Wednesday, October 13, 2010

CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE CUTS - RALLY & LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT - 19 OCTOBER

On Greater London UNISON website here.  "As part of the TUC’s campaign against the cuts a rally and lobby of Parliament are planned for 19 October - the day before the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Cuts are already hitting public services hard after the emergency Budget in June and on 20 October, the Chancellor will set out the details of the coalition’s spending plans for the next three years, in the CSR which will contain savage cuts that will not only hit vital services but threaten the fragile economic recovery. It’s important that we take a strong message to Westminster and the media on the 19th with a successful rally and lobby of Parliament.

The event will start with a rally in Westminster Central Hall (map attached) at 12.30 pm (doors 12.15 pm). The main auditorium at Central Hall holds more than 2,000 and the TUC wants to make sure that it is packed – if it’s not, then what message does this send out to the coalition Government?? Speakers have yet to be confirmed but once this information is available we will let branches know.

The lobby After the rally, the focus moves to the House of Commons. The aim is that unions and service users lobby a carefully targeted list of Government MPs which is attached. For those who are unable to attend the lobby they can meet their MP at a constituency surgery as close as possible to the CSR - MPs need to understand the impact the cuts will have on their constituencies and the case for an alternative approach to the deficit reduction. To simplify this process the attached briefing document sets out everything you need to know about the lobby – the points you need to put across to your MP, why we are lobbying, what is “lobbying”?, making arrangements in advance to meet MPs, what should be raised when you meet your MP. A model letter to be sent to MPs is also included.

What you need to do NOW! Engage with ALL your members, encourage them to make appointments to meet with their MPs at the lobby. We need as many people as possible to attend not just branch officers and activists – this will affect everyone and everyone needs to be given the opportunity to show their objection to the cuts and the CSR. Also engage with community groups and service users and encourage them to attend - it doesn’t matter that some of them may not be trade union members anyone can attend the lobby and it is important that there is a cross section of the community involved.

Please ensure that this information is passed on to ALL YOUR MEMBERS and encourage them to making arrangements to meet their MPs, especially those on the targeted list.

If you have any queries, please contact your Regional Organiser".