Sunday 27 September 2009

Civil Service Compensation Scheme (again)

In my opinion (see below) the Government are getting ready for job cuts and in order to make it cheaper they plan to cut the benefits payable top our members on redundancy.

Don't just sit by and let it happen - join the campaign.

Keep up to date by reading the PCS web site and e-mail a reply to the cabinet office.

See http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/cscs/ for details.

Job Losses

It looks like a government of any persuasion would be keen to see jobs cut in the public sector.

Conference season will see all the parties engaged in a bidding war to see who can sound most macho when it comes to public sector job cuts.

It seems to me that when in a recession with large numbers of people out of work that the last thing any government should be doing is putting more people out of work. This can only result in less tax being paid, less money being spent to buy goods and services and more being spent on benefits.

This doesn't even take into account the fact that more people need public services when the economy is not doing well.

The councils are already getting in on the act - Leicestershire are planning to cut heavily which will deprive the poor of services while the better off will be even better off by not having to pay any increase in council tax.

We need to stand up for public services, not just for selfish reasons (our jobs) but for selfless ones. We really do make a difference to people's lives.

Friday 18 September 2009

Civil Service Compensation Scheme

The Government intends to tear up the longstanding agreement on compensation.

The cynical amoungst us may think that this is just to save money when making lots of civil servants redundant.

Please check out the PCS web site for details http://www.pcs.org.uk/

Women Chainmaker's Festival

I was lucky to attend the festival last Saturday at the Black Country Living Museum.

The weather was fabulous and there were stalls, a march in period costume and a full programme of entertainment as well as the museum to look round.

The festival is to remember a group of women chainmakers in Cradely Heath in 1910 who went on strike to enforce a minimum wage. The tale of exploited women workers in sweat shops makes me think how little has changed.

It also shows that organised workers in active trade unions can make real achievements if we stand together.

It is a great day out for adults or families.

Try and attend next year

Updating the blog

It's not much of a blog if no one posts so I had better pull my finger out.

Summer is nearly over & I have had my leave so it is time to face the chalenges ahead.

I will make every effort to post regularly so keep checking back.