“We leave no members behind”
“We leave no members behind”
This is a commitment I am finding myself increasingly saying in meetings with members who work for a number of different employers. Whether it is our council housing repairs workers who work for Mears or members working for Capita, NSL, Barnet Council, Barnet Homes, Your Choice Barnet, Barnet College, we are all facing attacks both in the workplace but at home and in our communities as a direct result of austerity.
Austerity is responsible for our terms and conditions being attacked and that there have been no pay awards to address the increasing cost of living.
Austerity has made housing a major issue not just for our members in terms of cost but for our children who cannot afford to leave home.
What is clear, is that we cannot fight for each struggle alone, we need to support each other.
This Saturday 12 September we have organised Kids4Libraries march. The main march begins outside Church End Library and it is going to be big and it is going to be fun.
- “In the Thick of it” actor Rebecca Front and children’s author Alan Gibbons will be on the march.
- Durham Miners are coming to join the march
- Lesbian and Gay Support the Miners are bringing their banner to the march.
- London Metropolitan Band are leading the march.
- Open Top Red Bus decorated and available for those who are unable to march.
- Trade Union branches and community campaigns will be there.
However, more importantly it is about all Barnet UNISON members pulling together and in this case in support and solidarity for Library workers.
One of the proposals is to reduce staff by 65%!
I do not think it is right that we leave Library workers behind to fight this alone.
This is why our branch is calling on all of our members to spare a few hours this Saturday to come down and show solidarity for our fellow UNISON members.
Venue: Church End Library (5 minutes from Finchley Central Tube station).
Time: Assemble from 11 am.
See you there
John Burgess
Branch Secretary
Barnet UNISON