we still need to support our local businesses. The scheme improves the look of the towns in the borough and supports the high street." </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Commercially this is just cosmetic - how many new, decently paid, long-term jobs will it create? What's the point of a nice-looking town of empty shops and no work?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-weight: bold;">Page 23 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">(Stuart Klosinski - industrial development manager for Furness Enterprise)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Potential for bioscience investment at Ulverston faces a new Scottish challenge - Glaxo's Irvine site now has Enterprise Zone status - we are examining the implications.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look, Stuart, anyone possessing a single brain cell knows what the implications are. Only ONE of the Glaxo sites will get the nod from the American owners for new pharma developments. Glaxo at Ulverston has already had big job losses. The Furness transport systems (road and rail) are not fit for the 21st century. There is no 'enterprise' money available for Furness. Irvine now has loads of dosh for commercial investment and development incentive, and it has good road and rail links. Other than death itself, I know nothing is certain in this life but, somehow, I get the distinct feeling that Ulverston is in for another spell of unemployment. Don't you?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is much more (from this one edition) that could have been included here - perhaps this is what Cumbria Newspapers intended....swamp a single edition with loads of pie-in-the-sky and snippets of 'possibles' and 'maybe's' so there's lots of material but little of any substance. A classic case of vacuousness. </span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-69899936004082331062011-12-24T09:38:00.000-08:002012-01-19T15:41:19.343-08:00TWENTY MONTHS OF CAMPAIGNING FOR ALTERNATIVE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY7Ky5Jr8YxaSv2eVnngyO04QgHdSISvFhCtXKdCZ7gsnDZBtQA_qjlBvGo0cTFVAcWc3VUPWySPnBJyxJMTpeKAvV9DeB5X0jv9BSBYWU3ougztD_Dkd_iG3L4LVO59bXrtu6jF4e_O0/s1600/100_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY7Ky5Jr8YxaSv2eVnngyO04QgHdSISvFhCtXKdCZ7gsnDZBtQA_qjlBvGo0cTFVAcWc3VUPWySPnBJyxJMTpeKAvV9DeB5X0jv9BSBYWU3ougztD_Dkd_iG3L4LVO59bXrtu6jF4e_O0/s320/100_3601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People's Charter campaign, Dalton Rd., Barrow, April 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>ONE MONTH BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some members of Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association noted with concern comments made by the New Labour chancellor, Alistair Darling, that cuts would have to be made and that these would be worse than under the Thatcher Tory government of some years ago. (Ironic - New Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, had informed us that he'd put an end to <i>boom and bust</i>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What a clown!) Several members of the association signed the Charter Petition but very few were prepared to actually campaign for it. Hence it was left to three members of the committee to lead by example in the hope that others would follow. They never did.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were there in Dalton Road again just before the General Election and each of the candidates of the three main parties gave the People's Charter stall a wide berth. What they could not escape from, however, was the message coming loud and clear through the loud hailer warning the general public about the austerity measures that would be imposed whichever party was elected to government. Where, we asked, is the democracy when you are given no choice except to vote for cuts?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though we were campaigning against any threat to reduce pensions and allowances for the over 60s we also asked why the local Trades Union Council, local unions, charities, community associations and religious organisations were not standing alongside us demanding that the public should <b><u>not</u></b> have responsibility for making good the deficit - ordinary people did not cause the financial crisis so should not suffer job losses or diminished income. Neither should the unemployed, the sick nor the disabled have to endure benefit freezes or reductions. <b><i>Appeals made to these bodies fell upon deaf ears but three pensioners maintained the campaign until the spring of 2011.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>FURNESS AGAINST THE CUTS ESTABLISHED</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so it was that, in March 2011, the Pensioners' Association called a Public Meeting on 'The Cuts' that was held at The Forum, Barrow. It was at this meeting that Furness Against the Cuts was established and a Steering Group met shortly after to draw up 'Agreements' and a plan of action.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since this time, numbers on the Steering Group have been reduced because of other pressures placed upon some of them. One has had to give up owing to working fulltime for the Unite Against Fascism organisation and another, a railway worker, has shifts that often prevent him from taking part. Ken Arts, (pictured seated above), one of the original three pensioners and a stalwart of the campaign, sadly died and his absence is sorely felt. The result of this reduction was realised this month (December 2011) when we had to abandon the month's street campaign owing to lack of numbers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were pleased when Cumbria PCS joined the campaign stall for one Saturday and used it as a platform to inform the public about the forthcoming 30th November strike - this is exactly how we hoped the campaign stall would be used. We are not asking other organisations to 'sign up to' Furness Against the Cuts - they can stand beside us and campaign on behalf of their own organisation. And if several organisations chose to do this it would impress upon the public that opposition to the cuts was universal and <b><i>not just unions selfishly protecting their members' pensions to the exclusion of everyone else. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, other organisations in Barrow and in Furness do not yet seem to have grasped this concept (of unity) and choose to remain silently invisible. As austerity begins to really take hold people will have less to spend so will cut back on charitable donations. The church congregations remain dumb whilst the great and the mighty abandon Christianity and gleefully worship at the altar of Mammon.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for the unions, having a one day strike and half-hour rally every six months will hardly impress the public (any union action needs public support if it is to have any chance of success) and will have little, if any, affect upon government policies. Without unity, the individual unions can be 'bought off' and bring any idea of solidarity crashing down leading, ultimately, to the eventual exploitation of everyone. (It's been done many times before)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The next meeting of the Steering Group of Furness Against the Cuts will be held from 6.30 to 7.30pm on WEDNESDAY 11th JANUARY 2012, at Greengate Children's Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FAC sends seasonal greetings to all who are actively campaigning against the government's imposed austerity measures, its attacks on the Welfare State and privatisation of our National Health Service. The People's Charter really is the only alternative for building a healthier, wealthier Britain.</b></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-64652418482206193362011-12-09T15:55:00.000-08:002011-12-09T15:55:51.568-08:00STRIKE RALLY IN BARROW 30TH NOVEMBER<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Cf97mjaBieeZ1iXNk8Am2eGftvjvop-S7jVLogJ6nnDEU_JDYzT5pgWOGMr8ZT9RHcCKsfZD45fbqQmzXowjjhUoqz8yjIKMTSsrZRW-LVucPMiEebjX4v5pfJZKi0DpQjDkBrCKiRz/s1600/SAM_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5Cf97mjaBieeZ1iXNk8Am2eGftvjvop-S7jVLogJ6nnDEU_JDYzT5pgWOGMr8ZT9RHcCKsfZD45fbqQmzXowjjhUoqz8yjIKMTSsrZRW-LVucPMiEebjX4v5pfJZKi0DpQjDkBrCKiRz/s320/SAM_0518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNION MEMBERS BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE FOR RALLY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SO, HOW WENT THE DAY?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The report in the NW Evening Mail claimed a total of 300 persons attended the rally, held in the town square, from 12.30 until 1.00pm. However, experienced campaigners judged the number to be at least 350 and this was considered to be a satisfactory turn out bearing in mind the absence of any proir attempts to build solidarity for the event - other than an announcement (by Alec Proffitt, Unison organiser) in the local paper some days previously.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unions attending were Unison, GMB, PCS and NUT. Some FBU members provided unofficial support as did Furness Against the Cuts and Unite Against Fascism. Following talks by trade union officials, the rally concluded with a 'One Minute of Noise' with blowing of whistles and vuvuzelas (a type of kazoo-horn). Exactly what the minute of noise was meant to achieve has yet to be revealed by the organisers. It was noted that there was no official representation by either of the Trades Union Councils of Barrow and Ulverston or by the local Labour Party. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only mention of an alternative strategy (to that of the Tory/LibDems or Labour) came from the FAC stall before the start of the rally. If the one-day national strike had no specific political aim, then what was the point of it? If it was just an economic protest against pension cuts then this is hardly likely to generate support by the majority of the public and leave the unions involved wide open to attacks of 'selfish self-interest' by the right wing press. FAC urges local unions to plough support into their Trades Union Councils and energise them because the councils are the legitimate means of engaging with the general public.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most schools were shut and council offices closed. There were just emergency services operating at Furness General Hospital and the ambulances were on emergency call-out only. So local public service workers were supportive of the strike but will need something more than 'dissatisfaction' to sustain them should future strikes demand not just a day or a week but several weeks: they will require an aim and they will want to know that any action they take has a good chance of achieving that aim. It is hoped the union leadership is wise enough to prepare for a determined struggle and to provide a strategy for success.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVYdAOqUaNKtMz-EgtEaEP7jti6CNWjXazQGxIDAs7mwSWUXRih_dtbWWmSAyJYD-0ruJn-7jIGAH0d3SLj5RhI-B1nzIqZVIK5bHq2EaHlGk2A7Dl5oFxpRIEYQ0d9jmaBz_GkOC5BJ1/s1600/SAM_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVYdAOqUaNKtMz-EgtEaEP7jti6CNWjXazQGxIDAs7mwSWUXRih_dtbWWmSAyJYD-0ruJn-7jIGAH0d3SLj5RhI-B1nzIqZVIK5bHq2EaHlGk2A7Dl5oFxpRIEYQ0d9jmaBz_GkOC5BJ1/s320/SAM_0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7.30am PICKET OUTSIDE DEPT OF WORK & PENSIONS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOTE: As agreed at the FAC steering group meeting held on Wednesday 7th December, FAC will meet at 10am in Dalton Road on Saturday 10th to continue the campaign. Assistance will be welcome. </span></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-45230198060460583092011-11-28T15:02:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:49:14.241-08:00WIND OF CHANGE OR JUST A SLIGHT BREEZE?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcOtKLMmYgkowKcou4TTFo0xfaxUhPkuu77DK4JePuJAHL7f_qwb5oQfydw9qX4oMsHQ3ZqX4Zl7LMagm0xt0d_skzZ-lW23wUYqGuPtLaPL6uYeO6smSo3FTy3j7hJnIhnjhfGBSIjn3/s1600/SAM_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcOtKLMmYgkowKcou4TTFo0xfaxUhPkuu77DK4JePuJAHL7f_qwb5oQfydw9qX4oMsHQ3ZqX4Zl7LMagm0xt0d_skzZ-lW23wUYqGuPtLaPL6uYeO6smSo3FTy3j7hJnIhnjhfGBSIjn3/s320/SAM_0505.JPG" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cumbria CPS union joins the anticuts campaign</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>IT'S OFFICIAL - NATIONAL STRIKE 3OTH NOVEMBER</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Furness Against the Cuts campaigners note that the membership of major public service unions has voted for strike action in protest against the government's unwillingness to negotiate with any degree of seriousness the issue of pensions in the public sector.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photograph opposite shows a member of Unison and the secretary of Cumbria PCS campaigning in Dalton Road, Barrow, at the FAC stall on Saturday 19th November.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main shopping area was very busy and all FAC campaigners reported a good public response to the campaign with more than usual prepared to enter into conversation. It is to be hoped that such engagement is not just a one-off.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gl1ODvnNGhDQ_Ym_Wg92_hF1BPKFgLLrAZwNtt6EkBXzbodJbelVupgoj-0JCmWQEmu4Vs5H62uDWTKFG47HMpNJnc_nqA7rTlA3vkr8rZLx8Nt7mZUFU4mjLVS333TGT1CEGLjRSHeM/s1600/SAM_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gl1ODvnNGhDQ_Ym_Wg92_hF1BPKFgLLrAZwNtt6EkBXzbodJbelVupgoj-0JCmWQEmu4Vs5H62uDWTKFG47HMpNJnc_nqA7rTlA3vkr8rZLx8Nt7mZUFU4mjLVS333TGT1CEGLjRSHeM/s320/SAM_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promoting the strike, Barrow market, Sat 26 Nov 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>RAISING AWARENESS OF</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>30TH NOV ACTION</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The weather on Saturday 26th was cold with blustery wind and the threat of rain so it was decided the campaign would move to the outdoor market near the Portland Walk entrance to the indoor market.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather seemed to have deterred many from shopping that day - either that, or they were staying at home to save some money to pay their inflated winter fuel bills and other rises in their cost of day-to-day living.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, it was noted that members of the public were quite willing to discuss the government's austerity measures and most were in favour of the strike action by the unions.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photograph features a Unison retired member who is also Secretary of Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association. Margie has spent many years serving local pensioners and has given rock steady support to the campaign against the cuts for the past eighteen months.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>UNISON PUBLIC 12.30 RALLY AT TOWN HALL</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Unison rally was announced in an article in the Evening Mail last week and, naturally, got the details wrong. This meant that Alex Proffitt, local Unison convenor, had to send out urgent emails correcting the mistake. The rally will commence at 12.30pm and continue until 1.30pm (not 1.00pm as stated in the paper)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Furness Against the Cuts campaigners will join the PCS union's picket of the Department of Works and Pensions offices at 7am on Wednesday 30th, move to picket the Job Centre at 9am then meet on the town hall car park to set up the FAC stall in the town hall square for 11am. This will provide an hour and a half for campaigning before the start of the official rally.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recent meeting of Barrow NUT indicated members had little, if any, enthusiasm for taking part in a public campaign on the 30th November. However, some Furness NUT members hoped to attend and someone would bring some flags and placards to the event. Barrow NUT is to consider a proposal that it appoint an official delegate to Barrow Trades Union Council at its AGM to be held in January or maybe February next year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, will the showing of solidarity on 30th November embolden working people in both the public and private sectors to take further and more protracted action in the near future? To quote the words of a well-known song, "The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind." This is either the first gust of a 'wind of change' storm or a noisy parp. Only time will tell.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next meeting of the Steering Group will be held at the Children's Centre, Greengate Street, at 6.30 until 7.30pm on <b>Wednesday 7th December.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-90438640262961327252011-11-14T02:45:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:50:11.523-08:00WORK OF THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYImTMgig8E_hBkvdSWLtbcQydjVU1bDgUrDL8AKE0zQ_GDQJUlXWNLI_zrE_hbHDe3W8GrV0t0uNgt1tImhaBYnPxqzpAEUmrY7PQwBr_U02upgxNHlqqLZucEEP1_AjZuvYie12MB3ij/s1600/SAM_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYImTMgig8E_hBkvdSWLtbcQydjVU1bDgUrDL8AKE0zQ_GDQJUlXWNLI_zrE_hbHDe3W8GrV0t0uNgt1tImhaBYnPxqzpAEUmrY7PQwBr_U02upgxNHlqqLZucEEP1_AjZuvYie12MB3ij/s320/SAM_0498.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals start to gather for the 6th October public meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>OCTOBER PUBLIC MEETING ON NHS PRIVATISATION</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Following a slow start, probably owing to attrocious weather conditions that evening, a total of twenty persons attended the talk on NHS privatisation given by Dr David Wrigley.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were some good contributions by members of the public and 'sign up' sheets were placed at the front for anyone who wished to assist with the general anti-cuts campaign to provide </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">their contact details.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Members of the public were urged to 'Adopt a Peer' and write to a member of the House of Lords asking them to oppose the health reform proposals.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">NOTED: The next meeting of the Furness Against the Cuts steering group would be held from 6.30 until 7.30pm at the Greengate Children's Centre on Wednesday 2nd November.</span></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-45056654098644328312011-10-06T08:19:00.000-07:002011-12-24T09:51:05.000-08:00TUC TO OPPOSE MODE FOUR<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<table class="contentpaneopen" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: middle; width: 385px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;" valign="top"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>BEWARE - MODE FOUR!</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The TUC vows to oppose EU 'social dumping' treaty writes John Millington. Communists and activists in a range of unions, especially within rail transport facing EU promoted privatisation, have been campainging for two years to bring the issue to the wider public. Parliament is pretending Mode Four is not happening. The Government is actively supporting it and trying to cover its tracks.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New European Union free trade agreements with Indian firms risk undermining collective bargaining and creating a tier of slave-like labour in Britain, RMT warned TUC delegates</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Moving a motion against "mode 4" transfers - the World Trade Organisation's term for moving workers across borders - the transport union's president Alex Gordon said a bilateral agreement due to be ratified by EU member states in December could mean Indian workers being moved into Britain with no workplace rights, no right to remain and no access to the legal system.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"This is potentially the greatest threat to collective bargaining and workers' rights for many years," he said.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Under Mode 4, Indian companies operating in Delhi and London could move low-paid workers from India to Britain, undercutting workers domestically.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Transnational companies will be able to move workers across national borders and nation states will limit their own constitutional authority over these corporations.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Workers' rights will be lost forever to corporate power."</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">GMB delegate Fern McCaffrey added an amendment criticising the record of free trade agreements in south America.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"They have had a negative effect on the ability of nation-states to foster national and local economic development and to promote and protect human rights," she said.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ms McCaffrey also questioned the Indian government's record on workers' rights.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"India has not ratified four core International Labour Organisation conventions, including number 87 on freedom of association and the right to organise collectively.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"A new International Trade Union Congress report revealed recently that India's record on child labour left a lot to be desired and there were multiple arrests of protesters for workers' rights."</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">She called for the "veil of secrecy" to be removed and the free trade agreement negotiations to be made public.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"We need a full consultation with all relevant civil society organisations, especially trade unions at every stage."</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Verdana; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Congress agreed to go on a public awareness raising campaign and push politicians to reject the free trade agreement.</span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-27842604982496576282011-10-05T15:51:00.000-07:002011-12-24T09:52:52.289-08:00FAC DEMOCRACY ALIVE AND WELL<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>LIVELY DISCUSSION AT FAC GROUP MEETING</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Steering Group meeting held earlier this evening was principally to ensure that all arrangements for tomorrow's Public Meeting were in place. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, before this could be addressed, the matter of the 'controversial incident' at the street stall on Saturday was raised by a member and there followed a searching discussion on 'perception' - of what words and terms ought to be avoided when addressing the general public to prevent any misunderstanding arising. Similarly, it was thought the weblog of Oct 4 might suggest there was dissent and division in the group and that introducing the subject of Mode 4 into the campaign would complicate matters.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following amicable discussion it was resolved, without need of a vote, that every effort would be made to avoid anything that could be misconstrued by members of the general public.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a wide discussion on Mode 4. It was argued that should the British/Indian pact be brought to realisation then highly skilled (but low paid) Indian technicians would be provided with employment here and replace (more expensive) British technicians of whatever race or country of origin. This influx would be used to force down the pay of resident workers - as does the creation of an army of unemployed workers. The British working class faces a most serious and potentially ruinous attack upon its standard of living and quality of life. This government is in deadly earnest about its intention to destroy the organisations of the working class (the unions) and all unity of the class by fostering severe racial tensions. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was suggested that British workers and Indian workers could unite to bring about equality in pay and conditions but it was pointed out that trade unions, shackled by Tory anti-union laws (that remained in place throughout thirteen years of a New Labour government) will not be able to assist these Indian workers for fear of breaking the law and having their funds sequestrated. The scene will be set for racial conflict and greater social division. However, it was the majority decision that public mention of Mode 4 would detract from the campaign against the cuts and further discussion led to a unanimous decision to issue the following statement:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">'On the matter of Mode 4 it is unanimously agreed this important issue is outside the remit of Furness Against the Cuts although it is recognised to be a campaign that must be fought.'</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thus the matter was settled and arrangements for the public meeting were then concluded.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FAC is indebted to Barrow and Furness Pensioners' Association for underwriting the public meeting with its Pensioner Rights Campaign NW fund (to be used in the event of a financial shortfall)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Owing to the various commitments of several Steering Group members it was impossible to arrive at a definite date for holding the next Street Stall. It was suggested additional help might be available if people attending the public meeting signed up to assist with the campaign. If a sufficient number of persons (at least three) were available, then a November stall shall take place and details will be posted in a future blog.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Four members of FAC Steering Group waited at the GMB office, Hartington Street, at 7pm on Tuesday 1st to attend the meeting of Barrow Trades Union Council but nobody else turned up! It is but a few weeks ago that the secretary of BTUC complained (in an article published in the local press) that unions were failing to support the Trades Council and that unless things improved he would resign. If Tuesday was an example of the sloppy way in which the organisation is run then it is little wonder that intelligent and serious-minded trade unionists prefer avoid it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"> A TUC document on the subject of Mode 4 will be reproduced here as soon as possible. </span></i></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-85314381817601576692011-10-05T14:34:00.001-07:002012-04-09T07:55:07.755-07:00PRINCIPLES OF FURNESS AGAINST THE CUTS<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">FURNESS AGAINST THE CUTS</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b> Steering Group agreed principles</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The name of the campaign will be Furness Against the Cuts (FAC)</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steering Group (SG) meetings will be held at Greengate Children’s Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow from 6.30 until 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Membership of the SG is open to any individual representing a democratic, progressive organisation which subscribes to the principles outlined here, and will have the right to vote at Steering Group meetings. Organisations may have up to two delegates on the SG.</span></b></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The SG will be responsible for ensuring these principles are upheld.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Supportive individuals not representing an organisation can attend SG meetings and contribute to discussions but will have no vote. <i>This is solely to prevent ‘mobbing’ - whereby members of a group deliberately swamp a meeting and by sheer weight of numbers are able to corrupt an organisation and distort and completely undermine it.</i></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There will be no discrimination on grounds of age, gender, disability, colour, race, sexual orientation or religious belief.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The SG will be democratic - one person one vote, and majority decisions will stand.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FAC will not be a fund-raising organisation but contribution of voluntary donations to meet the cost of an agreed action e.g. printing of leaflets, is acceptable.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">SG meetings will be relatively informal - bureaucratic procedures will be avoided whenever possible and there will be no elected officials e.g. chair, secretary, treasurer etc although, each month, a volunteer will be appointed to conduct the meeting.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nobody attending an SG meeting will be denied the right to express an opinion, and anyone having misgivings about a decision must make their feelings known immediately for there must no destructive ‘festering’ resentments.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">SG meetings will not be formally ‘minuted’ but at each meeting a volunteer will make a record of all decisions made and note any plans accepted for an agreed event.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Whenever possible, discussions on anti-cuts business held anytime between SG meetings will be conducted by all-inclusive emails i.e. open and available to all.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Use will be made of a Street Presence to promote the anti-cuts campaign utilizing a folding table and, initially, existing People’s Charter materials (banners, leaflets etc) until such time as FAC is able to produce campaigning materials of its own.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Democratic, progressive organisations e.g. trade unions, community groups and voluntary associations, will be welcome to join the Street Presence and use their own materials but it should be noted that FAC will not ‘do their work for them’ (organisations give their support to the FAC campaign whilst maintaining their own autonomy)</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Genuine, nationally recognised political parties will be welcome to use their organization’s anti-cuts propaganda materials and to promote any publication that is supportive of the anti-cuts campaign.</span></span></li>
</ul><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The agreed principles described above are intended to assist the creation of a democratic, honestly transparent and fair structure on which FAC can grow.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FURNESS AGAINST THE CUTS, April 2011 </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-87962502540863170662011-10-04T05:32:00.001-07:002012-04-09T07:56:36.259-07:00A CONFIRMING EXPERIENCE OF SOMETHING SUSPECTED<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ADqFkUSoWXs4EY_5QarwGXcUXcPoXQZg1dJthl7cmZn3L6xzxEWgxahqc4BhKTNGcvTdntGXTCEFUOe2HkhaiyNO-E0kiho8DJnZ2FpXgzXJVs2aIqeI4lQvper0wBw_VqdlUQp0I7M/s1600/SAM_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ADqFkUSoWXs4EY_5QarwGXcUXcPoXQZg1dJthl7cmZn3L6xzxEWgxahqc4BhKTNGcvTdntGXTCEFUOe2HkhaiyNO-E0kiho8DJnZ2FpXgzXJVs2aIqeI4lQvper0wBw_VqdlUQp0I7M/s320/SAM_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promoting the Public Meeting, Dalton Road, 1st October</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICISE PUBLIC MEETING</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Four members of the FAC steering group attended the stall set up on Dalton Road from 10am until 12 noon to publicise the Public Meeting being held at The Forum from 7.30 until 9.30pm on Thursday 6th October. This would be the last opportunity to promote the event and it was 'enlivened' by a couple of incidents that demonstrate some local trends.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first occured when, shortly after setting up beside a store with large 'blanked out' windows, a place we had used on two previous occasions, the female manager appeared and demanded we move away as "You are blocking my windows." There is nothing to see in the said windows but we immediately agreed to move and began gathering up our bits and pieces whilst she continued to protest about blocking her windows. (See posting of 1st Oct '<b>Tribute to local pensioner activist</b>' and the photograph at the bottom to view the <i><u>blocked windows</u></i>) So the stall was then set up at the Workers' Statue which, incidently, meant we were then directly facing the entrance to her shop.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second occured when I mentioned that the government was laying plans to bring cheap foreign labour into Britain, mainly from India, and this would have consequences for workers in Britain. Some woman called out "Fascist!" and this was taken up by one or two others - including an ethnic minority shopkeeper who threatened to call the police. Two members of FAC steering group (one of whom announced he was secretary of the local Unite Against Fascism) also thought the remark was 'racist'. Well, at least this demonstrated that people were listening to what was being said and it was, in one sense, encouraging that they were alert to anything they perceived to be 'racist' and were willing to condemn it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, it was a bit sinister - I was providing them with factual information (Mode 4 - a deal being worked between our government and the government of India for skilled technical workers in India to come to Britain) that was recognised by the TUC to be a serious threat to workers in Britain. But I had mentioned 'India', 'Cheap labour', 'Immigration' and 'Threat to jobs', and these were 'triggers' that got some people agitated. They were not interested in the facts of the matter - they were only interested in sporting their anti-fascist credentials. However, what they were actually publicly exposing was their total ignorance of what the governments of Britain and India were up to. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did I find their response sinister? Well, hypnotists use certain words to 'trigger' a response in a hypnotised subject. If they plant the word 'chicken' in a sentence, then the hypnotised individual will behave like a chicken. Similarly, Pavlov famously conditioned dogs to 'dribble' in expectation of a meal whenever a bell was rung - even when they did not actually receive food. Now, I mention an actual FACT but the truth doesn't matter because I have used words that triggered an automatic response - and I find to that be particularly disturbing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point that escaped their over-heated brains was that bringing these workers into Britain will be a gift to the likes of the BNP and EDL - yet I am the 'fascist' for warning about it! Work <i><u>that</u></i> one out - if you can.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, in the next posting I'll see if I can provide a scanned copy of the TUC document on Mode 4 to enable everyone to read it. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gfQhgLb_w6WUQdEJEA9Naid3zqYkZ0hZQPCYXTgeWMVtkQZNUcGFUS7zmXi8_nHLUOLM6I4PLz_2gi_MSzKFnAZDGnR7liXCNeO0BUzkz4Gw6vSNElVPQuCF_SJLKI9HAnmOttvBYxVw/s1600/SAM_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gfQhgLb_w6WUQdEJEA9Naid3zqYkZ0hZQPCYXTgeWMVtkQZNUcGFUS7zmXi8_nHLUOLM6I4PLz_2gi_MSzKFnAZDGnR7liXCNeO0BUzkz4Gw6vSNElVPQuCF_SJLKI9HAnmOttvBYxVw/s320/SAM_0455.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Brother, can you spare a dime?" </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the meantime, here's a vision of Britain that Tories dream about recreating - and if enough people don't rise up and stop them, it will become a reality: no work, no Welfare State, no National Health Service and reduced to begging on the street.</b></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-45404838634056604382011-10-03T14:27:00.001-07:002012-04-09T07:58:08.157-07:00MORE PICTURES OF THE MANCHESTER DEMONSTRATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUxXKfIKl7qX6KtbS6dNbAJifT5iT3FwyHrVLmt4fDZp0xd8bNar7TmPw9jaTd72OKUnYruJNiaI9hniy-GE2lZvjttZWpU8-JWt5M2r-Qoblm_pnDHFMxJZ1W4kW5Yp7TGwKFcaAwIjn/s1600/SAM_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUxXKfIKl7qX6KtbS6dNbAJifT5iT3FwyHrVLmt4fDZp0xd8bNar7TmPw9jaTd72OKUnYruJNiaI9hniy-GE2lZvjttZWpU8-JWt5M2r-Qoblm_pnDHFMxJZ1W4kW5Yp7TGwKFcaAwIjn/s320/SAM_0468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvxGjFxTfTpk9dow7g-nq_fR8dnXxaEaOHwcYrMNgIiJXrkoCh_qcL_4OmMyqS_hQ16KuvQQop63wzWXx73tQhbBPwSPYowyWDAjgfIre-86mEW7_IUALdX8428jZkD77WX5RRPhS1QQ-/s1600/SAM_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvxGjFxTfTpk9dow7g-nq_fR8dnXxaEaOHwcYrMNgIiJXrkoCh_qcL_4OmMyqS_hQ16KuvQQop63wzWXx73tQhbBPwSPYowyWDAjgfIre-86mEW7_IUALdX8428jZkD77WX5RRPhS1QQ-/s320/SAM_0476.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynL2jGdXFw0Yg5Z_M2Z78z67wF048gLcRS9-W2j_-GSegx1Dp7-OnvW1DdUm3zqirv6dxF60pH63gIbVchmzKErEw-IA5ybU5zjEsVD4Kqf0LFUtyB0zlznU-kiOWnBNp9g-a8I4dBV4p/s1600/SAM_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynL2jGdXFw0Yg5Z_M2Z78z67wF048gLcRS9-W2j_-GSegx1Dp7-OnvW1DdUm3zqirv6dxF60pH63gIbVchmzKErEw-IA5ybU5zjEsVD4Kqf0LFUtyB0zlznU-kiOWnBNp9g-a8I4dBV4p/s320/SAM_0460.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqTJ-Lkh6Z4bhAYsK6kYT8cNpBo3Yns-5wrxOnZ6CZXJaskdOKWrC1gdAghoJ8nhz3xsPRqvVqB9hZ3PyCulQJxLE7g5TwNgvV_7amjDOfIQbOENGJXboIGYNe5v7XOZmGKXmSH6FkZND/s1600/SAM_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqTJ-Lkh6Z4bhAYsK6kYT8cNpBo3Yns-5wrxOnZ6CZXJaskdOKWrC1gdAghoJ8nhz3xsPRqvVqB9hZ3PyCulQJxLE7g5TwNgvV_7amjDOfIQbOENGJXboIGYNe5v7XOZmGKXmSH6FkZND/s320/SAM_0480.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNuvGET5pryau5XuBD3VYJuh72ig8mI8VRNaFafzIS0K-gh0tH8WvEwgpFXKsmzhAlLn5_kKg4zCjIubk_wLvPEVAEVqDWj8djzlkI0yObFtICbcXDn_VBrP89_9gSW8WKFH7S0WdccP_/s1600/SAM_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNuvGET5pryau5XuBD3VYJuh72ig8mI8VRNaFafzIS0K-gh0tH8WvEwgpFXKsmzhAlLn5_kKg4zCjIubk_wLvPEVAEVqDWj8djzlkI0yObFtICbcXDn_VBrP89_9gSW8WKFH7S0WdccP_/s320/SAM_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi86p-XW1-aqZU0ugL_r0lYSIlHdTxEd7MoNALx_Zy6VaVhH53_gIW-wXSQql9OaUSynTyyU-6as9yfNs7-6fCnJajNT7sefygZTRASU9m_KTVT99XM3hrx29oiwW7KvhibfuCj678d4aL/s1600/SAM_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi86p-XW1-aqZU0ugL_r0lYSIlHdTxEd7MoNALx_Zy6VaVhH53_gIW-wXSQql9OaUSynTyyU-6as9yfNs7-6fCnJajNT7sefygZTRASU9m_KTVT99XM3hrx29oiwW7KvhibfuCj678d4aL/s320/SAM_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2d_DaeA75ZVsArkScWVxurd2HSik_bOHiH-Ldy3R5NEpc16bdPsMEJVPWbs79PGAnVz6yyce4j1BSrwakGt5yY3MB-KZrDJMDJSN6UgCIBDfXqFwkD6y2oNc7pqe0C7q9OfFVmdsqBlC/s1600/SAM_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2d_DaeA75ZVsArkScWVxurd2HSik_bOHiH-Ldy3R5NEpc16bdPsMEJVPWbs79PGAnVz6yyce4j1BSrwakGt5yY3MB-KZrDJMDJSN6UgCIBDfXqFwkD6y2oNc7pqe0C7q9OfFVmdsqBlC/s320/SAM_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvsOHrTbpOoTPRY3QLUvdIe_XT0prEPaxsTDIcy2YOfk9EuLVXngq2CIuoKyxpOfDYmZFYQ3EqpC-sxwfqM8s182MH7ojZzyXGfb17inmVU8U-0zGEqVAI5iQxe-7i_31iZrUDvdFMUaL/s1600/SAM_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvsOHrTbpOoTPRY3QLUvdIe_XT0prEPaxsTDIcy2YOfk9EuLVXngq2CIuoKyxpOfDYmZFYQ3EqpC-sxwfqM8s182MH7ojZzyXGfb17inmVU8U-0zGEqVAI5iQxe-7i_31iZrUDvdFMUaL/s320/SAM_0466.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos by Muddz 2nd Oct 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-31903782814952231322011-10-03T14:01:00.000-07:002011-10-05T16:06:59.185-07:00TUC MANCHESTER DEMONSTRATION 2 OCT 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedSpGkDbuVztRWdfE3XXg-UbU8VdBX_tZLsrwqaciRyap5REIP6pL5ApFUGcUqyCdzCpSKTBrq46qbYOvTKc_dhZaPmX5xslN7p5lqyoqXc5bAbovjrpa9oNLDHhUefNwfSMPbqJm7y_B/s1600/SAM_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedSpGkDbuVztRWdfE3XXg-UbU8VdBX_tZLsrwqaciRyap5REIP6pL5ApFUGcUqyCdzCpSKTBrq46qbYOvTKc_dhZaPmX5xslN7p5lqyoqXc5bAbovjrpa9oNLDHhUefNwfSMPbqJm7y_B/s320/SAM_0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several regional NUT banners on the march</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>LOCAL TRADE UNIONISTS ON THE DEMONSTRATION</b></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">A total of just three trade union members (who are also members of FAC) drove to Lancaster early on Sunday morning where they joined a coach taking campaigners from the district to attend the Trades Union Congress march and rally at Manchester. The local trio was joined by two Barrow unemployed young</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>men.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three are members of Unison, the GMB and NUT respectively but had to make their own arrangements for getting to the march as neither local trade union branches in Furness nor theTrade Union Councils of Barrow or Ulverston had made any arrangements for trade union members to attend the event. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A full 52 seater coach together with a supporting minibus left Lancaster after 10am and the weather turned distinctly damp - it rained quite heavily! Fortunately, by the time we arrived at Manchester, the rain had stopped and it turned out to be an excellent day for a march - warm and overcast but fairly bright.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Numerous stalls promoting political and community organisations lined parts of the route and all manner of banners, flags and large balloons made for a colourful mass display. Drummers kept up a steady beat, people blew whistles, sounded air horns, and expressed their anti-cuts messages through loudhailers. The mood was very friendly, the police were approachable, and there was no trouble at all. The marchers were satisfied they had left a clear message to the Tories sheltering behind lines of police in the Conference Centre that their policies for dealing with the economic crisis were not only NOT solving anything but actually making things worse.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Barrow group arrived home shortly after 7.30pm, understanding the rally had just been a warm-up for the day of action on 30th November when major unions have called on their members to hold a national one day strike. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether trade unionists in Barrow or the rest of Furness intend to support the strike remains to be seen but if past performance is used as a guide then no direct action will be taken. It would be really gratifying, just for once, for this assumption to be proved to be wrong. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This report by: Norman</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-69638191790989505862011-10-01T13:17:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:00:11.546-07:00A TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL PENSIONER ACTIVIST<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodv4FS0CD5boKVwKLSWG172QOsPtpds8o4ZuVNOrqq_hGADvfWsA9F2T9ntpe7ekX2duzbBhat98fKHR87UuXuPUo7LRH4Jj541G-OkL_F_v1aq9ipu8gISZ-Gsn-9PySgQLDmqvQbAUu/s1600/Photo-0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodv4FS0CD5boKVwKLSWG172QOsPtpds8o4ZuVNOrqq_hGADvfWsA9F2T9ntpe7ekX2duzbBhat98fKHR87UuXuPUo7LRH4Jj541G-OkL_F_v1aq9ipu8gISZ-Gsn-9PySgQLDmqvQbAUu/s1600/Photo-0008.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KEN ARTS, dedicated pensioner activist</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A MAN OF PRINCIPLE</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"To boldly go..."</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is with sadness and regret that FAC announces the death of Ken Arts, chairman of Barrow & Furness Pensioners' Association, member of Barrow Peace Council and activist member of Furness Against the Cuts.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ken belonged to that rare breed of human being - a person of principle, of selfless dedication and quiet determination yet who was not averse to taking to task with dogged persistence the 'important' and the 'self-inflated' leaders of this community. He constantly sought the truth and gleefully exposed the liars and hypocrites. His contribution to the task of working for a fairer and more just society will be sorely missed by FAC, Barrow Peace Council, B&FPA and the wider community. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Margie,(secretary of B&FPA) and his son, Keir.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ken and Margie provided consistent support in the early campaigns, promoting the People's Charter to defend jobs, pensions, our Welfare State and our National Health Service a full year before the establishment of Furness Against the Cuts. They then joined the Steering Group of FAC. Margie has vowed to continue her work in B&FPA and FAC.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are pleased the local paper, NW Evening Mail, printed Margie's moving tribute to her late husband in an article by reporter Molly Lynch in its edition of Saturday 1st October. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://www.nwemail.co.uk/">www.nwemail.co.uk</a></u></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqcLpQufpxqF9qCMwm3IN1j-_ewbxHgtPHzs5__UhWUc1Y_OGSIsBKufijzKhJy6dGmxKz3aLpC40srTJgFDbIst3H6e6CcjOqXOonQeJSOZUbH6ptcoXsbjjpLY9vOiGRsXqT5-pjVco/s1600/Photo-0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqcLpQufpxqF9qCMwm3IN1j-_ewbxHgtPHzs5__UhWUc1Y_OGSIsBKufijzKhJy6dGmxKz3aLpC40srTJgFDbIst3H6e6CcjOqXOonQeJSOZUbH6ptcoXsbjjpLY9vOiGRsXqT5-pjVco/s320/Photo-0024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's last campaign, Dalton Road, Barrow Sat 27 August </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The value of life lies not in the length of days but in the use you make of them; he has lived for a long time who has little lived. Whether you have lived enough depends not on the number of years but on your will.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MONTAIGNE 1533 - 1592</span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-9410431642349763322011-09-25T17:05:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:01:25.039-07:00WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLt4VfbNq_2yLoVa1CMVOXivIqSDpclbS8N9RWmY5HyMk0vFukZeFiqfDa2dglWis-y3fcldibhlvsxv6U7Cbfd07IJernXSIEqk07Da2d7KhyfHcxeAtQ9TjFhDApQbDgw6OxJw8GmoT/s1600/SAM_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLt4VfbNq_2yLoVa1CMVOXivIqSDpclbS8N9RWmY5HyMk0vFukZeFiqfDa2dglWis-y3fcldibhlvsxv6U7Cbfd07IJernXSIEqk07Da2d7KhyfHcxeAtQ9TjFhDApQbDgw6OxJw8GmoT/s320/SAM_0454.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>WHERE DO YOU STAND?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>SHOW YOUR HAND!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>America, Japan, and the European countries are in crisis, so we are informed. It is indeed a crisis for the members of the population who are not billionaires or even multi-millionaires and now see their jobs being threatened, benefits being slashed or stopped altogether, and services upon which we rely for our health and wellbeing being sold off to the highest private bidder who is in it to make a fortune for the shareholders. The need for profit placed before the needs of people.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several Furness people will be attending the TUC organised march past the Conservative Party's conference in Manchester as detailed in the poster above. Sadly, the Furness contingent has not been organised by Barrow Trades Union Council, Ulverston Trades Union Council, or any of the unions in Cumbria and will travel to Manchester by car. It is also sad that the Trade Union Congress has organised this event yet it is studiously and collectively ignored by local trade unions and their members, leaving it up to a few individuals to use their own initiative and act independently. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I cannot think of a better example than this to illustrate the degree of universal union apathy in Furness in particular and Cumbria in general.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bearing in mind that trade unionists are supposed to be the most 'class' and politically savvy members of the general population, then it follows the level of political understanding possessed by the vast majority of the general population here in Furness must be close to zero because, if trade union members don't 'get it', what hope is there for ordinary members of the public?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But efforts are being made to encourage people to join together to consider the options - to take action to resist the cuts or to roll over and take what comes. It is here that everyone has a choice: what's yours going to be? Before you decide, have a look at the following and listen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Moore Joins Labor Protests: "America Is Not Broke" - YouTube</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then look at</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pete seeger which side are you on - YouTube</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">finally, have a look at</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labor Day - Solidarity Forever - YouTube</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Please note - <i>these are not links. You'll have to log in to YouTube then enter each one in the search box. The usual 'link' facility works but the videos are listed as 'unavailable' when clicked on - which is why you will have to go to YouTube to see/download them.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given that the agent of our MP has announced John Woodcock will not be present at the 6th October public meeting (no reason provided) and that neither will any local trade union representative it is reasonable to ask of them "Which side are you on?" Are they on the side of the bankers and financiers who have, aided and abetted by New Labour and encouraged by the ConDem government, returned to their seats to play 'casino economics' once again (with OUR money!), or are they on the side of those who did nothing to cause the economic crisis: workers, the young, the elderly, the sick and disabled and the unemployed? Keeping your head down and muttering about how awful things are is not acceptable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> <u>"WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?"</u></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-87397850626741339462011-09-21T15:36:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:02:17.000-07:00SPREADING THE WORD<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgtSz6S-Mfslw0u5pNS9B3YFJXXImANgNsj-sjqqkA1VLCnW7SoEp86ib9J0QyCVQUducPQ6MHcf4YQQ_-ctZioDNRHCYY_NtNwC_wfLXpZ00MO-Nv5bGgSOm21IjqAPy2SsR8Cm0sUjO/s1600/SAM_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgtSz6S-Mfslw0u5pNS9B3YFJXXImANgNsj-sjqqkA1VLCnW7SoEp86ib9J0QyCVQUducPQ6MHcf4YQQ_-ctZioDNRHCYY_NtNwC_wfLXpZ00MO-Nv5bGgSOm21IjqAPy2SsR8Cm0sUjO/s320/SAM_0447.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The printed poster is not tilted like this! </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.myspace.com/floggingmolly">http://www.myspace.com/floggingmolly</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you click on this link you will open the official Flogging Molly myspace page. On 'music', scroll down to Float and hover on the 'play' symbol (white triangle on a black disc). Click on this to start the song. I selected this because it was this song - especially the chorus - that gave me the idea for the slogan on the poster. But now back to work......</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>OOPS! Last digits on phone number should be</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 140</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>5</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Error corrected on distributed posters.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SOME LIBDEMS ARE REVOLTING</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not like those who sit on the fence or those who are 'two faced' because they are untrustworthy; this is why I have never liked the LibDems. Now, however, there is not much to choose between them and the Labour Party which also advocates cuts to 'solve' the economic crisis.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interestingly, at the very recent LibDem conference, retired GP Charles West used the same 'boat' metaphor as I have used on the poster (except he called it a 'ship') Described as one of the leaders of the grassroot opposition to the NHS reforms, Dr West declared that LibDem inspired amendments to the Health Bill were merely changes in words rather than substance. He then called the bill "a leaky ship" and said "I'm worried that the ship will sink and that the NHS will sink with it, and if our name is on that ship we will go down as well." concluding "And, friends, we deserve to." Anyway, he wasn't the only delegate raising concerns about the bill but to read more see the report by H. Mulholland, political reporter, guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 21st September. Not that such concerns were of any consequence because the LibDem leadership denied delegates a vote on a specific motion relating to the bill. Well, that democracy for you, eh?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this at a time when we are being informed by really knowledgeable financial specialists that Europe is on the brink of an economic disaster. William Keegan, in last Sunday's Observer newspaper, actually used the word 'catastrophe'. "The British economy is on the verge of an economic and social catastrophe. So is our principal export market, the eurozone." (If you don't know who William Keegan is - look him up!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">Locally, our NW Evening Mail provides a couple of snippets - another group is holding a meeting at The Forum on the 6th October, but in the morning. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">'Moving Forward for a Healthy Future in Furness'</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> will provide people with an update on developments in the NHS. The event will also provide people with information about locality commissioning and public health, and give them an opportunity to discuss important issues that will help to shape the future of health care in Furness.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a new chairman has been chosen for the NHS trust which runs Cumbria's community, dental and mental health services. Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Mike Taylor to the position and he will work alongside the current post holder, Bryan Betterton (who is retiring), until his term starts in November. <i> We are informed Mr Taylor has leadership experience across the private, public and voluntary sectors, including a lengthy career with Shell in the UK and overseas.</i> He should be able to manage a privatised NHS, then.</span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-53887594639928766012011-09-17T15:00:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:03:23.122-07:00BUSY WEEK AT THE TOWN HALL FOR FAC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZRfdZ5SkF00igPvQUgmAjYBNX47r8hC-ZljeBLbcfDdblbCPg4hbHlCxhyphenhyphenrncKm8P96oCLao1c6cANMcUOzvdVrECV7xjY9A_4R_JUcNMZogKVDMCf8_fQM_J058bv6Z5GSlFLqFTtUF/s1600/SAM_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZRfdZ5SkF00igPvQUgmAjYBNX47r8hC-ZljeBLbcfDdblbCPg4hbHlCxhyphenhyphenrncKm8P96oCLao1c6cANMcUOzvdVrECV7xjY9A_4R_JUcNMZogKVDMCf8_fQM_J058bv6Z5GSlFLqFTtUF/s320/SAM_0446.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Town Hall, Barrow in Furness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>FAC MEMBERS ATTEND TWO MEETINGS IN ONE WEEK</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Representatives of Furness Against the Cuts attended the Town Hall and were present at meetings of the EDP (Equalities and Diversity Partnership) in the afternoon of Tuesday 14th September and of CCC (Cumbria County Council) in the morning of Thursday 16th September.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The EDP meeting was nothing more than the usual 'talking shop' but at least we were able to distribute leaflets advertising the 6th October public meeting to the six persons present. The EDP is not a campaigning organisation but one which discusses things affecting disabled people such as 'dropped kerbs' for wheelchair users, passes on observations and makes requests on behalf of persons with disabilities. There was no response to our information about the public meeting or the campaign by FAC (Furness Against the Cuts) so it is assumed they will not inform members of their particular disabilities organisation of either the public meeting or the FAC campaign.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The CCC meeting confirmed that SS (Single Status) would be applied to all TAs (Teaching Assistants) It also applies to Night Carers, but there has been no mention of this. Cumbria TAs mounted a spirited action against the imposition of the new ruling but to no avail. It should be noted that the TAs were absolutely disgusted by the lack of their union's - Unison - support for their campaign. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting was also attended by members of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service who were informed the council had finally decided to back the closure of the control centre at Cockermouth and the transfer of this service to Warrington in Cheshire involving the loss of twelve jobs. (Evening Mail journalist John Simpson provided a comprehensive report published in the paper later that same day. The Evening Mail is available online at <u>www.nwemail.co.uk</u>) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ms Lesley Bowers, a former controller (pictured below) gave a heartfelt appeal for the retention of the Cockermouth centre, explaining local knowledge was essential for a speedy response to life-threatening situations in which every second counted. At the close of the meeting a FAC member spoke with fireman Ade Kevern, secretary of Cumbria FBU (Fire Brigade Union) and urged him to ensure the union had representation on Barrow Trades Union Council as this could be a means of approaching the public whose support will be vital in the struggles ahead. Ade agreed but, as always, the proof of the pudding.......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlITUB45kB0FpK2UYV7rT-qumQfaa7N3IF9bOooF8qrV72mw2roII5VMRKzEs4BAzPJGWtcAk6h63YhRwOBSnO0PV7Mia1GAmBExuiO9m8dkxM3hzK8srQeLAcdIWzQ5I7Mi7vyPMSXFsw/s1600/SAM_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlITUB45kB0FpK2UYV7rT-qumQfaa7N3IF9bOooF8qrV72mw2roII5VMRKzEs4BAzPJGWtcAk6h63YhRwOBSnO0PV7Mia1GAmBExuiO9m8dkxM3hzK8srQeLAcdIWzQ5I7Mi7vyPMSXFsw/s320/SAM_0444.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former controller Lesley Bowers </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Also attending CCC that morning was Marianne Birkby who is leading the Cumbria campaign against proposals to bury highly radioactive nuclear waste in huge manmade caverns on the coast of West Cumbria. This is a most serious subject but one which cannot be dealt with here.</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Once more, Evening Mail reporter John Simpson provided a full report and this was published in the Saturday edition of the paper.</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"> I regret that John Simpson has now retired for I always found him to be a reporter of great integrity.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">I wish him a long and happy retirement.</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FAC now has a Facebook page -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Furness Against the Cuts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">email address:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> www.furnessanticuts@btinternet.com</span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-53362499883659286102011-09-12T14:13:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:04:16.429-07:00EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFJ7Z3ggaJAnp32RogvStlKLyIrYCy2OzobIjiikOIWjUMYj6K08y9ghFfaWNKEMEr1kEZIEUmfYKTVrVwF6dY3Zs4z7bbQhFqvdEDBnfaqVK4x6TfOotDa1EfDw9cBNOyfl0fkSy__es/s1600/SAM_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFJ7Z3ggaJAnp32RogvStlKLyIrYCy2OzobIjiikOIWjUMYj6K08y9ghFfaWNKEMEr1kEZIEUmfYKTVrVwF6dY3Zs4z7bbQhFqvdEDBnfaqVK4x6TfOotDa1EfDw9cBNOyfl0fkSy__es/s320/SAM_0283.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Woodcock MP at TAs Barrow campaign </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>OCTOBER PUBLIC MEETING</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Furness Against the Cuts will hold a Public Meeting at the Studio Theatre, The Forum, Barrow, 7.30 til 9.30pm on Thursday 6th October.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The principal guest will be Dr David Wrigley GP in Carnforth, Lancashire, speaker for Keep Our NHS Public and British Medical Association UK Council member who will expose the government's plans to privatise parts of the National Health Service and explain why this should be rigorously opposed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A speaker from the Public and Commercial Services union has yet to be confirmed. Unison is unable to provide a speaker for this event at this time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Member of Parliament for the Barrow and Furness constituency, John Woodcock, has been invited as have members of the Constituency Labour Party. The Green Party has also been invited to attend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A 'roving microphone' has been booked to enable members of the public to be heard by all when asking questions of the speakers.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photograph above was taken when John Woodcock briefly attended an event held last March by local Teachers' Assistants petitioning in protest against 'Single Status' to be imposed on them by Cumbria County Council - for many TAs this could mean a substantial reduction in pay and, perhaps, some having to give up the job completely.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">UPDATED LIST OF DATES FOR YOUR DIARY</span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Wednesday 14th September</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">. Live theatre performance of Robert Tressell's 'Ragged Trousered Philanthropists", Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal 7.30pm Tickets £14 and £13.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>Saturday 1st October.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>FAC Street Stall</b>, Dalton Road, Barrow, 10am until 12 noon.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Saturday 1st October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> Giant Book Sale, Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowkers Lane, Kendal 11am until 4pm - organised by Westmorland & Lonsdale Constituency Labour Party.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Sunday 2nd October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> <b>TUC national protest march</b> outside Conservative Party Conference. Rally at Number One First Street, Manchester. (Behind Manchester Central - the old GMEX) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local transport - try <b>Barrow TUC</b> secretary Robert Pointer, (01229) 470616 or mobile 07979605276 or email <u>rjpointer@barrowbc.gov.uk </u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Tuesday 4th October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> <b>Barrow Trades Union Council</b>, GMB Office, Hartington Street, Barrow 7pm.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Wednesday 5th October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>FAC Steering Group meeting,</b> Greengate Children's Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow 6.30 until 7.30pm</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Thursday 6th October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> <b>FAC PUBLIC MEETING, Studio Theatre, The Forum, Barrow. 7.30 until 9.30pm.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Saturday 8th October.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><b> Leon Rosselson</b> In Concert, Shakespeare Centre, Highgate,Kendal, Tickets £10. Bookings - Dave Cope 01539 729599 or email davecope2@phonecoop.coop</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">And <b>November</b>, so far...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Wednesday 2nd November.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>FAC Steering Group</b>, Greengate Children's Centre, Barrow, 6.30 until 7.30pm</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Sunday 6th November.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> <b>'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists'</b>, talk and discussion led by David Harker of North East Shop Stewards, Abbot Hall Social Centre, Dowkers Lane, Kendal. Details from www.southlakeslabour.org.uk</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Date of FAC's November 'Street Stall' to be confirmed.</i></span><br />
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</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377415634043568573.post-29398085042316776532011-09-02T10:21:00.001-07:002012-04-09T08:05:30.114-07:00CON-DEM MASS ATTACK ON NHS<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THE FUTURE OF NHS DECIDED BY VOTE THIS AUTUMN</b></span><br />
<div style="color: #0c25a6;"><b>Click on the link for scrolling visual</b></div><div><div style="color: #0c25a6;">"<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://falseeconomy.org.uk/poster/embed/small/s2">http://falseeconomy.org.uk/poster/embed/small/s2</a>"</span></div><div style="color: #0c25a6;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">As the days go by without any word from our proposed main speaker it is very likely the planned <b>Public Meeting of 14th September 'Keep Our Services Public' will have to be postponed.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">In the meantime, a visit to: <u>http://info@falseeconomy.org.uk</u> will provide plenty of food for thought </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">- why not sign up to receive regular updates and, whilst you are considering this, read - and contemplate - the following:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><i>Extract from 'The Plot Against the NHS' by Colin Leys and Stewart Player. Merlin Press 2011</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><i>pp. 146,147.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;">In the second reading of the Health Bill, Labour's shadow Health Secretary, John Healey, put forward a cogent and detailed critique of the Bill but fell short of offering to do more than 'explain and expose the gap between what Ministers are saying and what they are doing in every debate at every stage of this legislation'. <i><b>He was handicapped by Labour's complicity in so much that had gone before. </b> </i>(My italics. Norman)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><b>In the end it will be up to the great majority of the public, who rely on the NHS, to stand up and fight for it. </b>(My emphasis. Norman) Ever since the marketization process began in earnest in 2000, and in some cases well before that, numerous organizations have been resisting it and trying to uphold the values and principles on which the NHS was founded. The list includes Keep Our NHS Public, Health Emergency, the NHS Support Federation, the NHS Consultants' Association, and a host of groups and campaigns, sometimes supported by Unison or Unite, fighting to defend local NHS services.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;">Until Lansley's White Paper of July 2010, all these campaigns were met at the national level with a large degree of public apathy. But since 2010, and in the new era of mass mobilizations of public opinion, from the students in London to the protesters in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, the mood has changed. Paul Corrigan, a former adviser to successive Labour health ministers, confidently assured readers of his blog: 'Governments with majorities don't publish Bills that don't become Acts. This Bill will become an Act.' Maybe so, but by the time it reaches the end of its passage through both Houses of Parliament it could look different in some key respects. And it remains to be seen how long Lansley's Liberal-Democrat allies will endure being seen as co-responsible for the results.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;">And how long will the measures in the Bill survive if it is passed? What may the Labour leadership find it necessary to promise, if opposition to the legislation among the public is sufficiently widespread and profoundly felt? In his first comments on the issue since becoming leader, addressing the Welsh Labour Party Conference in February 2011, Ed Milliband <i><b>denounced the Bill but stopped short of any commitment to repeal it.</b></i> (My italics. Norman) A sufficiently strong and focused public reaction in England could stiffen Labour's resolve. The cuts that were beginning to be implemented seem bound to work in this direction.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><b>That penultimate sentence,</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"> 'a sufficiently strong and focused public reaction in England could stiffen Labour's resolve' <b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><b>is one of the tasks of Furness Against the Cuts: to increase public awareness and build opposition to the cuts in order to apply pressure on the Labour Party, and another is to persuade the Liberal-Democrats that, politically, they are backing the wrong horse. Unfortunately, for Furness anti-cuts campaigners, it would be easier to make progress through thick, waist-deep, mud than through local public apathy in this locality. Nevertheless, the work will continue.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><b><u>SOME SEPTEMBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Tuesday 6th </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> Barrow Trades Union Council, 7pm, Engineers' Club, Abbey Road, <b>Barrow.</b> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: small;">(Trade union members may attend and contribute to discussions but only official delgates may vote)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Wednesday 7th</span> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Furness Against the Cuts, Steering Group, 6.30 until 7.30pm, Greengate Children's Centre, Greengate Street, <b>Barrow.</b> (Representatives of unions, community associations, charities, social welfare campaigns and church organisations welcome) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Monday 12th</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> Barrow&Furness Pensioners' Association, 1.30 until 3.00pm, Studio Theatre, The Forum, <b>Barrow. </b> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Wednesday 14th</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> Live Theatre performance of Robert Tressell's 'Ragged Trousered Philanthropists', Brewery Arts Centre, <b>Kendal</b>, 7.30pm. Tickets £14 and £13</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><b>Dates of Furness Against the Cuts upcoming events to be announced shortly.</b></span><br />
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