How the unions and the left can save our public services
Time is running out for our public services. Already the Tories are beginning to dismantle local government, local democracy and public sector trade unionism. New Labour has no vision for the future of public services except ‘efficiencies’ and privatisation. Trade unions, service users, community organisations and the left must: Use popular, diverse and understandable ways […]
January 2010
Time is running out for our public services. Already the Tories are beginning to dismantle local government, local democracy and public sector trade unionism. New Labour has no vision for the future of public services except 'efficiencies' and privatisation. Trade unions, service users, community organisations and the left must:
Use popular, diverse and understandable ways of alerting people to what's happening in both central and local government
Debunk the myths surrounding privatisation, cuts and the recession
Bring workers, users and technical experts together to develop a new vision of democratic, people-centred public services, making the best use of public money, through open debate and discussion
Build our new vision on the needs and aspirations of all sections of the community
Develop new and detailed models of key services to show what is really possible and provides genuine 'best value'
Build sustainable, non-sectarian coalitions of public service workers and providers, users and community groups
Campaign locally and nationally against privatisation and for services based on the knowledge and expertise of users and workers
These could focus on housing, social care, transport, education, leisure, support services and utilities
Get technical! We need to understand how public finance and decision-making work, find out the balance of power in parliamentary constituencies and local councils and develop strategic campaigning techniques
This means trade unions including their members who are managers, HR and other specialists in developing our vision
Build the resistance! The left and community groups need to actively help trade unions to recruit new members
Trade unions need to share their resources and help to fund user groups and new, sustainable coalitions with clout
They must also ensure the survival of radical publications and electronic news and campaigning media can your branch subscribe to [Red Pepper?]
Get moving fast!
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