Our own UK Government's plan to decimate public services, attack some of the most vulnerable people in our communities by reducing welfare benefit, and of course the scandalous marginalisation of young people is being shown not to be a viable economic or political strategy, and must be challenged.
The work of the Northern Public Service Alliance in bringing trade unions, community voluntary sector groups, young people and other campaigning organisations together is essential in these times.
Francis O'Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, made an impassioned speech which reminded us that the Coalition Government have no democratic mandate for the austerity measures they are imposing. The growing inequality in society shown by the recent pay results showing that the richest people were awarded a 49% increase. The Government are trying to underestimate the strength of the response from public sector workers against their proposals to attack pensions, but the reality is that public sector union after union are announcing majority votes for strike action on 30 November.
James Imhoof, UNISON Young activist, spoke about his experience as a young worker public sector worker in the North East, a region where 1:3 jobs are in the public sector, and the highest rate of young people's unemployment. He spoke about the impact of the Coalition Government's policies on young people, having withdrawn the Future Jobs Fund, having done away with Connexions whose whole purpose was to help young people into work, and the raising of tuition fees which is making it difficult for ordinary young people to go to university.
He reminded the meeting this is all at a time when organisations such as Vodafone have been let of the hook with their £4.2 billion tax bill which could have funded vital public services. James ended by urging everyone in the infamous words of Bob Marley to 'get up, stand up, stand up for your rights'.
Chris Baugh, Assistant General Secretary, PCS, paid tribute to the Northern Public Service Alliance and said it shows what can be achieved. Talking about the importance and relevance of international trade unionism and solidarity he outlined the impact of neoliberalism across the world.
In Countries around the globe the growing gap between the rich and poor is growing, and Government's responses is to try to make working class people pay a higher price to pay off a deficit which was not of their making. It is Banker's who are continuing business as usual with bonus payments amounting to more than £7billion, which could have funded public services.
The Government's attempt to rob public sector workers of their pensions is scandalous, and the response to build the biggest day of strike action on 30 November is tremendous. The opposition to the Government's policies is growing, seeing trade unions coming together, the Occupy movement, the young people who replicated the Jarrow march. This shows that there is growing support for an alterntive to the Government's austerity measures, and that is why events such as this one organised by the Northern Public Services Alliance is so important.
The rally ended with a call for everyone to get involved in promoting an alternative economic, social and political vision for our communities and society - we are the majority and we need to organise against this Government and their attacks on trade unions, and working class people, but together we can win.
For commentary on the event click here:
Clare Williams http://bit.ly/tzm9u9
Paul Clays http://bit.ly/uequoy