Health workers fighting back

I was pleased to have been invited to the AGM of UNISON's East London Mental Health branch (http://www.eastlondonmentalhealth.com/) this lunchtime.



Whilst its depressing to hear of the millions of pounds of cuts being made to the local health service, it was encouraging to meet fellow UNISON members committed to fighting back.



The branch had been supporting the demonstration at Homerton on Saturday and were mobilising members for further protests in the next few days. With £20 Million cuts announced at Barts and the London there is much against which to protest.



The spirit and determination of the East London Mental Health Branch is an example of what is both necessary and possible throughout UNISON.



Those of us not in health can also access information from the NHS Support Federation (www.nhscampaign.org) who are encouraging people to email our MPs in opposition to the Government's plans to break up the NHS. You can do this online via the UNISON website (http://action.unison.org.uk/saveNHS).



The scale and breadth of this Government's assault upon the Welfare State means that the labour movement needs to match their audacity and start planning now for national action on an issue where we can force them to a standstill. In this way our national trade union can live up to the example set by so many local activists.

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