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Regional rallies to say a resounding ‘No to Austerity’

The NORTHERN TUC will today lend its full support to regional rallies for the ETUC Day of Action saying ‘No to Austerity’ in Newcastle, Carlisle and Middlesbrough.

The Northern Public Services Alliance (PSA) will be encouraging trade unionists, workers and members of the public to gather at central points in each location to show support and solidarity for the public services under threat from cuts proposed by the Con Dem government.

1 in 3 jobs in the northern region are said to be in the public sector, with public sector workers spending 70p of every £1 in the local economy.

The Newcastle and Middlesbrough rallies will be sending out a their message in the form of a 10ft x 6ft banner asking everyone to Speak up for Public Services and help stop the ever-deeper cuts.

Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: “The spending cuts that are already happening and the ones that are proposed by the government pose a great risk to the northern region.

“There is clearly a risk to public sector employment and we are already seeing people losing their jobs now, there is a real risk that the scale and speed of cuts will mean that there is a significant risk to any growth in the economy in the region.”

Clare Williams, Regional Convenor for Unison and Chair of the Northern PSA, added: “The argument that these cuts are necessary is completely misleading.

“There are alternative ways to reduce the public spending deficit; by clamping down on tax evasion and tax avoidance and by introducing a Financial Transactions Tax.

“These are measures that could bring in over £150bn to the economy each year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .