A 'COMMUNITY Conference' is planned for October 22 at Birmingham Union Club. seeks to unite providers and users of public services in a campaign of resistance to further government cuts.
Tens of millions have been taken from the City Council by central government over the last fifteen years. Attacks on local democracy and on the workforce, through compulsory competitive tendering, have continued relentlessly. Despite current government weakness, more are threatened.
It is high time to re-create a Early days in the Parkside camp spirit of resistance: the best way is to build unity.
Sponsorship has already come from UCATT, UNISON, NUJ and the NUT. Several Labour Party wards have added support and more are expected. If the Trades Council and District Labour Party agree sponsorship the local labour movement can really swing behind this conference.
So far the focus for the campaign has been council services, but the last planning meeting decided to widen the scope of the conference to include the crisis in the local NHS. Residents, pensioners, community groups and the voluntary sector are being contacted.
Of course only widespread industrial action can halt attacks on public services. But the prospect of such action is brought closer by uniting all those on the receiving end of Tory policy. It will help cut into the divide and rule policies of CCT, 'purchasers, "sellers' and 'charters', allied to new management techniques.
The Community Conference initiative originated from Birmingham Socialist Campaign Group but the intention is for it to take on a life of its own as a democratic, united and dynamic body.
• Planning meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, except for June, which will be on the 8th at 7.30pm in the Union Club. NEIGHBOURHOOD Ladywood AICE OFF