FBU take campaign to the streets

Trades Council union reps joined FBU colleagues on Saturday to help with their campaign to save Downham and New Cross Fire Stations. The FBU toured the local area in their customised Fire Engine to enlist support of residents, using a PA, which played every fire related song you can think of!

The next stage of the campaign is the public meeting at on Monday 22/04/13 at 6:30pm at Downham Leisure Centre, Moorside Road, Bromley BR1 5EP 

Please attend and help plan the next stage of the campaign. And don't forget to log on, complete the consultation and tell Boris Johnson what we want: no fire station closures, no fire engines withdrawn and no job losses.   

Thank you Millwall FC

Thank you Millwall FC

On Saturday at Wembley on national television, Millwall FC showed that they are fully behind the campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital.

Their players warmed up for the FA Semi Cup Final, wearing t shirts emblazoned with the message "Save Lewisham Hospital A&E".

They also acknowledged the campaign banner, held up whenever any cameras came near. Well done Millwall and congratulations on a great cup run.
 

Benefit Sanctions row escalates

On Friday the Guardian newspaper (which has produced a series of articles about Welfare) published the article below. This details a leaked email confirming the existence of league tables ranking jobcentres activity in referring claimants for benefit to be sanctioned.

 

Ian Duncan-Smith quickly denied that targets are set for such referrals and his opposite number, Liam Byrne is demanding a parliamentary enquiry. PCS welcomes an enquiry. The union consistently challenges management about the so called Stricter Benefit Regime at every level. Jobcentreplus always deny that there are any targets or league tables for this work.

 

It is time for the truth.  

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/21/jobcentre-set-targets-benefit-sanctions

Jobcentre workers join PCS Budget Day Strike

 

PCS members at Lewisham and Forest Hill jobcentres were out on strike on Wednesday and will walk out again at 1pm on Friday 05/04/13 in a dispute about pay, conditions and pensions. All workers and benefit claimants are being attacked by the goverment, we have to pay more and get less. PCS members will continue to fight against this. 



Stop the Fire Station closures

Around 80 people attended a public meeting on Thursday 14/03/13 to discuss ways to work with the FBU to stop the propose closure  of 12 fire stations across London including New Cross and Downham stations.

A public consultation on the proposals runs to the end of May 2013. Everyone should respond to the consultation via www.saveourstations.org.uk and make sure they state that no fire stations should be closed, no appliances should be decommisioned and definately no job should be cut.

He Slashes, You Burn

Boris Johnson declined our invitation to address the meeting as he was too busy cutting public services. The meeting agreed to ensure people are leafleted and encouraged to attend the consultation meetings being arranged by the London Fire Authority to discuss plans with the public.

Campaign continues

Since Thursday, we have leafleted those attending the Born in Lewisham Hospital Event on Staurday 16/03/13. We are planning further activities including a demonstrtion against the closures. The FBU have arranged  a meeting for Downham Fire Station on Monday 22/04/13. More details to follow.

Please support the campaign and continue to help us fight all cuts

 

Save Lewisham Fire Stations: public meeting 14/03/13

Lewisham Trades Council have organised a public meeting to help the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) campaign against proposed closures of New Cross and Downham Fire stations. Details as follows:

Thursday 14th March 7:30pm (refreshments from 7pm)

Barnes Wallis Centre, 74 Wild Goose Drive SE14 5LL
(off Queens Road, rear of New Cross Fire Station)

Speakers: Simon Chapman (FBU) Len Duvall (GLA) Paul Bell (local councillor) Tony Reay (Lewisham Trades Council)

Please come along and find out what you can do to help.

Trades Council delegates should note that the trades council meeting on 14/03/13 has been cancelled in favour of this meeting