Roll back the corrupting intersection between private accumulation and public service!‏

How’s that slogan for a variation on ‘people before profit’? Hard on the heels of the COSATU Congress the SACP has launched its 2009 Red October Campaign in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

Cardiff council and union set to clash over IT

Cardiff council UNISON is set for a showdown with senior officers over a controversial plan to bring in a private company to run the city’s IT department. UNISON has issued an ultimatum to the top brass at County Hall, saying: “Talk to us or you will lose our co-operation when you need it most.” http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/10/09/cardiff-council-and-union-set-to-clash-over-it-91466-24887966/

East Midlands region says - cut waste not services‏

UNISON's East Midlands region has launched a hard hitting campaign to save local government jobs and services. The first priority of a union in a recession is to defend the livelihoods of members. There is now added urgency as cuts proposals surface in all parts of the UK.

Bath and North Somerset: UNISON challenges outsourcing proposals‏

UNISON has expressed concern over draft proposals to outsource many services provided by Bath and North East Somerset Council (Banes). http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8299475.stm

Leeds refuse collectors dispute – GMB & UNISON unity in action

The Leeds refuse collectors dispute is about to enter its sixth week of continuous action. Today’s Morning Star reports on a strike rally held yesterday and addressed by GMB leader Paul Kenny:.

UNISON Active ANALYSIS: The Tories in Manchester- the Foul stench of Hypocrisy

Well after their conference in Manchester, one thing is perfectly clear. The Tories have a good conceit of themselves. They are fit for government, ready to be tested, and prepared for the way ahead. Every speech had some variation of that self reverential boasting.

Private caterers look forward to more contracting out‏

Caterers 'upbeat' with healthy portion of public sector work A multinational catering firm remains upbeat about its public sector work,despite the squeeze on government finances, reports LocalGov.co.uk

Johann Hari: Britain's not bust. So don't use it as an excuse to impose cuts

The move to slash public spending is based on a faulty reading of economics. "... we are about to dramatically slash our public spending – in a way that will cause real harm, rather than the phantasms conjured by Cameron", says Johnann Hari in the Independent.

Axe Trident & ID cards – public spending cuts waiting to happen - Ken Livingstone

An excellent analysis by Ken Livingstone, writing in the Guardian about the Conservative Party’s economic prospectus. “Public sector pay and pensions have literally nothing to do with the deterioration in public finances yet the Tories want to make them the scapegoats.”

NHS secretly wooed private firms over polyclinics‏

Revealed: NHS secretly wooed private firms over polyclinics 07 Oct 09 By Steve Nowottny Exclusive: The NHS secretly courted private companies at a series of high-level meetings to encourage them to compete for the new wave of polyclinics and GP-led health centres, Pulse can reveal. See Pulse