Solidarity – This is what it looks like

Dear John,

I’m writing to send solidarity to Barnet Council Unison in its fight to stop the outsourcing and privatisation of services. Unison members at the Youth Offending Service and Targeted Youth Support invited Helen Davies to one of our recent shop meetings, where we learned of your campaign. In response we held a coffee and cake morning last week where our members baked cakes and sold them to raise money for your dispute and workers at the National Gallery, also fighting privatisation. We raised £100 and have split the money, giving you £50.

We are absolutely opposed to the way public services and public sector workers are being attacked. We chose our professions because we value young people and believe that given the right support and opportunity, they can make changes in their lives for the better. The increase in workloads and cuts that have reduced young people’s services have made it harder for workers to support young people adequately to change. To know that we are doing it with an 18% pay cut over the last 5 years, adds insult to injury.

We feel that further privatisation and outsourcing will lead to a worsening situation in our ability to maintain our own pay and terms and conditions at work and deliver a meaningful service. The agenda to privatise is gathering pace and it is to your absolute credit that you have decided to take a stand. Our contribution, though small, is accompanied by a message of sincere solidarity and to say we stand with you in your fight.

Jo Cardwell

Unison shop steward, Islington YOS