Manchester 30 November 2011 Strikers, pickets and protest !

Watch a video of the 30 November protest
here.

NEWSLETTER November 2011 (No. 5)

Here is the fifth issue of our newsletter.  If you would like copies to distribute to friends, at work, church or in the pub call 07817434240, email salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com or print copies yourself (click on each page and select Print...). If you would like to contribute something for the next issue send before Monday 5th December, by email or to  Salford Against the Cuts, c/o Salford UNISON Offices, 445 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 9UQ

Bexley Square Anniversary

1^st October 1931: the date when 10 000 unemployed in Salford stood up for their rights, and were battered by police for having the temerity to do so.

At the time working class areas of Britain were in revolt against the cuts being made by the National Government of Ramsay McDonald.  A fortnight earlier the Atlantic fleet had mutinied at Invergordon, and huge working class demonstrations were taking place in Glasgow, London, Manchester and smaller towns in the run-up to the vote in Parliament.

Organised by the local branch National Unemployed Workers Movement the march left Liverpool Street with the intention of demonstrating outside the Salford City Council meeting in the Town Hall in Bexley Square, where a deputation would meet the mayor to put the demands of the movement.  Instead, they were ambushed by police on foot and on horseback swinging batons; twelve arrests were made and five NUWM leaders received prison sentences.

Eighty years on the parallels with 1931 are striking: then as now, the capitalists were trying to offload the cost of a crisis which was not of their making onto working people; the government cut the salaries of teachers and civil servants, the very groups whose pensions are under attack today; and it was all done in the name of a National – or Coalition – government, just to show how ‘we are all in the same boat’.  This should not surprise us – until we rid ourselves of their rule, the capitalists will resort time and again to these attacks.

We remember and salute the sacrifices of a previous generation.  Our May Day protest this year took place in the Square, and our feeder march on 2^nd October paused to commemorate the Battle, eighty years and one day after it happened.  Pressure from SAC has ensured that a plaque will soon adorn the Town Hall to mark the day 10 000 marched in Salford.

If you want to know more, read Edmund and Ruth Frow’s account ‘The Battle of Bexley Square’, available from the Working Class Movement Library, price £2.  This is the definitive account by a participant.  Also available is the Salford Socialist Party’s pamphlet ‘The Battle of Bexley Square – fighting cuts and unemployment in the 1930s’, which attempts to relate those events to the present day struggle against the  cuts.  Priced at £2 or £3 solidarity price it is available from Paul Gerrard at pgerrard2001@yahoo.co.uk

Greater Manchester TUC Pre-Strike Rally and Fundraiser

Called and supported by GMATUC, Salford TUC, Salford City Unison,
Salford Against Cuts and a host of other union branches and campaign groups.

ALL MONEY RAISED WILL GO TO THE NORTH WEST PENSIONERS CONVENTION
 
3 Course Meal, music, entertainment and guest speakers from the striking unions.

 BOOK YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE - THEY ARE SELLING FAST!!!

In order to bring workers and service users together before the Day of Action on 30^th November, Greater Manchester TUC is hosting an evening of food, music, entertainment and discussion on Thursday 17^th November. We want to create as much support as possible for the action on the 30^th as well as raiding funds for a cause that directly relates to what we are fighting for. The cause of pensioners and the cause of a decent retirement with dignity and enjoyment.
 
Please come down and show your support on what should be a fantastic evening.

Thursday 17th of November, 7.00pm.
Saffron Restaurant,
Cheetham Hill,
107 Cheetham Hill Road,
Manchester,
M8 8PY 
0161 834 1222 ‎ 
saffronuk.com

£8 Unemployed/Low waged/Student
£15 Waged
£20 Solidarity

Candle Lit Vigil

Wednesday 14th September 2011
8pm
Lancaster House
Lancaster Road
Salford, M6

The residents of Lancaster House (a training and resettlement centre which provides temporary accommodation for single men who are in need of housing with support) invite you to join them in a candlelit vigil on Wednesday 14th September 2011, at 8pm. The venue Lancaster House, Lancaster Road, Salford, M6. There is a large car park to the rear of the building.

I am sure you are aware that Salford Council has withdrawn the funding to Lancaster House and the building will close on 30th September 2011 unless the campaign can get the council to overturn their decision.

Closure of Lancaster House will mean that 38 vulnerable men, some experiencing mental health illness and all with complex needs will potentially be made homeless.

Show your Support.

Please, please, please give up a couple of hours of your time to show your support for these guys, who I know will really appreciate your efforts. After which you can return to your warm and cosy homes, something they well might not be able to do, come 1st October 2011.

The residents and staff will provide refreshments and of course candles! Please spare your time.

The Residents and staff of Lancaster House need your support!

Despite the decision taken by Councillor Connor, Salford's Lead Member for Housing last week to close Lancaster House, the Campaign goes on.

Those involved in the Campaign held a meeting tonight to discuss the next steps. In addition to a legal challenge, the Campaign will be looking to organise further demos and events in the coming six weeks in the hope that the Council will change its mind before 30th September when the funding is withdrawn. For the sake of £190,000 per year, the Council may end up condemning 38 people to homelessness. We need to change their minds!

What can you do?

There will be demos and protests coming up that you can join in with, but for the time being we are asking you to do two very simple things:

1. Please go online and sign the petition. Over 8,000 names have already gone to Salford Council and to Downing Street, but the more they have the better. You can find the peitition at - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savelancasterhouse/

2. Email your Councillor and ask them to make sure this decision is "Scrutinised". Any decision made by the Council (unless it has been debated by the Full Council - which this hasn't) can be "scrutinised" by the relevant Committee. In this case that would be the Sustainable Regeneration Scrutiny Committee. They can make a decision that an issue should be debated by Full Council i.e. all the Councillors rather than a select few.

The Save Lancaster House Campaign is hoping to get the decision debated at the next Full Council meeting on 25th September, but in order for that to happen we need councillors to ask for it to be scrutinised and we need to ask them to do that.

I have copied the emails I have just sent  below in case you're not sure what to write. It does come across better if you personalise it, so please just use these as an idea. You can find the email address and phone numbers for your elected councillors at - http://www.salford.gov.uk/findyourcouncillors.htm

Thanks,

Steven North
Secretary, Salford Against the Cuts

Template Emails

Email to Ward Councillors

Dear Councillor (insert name of Councillor)

As my elected councillor I would like to ask you to request that the decision taken by Councillor Connor, Lead Member for Housing to withdraw funding for Lancaster House be brought to the next Sustainable Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 5th September.

 My grounds for this request are as follows:

- the closure of Lancaster House will have an entirely negative effect on those people who currently reside there and those who may need the service in the future, who must be considered amongst the most vulnerable people in Salford;

- in my view discussions taking place on this important issue should have been open to the public; the people of Salford expect the most vulnerable members of the community to be properly cared for, and in this respect I believe the council has failed to represent the wishes of the community

- since the council has a legal obligation of care to such vulnerable people, this decision could result in Salford City Council being taken to High Court; if the High Court then support a Judicial Review, this could cost the Council £50,000 that could be avoided if the High Court can be avoided. As a council tax payer I would see this as a waste of public funds.


 I hope you can help with this request.

 Yours,

(name and address)

===========================================

Email to Councillor Dawson - Chair of the Sustainable Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (Councillor.Dawson@salford.gov.uk)

Dear Councillor Dawson

I would like to ask that the decision taken by Councillor Connor, Lead Member for Housing to withdraw funding for Lancaster House be brought to the next Sustainable Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 5th September.

My grounds for this request are as follows:

- the closure of Lancaster House will have an entirely negative effect on those people who currently reside there and those who may need the service in the future, who must be considered amongst the most vulnerable people in Salford;

- in my view discussions taking place on this important issue should have been open to the public; the people of Salford expect the most vulnerable members of the community to be properly cared for, and in this respect I believe the council has failed to represent the wishes of the community

- since the council has a legal obligation of care to such vulnerable people, this decision could result in Salford City Council being taken to High Court; if the High Court then support a Judicial Review, this could cost the Council £50,000 that could be avoided if the High Court can be avoided. As a council tax payer I would see this as a waste of public funds.

 I hope that this decision can be subject to proper scrutiny.

 Yours,

(name and address)

===========================================

Email to Scrutiny email address at Salford Council (scrutiny.support@salford.gov.uk)

Hi

I would like to ask that the decision taken by Councillor Connor, Lead Member for Housing to withdraw funding for Lancaster House be brought to the next Sustainable Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 5th September.

My grounds for this request are as follows:

- the closure of Lancaster House will have an entirely negative effect on those people who currently reside there and those who may need the service in the future, who must be considered amongst the most vulnerable people in Salford;

- in my view discussions taking place on this important issue should have been open to the public; the people of Salford

- since the council has a legal obligation of care to such vulnerable people, this decision could result in Salford City Council being taken to High Court; if the High Court then support a Judicial Review, this could cost the Council £50,000 that could be avoided if the High Court can be avoided. As a council tax payer I would see this as a waste of public funds.

 I hope that this decision can be subject to proper scrutiny.

 Yours,

(name and address)

Save Lancaster House

"Lancaster House Under Threat - Please Show YOUR Support & Sign this petition - Thank You so much! 

On the 17th of June, Positive Lifestyles received news that Supporting People were recommending to Salford City Council that funding should be withdrawn for Lancaster House.  Salford Council will be making its decision in the afternoon of Monday 1st August. There will be a March and Demo on that day. Please come along and join in. If this decision is put through the council, Lancaster House will close on the 30th September resulting in 38 Service Users back out into uncertainty and 14 members of staff out of work. The service users have begun the campaign to save our home and are working non-stop not just to save the roof over our heads but a safe place for future generations of Salford residents. This has involved speaking to the press and also lobbying MP's and Councillors. We will not stop until we have firm guarantees from the council that our home is safe and that this vital service will remain open to us and also to the people of Salford. If you wish to support the campaign or hear the latest news we would love to hear from you, you can join our Twitter or Facebook pages or please e-mail me david.allum@hotmail.co.uk. We will save our home and we will save this successful service."


David Allum Chairman - Lancaster House Peer Group & Service User

SALFORD CASH FOR MEDIACITYUK BUT NOT FOR HOMELESS - Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

March to The Civic Centre - Leaves Lancaster House, 

7 - 11 Lancaster Road, Salford, M6 8AQ at 10:30am, 1st August

Demonstrate at The Civic Centre - Noon

All Quiet on the Salford Front?

Since the Council passed £42 million worth of cuts in March, things have been a bit quieter than perhaps many of us expected. We have seen hundreds of Council workers take voluntary redundancy, we've seen the devastating loss of Connexions services and we've seen service reductions in some areas. However, many are surprised that things haven't been worse.

SAC supporters and officers are keeping a regular eye on the newspapers, the internet and most importantly the records of Council meetings and while we accept that things haven't been as bad as we expected, we are regrettably confident that will change in the coming months. The simple explanation for this is that the Council is struggling to save the money it needs to save through the "softer" options it has tried to implement. The language of the Council leaders about the possibility of compulsory redundancies is changing all the time. While they were confident in the first instance that compulsory redundancies could be avoided, a few months on they seem a lot less sure. We also know that further service cuts will be proposed. Those who have read Thursday 30th June's Advertiser will have seen that there are plans to close Lancaster House, a hostel for homeless people that currently shelters up to 40 vulnerable men. This proposed closure comes at a time when housing benefit is being slashed and people are losing their jobs in a city that already suffers a severe lack of affordable housing. We have already written to Lancaster House to offer our support in fighting the proposed closure.

We have to remain vigilant because until this rotten Government is kicked out - in fact for many of us, until this rotten system is overturned - the cuts will carry on coming. SAC will be using the summer to build on the community work we have already done. We're proud Salfordians and we believe that proper public services are the best way to ensure that vital needs are met, and that's why we'll be ready to fight for any of those services when they are threatened. If you would like to help us, please get in touch.

Youth Service and Education open meeting

7pm, Thursday 7th July

THE RED LION, 296 Chorley Road, 
SWINTON, M27 9UW

(NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE)

Last December saw unprecedented movements of young people up and down the country, against the withdrawal of Educational Maintenance Awards and the tripling of students fees.

Salford against Cuts activists are very concerned about the impact of government cuts on young people in Salford, 3500 of whom are currently dependent on the EMA which for many will disappear in September or be drastically reduced.

We intend to explore sporting and musical events to raise awareness, and perhaps also a media project for young people to document the effect of the cuts on them.

NEWSLETTER July 2011 (No. 3)

Here is the third issue of our newsletter.  If you would like copies to distribute to friends, at work, church or in the pub call 07817434240, email  salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com or print copies yourself (click on each page and select Print...). If you would like to contribute something for the next issue send before Monday 29th August by email or to 1 Lynwood Avenue, Eccles, M300UH.

Salford Workers Strike Against Government Attacks

On 30th June, teachers, lecturers and civil servants across Salford took industrial action to defend their pension schemes, their jobs and the services they provide. Nationally, the PCS, UCU, NUT and ATL staged the widest industrial action to have faced the ConDem Government yet. Across the country 6,000 schools were closed for the day, with another 5,000 only partially open. Salford Against the Cuts was proud to support them.

As we explained in last month's newsletter, we see the trade unions as having a key role in challenging this Government's cuts agenda. The ultimate power of any worker is their ability to withdraw their labour. When we don't work nothing gets done and the Government - and more importantly, we ourselves - are reminded of who this country depends upon the most. For 364 days of the year, these workers are disregarded, told they don't matter and expected to live on less money with worse terms and conditions. Yet, when they strike they are accused of holding the country to ransom by preventing the delivery of "vital services". Well if these services are so "vital" why not reward those who provide them properly. Would any of us really notice if stock brokers went on strike for a day??

Of course, we do not believe that unions should simply focus on issues that directly affect their members - we believe they have a valuable role to play in standing up for services and working class communities. The trade unionists we spoke to felt the same way. One PCS worker, we met on the picket line, told us "we will not be ashamed of ourselves because we are prepared to fight for a decent retirement, free from poverty, but we see this action as about more than that. It is about saying to the Government that ordinary people should not be forced to pay for a crisis we didn't create. We should not have to see our pensions cut, but nor should we have to see our libraries, our youth centres or our care homes close. We fought to get those things in the past and now we have to fight to keep them."

Many SAC supporters visited the picket lines before work and attended the 5000 strong Strike Rally in Manchester City Centre in the early afternoon. In the evening we jointly hosted a Fundraiser with Salford Trades Council at Saffron Restaurant on Cheetham Hill Road to raise awareness of the dispute, raise some cash and provide everybody, particularly those who had been on strike with a good evening. 

We began the evening with a few speeches from those who had taken action on the day. Jane Warburton, PCS member with HM Revenue & Customs and Chair of PCS North West Young Members Network rightly explained how the Government were misleading the public about the cost of public sector pensions. As PCS General Secretary, Mark Serwotka had been explaining on the news all day, public sector pensions are set to get more affordable than they are now, not more expensive. Once again, we were seeing the ConDems confusing their own selfish ideology with economic facts. Roy Wilkes, NUT Rep at Prestwich Arts College talked of the need to broaden the action so that the Government is faced with even more workers resisting their attacks in Autumn. Finally, Clayton Doyle of the Anti-Academies Alliance talked of the need to link industrial action with the fight against the privatisation of education. 

We then ate some of Saffron's wonderful food and were treated to a fantastic performance from Mississippi Soulman Malcolm McBride. Everybody had a fantastic evening and we were able to raise £150 to split between SAC and Street Meet, a charity that provides food and support to homeless people in Manchester. Special thanks go to Saffron owner Adeeb for allowing us to use his lovely restaurant for the evening and for not making a penny out of the whole event! 

SAC will continue to support anybody or any group that is committed to fighting the cuts. The next time the workers feel they need to take to the picket lines we'll be with them!

Support the Unions on the 30th June - Support Salford Against the Cuts

Most of you will already be aware that teaching unions ATL and NUT, as well as Civil Service Union PCS and University and College Union UCU will be taking strike action on Thursday 30th June. Those unions will be striking not only against attacks on public sector pensions, but attacks on all public services. Salford Against the Cuts supports their action and is encouraging everybody to do the same.

There are two key ways you can do this:

1. Picket Lines

Visit your local school, college, university, court, tax office or job centre in the morning and say hello to those on the picket lines. Trade Unions are an important part of the anti-cuts movement and they have the strength to make the Government listen. The action they take on 30th June is for all of us fighting against cuts, whether they be to jobs or services. If you're not sure where to go maybe come down to Salford Magistrates Court where we know the Salford City UNISON banner will be between 8 and 9am.

2. Strike Rally

The main strike rally for Greater Manchester will begin at 11:30am at All Saints Park, Oxford Road, Manchester. There will be a march of the workers on strike and many supporters. After the march there will be a rally with various speakers. The bigger the march and rally the bigger the coverage in the papers and on the news. If you can make it along please do so.

For more information see the www.j30strike.org website.

SAC Supports Striking Workers

On 30th June, teachers and civil servants look set to strike against attacks on their pensions, job cuts and attacks on services. Salford Against the Cuts supports their action and is encouraging everybody opposed to cuts to stand with these workers.

What does defending pensions have to do with fighting cuts?

The media can present a narrow view of public sector workers striking to defend final salary pension schemes that most private sector workers no longer enjoy. The wider public might ask, why – when cuts to public services are taking place – are these workers disrupting the services they provide to defend something that only affects them?

This action is about more than pensions. It is about all attacks on working people and in our view there is nothing wrong with workers taking action to defend pensions as part of that struggle. One of the most important things we have had to fight for in the past was the right to a decent retirement and that is now under attack. The average pension to a civil servant last year was £7000 – compare that to the pension of Fred “The Shred” Goodwin who, after insisting that the tax-payer bail-out Royal Bank of Scotland retired on a pension of £342,500 a year.

Why support strike action?

The principle weapon working people have against attacks on our standards of living is our collective strength and, ultimately the ability to withdraw our labour. Everyday we go to work and our labour generates profits for private companies, or – in the case of the public sector – we ensure that vital services are made available to those who need them. When we stop working we remind the employer and the Government that they need us and therefore need to listen to us. We don’t do it lightly (workers don’t get paid when they’re on strike), but sometimes it’s the only thing that works.

Workers must stand with service users and community campaigners when services are threatened (whether or not those workers are threatened). Equally, we should all stand by workers who have been forced into striking to defend what they hold dear – the right to a decent retirement that is not plagued by poverty.

We encourage all supporters of SAC to get down to your local school or civil service picket line on the 30th. Striking is not much fun and the pickets will be glad to see you.

On the evening of the 30th, Salford Against the Cuts, along with Salford TUC will be holding a post-strike rally at Saffron Restaurant on Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester from 7pm. We will have speakers from the different unions and at 8pm we will be serving excellent Saffron food at a price of £8 for those who are unwaged, or have been striking that day and £15 for everybody else. After the meal after-dinner entertainment will be provided by Mississippi Soulman, Malcolm McBride – www.mississippisoulman.com.
All proceeds will be split between Salford Against the Cuts and Street Meet, a charity run by Saffron owner Adeeb, which provides food and support for homeless people in Manchester and Salford.
Hope to see you there.

NEWSLETTER June 2011 (No. 2)

Here is the second issue of our newsletter.  If you would like copies to distribute to friends, at work, church or in the pub call 07817434240, email salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com or print copies yourself (click on each page and select Print...). If you would like to contribute something for next month's issue send before Monday 27th June by email or to 1 Lynwood Avenue, Eccles, M300UH.

Benefit Concert -- 27 May at Islington Mill

The inaugural Salford Against the Cuts gig took place last Friday and by all accounts lived up to the promise of the eclectic line-up and hard work already put in by all involved to make it happen.

Irma Vep played a tight blend of crunching guitars and catchy vocals and were well received by the steadily filling room. 

Horses, a two piece with a similar vibe to the White Stripes and vocals that sounded akin to the Kings of Leon amongst others were next up and blasted through quick songs at breakneck pace.

 

Class Actions showcased the night’s diversity in its best fashion, with their politically charged themes and a display embodied by passion for the words they rhymed; it showed Class Actions to be a prime example of the platform this gig was trying to create.

Death to the Strange

Death to the Strange are already making big noises on the North West music scene and from this display it is easy to see why. Their brand of Brit-pop is reminiscent of a bygone era but there sounds are no nostalgic trip into the 1990’s. Death to the Stranges sound is just as vital and current as their earlier contemporaries. For 30 minutes they captivated all in attendance and left the stage to rapturous applause.

 

Trojan Horse

Bringing the night to its final culmination was Trojan Horse whose arrival upon the stage belied their namesake. They came with a reputation and boy did they live up to it. It is hard to make any comparisons as they play in a style and with a sound that’s unmistakably unique and only heard in their progressive rock songs. Think Isis meets Glassjaw with a diversion into the Smashing Pumpkins and you may get something that slightly resembles the band being championed as the ones to watch in the alternative music scene. Heads were nodding in appreciation as the boys ripped through a set that was as energetic and confident in its performance as the quality of the songs they were playing. 

The night was a huge success and the 100 plus in attendance helped raise over £500 for the cause with many staying and dancing well into the early hours at the hugely accommodating Islington Mill. Salford Against the Cuts would like to say a big thank you to all of the bands who played, all the people who came to watch and everyone who helped make the night so enjoyable.  We’ll see you at the next one!

Benefit Concert -- TONIGHT!

For more information or to help publicise this event please
see http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175750615808952
call 07817434240 or email salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com

Keep Salford A Fit City - Save Broughton Rec

Salford City Council has declared the Broughton Rec is no longer financially viable. Broughton Rec is on Camp Street, Lower Broughton, Salford. It could be facing closure at the end of this year. Broughton Against the Cuts is campaigning to keep the Rec under public control. It is a vital community resource and has a massively positive effect on the lives of many local people.

A community resource

Broughton Recreation Centre is currently under the control of Salford Community Leisure, a subsidiary of Salford City Council. Membership is cheap (£25 per month, unlimited access). With this membership, you can use any of the facilities at any leisure centre in Salford. Broughton Rec provides an essential place for all Salfordians to participate in loads of different activities. Martial Arts, Boxing, a Church, OAP clubs, kids clubs, hockey, squash, a computer skills learning centre, aerobics, a fully equipped gym, etc... It is a busy place, packed every evening with people from all walks of life having fun, and hanging out with friends.

The “Temple” under threat

The climbing hall is housed in Broughton Recreation Centre. an oasis of good vibes, making new friends and meeting new climbing partners is very easy. The Wall (aka The Temple) was masterfully created in 1991, using concrete and natural, by Bendcrete. Since then it has served many, many climbers of all levels and abilities. To its users, it is the best (indoor) crag in the country. It even has its own downloadable guidebook, with hundreds of classic problems and traverses. The climbing itself is amazing. Anyone in need of a perfect training venue for the nearby walls of Yorkshire and Peak limestone need look no further.

Check out the Broughton Power website and see just how amazing the wall really is. Better still, come to the wall and climb on it.

Stop the Closure

It was recently announced by Salford Community Leisure, that, due to government cuts in public spending, the centre will close in December 2011.

The Council is saying that they wish the centre to be run by sports group or the voluntary sector. Even if possible this is extremely dangerous as, if the enterprise fails, Salford Council will say they have a non-sustaining and unaffordable centre, either selling to a property developer or close the building.

We have already launched a campaign to keep the Centre and The Temple, under council control. This campaign can not only save the building but through your support it receives investment and continues to flourish. It continues to be a vital part of the Broughton community, a place of employment and climbers conitinue to go there and get strong.

We can win

In February this year, Manchester City Council announced that Levenshulme Swimming Baths was due for closure. After a successful three week campaign by users and locals, the decision was overturned. The swimming baths is still open and is receiving inward investment for improvements. So it is possible. For more information and to join The Broughton Against the Cuts campaign, text 0754542 5742, email broughtonagainstcuts@gmail.com, or become a member of our Facebook groups

What can you do:

Please support the campaign and email your protest of the council's declaration to the following individuals who will be responsible for making a final decision about our Rec.

Exec of Salford Community Leisure, STEVE HASSALL:  steve.hassall@scll.co.uk
Exec of Salford City Council:  BARBARA SPICER:  barbara.spicer@salford.gov.uk
Labour Councillor JOHN MERRY:  councillor.merry@salford.gov.uk
Labour Councillor CHARLIE MCINTYRE: councillor.mcintyre@salford.gov.uk

Or write to:
The Chief Exec, Salford City Council, Civic Centre, Swinton, Salford M27 5FJ

Security at Islington Flats

On 2^nd March Salford Council passed a budget which involved £40 million cuts to services. Since then many staff have left council employment but it isn’t always clear where the cuts are falling.

However, Salford Against the Cuts has unearthed yet another cut to frontline services. The residents of the tower blocks in Islington - Arthur Millwood Court and Canon Hussey Court - have revealed that the hours of their security guards are to be cut by half and instead of 24 hr cover there will be a security presence only between 12 noon and 12 midnight. 

Residents who have lived there for a good while have pointed out that in the 1970s the blocks were ‘mad places’ until the residents themselves agreed to pay extra for full-time security cover. One resident, speaking to SAC Community Officer and Ordsall Against the Cuts Organiser George Tapp, described anti-social noise, fights, break-ins, dog fights and fires in unoccupied flats. He feared that if the guards were removed it would go back to how it was.

Salford Against the Cuts will be organising with residents, tenants committees and unions to ensure the guards can continue to provide full 24 hour cover in the flats.

NEWSLETTER May 2011 (No. 1)

Here is the official first issue of our newsletter.  If you would like copies to distribute to friends, at work, church or in the pub call 07817434240, email salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com  or print copies yourself (click on each page and select Print...). If you would like to contribute something for next month's issue send before Monday 6th June by email or to 1 Lynwood Avenue, Eccles, M300UH.

Salford May Day Rally 2011, Bexley Square

For the first time in over a decade Salford People held a May Day Rally to celebrate the struggles of workers and ordinary people and discuss the struggles ahead. More than sixty people gathered in Bexley Square on Monday 2nd May, in front of the former Town Hall and Magistrates Courts. The weather was bright and blustery, and there were several stalls including one from the Working Class Movement Library. I came away with an armful of pamphlets.

This year is the eightieth anniversary of the "Battle of Bexley Square", when Salford workers tried to present a petition to their elected representatives on the council protesting the reduction of the dole at a time of economic hardship, but were beaten by horseback police (there is a brief video here or you can read Edmund and Ruth Frow's account).

Tony Flynn told the story of the battle, and drew parallels with the student protests in London at the end of last year. He spoke about his campaign for a plaque on the old town hall to commemorate the events. The council have in principle agreed to it, but refused to pay towards it. Steven North then announced that Salford Against the Cuts would do everything we could to see that on the Anniversary itself, October 1st, the plaque would be unveiled.

Others spoke about Salford university against the cuts, bringing students and lecturers together to fight, and about the crime of cuts to pensions. Alice Searle spoke passionately about the cuts to Education and the NHS -- "I was born at the start of the NHS, I don't want it to die before I do." Paul Kelly expressed his outrage at students beaten for demanding a better world.

Two speakers came from outside Salford. Ian Heyes from Wigan people against cuts stressed the importance of anti-cuts groups working together. Stuart Richardson from Birmingham against the cuts told how a region not known for activism or radicalism was seeing a growing anger and action against the current cuts.

Steven North closed with the news that due to campaigning by the people of Salford the council had decided to keep Ordsall Library open, reversing its decision to close it. This brought a cheer from the crowd, but with determination to continue to fight all cuts in Salford and Britain.

Video of the rally at Salfordonline

BBC report

May Day Rally

2pm, Monday 2nd May

 
Bexley Square, Salford

May Day has been celebrated internationally by working people for over a hundred years. It is the day we celebrate the victories of the past and look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the future. Salford is currently facing massive cuts in jobs and services and the impact of these cuts will be devastating for our city. We want to mark this year's May Day - this year being the 80th Anniversary of "The Battle of Bexley Square" - with a rally to bring together Salfordians, to celebrate our city and our heritage and to stand resolutely against cuts to our jobs, services and communities.

Campaign Stalls and Union Banners Welcome

 For more info please phone Steve North, Secretary on 07817434240 or email salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com.

 

Read Edmund and Ruth Frow's account of the National Unemployed Workers Movement's activities in Salford, its demonstration in 1931 against cuts in the dole, the subsequent battle with the police and aftermath.

Broughton Against the Cuts

Says

“Save Broughton Rec Centre”

KEEP SALFORD A FIT CITY!

Thursday 14th April, 6:30pm outside Broughton Rec, Camp Street, Broughton, Salford
 For more info please contact Paul Costello on 07787154131 or Steven North on 07817434240

Newsletter April 2011 (No. 0)

This is the first issue of a regular newsletter from Salford Against the Cuts. It was produced as a trial run, but the meeting on Monday night felt it would be useful to make it available. Please print out as many copies as you like to distribute to friends, at work, church or in the pub. If you click on each page you should then be able to print from your browser; right-click to save a copy.

The next issue will be printed in a reasonable quantity on 9th May for our next Organising meeting. You can get copies of it from us at the meeting or print it off from this website again. If you would like to submit anything for inclusion please send it to us at salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com or Salford Against the Cuts, c/o Salford Unemployed Centre, Liverpool Road, Eccles.

 

Save Broughton Rec Demo

Please check out this link to the Salford Star article on the Demo, Broughton Against the Cuts held last Thursday.
Thank you to everybody who came along and especially those who helped to build the Demo.
...And thanks as always to the Salford Star for the coverage.

http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=926

Salford Against the Cuts takes the fight to London

(Salford Against the Cuts supporters preparing to be picked up for London yesterday)

Nearly 40 SAC supporters were outside the Precinct yesterday morning at 6am ready to set-off for a long day in London. We had more people who support the campaign going on theri own union transport. Everybody agreed that it was a great day and we were all proud to be part of the half a million that stood up to defy this Government's attacks on communities, jobs and services.

Our next SAC meeting will be at Patricroft Working Men's Club at 7pm on Monday 4th April. Come down and help us plan how we take SAC forward after yesterday. In the meantime, don't forget to head down to Broughton Rec on Thursday for 5:30pm for the Broughton Against the Cuts protest against its closure.

Save Broughton Rec - Keep Salford a Fit City

Broughton Against the Cuts

Says

“Save Broughton Rec Centre”

KEEP SALFORD A FIT CITY!

Thursday 31st March, 5:30pm outside Broughton Rec, Camp Street, Broughton, Salford

Support the University and College Union (UCU)

Salford Against the Cuts is supporting the action being taken by UCU members this week. We agree with the UCU that attacks on their members are linked to the Government's wider attacks on higher education and we encourage all those opposed to cuts in Salford to head down to the picket lines from 7am on Thursday. The picket lines are at Crescent House, Maxwell Building, Peel Buolding, Clifford Whitworth Building and Faraday Building. The pickets will be glad to see you!

Below is a report of today's action from UCU member and SAC activist Bob Jeffery

Salford Uni Against Cuts were pleased to see so many people out in support of the UCU stike and pickets today (Tuesday 22nd of March). In addition to UCU lecturing staff and postgraduate UCU members, a number of students turned out to show their support (and this follows a poll by the University of Salford Student's Union
showing that 61% of those who voted backed the strike action being undertaken by their teachers). In addition to official UCU pickets outside all major teaching and administrative buildings, a lively demonstration was held outside of the University House. Leaflets were distributed and many pledges of support were given by passing staff, students and local Salford residents. Like many of those teaching at Salford, I am not a full-time contracted member of staff, but rather a casual worker who is paid on an hourly basis. Nevertheless, I have fully supported the strike action led by my union both because I believe that the attack on pay and conditions of academic staff is just one move by a government that seems intent on making ordinary working people pay for the mistakes of the super-wealthy (and this needs to be resisted on all fronts), but also because I believe such moves are part of a wider campaign targeted against higher education (as a public service) in the UK aimed at demoralising and marginalising those who actually deliver the courses, while concentrating power and privileges in the hands of small number of undemocratically appointed managers. Members of Salford Uni Against Cuts oppose these measures as much as we oppose the increase in tuition fees and scrapping of EMA and as much as we oppose the punitive and disproportionate cuts being forced upon our communities in Salford and elsewhere in Greater Manchester. We hope that as many people can join us on Thursday the 24th March for the second day of strike action.

Best wishes,

Bob

Please contact us if you would like transport to the demo this Saturday, we have some spare seats. The Coach will be leaving Salford Precinct (exact location to be confirmed) at 6am and the prices are £20 solidarity, £10 waged (working people), £5 unwaged (pensioner, unemployed, student etc.)

Broughton Against the Cuts Meeting

Broughton Against the Cuts

Says

“Save Broughton Rec Centre”

Campaign meeting

7pm, Monday 21^st March.

The Star Inn,

2 Back Hope Street

The Cliff

M7 2FR

Building Salford Against the Cuts

We need your help!

We are looking to build this Campaign in every area of Salford and at our meeting last Monday we decided that we would set up working groups that people could get involved in to make this happen. We want volunteers to help out. If you would like to help, please reply to this post or email us at salfordagainstcuts@gmail.com.

The groups we are planning to set up are:

1. A Rally For Libraries

Following the recent protests in Ordsall and Cadishead against proposals to close libraries we want to hold a city-wide Rally for Libraries and we want your help. If this is a subject that is dear to you please ket us know.

2. A Rally for Youth Services

Proposed cuts will mean almost half of the funding for Connexions, which supports young people and their families with advice around education, employment and other personal issues is to be cut. We are also seeing big attacks on Salford's Youth Service. We believe this city deserves decent services for young people and if you want to help us organise an event to highlight this let us know.

3. May Day

We want to take May Day back! It is historically the day when working class people come together to celebrate past victories and discuss future challenges. Salford has not held a big May Day event for some time and this year we think we need one.

We are also looking to extend Salford Against the Cuts into all the areas of Salford. We already have a Broughton Against the Cuts and we are in the process of getting Ordsall Against the Cuts set up. We identified the following areas last week where we think we can start preparing new branches. They are:

- Winton
- Irlam and Cadsihead
- Irwell Riverside

If you want to help with this or live somewhere else and would like to see something happen in your area please let us know.

Thanks, Steve

Tell us about your protest

Please tell us about any protest you are planning, or even just thinking about. Whether you are concerned about schools, libraries, fitness centres, youth support, advice centres or any other service under threat, we are trying to assist and coordinate the fight against cuts to local and national services in Salford.

Here's a report on a recent protest organised by the residents of Irlam and Cadishead:

SALFORD LIBRARY PROTESTS CONTINUE - Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

SALFORD HOUSING EXECS SHARE £368,000 - Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

WHILE OVER 50% OF SALIX HOMES NON DECENT!

SALFORD JOINS MANC AGAINST CUTS - Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

Yesterday over a thousand people demonstrated against the cuts in Manchester – and they were reminded of Salford Council's attempts to cut public spending by Paul Gerrard, Vice-Chair of Salford Against The Cuts.



Photo report: Manchester anti-cuts demonstration (Manchester Mule)

LIB DEMS HAMMERED IN SALFORD BY ELECTION - Salford Star - with attitude & love xxx

WALKDEN NORTH BY-ELECTION SEES LIB DEMS IN LAST PLACE

Around 200 people protested outside Salford Civic Centre today as Salford City Council officially ratified cuts of £40million.

Salford Star:
(http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=894)

(http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=895)

(http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=874)

Protesters make voices heard against the cuts | Salford Advertiser - menmedia.co.uk

Protesters make voices heard against the cuts | Salford Advertiser - menmedia.co.uk

Events

Organising Meeting

7-9pm, 7th March

 Salford UNISON Office on 

Chorley Road, Swinton