ACTION ALERT on PENSIONS

Many people who participated in the recent public sector strike over pensions, and others who oppose the Government’s cuts agenda, are angry with the way an ‘agreement’ has been reached between some trade union leaders and Government ministers, and the terms of that that agreement. Many unions however have not ‘signed up’. What do you think? We are keen to hear your views about the ‘Heads of Agreement’ deal announced a few days ago, and whether you think more industrial action is needed. Please email us here .

Several lobbies and protest events have already been called over this latest development in the pensions dispute. Please attend if you can, and make your views known to those who have been negotiating on behalf of millions of public sector workers.

This is the wording of a petition that is being circulated amongst trade unionists and anti-cuts campaigners. You can sign it here .

“We the undersigned: Recognise that the magnificent N30 strike showed the potential power of public sector workers to defeat the government. We reject Maude's latest pensions proposals which will mean all public sector workers having to work longer, pay more, and get less. We say no to secret deals by union leaders over the heads of the membership. We demand democratic control of the negotiations. We demand that the date is set for the next co-ordinated public sector strike early in the New Year. UNISON Scotland has already proposed 25 January as the date of the next strike.”

Please forward the following link to those with whom you are in contact, especially campaign networks and trade union branch members. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pensions_strike_january/

New events may be organised at short notice. Please check our website, Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @southwarkSOS for updates on this issue.

After millions of public sector workers strike – what’s comes next?

Since last week’s strike of over two million trade unionists against pensions ‘reform’ when half-a-million took to the streets in towns and cities across the country, opposition to government cuts is on a scale not seen for generations. In Southwark, the strike involved picket lines across the borough and a rally and demonstration at the Elephant & Castle.

Why not organise a meeting at work?

Perhaps you could show people the photos and movies from the strike day, distribute the Rally statement (below) which was agreed by 200 people at the rally on 30 November, and discuss with your workmates what should be the next steps in the campaign.

Statement

Trade unionists and their supporters from across Southwark are today showing their determination to fight against the government’s attack on public sector pensions. The strength of support for our action today is fuelled by the lies pedalled by ministers trying to convince people that their offer is a ‘fair’ one. There is nothing ‘fair’ about:

•    using our increased pension contributions to pay for an economic crisis we did not create.
•    an ‘offer’ that would result in a typical public sector worker having to work three lifetimes to earn the same pension as Tory minister Francis Maude.
•    allowing the leaders of the top 100 FTSE companies to get  a 49% pay rise last year while our pay is frozen, or falling.
•    attempting to cut public sector workers’ pensions in the pretence that it will somehow improve the private pensions schemes that have been systematically devalued or abandoned by employers in past years.

Thousands of local people are taking action today in the context of government policies that have systematically attacked the welfare state, that threaten impoverishment for millions on low incomes, created mass unemployment, and imprison people who protest against these measures. Just as the student movement last year, the recent Occupy movement, and action by workers across Europe, America and the Middle East have each inspired new groups to challenge their Governments’ priorities, we do not see today’s strike as the  end – but as the beginning.

We declare our intention to go back to our workplaces to:

-    Discuss with our fellow trade union members what is action is needed by ourselves and our union leaders to ensure we defend our pensions and our living standards. We need a national timetable for concerted action across the whole trade union movement that beginning within days or weeks, not months.

-    Argue with non-union members why they should join a trade union, and ensure every section of the workplace has an elected representative; unions should aim to collaborate and meet together both within every workplace and at borough-level to maximise the impact of our collective action.

-    Make links with people in our local communities, with groups that are campaigning against cuts and austerity and with workers in the private sector to ensure we are not ‘divided-and-ruled’ by the government or the media.

Southwark fights back - November 30th Strikes and solidarity

Twenty-six unions and around 3 million workers are striking to defend pensions. We are organising together to build on the unity shown when 800,000 workers went on strike on June 30th.

You can help defend our pensions, and public services. If you’re striking join one of the pickets. We will be coming together at London South Bank University to make November 30th, a day of resistance to the Con-Dem Government's attacks.

If you’re supporting us then please come down to our pickets and rally to show your solidarity. If we are to defeat this government then we need to unite our resistance. We didn’t create this crisis and we won’t pay for it.

WE ARE THE 99%!

Pickets

Please bring messages of support from your house, workplace and friends.

Hospitals (7am onwards):

King’s College and Maudsley (Denmark Hill), Sunshine House

Universities and Colleges:

London South Bank (London Road and Keyworth Street), London College of Communications (Elephant & castle), Southwark College (Keetons Road, SE16)

Job Centres:

Peckham, Camberwell, Newington Causeway

Libraries:

Peckham, Newington (Walworth)

Local Government:

160 Tooley Street (by London Bridge), Mabel Goldwin House, SE1 3DY, Southwark Learning and Business Centre, SE15 6AA Housing Services, Bournemouth Road (nr Peckham Rye), Recycling & reuse centre, Manor Place, Cleaning Services, Sandgate Street, Children’s Services, Sumner House, Bradenham Close, SE17 ,City Hall, SE1 2AA.

Schools and Children Centres:

South Bermondsey Early Years

Other Southwark Schools & Academies:

Contact the NUT office - secretary@southwarknut.org.uk Also Unison office - contact@southwarkunison.co.uk

Government Buildings:

Skipton House (by Bakerloo Tube, E&C), EHRC (Riverside, Tooley St), New Kings Beam House (by Blackfriars Bridge), Rose Court (by Southwark Bridge), Becket House (behind Guy’s Hosp.), Wellington House (Waterloo Road nr Old Vic), Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road), Tate Modern (Bankside), Met Police (Lambeth  Road, near river), Southwark Police Station (Borough High St.)

10.30am Strikers breakfast & rally

Outside London Southbank University, Ontario St and Skipton House SE1 6LH. With strikers and supporters from across Southwark coming together.

11.45am Feeder March to Central London Protest

Supporters and community organisations are encouraged to join a united delegation to the central London March (details overleaf). Some of us are private sector workers who get no pension but are supporting this strike because we want this campaign to lead a fight for decent pensions for all.

12 noon Central London March assembly

The SERTUC march and London regional rally will assemble in Lincoln's Inn Fields from 12 noon, move off at 1pm to the Rally at 2pm on Victoria Embankment (the road will be closed)

MEET US TOMORROW IN PECKHAM - 1.30pm

Join us tomorrow in Peckham to help build public support for the 30 NOVEMBER strikes! 

Twenty-six unions and around 3 million workers are striking to defend pensions. We are organising together to build on the unity shown when 800,000 workers went on strike on June 30th.

Meet up at 1.30pm outside Aylesham Shopping Centre on Peckham Rye Lane. 

The South London Battle Bus will be coming round the corner - get on board! 

You can help defend our pensions and public services. If you’re striking join one of the pickets. We will be coming together at London South Bank University to make November 30th, a day of resistance to the Con-Dem Government's attacks.

BUILDING FOR 30 NOVEMBER STRIKES

Already more than two million people are set to strike against cuts to pensions on 30th November. The size of the majorities in favour of action, and many other indicators, show that opposition to the whole raft of government cuts is energising both trade unionists and the general public.

Leafleting and visiting local workplaces and community groups will go on right up to the strike day. Please invite a Southwark SOS speaker or a local trade unionist to talk to your colleagues about why 30th November is so important, contact us to arrange this.

You can order leaflets to distribute yourself or join the teams in your local area. Please email us (southwarksos@gmail.com) or contact John on 07519 811 657.

 We are helping to organise visiting of picket lines, a striker’s canteen and a feeder march on 30th so come to the Elephant and Castle and join trade unionists and supporters there. If you can help with the canteen and/or provide refreshments/donations, get in touch with Denise on 020 7062 0253. New events and development will be coming on-line, so follow us at these links:

http://southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter @southwarkSOS

Facebook: Southwark SSOS

ACTION ALERTS

Support the Occupy LSX movement. There is a tent maintained by South London anti-cuts activists (including those from Southwark SOS) in Finsbury Square, working closely with activists at St Paul’s. Contact Southwark SOS or Leslie on 0777-6000-861. Watch our website/Facebook for latest news re. evictions.

Leafleting to publicise the aims of the Public Sector pensions strike on 30th November. Beginning this week and continuing right up to 29th November. Volunteers needed - contact John on 07519 811 657.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Monday 21st November

6 pm – 7 pm. N30: Coordination of Southwark solidarity activities up to and on the strike day. Held at The Tiger pub, Camberwell Green. Organised by Southwark Save Our Services campaign. Details from southwarksos@gmail.com

Wednesday 23rd November

Education Day of Action. Called by NCAFC. Events to be arranged. Details http://anticuts.com/2011/11/08/national-day-of-action-23nov-defend-education-fight-privatisation/.

Thursday, 24 November

7.00pm- 9.00pm.  The No Cuts Cabaret. Musical performances and political satire plus speakers, including Ken Livingstone. At the Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, Lewisham. Hosted by Unite and Unison. Press release and background http://www.unitetheunion.org/regions/london_and_eastern/london_and_eastern_regional_ne/ken_livingstone_to_speak_at_pr.aspx.

Friday 25th, Saturday 26th, Sunday 27th  November

Leafleting various Southwark locations (rail stations, shopping centres etc.) to publicise the aims of the Public Sector pensions strike on 30th November. (and more leafleting on 28th/29th). Volunteers still needed - contact John on 07519 811 657. Battle Bus touring Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham on Saturday. Come on board for an hour or longer. Contact here to get itinerary.

Wednesday 30th November

Public Sector Strike over Pensions. Picket lines across Southwark, London and nationally. Strikers and their supporters are assembling at London Road, Elephant & Castle at a ‘Strikers’ Canteen’ (10.30am -11.30) before marching to Lincoln’s Inn Fields, then main All-London demonstration to a rally on Victoria Embankment. Hospitals will have lunchtime rallies. Further details of local events (picketing, etc) and London demonstration are obtainable from Southwark SOS, on our website or on our Facebook page.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Monday 5th December: 7.30. ‘Fight Wandsworth’s Political Evictions’ Public meeting Community Centre, Doddington Estate, SW11. Supported by WAC, BWTUC, Defend Council Housing and Liberty. More details to follow.

Wednesday 7th December: 7 pm. Southwark Save Our Services campaign meeting: Where Now after the N30 Strike? Discussion, planning… and socialising! Venue to be confirmed. Contact here for further details.

Follow us!

http://southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter @southwarkSOS

Facebook: Southwark SSOS

Are you part of a community group or campaign? We’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you’re doing and we can advertise your anti-cuts campaign activities. Email us at southwarksos@gmail.com

Every day - a new protest event!

Protests about homelessness, Job Centre cuts, redundancies, wage cuts Student fees, pensions, inequality …. Every day sees a new event being organised. Can you attend any of them, listed below?

Our Organising Group meets this Wednesday (details below) to discuss ways of supporting students on the 9^th and the public sector strikers on 30^th November. Come along and help us to make these days as big and successful as possible.

Will your trade union branch, campaign group, or tenants association be meeting in the next few weeks? Please invite a Southwark SOS speaker to talk about building support for 30th November, when 2-3 million people will be on strike against cuts to public sector pensions. Contact us here to arrange this.

If you can help us with leafleting - as many of you did leading up to the TUC demonstration last Spring – please email us .

ACTION ALERTS - DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Ongoing

Support the Occupy LSX movement. There is a tent maintained by South London anti-cuts activists (including those from Southwark SOS) in Finsbury Square, working closely with activists at St Paul’s. Contact Southwark SOS or Leslie on 0777-6000-861 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0777-6000-861. Watch our website/Facebook for latest news re. evictions.

Wednesday 2 November

6.45am.  Construction Electricians Protest against 35% wage cuts (all support welcome!) 110 Cannon Street. Closest tube Cannon Street. More info and updates here.

Wednesday 2nd November

1 pm – 3 pm. Lobby of Parliament over the issue of the proposed Job Centre closures and the threat of compulsory redundancies. Venue: House of Commons, Westminster. Organised by PCS union. Details here .

Wednesday 2nd November

7 pm. Organising meeting of Southwark Save Our Services Campaign to help mobilise for student held at London Southbank University, London Road Building. Individuals or representatives of local trade union branches, student groups, or anti-cuts campaigns are all invited to attend. Email southwarksos@gmail.com or phone 07939 090 667 for agenda and further details. 

Saturday 5th November

12 noon.  National demonstration as the Jarrow March for Jobs arrives in London Assemble at Temple Embankment, marching to Trafalgar Square. Details are here. Organised by Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) campaign.

Wednesday 9th November

Construction Industry Day of Action against Wage Cuts.

7 am. Assemble Pinnacle building site, Bishopsgate (nearest tube: Liverpool Street).

11.30 am. Protest at ‘The Shard, then march to Blackfriars and on to Westminster.

Supported by UNITE, UCATT, GMB. Details of campaign here or here .

Wednesday 9th November

National Student demonstration.  12 noon. Assembling at University of London, Malet Street, marching to Finsbury Square, City of London. Feeder March from UniArts, High Holborn assembles at 11 am. Called by NCAFC. Officially backed by NUS. Supported by UCU and EAN. Publicity here and here and here . Route here. Placard image. Facebook page here .

Wednesday 9th November

7 pm. Southwark Trades Union Council public meeting on Pensions. Speakers from UNISON, NUT, PCS, UCU, UNITE. Walworth Methodist Hall, 54 Camberwell Road (cnr. Grosvenor Terrace) SE5 0EN. Buses from Elephant and Castle / Camberwell: 12, 40, 45, 68, 148,176, 468. Contact for more details and a flyer here .

Thursday 10th November

 ‘Colleges Inc!’ - film & discussion at Southbank University for all students, staff and others about the campaign against privatisation, cuts and pensions reform. Send for information here.

Saturday 12th November

10 am – 4 pm. South East Region TUC ‘Fighting for Public Services and Pensions Justice For All’ Mobilising Conference at Congress House, Great Russell Street WC1B 3LS. Details here .

Saturday 12th November

1.30 pm.  ‘Give Our Youth a Future’ demonstration. Assemble Windrush Square, Brixton. March to Max Roach Park.  Save Youth Services, Save Children’s Services, Save Our Schools, Save Free Education. Called by Lambeth Save Our Services campaign. Download a leaflet here .

Tuesday 15th November

4pm. Housing Protest at Parliament to oppose attacks on tenancies, rents and benefits, and demand new Council housing. Assemble at Old Palace Yard, London SW1P 3JY. Organised by Housing Emergency: Contact and leaflet

16^th November

The equality impact of the cuts - free, one day conference at Congress House (Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS) Organised by the TUC. Workshops include welfare reform, impact of contracting out services, cuts to FE and HE and the consequences for equality of access and opportunity, and organising (including digital activism and community campaigning). Further details and booking here.

Advance notice (Further details to be announced – see our next ‘Action Alert’ email or check our website)

Saturday 19th November: ‘Unite the Resistance’ Convention, to build support for the November 30^th strikes. 10am - 5pm, Royal Horticultural Halls & Conference Centre, Vincent Square SW1P 2PE. For trade union activists, anti-cuts campaigners, young people, students and pensioners. Details and bookings here and brochure/timetable are here .

19th November: 12 noon. ‘March in Defence of Women's Rights! The government’s approach to cutting the deficit risks turning back time on women's equality’. Assemble: Temple Tube, Westminster. Called by the Fawcett Society. Details of the event are here.

Wednesday 30th November: Public Sector Strike over Pensions. Picket lines across Southwark, London and nationally. Strikers and their supporters are assembling near Elephant & Castle before attending  the Central London demonstration. Further details of local events (picketing, assemblies etc) and London demonstration obtainable from Southwark SOS.

Follow us!

http://southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter @southwarkSOS

Facebook: Southwark SSOS

Are you part of a community group or campaign? We’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you’re doing and we can advertise your anti-cuts campaign activities. Email us at southwarksos@gmail.com

Things are moving quite fast at the moment, with several important and positive developments in the fight against cuts:

Southwark students Linking-up in preparation for National demonstration on 9^th Nov.

As some of you will know from emails in circulation, we have been in contact with various individuals to encourage link-ups between Southwark College and SSOS. Through the Camberwell  Job Centre Campaign, SSOS has also made contact with several Camberwell Arts students. Goldsmiths students have said they are willing to visit Southwark education sites to make direct links with students here. All this is very positive!

Please, those of who you are in Higher or Further Education or know people who are, can you send an email to southwarksos@gmail.com so we can link you up with others. Goldsmiths students are holding meetings on both Wednesday and Thursday this week to help coordinate all this. (We can give you further details if you contact us.)

Please help leafleting this Friday afternoon

Members of UNISON & UNITE trade unions would like your help to leaflet (at Denmark Hill Station) the thousands of staff at King’s College Hospital, starting at 4.30 pm until about 6 on Friday evening.

Occupy LSX:

There is a new, 2^nd  site at Finsbury Square. There’s a Guardian report here . The ‘all-London boroughs Anti cuts alliances’ have circulated a request for assistance which arose from the tri-borough meeting (see attachment). If you can help in any way (by visiting, by providing or helping to transport provisions/equipment) either contact me or Leslie Faizi (0777-6000-861). Thanks. (also see  Thursday afternoon’s trade union solidarity event in ‘Updates’ below.)

Construction Electricians against 35% wage cuts

You may be aware of this already, although relatively little has got into the mass media (wonder why??), but it is a growing movement and they are looking for mass pickets of building sites in Central London (and elsewhere). More details below. Please try to support if you can.

Camberwell Job Centre protest

Last Thursday’s protest on Camberwell Green was very successful. Hopefully you will soon be able to see a report on our Facebook and Blogspot sites.

NEW EVENTS -  updates:

This Wednesday, 26^th October

6.45  am. Construction Electricians Protest against 35% wage cuts (all support welcome!) at Balfour Beatty Blackfriars Station construction project (north side of the bridge) and marching to Canon Street for 7.30. There’s more info and updates here .

6 pm. Lobby Of Greenwich Council meeting to protest about cuts, including the threatened closure of Blackheath Bluecoat School (Quite a few Southwark residents send their children to the school).  Facebook page here and more details of the demonstration here . If you are intending to go, please get in touch with me asap so I can get the banner to you (with or without the poles!).

Thursday 27^th October

5 pm – 6.45 pm. Trade Union solidarity event for London SX Occupation. Come down after work! Get updates and exact location here .

Opposition to Tory cuts is mounting fast…

The sheer number of demonstrations and protest meetings coming up shows that opposition to government cuts is escalating.  

 

Come and support action in Camberwell on Thursday and at Kings College Hospital next Monday (details below).

Will your trade union branch, campaign group, or tenants association be meeting in the next few weeks? Please invite a Southwark SOS speaker to talk about building support for 30th November, when 2-3 million people will be on strike against cuts to public sector pensions. Contact us here to arrange this.

If you can help us with leafleting - as many of you did leading up to the TUC demonstration on 26th March – please email us .

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Monday – Thursday, 17^th- 20th October

12.30- 1.30 pm. Daily lunchtime leafleting to advertise the assembly/demonstration (20^th Oct) on Camberwell Green against the closure of Camberwell JobCentre Plus. If you can help, contact the organiser or just turn up.

Monday 17 October

7pm. Lambeth Keep Our NHS Public meeting at Priory Arms, 83 Lansdowne Way, Stockwell SW8 2BP. (5 minutes from Stockwell tube).  Briefing notes for the next stage of the campaign against the H&SC Bill here .

Wednesday 19th October

1 pm. Action against companies benefiting from workfare. Outside Welfare to Work Conference, Business Design Centre, Upper St N1 0HQ. Details here . Organised by Boycott Workfare campaign.

Thursday 20th October

5.30 – 7 pm. Rally and demonstration against closure of Camberwell JobCentre, Camberwell Green. Details on Facebook event here

Saturday 22nd October

11 am- 1 pm. Fight the Cuts to Disability Benefits rally. GLA Building (City Hall), Queen’s Walk SE1 2AA. Map here .Organised by Hardest Hit – event details here .

Sunday 23rd October

11 am - 5pm. ‘Defend Welfare’ Gathering. Somers Town Community Centre, 150 Ossulston Street, London, NW1 1EE (5 minutes’ walk from Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross stations). Workshops on the Boycott Workfare campaign, Stopping Atos & the work capability assessment, Cuts to Housing and Human Rights, Data and Privacy. Wheelchair accessible. Facebook link here .

Monday 24th October

7.30am onwards. Leafleting Kings Hospital as the UNITE pensions strike ballot begins. 10.30 Battle Bus arrives at Education Centre, Cutcombe Road SE5 9RX. (If you can help, phone Frank Wood on 07798 531 734.)

Monday 24th October

7pm, Southwark Defend Council Housing meeting. Parish Office, St John the Evangelist church, Larcom Street, off Walworth Road, SE17 1RY.

Monday, 24th October

7.30 pm. ‘Campaign Against Riot Evictions’ Public Meeting. At Garden Court Chambers, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ. Organised by Hackney Community Law Centre & Unite Housing Workers Branch 1/1111. More information  here and leaflet here .

Tuesday 25th October

8.30 – 10 am. Demonstration to support legal challenge against pension change from RPI to CPI. Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, WC2. Called by PCS and National Pensioners Convention.

11.30 till 4pm. Lobby of Parliament against the cuts to youth service nationally. Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, Details here . Organised by Choose Youth campaign and supported by Unite the Union.

7pm. London Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) public meeting. Venue: Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE. More information here. Briefing notes for the next stage of the campaign against the H&SC Bill here .

Wednesday 26th October

12 noon onwards. ‘March on the Treasury’ (before Lobby of Parliament). Assemble Victoria Tower Gardens, London SW1P. Organised by teachers and lecturers unions. Background info here .

1-3pm. National Pensioners Convention rally and lobby of MPs about our pensions. Committee Room 14, House of Commons

6 pm. Greenwich evictions protest at Greenwich Town Hall, SE18. Background info here .

Saturday 29th October

11 am - 5pm.  ‘The New College of Resistance’ Conference/Teach-in. Kings College, University of London. Organised by Education Activist Network (EAN). Conference aims and speakers here Timetable here .  Facebook page here .

Advance notice (Further details to be announced):

Wednesday 2nd November: 7 pm. Organising meeting of Southwark Save Our Services Campaign held at London Southbank University, London Road Building. Individuals or representatives of local campaigns always welcome. Email southwarksos@gmail.com or phone 07939 090 667.  

Saturday 5th November: 12 noon National demonstration as the Jarrow March for Jobs arrives in London Assemble at Temple Embankment, marching to Trafalgar Square. Details are here. Organised by Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) campaign.

Wednesday 9th November: National Student demonstration. March from central London to The City. Called by NCAFC. Officially backed by NUS. Initial publicity here and here . Facebook page here .

Wednesday 9th November:  7 pm. Southwark Trades Union Council public meeting on Pensions. Walworth Methodist Hall. Details to follow.

Thursday 10th November: ‘Colleges Inc!’ - film & discussion at Southbank University for all students, staff and others about the campaign against privatisation, cuts and pensions reform. Details to follow.

Saturday 12th November: 10 am – 4 pm. South East Region TUC ‘Fighting for Public Services and Pensions Justice For All’ Mobilising Conference at Congress House, Great Russell Street WC1B 3LS. Details here .

Saturday 12th November : 1.30 pm.  ‘Give Our Youth a Future’ demonstration. Assemble Windrush Square, Brixton. March to Max Roach Park.  Save Youth Services, Save Children’s Services, Save Our Schools, Save Free Education. Called by Lambeth Save Our Services campaign. Download a leaflet here .

Saturday 19th November: ‘Unite the Resistance’ Convention, to build support for the November 30^th strikes. 10am - 5pm, Royal Horticultural Halls & Conference Centre, Vincent Square SW1P 2PE. For trade union activists, anti-cuts campaigners, young people, students and pensioners. Details and bookings here and Facebook page here .

19th November: 12 noon. ‘March in Defence of Women's Rights! The government’s approach to cutting the deficit risks turning back time on women's equality’. Assemble: Temple Tube, Westminster. Called by the Fawcett Society. Details of the event are here.

Wednesday 30th November: Public sector united strike over pensions. Picket lines across Southwark, and nationally. Strikers and their supporters are assembling near Elephant & Castle before the Central London demonstration (details to follow).

Follow us!

www.southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter @southwarkSOS

Facebook: Southwark SSOS

Are you part of a community group or campaign? We’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you’re doing and we can advertise your anti-cuts campaign activities. Email us at southwarksos@gmail.com

If you no longer wish to receive SSOS e-newsletters like this, please reply to this email, putting ‘Unsubscribe’ in the subject dialogue box.

Bailout Boris (and all South London Conservatives) Bash!

Please join us for the Bailout Boris (and all South London conservatives) Bash! Our response to the Lambeth and Southwark Conservative Association fundraising drinks do at Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton.

Lambeth & Southwark Save Our Services and others would like to celebrate the men and women who brought us the Big Society, and since we cannot afford tickets to all be in it (City Hall) together, we are holding our own fundraiser on its steps. We will be collecting donations for the conservative's favourite causes: banks, reduced taxes for the rich, arms-dealing, but do feel free to bring a collection bucket labelled with your own personal favourite! If you do not have any cash, we know they will also happily accept symbolic representations of your job, your shrinking pension and what they have not already stripped of your services, such as adventure playgrounds, libraries, day centres for the elderly and the NHS.

We would ask that formal dress be worn; bring your champagne flutes and martini glasses in the hope someone will provide some drink, and join us in trying to ensure that everyone may eat cake. Leftovers will donated to the Peckham or Norwood Foodbanks, two of 70 UK locations now open for people who finds themselves in crisis and unable to afford to buy food. (http://www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects).

When: 6:30 pm, Monday, October 10th

Where: The front steps of Lambeth Town Hall

Why: Bit cheeky of the conservatives to fundraise in Brixton, don't you think?

An Unemployed Workers Centre for Southwark

Southwark Trades Council is setting up a steering group which will form the core of a new unemployed workers group for the borough. The group will have these main aims:

1) To engage with unemployed people locally, find out what their needs and concerns are, and encourage them to get involved in a campaigning group to tackle the issues raised

2) To use the information and people gathered as the basis for a submission to the Local Authority and other grant-giving bodies for a premises and other resources to support unemployed people with their problems and campaigns

3) To seek office space/facilities to serve as interim meeting place for the group, from which basic activities (e.g. giving impartial benefits advice) and campaigns can begin.

The group would form the basis of a TUC-sponsored Unemployed Workers Centre. The TUC sponsored many such centres in London in the 1980s and there are still many such centres thriving in the North. Local authorities and GLC funding dried up for the London-based centres a long time ago. The TUC now recognises that in the current economic climate it has a renewed responsibility towards unemployed people everywhere and is urging local trades councils to take the lead in this matter.

That is why we are now appealing for volunteers to work on the steering group, whether you are employed or unemployed, to do however much or little you can to help.

If you are interested then please contact Nick Phillips, Vice-chair, at np@southwarkunison.co.uk

35,000 Protested at Tory Party Conference, Manchester

Southwark campaigners joined 35,000  protesters in Manchester at the weekend and heard calls for action from many trade union leaders and anti-cuts activists.  Our listing below has events on health, education, pensions, and the closure of the Job Centre. There will be plenty of discussion about cuts at the Southwark meetings on Wednesday & Thursday this week, so come along!

The 38 degrees campaigners are asking you to make sure your organisation or group are bombarding lords with letters and emails asking them to vote against the Health & Social Care bill. They have a campaign plan here with suggestions of what you can do. Other updates, and campaign activities organised by Keep Our NHS Public here, as well as in the listing below.

EVENTS

  

Thursday 6th October
5 -8 pm. Community Meeting to Discuss the Recent Disturbances. Rye Lane Chapel (next to Primark) 59A Rye Lane, SE15 5EX. Everyone welcome. Chaired by Margaret Greer - London Region Black Members Committee, Unison, Speakers: April Ashley, Southwark Unison, and from Southwark Save Our Services. More details from here or phone 020 7525 6030.

Thursday 6th October

6.30pm. ‘Education Against Austerity ‘ –  speakers from various campaigns, and discussion about the way forward for campaigns in further & higher education. Venue: The Quad, LSE Houghton ST, WC2A 2AE. Organised by Education Activist Network (EAN). Details of meeting here.

Friday 7th October 

8PM until midnight. The 7th annual 'celebration of creative lunacy'

Fundraiser for the campaign against welfare benefits cuts. At the Montague Arms, 289 Queens Rd, New Cross, London SE15. Admission £5 / £2 concessions. The artists featured will include the legendary Edgar Broughton.

Sunday 9th October

1pm. ‘Block the Bridge to Block the Bill!’ Support UK Uncut to occupy Westminster Bridge in an 11th hour action to try and stop the Health & Social Care Bill. Nearly 1000 people (student nurses, pensioners, and those from KONP groups) have signed up to attend on Facebook in less than two days. More information here .

Monday 10th October

10 am - 6pm. A 'picket' of the Royal College of Nursing HQ (20 Cavendish Square, London W1G ORN - 5 mins walk from Oxford St tube, and just behind John Lewis store) . Supported by London KONP. The idea is to try to shame the RCN into protesting much more vigorously against the Lansley Bill and get some publicity the day before the Bill goes to the Lords and to hand out leaflets. Come for any period of time, short or long!

Tuesday 11th October

5.45pm – 7 pm. Action on day of House of Lords 2nd Reading  of the Health Bill.Public invited to meeting in the House of Commons. Organised by the NHS Support Federation. Full details of speakers and application to attend are here. (Booking essential to gain place.)

Wednesday 12th  October (until Saturday)

12.30- 1.30 pm daily (Saturday 1 – 3pm). Leafleting to advertise the assembly/demonstration on Camberwell Green (20^th Oct) against the closure of Camberwell JobCentre Plus. If you can help, contact the organiser or just turn up.

Advance notice (Further details to be announced):

Monday 17th October(until Thursday): Lunchtime leafleting to advertise the assembly/demonstration on Camberwell Green against the closure of Camberwell JobCentre Plus. (See above.)

Thursday 20th October: 5.30 – 7 pm. Rally and demonstration against closure of Camberwell JobCentre, Camberwell Green. (Speakers and background here.)

Monday 24th October: Leafleting Kings Hospital as the UNITE pensions strike ballot begins. (Further details of times and other locations to follow.)

Tuesday 25th October : 7pm. Next London meeting of London Keep Our NHS Public (KONP). Venue to be confirmed. More information here.

Wednesday 26th October: Teachers & Lecturers ‘March on the Treasury’ (before Lobby of Parliament). Organised by several teachers unions. Details of protests arehere.

Saturday, October 29: 10am - 5pm – ‘The New College of Resistance’ Conference. Organised by Education Activist Network (EAN). Further details here.

Saturday 5th  November: The Jarrow March for Jobs arrives in London. National demonstration - assembling at Temple Embankment, 12 noon, marching to Trafalgar Square. Details are here.

Wednesday 9th November: National Student demonstration. Called by NUS. Initial publicity here.  Also, Southwark Trades Union Council public meeting on Pensions (evening).  Details to follow.

Thursday 10th  November: ‘Colleges Inc!’ - film & discussion at Southbank University for all students, staff and others about the campaign against privatisation, cuts and pensions reform. Details to follow.

Saturday 19th November: ‘Unite the Resistance’ Conference, 10am - 5pm, Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London NW1. Details here.

Wednesday 30th November: Public sector united strike over pensions.