WITH THE TORY government on the run over pit closures now is the time for workers in the public sector to join forces to defeat Tory plans for pay freezes, cuts and privatisation.
The fightbacks going on in local government, the NHS, education and other public services need to be co-ordinated and given mutual support.
This is the best way to turn militant but isolated disputes into a wave of action capable of halting Tory plans to demolish the public sector. Council workers Council workers in authorities up and down the country from Sheffield to Islington are striking to save jobs and defend services from savage cuts.
But co-ordinated action is needed in response to the growing national problem of cash-starved local authorities hacking back vital services.
The Department of the Environment is expected to be the biggest loser in the government's next round of public spending cuts -meaning millions more pounds will be slashed from • next year's council budgets.
Council tax capping will prevent councils raising more finance from the tax so the inevitable result will be services slashed and thousands more workloads and demoralisation for those who have remained.
While front line NHS staff lose their jobs and see conditions attacked, what was once the cheapest and most efficient health care system in the world is now a mushrooming and expensive bureaucracy with the pay bill for the growing layer of NHS managers and administrators rising by 900% in the last five years.
The Tomlinson report, due in the next few weeks, is set to recommend closure of some of London's prestigious teaching hospitals - axing thousands of jobs - whilst waiting lists in the capital continue to grow.
Health unions have already taken strike action over jobs: this must be stepped up. Time for railworkers to hit the road Teachers In education teachers are being told future pay rises will be awarded solely by 'performance' and be at the mercy of governors. FEELING.