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PCS Wales anti-cuts campaign update no. 1

8 September 2010

The 'Con-Dem' government in Westminster is planning to make the deepest cuts in public spending since at least the Second World War (according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies). Shortly after the Budget announcement in June, a leaked Treasury document predicted that up to 600,000 public sector jobs and up to 700,000 private sector jobs - 1.3 million in all - could be lost as a direct result of these cuts. All UK government departments (except health and international development) have been asked to prepare plans to slash their budgets by as much as 40 per cent.

The government’s Comprehensive Spending Review announcement, due on 20th October, will say exactly where the axe will fall, but we know that Wales will be particularly hard hit, as it is particularly dependent on public services. Figures released this week show that 27.5 per cent of Welsh workers are employed in the public sector, compared to 20 per cent across the UK. In addition, unemployment is higher and average earnings lower in Wales than elsewhere in Britain. PCS is therefore working with our fellow unions and with community and service-users’ groups to campaign against the cuts and we’ll be keeping members informed of developments and of how you can get involved.

MPs vote for further attack on redundancy rights

On 7th September, by a majority of 326 votes to 244, MPs passed the second reading of the Superannuation Bill – the new legislation that the government is using to slash redundancy payments for civil and public servants. During the debate (which you can read on the House of Commons website), several MPs spoke up in favour of retaining fair arrangements for our members and their colleagues, demonstrating the effectiveness of PCS’ lobbying and campaigning, but the final result went against us, thanks to the government’s large majority. The Bill now has to go through its committee stage, which should conclude by 16th September, with the report stage and third reading following soon after. If the Bill then becomes law, PCS will look at other means of opposing the changes, including a possible legal challenge.

Welsh MPs who voted for the Bill: Guto Bebb (Con, Aberconwy); Alun Cairns (Con, Vale of Glam); Stephen Crabb (Con, Preseli Pembs); David Davies (Con, Monmouth); Glyn Davies (Con, Montgomeryshire); Jonathan Evans (Con, Cardiff North); Simon Hart (Con, Carmarthen West & South Pembs); David Jones (Con, Clwyd West); Roger Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnorshire).

Welsh MPs who voted against the Bill: Chris Bryant (Lab, Rhondda); Martin Caton (Lab, Gower); Ann Clwyd (Lab, Cynon Valley); Wayne David (Lab, Caerphilly); Geraint Davies (Lab, Swansea West); Jonathan Edwards (Plaid, Carmarthen East & Dinefwr); Chris Evans (Lab, Islwyn); Paul Flynn (Lab, Newport West); Dr Hywel Francis (Lab, Aberavon); Nia Griffith (Lab, Llanelli); Peter Hain (Lab, Neath); David Hanson (Lab, Delyn); Dai Havard (Lab, Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney); Huw Irranca-Davies (Lab, Ogmore); Siân James (Lab, Swansea East); Susan Elan Jones (Lab, Clwyd South); Ian Lucas (Lab, Wrexham); Alun Michael (Lab, Cardiff South & Penarth); Mrs Madeleine Moon (Lab, Bridgend); Jessica Morden (Lab, Newport East); Paul Murphy (Lab, Torfaen); Albert Owen (Lab, Ynys Môn); Chris Ruane (Lab, Vale of Clwyd); Nick Smith (Lab, Blaenau Gwent); Owen Smith (Lab, Pontypridd); Mark Tami (Lab, Alyn & Deeside); Hywel Williams (Plaid, Arfon).

Welsh MPs who didn’t vote: Kevin Brennan (Lab, Cardiff West); Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid, Dwydfor Meirionydd); Jenny Willott (Lib Dem, Cardiff Central); Mark Williams (Lib Dem, Ceredigion).

If your MP voted for the cuts, why not contact them to ask why they support cutting your redundancy rights? And if they voted against the changes, you might want to write to congratulate them. Contact details are available here.

PCS and Unison forge alliance to fight cuts

PCS and our sister union, UNISON, together representing 1.7 million workers, have pledged to forge a powerful alliance to fight back against the coalition government's cuts to jobs and services. The unions are joining forces to campaign, co-ordinate and, where possible, take action in unity and support of each other. As the government’s assault on the public sector threatens the livelihoods of 750,000 public sector workers, the unions will campaign together to build support for a realistic alternative to the cuts agenda. Some of the joint activities taking place in Wales are listed under ‘Diary of Events’ below.

Diary of events

There are already a number of events being organised, in most major towns and cities, to start building the resistance to the government’s cuts. In some of these, PCS is directly involved, while in others the initiative has come from elsewhere but we encourage our members to go along and give their support. The list below provides details of events coming up in Wales over the next couple of months. All are public meetings unless otherwise specified.

12th September: National Shop Stewards’ Network lobby at TUC conference, Manchester, to call for a national demonstration against the cuts. A coach will be leaving Cardiff from the National Museum steps at 7.00 am. For further details and to book a seat, contact Katrine Williams, email: cardiffctuc@googlemail.com

15th September: Launch of ‘Swansea against the Cuts’, organised by Swansea Trades Council, 7.30 pm at the Unitarian Church, 238 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NZ. Further details from Ronnie Job, email: ron.job@sky.com.

16th September: ‘Right to Work Campaign (South Wales)’, 7.30 – 9.00 pm at South Riverside Community Centre, Brunel Street, Cardiff CF11 6ES. Further details from Marianne Owens, email: marianneowens@hotmail.co.uk.

16th September: ‘Save Firefighters' Jobs in Maesteg’, 7.00 pm at Maesteg Harlequins, 25a Talbot Street, Maesteg CF34 9BW (corner of Talbot Street and Castle Street). Further details from Ross Saunders, email: floss.saunders@gmail.com

21st September: ‘Defend Public Services’, organised by Cardiff Trades Council, 7.00 pm at the Cardiff Bus Sport and Social Club, 59-61 Tudor Street, Cardiff CF11 6AD. Further details from Katrine Williams, email: cardiffctuc@googlemail.com

27th September: ‘North Wales Against the Cuts’ public meeting, organised by North Wales Shop Stewards’ Network, 7.30 pm at Wrexham Lager Social Club, 1 Union Road, Wrexham LL13 7SR. Further details from Eileen O'Reilly, email: brynidris2@aol.com.

29th September: Joint PCS / Unison activists’ meeting (TBC) and leafleting of Cardiff city centre. Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.

30th September: Merthyr Trades Council anti–cuts meeting, 7.00 pm at Merthyr Tydfil Labour Club, Court House, Court Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DU. Further details from Tommy Roberts, tel: 01685 359376.

3rd October: ‘Right to Work’ protest, 12.00 noon at the Tory party conference, central Birmingham. Coach travel available from South Wales. Further details from Marianne Owens, email: marianneowens@hotmail.co.uk.

7th October: PCS all-Wales Campaign Briefing for branch reps, 11.30 am – 3.00 pm at Transport House, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff Cf11 9SD. Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.

16th October: ‘Defend Public Services, We Won't Pay for the Crisis!’, Wales Shop Stewards Network conference, 11.00 am-4.00 pm at the Temple of Peace, King Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3AP. Further details from Katrine Williams, email: cardiffctuc@googlemail.com.

15-17th October: Lobby/demonstration outside Welsh Lib Dems conference, Brecon Castle Hotel, Castle Square, Brecon, Powys LD3 9DB (date/time etc tbc). Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.

19th October: TUC lobby at House of Commons. Coach transport from South Wales, via Carmarthen-Swansea-Bridgend and Cardiff-Newport. Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.

20th October: Lunchtime protest, in opposition to UK government spending cuts, at the Senedd, National Assembly, Cardiff Bay CF99 1NA, with trade union and political speakers. Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.

22nd October: ‘Turning the Tide’ anti-cuts rally, organised by Swansea Labour and trade union activists. Speakers include Mark Serwotka, Ed Miliband MP, Prof. Mark Drakeford, Edwina Hart AM. 7.00-10.00 pm at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea SA1 4PE. Further details from Bob Clay, email: bob.clay1@btinternet.com.

23rd October: Marches & rallies in Pontypridd and Wrexham (tbc). Further details from Jayne Smith, email: jaynes@pcs.org.uk.
 

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