Many groups and unions were invited to democratically discuss how to build opposition to the savage cuts being implemented to public services. Activists from NIPSA, Unite, Socialist Party, Workers Party, Socialist Workers Party, Save Mid-Ulster Hospital amongst others attended the meeting. Messages of support from the teachers union INTO and the Fire Brigades Union were announced to the meeting.
It was agreed that all cuts must be opposed and to counter the argument from Stormont Ministers that certain services should be prioritised, while others must be cut. This is a conscious attempt to divide workers into an argument over where cuts should be made. Likewise, it is also important to unite public and private sector workers against the cuts which will have a devastating knock-on impact on the private sector.
It was agreed to support proposals from the NIC-ICTU Jobs and Services Committee to hold a protest at Stormont to send a clear message to the politicians carrying out cuts as well as holding a Stop the Cuts city centre protest for workers to participate in. The meeting decided to support plans currently being discussed by NIC-ICTU to call major demonstrations in October after the announcement of major cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The Alliance will establish a federal structure where all affiliated groups are represented in order to democratically build the campaign. If you or your group / union / branch would like to affiliate to the Stop the Cuts Alliance, e-mail: stopthecutsni@gmail.com
Just days after announcing annual profits of £357million, Capita is set to sack another 84 workers in Belfast. Capita, which has major contracts with the NI civil service and the BBC, once employed 450 workers, but after this latest round of job losses, only 75 will remain at its base in Clarendon Dock.
Across the world capitalism has been squandering enormous wealth and resources to serve the greed of the speculating MEGA-rich. War, poverty, starvation and the destruction of our planet’s resources are happening to line the pockets of bankers, bosses and politicians.
Britain has been ‘Con Dem-ned’ to a future of savage attacks on public services, pay, pensions and benefits combined with tax increases for working and middle-class people.
Workers at La Senza lingerie outlet that has just announced the closure of all its operations in Ireland have occupied the shop in Liffey Valley, with La Senza workers from throughout Dublin joining to assist the sit-in.