London protest round-up

Westminster

HUNDREDS of trade union members, community groups, service users and agricultural workers descended on Old Palace Yard, Westminster last Wednesday 9th February, prior to lobbying their MPs.
They included agricultural workers representing thousands of public servants, all set to lose their jobs when the Government pushes through its reforms.
They urged their MPs to stand up against the coalition government’s so-called “public service reform” in the form of the Public Bodies bill.
The union Unite says that bodies as diverse as the Agricultural Wages Board, the UK Arts Council, the Forestry Commission and advice services all have a vital role in underpinning public life.
The union believes that sweeping these bodies away, in this manner, is an act of political vandalism which will shut ordinary people out of the decision-making process.


Wandsworth

PROTESTERS besieged Wandsworth Town hall in south-west London last Wednesday 9th February to protest at cuts that include the closure of a very popular library, cuts of £600,000 to the Sure Start scheme, a 15 per cent cut in technical services, the withdrawal of age-related service concessions and increases for care for disabled children.
The schools repair and rebuilding scheme also faces drastic cuts and £165,000 is to be cut from services for children with mental health and learning needs – with nurses, therapists and admin workers losing their jobs.
The protesters pointed out that Wandsworth is a wealthy borough with £105 million in reserve and has no need to make cuts that wreck people’s lives.


Woolwich

A MARCH by Greenwich Council workers and unionists against cuts to public services and jobs will be held in Woolwich on 12th February.
Campaigners from Greenwich Save Our Services will march against proposed cuts to jobs, services and pay.
They say Greenwich Council’s plans to cull £67 million from its budgets is the “most devastating attack on our communities” for decades.
Paul Callanan said: “Now is the time to send a loud message to this Council. We will not accept these cuts. We call on the Council to get up off its knees, stop apologising and instead join with us, the people, the communities, the workers, students and the elderly and tell this Con-Dem government that we will not pay for this crisis, a crisis caused by bankers and financiers, a crisis of a system where profit comes before people.
“The tragedy is that these cuts are not necessary.”
The march through the town centre will start at 11.30am from Riverside House.