Further public sector rallies planned
A demo outside County Hall will be followed by more rallies this month, as public sector workers fear for their jobs. A coalition made up of unions and political parties is organising weekly protests in Norwich, with a rally planned for the day after the government’s Spending Review.
The firefighters’ union, the FBU, turned out in force today to again lobby councillors at County Hall. They were joined by the General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Matt Wrack, who lead with the rallying cry: “Cuts cost lives.” As previously reported on South Norwich News, cuts to the fire service will see 24 firefighter posts go at Bethel Street.
The firefighters’ anger is mirrored by other unions. Public sector unions and local political parties have come together to form the Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts. A rally is planned for 23rd October at Norwich’s Haymarket, the day after the Government announces its spending review.
Their coalition includes the University and College Union (UCU), National Pensioners’ Convention, Unison and Unite among its members. On their website, they put the case against the cuts, arguing: “creating jobs will boost the economy and cut the deficit” and call for investment in areas such as housing, renewable energy and transport. They also argue savings could be made by cutting back on the amount the government spends on private sector consultants, rather than front-line services.
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