Southwark Save Our Services

F29 Anti-cuts protest at Southwark Town Hall

2012-03-04T10:11:00.001-08:00

Report by Peoples Republic of Southwark http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthwark.co.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1863:f29-anticuts-southwark&Itemid=2

Southwark Save Our Services staged another anti-cuts protest at the Southwark Town Hall last night, before the Council Assembly about the budget.

A good turnout of some 50+ people who made enough noise and who also got plenty of support from passers-by as well as passing traffic. Elected representatives, the ones whose decisions continue to devastate the lives of growing number of local residents, were nowhere to be seen. The late-comers literally flew through the protesters without so much as a hello.

photo courtesy of Nicola Field
Speakers included members of Southwark Save Our Services and affiliated groups and unions, such as Southwark Pensioners Action Group, Unison, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition and others.
In reality, compared to previous anti-cuts protests, we found this one rather subdued, as if there was a feeling of resignation, as all the decisions had been made a long time ago, the moment both the national and local labour party decided it was not going to challenge the cuts in any way but rather work on the 'good' cuts, as 'cuts are inevitable'. The irony is that the majority of the protesters were members of unions who are still financing the same 'good-cuts-labour party'.

photo courtesy of Nicola Field
Meanwhile, in the town hall, there seemed to be have been less of the 'my party is better than yours', which is a welcome change. A lot of the dicussion seemed to have been about the free school meals which the opposition councillors continue to argue is a waste of money. A question was raised about the justification for newly created 'Deputy Cabinet Members' posts, which Cllr Oyewole defended saying they made a difference although it was not clear who to. One of the comments implied that Cllr Althea Smith admitted the Labour was storing money for pre-election, and how 'all parties did it'. One good thing we understood happened was the commitment to London Living Wage for all staff or subcontractors.

Chris Haydon of Southwark TV caught up with some of the councillors after the meeting, and you can watch his report here.

photo courtesy of Nicola Field
While the local protests and discussions seem to have little impact on what the council does, the national and local battles are far from over. Tactics may have to be slightly different though, as majority of us, mad, bad, young, old, well and ill, continue to be pushed further and further into despair.

£18 million Cuts in Southwark! – demonstrate 6 pm on Wed 29 February at Peckham Town Hall

2012-02-25T08:03:00.002-08:00

Next Wednesday, 29 February, Southwark Council meet tovote through £18million-worth of cuts tocouncil services and jobs. These cuts will hit the poorest and the mostvulnerable in our community.

We are calling for a mass demonstration from 6 pm onwards to demonstrate our opposition, assemblingoutside Peckham Town Hall, Peckham Road SE5 8UB. See the poster and leafletattached. See the Facebook Event for ‘Southwark F29 against theCuts’, or join Twitter @southwarkSOS for updates.

Comeyourself and bring everyone you can with you!

Can youhelp distribute leaflets? We can provide them. Ring John on07519 811657 or email us at southwarksos@gmail.com.

SOUTHWARK COUNCIL SET TO CUT £18 million FROM VITAL SERVICES

2012-02-23T13:38:00.001-08:00

Cuts will affect the most vulnerable. These are just some:

Nearly £1m to be cut from Early Years Education and Children‘s Centres. Loss of childcare from the Bishop’s House and South Bermondsey Children’s Centres. 24 Nursery Officers & 6 domestic staff CUT.

Total cut of most of the 10 open access youth clubs (20% of Southwark population are under 15). 60% reduction in staffing.

50% cut to ‘Connexions’ careers service which helps single parents, young offenders and other young people find jobs. 20 people chase every job vacancy in Southwark.

Closure of either Fred Francis Day Centre or Southwark Park Day Centre - which look after older people with mental health conditions.

45% funding cut to Maroons - a centre which caters for BME mental health patients

Councillors – you should stand with the people, not the government.

The Council dress cuts up as ‘targeting’, ‘restructuring’, or ‘redesigning’ services. But they will cut deep into services needed by the vulnerable. Cuts mean job losses, increased workloads, and pay cuts. Councillors claim they don’t like cuts but they are making them anyway. It’s like being mugged for £100 and the thief throws back £10, expecting you to be thankful!

Bad – yes, and even worse to come

We saw how cuts last year slashed council jobs and increased workloads to impossible levels. This will continue unless we stop the cuts going through. Service users and council employees must stand side by side to stop the government cutting our precious services to shreds. George Osborne has promised another 3 YEARS of cuts after this. His agenda is clear:

Increase privatisation profit-hungry companies taking over health, education and environ- mental services.

Cuts in pay year-on-year, in public and private sectors - unless you are a leader of one of the UK’s top 100 companies, whose pay increased by 47% last year.

Attacking pensions (work longer, pay more, die younger). The Government could wipe out the deficit by preventing £120 billion in tax avoidance by companies like Vodafone.

THERE IS A FIGHTBACK

Last week, 8 Labour councillors resigned rather than make cuts in Glasgow. Councillors should act on principles, not party allegiances condemning us to years of austerity.

Over 2 million trade unionists went on strike in November for decent pensions and against a government of millionaires who are making us pay for a crisis we didn’t create.

Demonstrate LOUDLY this Wed 29 Feb, 6 pm at Peckham Town Hall. Tell everyone.
Get your trade union branch, campaign group, residents association, service-user group etc.
to back the demonstration; (see Facebook event ‘Southwark F29 against the Cuts’)

Support Southwark strikers

2012-02-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

PCS members have picket lines in Southwark and at four other locations this morning as they strike against cuts to the Equality and Human Rights commission that will roll the clock back 40 years.

Please rush messages of support to savetheehrc@gmail.com - they make a real difference to morale

For more info see:

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/6CB426D3-95DA-4319-B8D0CA63DA53F26B

Cuts – Local and national

2012-02-08T14:43:00.001-08:00

CUTS TO COUNCIL SERVICES
We are receiving reports about cuts to local services, many of which will hurt the most vulnerable, and job losses that will add significantly to the numbers already out of work in Southwark. To stop this happening, we need a concerted campaign of action. Please let us know either by email or by coming to our meeting on 15th February (see below) what you can do to help stop these cuts.

PENSIONS DISPUTE - UPDATE
Unions which have refused to sign up to the government’s proposed pensions “deal” are planning further action in March. So far the executives of the UCU lecturers’ union and the NUT teachers’ union have agreed to set a date for further strike action in March and the civil service union PCS has also agreed to further action.
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.

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

Pensions: On-going action for all

2012-01-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

You will have seen on the news that some unions have signed an agreement with the government on pensions. This has been presented as a final agreement, a done deal, but it is not. Campaigners from three south London boroughs met on Tuesday and agreed to circulate this advice to trade unionists. Please consider what you can do. We also welcome your feedback on these action points.

Deal or No deal?

Most unions have not signed up to any agreement in the public service sectors although Unison and GMB have both signed "heads of agreement" in local government and health. Although it is not a final agreement it does mean any final deal will mean workers in those two sectors

· will work longer

· pay more

· receive less in pensions

The only concession from the government is that some workers will not have to pay more towards their pensions for two years. After that pension contributions will increase. The agreement also mean those unions have agreed not to call any more strikes while they are negotiating.

Even if there are further negotiations this agreement will leave us with a terrible deal on pensions.

Members of Unison and GMB should tell their national union leaders that the agreement is no good and they should tell the government – No deal!

Most unions have not signed up to any agreement in the other public service sectors. The PCS and most of the civil service unions have rejected the agreement. So far the NUT, NAS/UWT and UCU have said they will not sign the agreement on the Teacher’s Pension Scheme.

If you a member of NUT, NAS/UWT and UCU:

Members of these unions should call on their leaders to call more strike action as soon as possible. If your union is still in dispute get your union branch to send in resolutions calling for more action now.

We should make it clear – there is no deal and we continue to fight against the government’s attack on our pensions.

If you a member of UNISON or the GMB:

Send individual messages and motions from branches/branch officers telling the union leaders to call off the agreement with the government. Please sign the petitions against the agreement (see links below) and support the lobbies of the Unison and GMB national executives. Here are the details for the Unison lobby this coming Tuesday:

Lobby of the Unison Service Group Executives

Tuesday 10 January

12 noon until 2.00pm

Unison national HQ, 130 Euston Road, London, NW1

Called by Camden, Lambeth and London Met University Unison branches

For all trade unionists:

Lobby the TUC

Thursday 12 January, 2pm

Congress House, Great Russell Street

London WC1B 3LS

(Nearest underground station Tottenham Court Road)

Sign the petitions

For Unison members: Why we say ‘no deal’ on pensions

For all unions: Don't give up the pensions fight

Unite the Resistance emergency national meeting

Saturday 14 January, 12 noon - 4pm

Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London.

Go to http://uniteresist.org/

ACTION ALERT on PENSIONS

2011-12-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-11T08:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

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.

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!

2011-11-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

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 19thNovember: ‘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:

2011-10-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

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…

2011-10-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

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).

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 .

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

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Bailout Boris (and all South London Conservatives) Bash!

2011-10-09T14:12:00.003-07:00

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

2011-10-07T03:23:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

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

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

Saturday 24 September 2011

2011-09-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

A 'Hot Autumn' of anti-cuts activity!

With the announcement of trade union ballots that could mean 3 million on strike against cuts to pensions in November, people across the country are gearing up to do battle with the government. This gives the demonstration at the Tory Conference even greater significance. Email us to book your coach ticket .

Events:

Tuesday 20th September

7pm: Meeting of London Keep Our NHS Public, ‘What next in the campaign to defend our NHS?’ at Somers Town Community Centre, Ossulston Street, NW1 1EE. (Details here.)

Wednesday 21st September

6.30pm: Lobby of Wandsworth Council against the eviction of a local family, and against cuts affecting children’s future. Assemble Wandsworth Town Hall, High Street, SW18 2PU. Organised by Wandsworth Against Cuts. (Further information and leaflet here .)

Also

Wednesday 21st September

7pm - 9pm: Kingston Anti-Cuts Public Meeting at The Richard Mayo Centre Eden Street, KT1 1HZ. Speakers include Mark Serwotka (PCS), Tony Kearns (CWU) and others. Facebook event

Saturday 24thSeptember

10 am - 3 pm: A chance to tell the Council Leader, Peter John, your views about the causes of and solutions to the disturbances of last month. Outside Sainsbury’s Dog Kennel Hill. (Part of Southwark Council’s ‘Community Conversations’.)

Sunday 25th September

1pm - 4pm: Anti-Cuts Strategy Meeting at Come the Revolution Cafe, New Cross Road, Lewisham SE14. Organised by Lewisham Anti Cuts Alliance. See Facebook page.

Tuesday 27th September

7pm: Lambeth Keep Our NHS Public Meeting at the Priory Arms, Lansdowne Way. Stockwell, SW8 2BP. It is 5 minutes from Stockwell tube (See map).

Saturday 1st October

10am - 5pm: ‘Europe Against Austerity and Privatisation’. Conference organised by Coalition of Resistance. Wide range of international speakers. Held at the Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, Camden, London WC1H 9AU (see map). Full details here.

Sunday 2nd October

‘March Against the Tories – March for the Alternative’ – Manchester. Supported by the TUC, several national campaigns and trade unions. Leaflet here. For UNISON and NUT members, contact you local union branch for subsidised coach tickets. Otherwise tickets £20 waged /£10 unwaged. Departs from Elephant & Castle, 7am. Order tickets in advance here or ring 07939 090 667.

Wednesday 5th October

7 pm. Organising meeting of Southwark Save Our Services Campaign. Venue: London Southbank University London Road Building. Everyone welcome. For further details, agenda and room, email southwarksos@gmail.com or phone 07939 090 667.

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 Commitee, Unison, Speakers: April Ashley, Southwark Unison, and from Southwark Save Our Services.

Advance notice (Further details to be announced):

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

Wednesday 9th November: Southwark Trades Union Council public meeting on Pensions.

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

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

Act Now to Save the Health Service and Our Local JobCentre

2011-09-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is a critical week for the NHS. The Bill that still threatens the health service comes back to Parliament on Wednesday and the protests taking place are our chance to prevent the Government getting it through. Meanwhile, the huge support for the campaign to stop the closure of Camberwell JobCentre steps up a notch with a big public meeting on 13th. And don't forget to book your coach ticket now for the demonstration on 2nd October outside the Tory Conference -details below.

Tuesday 6 September 9.30 am

“No to evictions” demonstration outside South Western Magistrates court, 176 Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction SW11 1JU (map). Preliminary hearing of a south London resident whose mother stands to be evicted from her council home if he is convicted of involvement in the disturbances last month. Called by Defend Council Housing and supported by local anti-cuts campaigns.

12 noon-1.30pm

Leafleting for “Save Camberwell JobCentre Plus”. Meet outside the Jobcentre, Camberwell Green, SE5 7AF. Contact Sarah on 0207 8053305 or 07879424631 or just turn up.

7pm

Meeting of Southwark Keep Our NHS Public at the Southwark Pensioners Centre, 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ.

Wednesday 7 September 12 noon-1.30pm

Leafleting for “Save Camberwell JobCentre Plus”, Camberwell Green, SE5 7AF.

Action to defend the NHS on the bill’s Third Reading 6.30pm. Demonstration from St Thomas’ Hospital to Parliament. 9.30pm Candle-lit vigil at Houses of Parliament. Supported by NHSAlert, health trade unions, KONP and others. Leaflet here.

Saturday 10 September 1pm-3pm

Leafleting for “Save Camberwell JobCentre Plus”. Meet outside the Jobcentre, Camberwell Green, SE5 7AF. Contact Sarah on 0207 8053305 or 07879424631 or just turn up.

Sunday 11 September 1.30pm

Rally & March calling for coordinated strike action on pensions throughout the public sector. Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston (speakers to include Mark Serwotka and Bob Crow), then a march to the TUC. Organised by the National Shop Stewards Network ( NSSN), supported by the PCS NEC.

Monday 12 September 12 noon-1.30pm

Leafleting for “Save Camberwell JobCentre Plus”. Meet outside the Jobcentre, Camberwell Green, SE5 7AF. Contact Sarah on 0207 8053305 or 07879424631 or just turn up.

Tuesday 13 September 12 noon-1.30pm

Leafleting for “Save Camberwell JobCentre Plus”. Meet outside the Jobcentre, Camberwell Green, SE5 7AF. Contact Sarah on 0207 8053305 or 07879424631 or just turn up.

6pm

Public meeting: “Camberwell Needs a Jobcentre”. Speakers: Harriet Harman MP plus users, trade unionists. St Giles Church, Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8JB (map). For details about publicity, speakers, latest info, contact Sarah Murdock (PCS DWP Lambeth and Southwark Vice-Chair) at s.l.murdock05@gmail.com or ring 07879424631.

Sunday 18 September

March Against the Lib Dems – Birmingham for the Alternative. Assemble 11am, Granville Street, B1 1JW. Supported by the Midlands TUC and anti-cuts groups across the Midlands. There are details here and a leaflet here.

Tuesday 20 September 7pm

Meeting of London Keep Our NHS Public. See website for details.

Sunday 2 October

March Against the Tories – March for the Alternative – Manchester. Supported by the TUC, several national campaigns and trade unions. Leaflet here. Coach tickets £20/£10. Departs from Elephant & Castle at 7am. Order tickets here or ring 07939 090 667.

An Open Letter to Southwark Council

2011-08-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Published in the Southwark News and the South London Press.

Councillor Ian Wingfield is threatening to evict any Southwark council tenant involved in the riots or, more likely, any member of their family involved. Let us hope that as the weeks go by the Council comes up with a more forward-looking policy.

Already it is apparent that anybody who comes before the courts on a riot-related charge is very likely to end up in jail. Does the Council really think that a second sentence, that only applies to Council tenants, is the right way to proceed ? Such a second sentence of losing their home is likely to produce a breed of young person who feels - with some justification - that the whole of society is against them. It also makes it very difficult for parents trying to keep a home together, ready for when they get out.

The failure to invest in Council housing and the stigmatising of Council tenants has already produced a distinct feeling of alienation among young people on our estates. Without jobs or training for the future, the future looks grim indeed and further cuts can only worsen the prospect.

Concils already have powers to deal with nuisance behaviour affecting neighbours and estates. But if Southwark and other Councils add this unfair burden to families of those convicted, the long term effect will be disastrous.

Mary Phillips, Southwark Defend Council Housing

PROTEST AGAINST EVICTIONS - Wednesday 31AUG

2011-08-25T14:29:00.001-07:00

Protest against evictions of people involved in the Southwark riots will take place on Wednesday 31 August, 17:00 - 21:00 (more info here: http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthwark.co.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1535%3Ano-to-southwark-evictions&Itemid=2#.TlUmR_8QHzs.facebook

2011-08-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

Last week’s events make it even more important that we fight the government‘s agenda of slashing the public services and wrecking our communities.

With youth unemployment at an all-time high and the vulnerable in our society being squeezed by cut after cut, no wonder many are angry.

There are statements from a variety of campaigning organisations here, here and here, and one written for a Southwark-based website here.

We have been sent details of an online petition that you might consider signing which calls for, amongst other things, an end to public sector spending cuts.

On Thursday this week, there is a public meeting in Brixton entitled “Defending our communities: The future of children and young people in Lambeth” at 6.30 pm, which is backed by Lambeth SOS and others.

Other events related to the issue of the riots, may be organised at short notice. Keep checking this page for updates.

THIS WEEK

Please come and help the 'Camberwell Needs a Jobcentre' Campaign:

Tuesday 16th August     12-1.30
Wed 17th        12-1.30
Thurs 18th         12-1.30
Meet at JCP office, Camberwell Green SE5 7AF.

Sat 20th August   1 - 3pm
Meet Butterfly Walk Shopping Centre, Camberwell SE5 8RW.

If you can help with any of the above, contact s.l.murdock05@gmail.com or ring 07879424631. Please sign our on line petition at petitiononline/pcslands   & send this link to your friends and colleagues.

Friday 19th August
12.00-4.00pm
‘Fighting the Cuts to our Benefits’. Discussion& organising meeting. Including the Judicial Review of Government actions in the Courts, introduced by Solicitor Ravi Low-Beer. Venue: Students Union Bar, Goldsmiths Student Union, University of London, Dixon Road, London SE14 6NW. Organised by Mental Health Resistance Network (MHRN)

Other Meetings

Tuesday 23rd August
7pm Lambeth Keep Our NHS Public Meeting at The Priory Arms, Lansdowne Way. Stockwell. SW8 2BP. It is 5 minutes from Stockwell tube (See map)

Wednesday 31st August
7pm Emergency Meeting of 'London Keep Our NHS Public'. Camden Town Hall (venue to be confirmed)

3 – 9 September
Week of action: NHS trade unions are planning local campaigning events between3 and 9 September to coincide with the Bill returning to the Commons to include lobbying MPs, holding community stalls, petition- signing and press stunts. More details to follow.

Saturday 3rd September
‘Stop the EDL in East London’. The English Defence League attempt to use racism and violence to divert opposition to cuts and austerity. Assemble from 11am, Weavers Fields, London E2 6HW. Called by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and supported by two national trade unions, many local campaigns and Southwark UNISON (Phone 020 7525 6030 for Southwark meet-up details.)

Wednesday 7thSeptember
Candle-lit vigil for the NHS Wednesday at Houses of Parliament to mark the Third Reading of the Health & Social Care Bill. Trade unions and community groups are planning to hold vigils at local hospitals and at the offices of local MPs. NHS staff and patients will gather for a candle lit vigil outside the Houses of Parliament at the time that MPs are due to vote on the Bill. To find out more sign up at the Join the vigil for the NHS website.

Advance Notice

Sunday 11 September
1.30pm. Rally & March calling for coordinated strike action on pensions throughout the public sector. Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston (speakers to include Mark Serwotka and Bob Crow), then a march to the TUC. Organised by the National Shop Stewards Network ( NSSN.) supported by the PCS NEC. Petition and more details here.

March Against the Lib Dems – Birmingham, Sunday 18thSeptember. Supported by the Midlands TUC and anti-cuts groups across the Midlands.

March Against the Tories – Manchester, Sunday 2ndOctober. Supported by NW Region TUC, several national campaigns and trade unions. Enquiries about transport from Southwark here.

Letter sent to South London Press for weekend edition 12 August:

2011-08-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

As people begin to assess the causes for the events in south London in the past few days (“This is something Cops thought might happen”, SLP 9 August) the leaders of the main political parties seem uniformly committed to both supporting the need to increase policing and just as fervently denying that ‘the cuts’ had any bearing on what has happened.

Even if we were to ignore the police killing of Mark Duggan last week and the ongoing doubts about the role of the police in the death of local reggae artist Smiley Culture, South Londoners shouldn’t be surprised that things ‘kicked off’. We live in a country where greed is well rewarded if you’re a banker or one of the 1,000 richest people whose fortunes increased by £333 billion last year alone. If you’re one of the forty people chasing every job vacancy in Peckham & Camberwell –and soon not even a Job Centre to visit if the planned closure of the Camberwell office goes through – getting into employment is three times as difficult as it was 12 months ago. And they say ‘the cuts’ haven’t made a difference!

For those who are saying that it is family breakdown and community support that allows riotous behaviour, can anyone really believe that south London boroughs cutting 20% from early years’ intervention schemes is going to help? Or that the recent scrapping of two anti social behaviour projects by Southwark Council will help communities devastated by high unemployment? Cuts have made things worse, and they will get worse still unless we challenge those politicians who are prepared to justify cuts when the finance sector in the City of London is awash with money.

Those of us who remember the riots of the 1980s will also recall that those involved were branded as ‘mere criminals’ just as many of the student protesters demonstrating against the withdrawal of the Educational Maintenance Allowance and tripling of Tuition fees were last winter. The people involved in the events of the past week may or may not have considered their actions ‘political’ but one thing is certain, it is the politicians who need to provide the funding, resources and the employment that is needed, and it’s everyone’s job to campaign against them when they try to cut these things.

Chris Kelly

Secretary, Southwark save Our Services campaign

THIS WEEK 30 JULY

2011-07-30T02:50:00.000-07:00

Today onwards

Make your protest against the plan to close Camberwell Jobcentre ! Details here. There is an online petition to sign or write to your local MP. For enquiries about the local campaign and to offer practical help with leafleting, etc. contact 07879424631 or email here <s.l.murdock05@gmail.com>.

Saturday 30 July

12 noon - 3pm

Croydon vs Banks & Tax Dodgers. Organised by Croydon Uncut

Assembling at Whitgift Centre entrance, opposite the Centrale Shopping Centre, North End, Croydon (5 min walk from West or East Croydon Rail or Bus Station).

Sunday 31 July
12 noon - 4pm

London 'Love Our Parks' Picnic at Parliament: A call for the protection, resources and management they deserve – NO to cuts! At Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank, London, SW1P 3JA. Bring a picnic to share. Organised by the London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network - LFGN . Supported by the National Federation of Parks & Green Spaces and the London Tenants Federation.

Monday 1 August

12.30pm

Demonstration against the Health Bill when Health Minister Andrew Lansley will be at the Royal Hospital Farnborough, Bromley BR6 8ND from 1 to 1.45pm to open the new stroke unit (which we are not against!). Assemble at car park entrance to Hospital near Sainsbury’s.

Supported by local Trades Councils and Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark & Lambeth KONP groups. For further details contact Frances Hook Tel: 020 8853 2567

………………………………………………………….

Advance Notice:

Sunday 11 September

1.30pm. Rally & March calling for coordinated strike action on pensions throughout the public sector. Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston (speakers to include Mark Serwotka and Bob Crow), then a march to the TUC. Organised by the National Shop Stewards Network ( NSSN.) supported by the PCS NEC. Petition and more details here .

March Against the Lib Dems – Birmingham, Sunday 18^th September. Supported by the Midlands TUC and anti-cuts groups across the Midlands.

March Against the Tories – Manchester, Sunday 2^nd October. Supported by NW Region TUC, several national campaigns and trade unions. Enquiries about transport from Southwark here southwarksos@gmail.com < southwarksos@gmail.com>.

www.southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter @southwarkSOS

Facebook: please note new Facebook group is now “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

Support Mass UCU Lobby at LSBU 14JULY

2011-07-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Members of the lecturers' union, UCU, at London South Bank University (LSBU) are asking for your support at a mass lobby of the Board of Governors meeting, calling on the university to reverse its decision to withdraw from national pay bargaining. The lobby will take place on Thursday 14 July, from 3.00pm onwards outside the university (South Bank Technopark) in London Rd, SE1.

BACKGROUND

LSBU is the first university to pull out of national pay negotiations, threatening to undercut our wages and inhibit future staff recruitment. Already, incomes for staff at LSBU now lag behind other universities.

But this local dispute also has national significance: the government’s marketization of Higher Education, which is happening at break-neck speed, will be made infinitely easier if national bargaining disappears. Incomes and wider terms of employment across the whole of higher education will then be under even greater threat.

We have taken strike action to put pressure on the Board of Governors to reverse its decision – on 29 June lecturers' work inside the university was at a virtual standstill. Not only was the strike well-supported, 50 members joined the picket lines, but messages of support came from across the country and the trade union movement - including branches of the FBU, RMT, NUT, PCS, UNITE, UNISON, and POA.

COME ALONG AND SUPPORT US!

The Board of Governors meeting on Thursday 14 July provides the next opportunity for UCU members to make their point. We welcome support from local trade unions and campaign and anti-cuts groups at our lobby. If you can't attend, messages of support would be very welcome, sent to buddam19612002@yahoo.co.uk

LSBU UCU Branch Co-ordinating Committee

Lobby

Thursday 14 July

3.00pm onwards

South Bank Technopark, London Rd, SE1 6LN

WHY IS 30 JUNE SO IMPORTANT?

2011-06-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

Four trade unions will strike on Thursday 30 June, involving 800,000 people.

They are trying to stop a government plan for millions of people to pay higher pension contributions, work longer and receive a lot less when they retire.

They will be joined by council workers in Birmingham, Doncaster and Southampton who are also striking to stop cuts to jobs and services.

Many activities are planned to make Thursday a success.
We explain below why your support is vital.

This is what you can do:

Send a message of support to people on strike. Jobcentres, courts, police stations, government buildings, museums, college & university buildings and some schools will all have people out on strike, and many will have picket-lines – send them cards, visit them, let them know you support them, hoot your car/bike if you see them, etc. Stop and talk!

You or your workmates, friends or neighbours could send a card or letter to: Southwark Trades Union Council c/o 19 Spa Road SE16 3SA - or email a message to southwarktuc@ gmail.com

Come to Southbank University at the Elephant & Castle at 9am on Thursday. Teachers, parents, government workers and university staff will gather there before setting off at 10.30 am to march up to a national demonstration at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Join the thousands of people who will demonstrate in central London, leaving Lincoln’s Inn Fields (close to Holborn Tube) and heading for a lunchtime rally at Westminster.

This is a battle for everyone

This government does not represent the majority. We didn’t vote for smashing health and welfare services. We didn’t vote for them to steal our pensions.

Make the government collect the £120 billion owed by the rich in unpaid taxes: cutting benefits, jobs and services is an unjust outrage.

Four reasons to support this week’s public sector strikes

1. The government is lying

They say public sector workers have gold-plated pensions

FACT: the average public sector pension is less than £5,000 a year

FACT: a quarter of civil servants get less than £2,000 a year - £40 a week

How can people live on that when living costs are so high, and rising?

They say the pension schemes are too expensive, and ‘in crisis’

FACT: the ‘black hole’ they talk about is a myth. They base their predictions on the CURRENT number of people reaching pensionable age, but this number will FALL for several decades, after the current ‘baby boom’ generation

They say public sector pension schemes aren’t financially viable

FACT: the government’s own National Audit Office said says the teachers’ pension scheme is self-financing! So why tell them to pay 50% more in contributions?

2. We are not ‘all in this together’

The average pension for the UK’s largest company heads is £330,000 a year. These pensions will not be cut.

During the first year of the Con-Dem government, the personal wealth of the 1,000 richest individuals in this country INCREASED by £60 billion.

Con-Dems aim to use public sector pension contributions to off-set the ‘debt’, money to bail out the banks that caused the problems in the first place!

3. If the strikes WIN, ALL of us will benefit

If the Government gets its way, it won’t give one penny extra to private sector pensions. Those schemes were starved by employers taking ‘pensions holidays’ during the so-called ‘boom years’ – boosting their profits at our expense. Winning the battle for public sector pensions means workers in the private sector can demand more. Let’s level pensions UP, not reduce everyone to poverty.

If public sector workers have to work 8 years more to get pensions, how will young people find jobs? Can a 68 year-old teacher teach with the same energy as a 28-year old?

4. Striking now is now our only option

The government is playing at ‘negotiations’. This week’s ITV poll shows most people agree with us. Stopping work for one day is nowhere near as disruptive as years of cutbacks , low morale and unemployment.

30 JUNE PICKETS

Universities and Colleges:
Southbank, London College of Communication, Southwark College, Camberwell Arts College.
Job Centres:
Peckham, London Bridge and Camberwell
Government: Skipton Hse (by Bakerloo Tube, E&C), EHRC (Tooley St, eastern end near Southwark Council Offices, 9-12 o/c), New Kings Beam Hse (by Blackfriars Bridge), Rose Court (by Southwark Bridge), Wellington Hse (Waterloo Road nr Old Vic), Crown Court (opp HMS Belfast), Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road), Camberwell Court ( nr the Green), Magistrates (Newington Causeway) and local police stations.
Schools: Contact the NUT office at union@SouthwarkNUT.org.uk

London Protest
Starts assembling at Lincon’s Inn Fields, Holborn at 11am (Unions will leave London Southbank 10.30).
March to rally in Westminster Central Hall.

Striking to defend our pensions

2011-06-05T14:03:00.001-07:00

JOINT-UNIONS PUBLIC MEETING

FOR TRADE UNIONISTS AND SUPPORTERS

Striking to defend our pensions

Support the action!

Stop the pensions robbery!

7pm Wednesday 15 June

Speakers:

Sally Hunt – General Secretary UCU,

Martin Powell Davis - NUT Exec,

Zita Holbourne – PCS Exec. & Co-Chair BARAC,

Denise Nicholls, Southwark Pensioners’ Action Group

ITF House

49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR

(next to Duke of York Pub)

PCS and Unite members on strike tomorrow at London Bridge

2011-06-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

Monday 6 June 11.30 – 2 pm PCS and Unite members have voted to take part in joint strike action on Monday 6 June and we would be delighted if Southwark SOS peeps in the London Bridge area are able to drop by to show your support. The official strike is between 11.30am-12.30pm and we will stay on into the lunch break to allow others to join us. The London Office picket will be at the back of our offices on Tooley Street , opposite Southwark Council, City Hall bus stop, nearest tube London Bridge

Save the NHS stall at Dulwich Festival Fair

2011-05-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

At last week’s Dulwich Festival Fair local residents were literally queuing up to sign the petition to Keep Our NHS Public and in opposition to the Coalition’s Bill which threatens widespread privatisation and cuts to the health service. The demonstration on Tuesday 17 May is a sign that thousands of people are willing once again to take to the streets, against the cuts. Look at the other events we have listed below and come along to participate!

Exhibition of Art Against the Cuts

2011-05-14T14:27:00.001-07:00

Saturday 14 May - Sunday 15 May

12.00 - 6.00 pm. Exhibition of Art Against the Cuts (part of Dulwich Festival open studios) by Jolie Goodman at 53 East Dulwich Grove, SE22. Drawings are also on display at the Sea Cow, 37 Lordship Lane SE22.

SAVE LOLLIPOP PEOPLE!

2011-05-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

http://save-lollipop-people.blogspot.com/

Hi in Southwark,

I am leading a campaign in Dorset to try and prevent the cuts to the School Crossing Patrol Service or as we all know them the Lollipop People.

Unfortunately, this is not even a statutory service so local councils are under no obligation to fund them. But, the service has been in place for 58 years as if it was a right of way would have been adopted long ago. In Dorset 65 Lollipop People will lose their jobs and children will be injured and killed as a result.

I am trying to build up a network of contacts across the country where these cuts are taking place, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Essex, Lambeth, Bromley etc. Only by uniting in our protests and supporting each other can we hope to stop these cuts. If the cuts go ahead in these areas this year, then next year neighbouring counties and boroughs will look to this as an easy cut to make.

Many of the people carrying out the role are past retirement age and do the poorly paid job because they love it. They have never had the need to join a union so do not even have that representation.

Please can you feature my campaign on your blog and I will link to yours. I have listed mine with 38 Degrees but though public support could be rallied to save forests people seem less concerned about preventing children dying.

Regards

Helen Toft

http://save-lollipop-people.blogspot.com/

Dulwich Festival Fair Goose Green 11-4pm Sunday 8May

2011-05-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Festival Fair

Sun 8th May 11:00am - 4:00pm

Now it in its sixth year, the Festival Fair will bring together a selection of the best craftspeople, designers, independent shops, bars and cafes from the vibrant and creative East Dulwich area.

Southwark SOS will be there with a stall building for the DEFEND the NHS demo on 17MAY. Come along to visit with us, help to petition, etc. See you there!

Latin American Workers' Association's MayDay events

2011-04-30T02:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Southwark SOS members

You are more than welcome to any of our Mayday weekend activities in Elephant and Castle.

Jake/Latin American Workers' Association (LAWAS)

1) SATURDAY: BANNER MAKING AND SINGING FOR MAYDAY

We will be holding our last workshop making banners using batik, for use on Sunday’s Mayday March and other demos. This will be followed by bilingual singing workshop: A las Barricadas, Solidarity Forever, Solo Pido a Dios etc!

Date: Saturday 30 April

Time: 11am-4pm (banners); 4.30-7pm (singing)

Place: “Studio at the Elephant” (Unit 207/208), Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, SE1 6TE

2) SUNDAY: MAYDAY MARCH AND CELEBRATION

Join us at Clerkenwell Green from 11.30am for the Mayday march, and then at 7pm for a celebration, also at Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre (Unit 207/208) with music and special guests. This is the last activity at this temporary venue, which was recently featured on Venezuelan TV where they interviewed local activists about the cuts and showed the area etc.

Other stuff....

3) SUPPORT PALACE CLEANERS

PCS cleaners at royal palaces demand living wage of £7.85 la hora.

Sign the petition: http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/culture_media_and_sport_occupational_association/campaigns/fair-pay-for-royal-cleaners.cfm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109669709118427#!/event.php?eid=193452954033371

4) A LATIN AMERICAN CLEANER ON A FIGHTING PLATFORM

Latin American cleaner Emilse Ocampo Medina from Birkbeck College is standing for the reserved seat for low paid workers in the Unison NEC elections.

She says:

“I am a migrant worker working for a private contractor in the public sector. I am a committed UNISON activist with a track record in fighting low pay, standing up to bullying bosses and fighting for dignity and respect for all workers. I believe the 26th March demonstration against the cuts was a great start but that we need to unite across the public sector and beyond to build real resistance to the attacks on public services and on our jobs.”

See her Facebook page

27 APR STUC hustings for the Lane Ward By-election

2011-04-22T04:25:00.001-07:00

Dear All,

Southwark Trade Union Council (STUC) is hosting a hustings for the Lane Ward By-election.

Wednesday 27th April
7pm
At the Consort Estate TRA Hall
Consort Estate
Philip Walk SE15.

All the candidates have been invited and Michael Davern will chair. Please
would you spread the word as we would like to get a good turn out and the
hustings held in Brunswick Park was very succesful

Fraternally

Sue Plain
Secretary Southwark Trades Union Council

KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC!

2011-04-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Protesters prepare to lobby Simon Hughes over the Government’s Health & Social Care Bill on Friday 1^st April. The Lobby was called by the local ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ group and supported by SSOS.

Simon Hughes trying hard to convince the lobbyists (or is he trying hard to convince himself?) that the Bill is ‘not all bad’.

Plus here is a link to Lambeth action: http://www.lambethunited.org/index.php/2011/03/health-workers-chase-minister/

After Saturday's demonstration - anti-cuts action continues!

2011-03-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

After the magnificent march and demonstration last Saturday, we are organising our future events at our meeting on Wednesday (see below). There is an important demonstration on Friday, a protest on Sunday and two meetings to discuss plans for action across London. Please contact us if you want more details, and see below for reports and pictures of the South London Feeder march which attracted 5,000 people!

WEDNESDAY 30th March

7 pm. Southwark Save Our Services (SSOS) Organising meeting – open to all. Room A2, at London South Bank University, London Road Building, SE1 6LN. Ring 07939 090 667 for further directions and to receive an agenda.

FRIDAY 1st April

5pm - 6pm. LOBBY SIMON HUGHES TO DEFEND THE NHS! Liberal Democrats' Office, Market Place, Bermondsey, SE16 3UQ.

As part of the TUC’s "All Together for the NHS Day", London Keep Our NHS Public is organising a lobby of the Liberal Democrats' office in Bermondsey, constituency of Simon Hughes, calling on him to vote against the Bill. Join us there. Southwark Keep Our NHS Public are supporting this event.

SATURDAY 2nd April

3 pm - 6pm. A mass open meeting for activists from community groups, national campaigns and especially the local anti-cuts movement, to come together after the demo at UCL to discuss: i. An assessment of the 26 March ii. Future plans and actions. No plans for any top table speakers, etc, but a space to develop a concrete plan of action. Called by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) and co-sponsored by Coalition of Resistance & Right to Work Campaign

SUNDAY 3rd April

10 am at 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

Mother's Day Protest (presenting petition re Children’s Centre closures. Organised by No Cuts for kids)

TUESDAY 5th April

7.30 pm. ‘Where next after March 26?’ – Open Forum, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL (Holborn Tube) John McDonnell MP, strikers from: Tower Hamlets and Camden NUT and UNISON, health campaigners, UCU strikers and more. Called by the Right to Work Campaign

FUTURE EVENTS:

Saturday 16 April: 1pm. "Our cuts - their celebration" a meeting at London South Bank University, London Road SE1, Room A10. Organised by RSC. Further details to be announced.

A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

2011-03-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all everyone who has sent us messages of congratulations and support after Saturday’s hugely successful march through central London.

We think the feeder march from Kennington Park to Westminster Bridge which we helped to organise marks a turning point in the campaign against cuts to services and jobs in South London. About 2 - 3,000 people assembled in Kennington Park and by the time we were marching up Kennington Road, the numbers, according to police estimates, had swollen to 5,000.

Large contingents of local trade unionists came with their banners from UNISON, NUT, GMB, UNITE, UCU and others; Campaign groups from across south London including those fighting for Rights for the Disabled, Defending Adult Education, ‘Keep Our NHS Public’, BARAC the black activists group, and the Latin American Coalition Against the Cuts; Students from Camberwell College of Art, Goldsmith’s and South Bank Universities, and from local secondary schools; ‘The Armed Wing of the TUC’ brought not only people but a huge ‘Trojan Horse’ to accompany the demonstrators.

All those who took to the streets of Kennington showed a determination to make their voices heard, traffic was halted, and as people poured onto Westminster Bridge the police lines conceded as demonstrators flooded across to meet with the main body of the march. It was a great feeling!

BUT THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING!

From the messages we have received, we feel that Saturday’s huge demonstration has given confidence to thousands more, both in south London and elsewhere, to resist the cuts being made by a Government that has no mandate for its policies. Given the number of strikes planned across London by public sector workers later this week in Camden and Tower Hamlets, and the occupations of public buildings in south London threatened with closure, we will be doing everything possible to encourage the same sort of actions in our own borough in the coming weeks and months!

SUPPORT US - WITH YOUR TIME

Having said all that, Southwark SOS campaign urgently needs more volunteers to help with the tasks of keeping in contact with the rapidly expanding number of people and community groups who want to work with us. Also, if you’re not yet on our email list to receive a weekly bulletin of events, we will gladly add you to the e-list. Please email southwarksos@gmail.com.

SUPPORT US - WITH YOUR MONEY

We spent a lot of money - printing 16,000 leaflets for Southwark alone – in order to advertise the feeder march and the TUC demonstration. We are already thinking about future events to organise and support so please help us to fund all this by donating, or setting up a standing order to Southwark SOS campaign.

Donate online to: Southwark SOS, HSBC, Sort code: 40-05-25, Account no: 11643002

26MARCH - more than half a million people march against the government cuts

2011-03-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

It was an amazing day!

There are many reasons why I’ll be marching with my family on 26th March.

2011-03-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

"I believe the government does not have a mandate from the electorate to dismantle the public sector. Why is the bailing out of the banks being paid for by the loss of public services, pensions and welfare benefits, which support all in society including the most vulnerable? Meanwhile, those in the banking sector continue to be astronomically rewarded.

I am an artist who works part time for Southwark Mind a small charity supporting those most at risk and isolated in society and who experience mental health problems. My hours are likely to be reduced, many mental health services are under threat and the impact of such changes, as well as those to the benefits system is having a terribly detrimental impact on the well-being of Southwark Mind’s members.

I have made six lollipops in support of Southwark Save Our Services, I understand the numbers of lollipop people and community wardens will be cut in Southwark this year. My eight year old daughter will wear a tee-shirt with her drawing of a lollipop sign on it.

These cuts impact on what I value and work to improve in our society: below is a cartoon I have drawn which portrays the carnage of the cuts and expresses why I am marching on the 26th March 2011."

LET’S MAKE HISTORY THIS WEEKEND!

2011-03-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

This Saturday is a crucial moment in the fight against austerity and cuts. Hundreds of thousands of people will converge on Hyde Park in the TUC’s ‘March for the Alternative’.

The South London assembly point is 11am at Kennington Park, nearest Tube Oval. From there we will march together to the Embankment to join the main demonstration.

The ‘March for the Alternative’ brings together people across the UK who want to stop the Con-Dem government’s attack on the welfare state through cuts and privatisation. We want jobs for young people; we want properly funded services that are accessible to all; we want an environment that is safe and sustainable. We don’t want our communities put at risk by profiteers and bankers.

SOUTH LONDON FEEDER MARCH

Southwark Save Our Services is proud to have worked with community groups, trade unions and other campaigning, anti-cuts organisations to organise this feeder march. We want to ensure that families, groups of friends and organised contingents can march peacefully and safely in about 30 minutes to join the main march. We encourage you to bring your own placards or banners that represent you feelings about government policies, or your group’s name. We want the demonstration to be noisy, fun and vibrant. And yes, we are angry! Let’s shout, chant and whistle to let the whole of Kennington hear us, and come and join us on the march!

Meeting at Kennington will be easy – we will assemble in the park’s North Field, next to Kennington Park Place. People at the gates will point the way. We will assemble ready for departure as soon as numbers allow, and our stewards will escort us up Kennington Road towards Waterloo.

If you are new to marching, there is advice at the TUC website which you may find useful.

SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

We have spent a lot of money - printing 16,000 leaflets for Southwark alone – in order to advertise the feeder march and the TUC’s ‘Alternatives’ (Jobs, Growth, Justice). Help us to fund this, and the publicity for the next and future events we organise, by donating or setting up a standing order to Southwark SOS campaign.

Donate online to: Southwark SOS
HSBC
Sort code: 40-05-25
Account no: 11643002

or send a cheque made out to Southwark Save Our Services c/o Bermondsey Town Hall Municipal Buildings, 19 Spa Road Bermondsey London SE16 3QN

JOIN US

We are excited by the prospect of a huge demonstration of opposition on Saturday, but we know that however weak the government is, and without a mandate for the cuts they are driving through, they will only shift with massive and sustained pressure from us. We need more action after Saturday. Strikes against cuts and to protect pensions have begun. Occupations and demonstrations will be taking place in the coming weeks and months to protect jobs and services. Individuals and groups already in Southwark SOS campaign will be supporting them, but we need you, and thousands more like you to join us in these activities. Please contact us and offer what help you can.

southwarksos@gmail.com

Facebook: Southwark SOS

southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com/

Twitter:@southwarkSOS

Great video - South London resistance

2011-03-23T16:40:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CqqfVLsqsg

Marcharemos juntos! - Sábado 26 de Março

2011-03-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

COLACOR

Coalizão Latino-americana Contra os Cortes

Ninguém é ilegal

Marcharemos juntos!

Homens e mulheres da América Latina.

Em defensa de nossos trabalhos, dos serviços públicos e de nossos direitos como imigrantes!

Sábado

26 de Março – 11am

Kennington Park

Perto da estação de OVAL

De latino-americanos para latino-americanos

O que está acontecendo?

Os cortes sociais que o governo britânico de coalizão liberal/conservadora está empurrando atualmente fazem parte de uma política governamental que tem sido estendida por toda a Europa e põe em risco o Estado do Bem-Estar Social, historicamente conquistado pela luta dos trabalhadores.

Talvez nem todos de nós, imigrantes, tenhamos entendido o alcance dessas políticas agressivas.

Talvez muitos de nós pensemos que não podemos sequer ser afetados.

Talvez NEM TODOS do nós, imigrantes, entendamos o alcance dessas políticas neoliberais.

Talvez MUITOS de nós pensamos que não podemos chegar a ser afetados.

MAS NOS AFETAM...a todos e à todas.

Principalmente nós, os imigrantes

Até os mais pobres e vulneráveis da nossa sociedade, gente comum e cotidiana, trabalhadores e trabalhadoras, estudantes, donas-de-casa, mulheres, idosos e idosas, crianças, pessoas com limitações físicas...

Por quê? Porque...

pioraram nossas condições de vida,

aumentaram os custos da educação,

acentuaram as desigualdades,

golpearam diretamente ao mais fracos,

acarretaram conflitos sociais.

Impulsionaram e fortaleceram atitudes xenófobas e fascistas,

Aumentaram a perseguição aos imigrantes: ataques, vigilância, listas-negras e denúncias.

E não é justo porque...

Estamos pagando as consequências de uma crise que nós não a criamos e por erros que nós não cometemos. Com nosso trabalho, somos agentes da solução.

O que fazer?

Sair e protestar.

Unir-se às manifestações de protesto social e sindical contra essas políticas de cortes sociais e de ameaça ao bem-estar social.

É hora de atuar!

Amanhã pode ser tarde demais.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118469344896841

MARCHA POR LA ALTERNATIVA 26 MARCH

2011-03-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

Defendamos los Servicios

Públicos...
Defendamos el
NHS ...
Protejamos la Educación ...
Luchemos por cada puesto de
trabajo ...
El pueblo primero que las ganancias

MARCHA EN CONTRA DE LOS RECORTES

11am KENNINGTON PARK

Punto de encuentro en el Sur de Londres para la Protesta del 26 de marzo
Cerca de la estación Oval (metro) www.tinyurl.com/26SouthLondon

MARCHA POR LA ALTERNATIVA

El 26 de marzo será una protesta masiva en contra de los recortes. Es convocada por el movimiento sindical y busca tener a cientos de miles en las calles - grupos de la comunidad, sindicalistas, inmigrantes, mujeres….
Aquí en el sur de Londres, estamos pidiéndole a usted, su familia y amigos que se reúnan en Kennington
Park. Únete a nosotros para protestar en contra de este Gobierno. Cameron y Clegg representan
a los millonarios, pero nosotros somos millones!

El 26 de marzo puede ser un paso para expulsar a los ‘Con-Dems’, pero sólo si representa
a todos los afectados por los recortes.

Si los conservadores salen con la suya los recortes destruirán la sociedad.
Si desea proteger el servicio nacional de salud (NHS) y la educación, proteger a los vulnerables y
luchar por el empleo entonces marche con nosotros el día 26

Apoyan:

Lambeth TUC; Southwark

TUC; Lambeth Save Our

Services; Southwark Save

Our Services; Lewisham

Anti Cuts Alliance;

Wandsworth Against Cuts;

Lambeth and Lewisham

Right to Work; Defend

Southbank - Defend
La educación; América Latina
Coalición contra los cortes;
y muchos más ...
Para añadir su nombre envíe un email a
SouthwarkSOS@gmail.com

Great Video - WHY WE ARE MARCHING on 26thMARCH

2011-03-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

A secretary from south London tells her fellow bus passengers about the March for the Alternative. She's a natural

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l490VFv2PBE

Please blog it, tweet it, facebook it, email it - Lorraine deserves to go viral.

Building for the TUC Demo on 26MAR

2011-03-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday on Lordship Lane East Dulwich we had 8 people over two shifts 11 am -1.30.

We gave out about 600 leaflets, and several people offered to distribute them at various places including all of Lawrence House (Lewisham Council), London City College at Kennington, more at LSBU, and Grosvenor Estate (Walworth), where they have asked for an SSOS speaker for this Tuesday.

We took a sign-up sheet and got 19 people who want to join our email-list, including three people who want to help us leafleting. Quite a few people said “I already plan to come” and were very encouraged to know that we have a south London meeting point. One re-occurring theme was people with young families wanted to know whether the march would be safe for them. We explained that meeting up at Kennington Park was an ideal location to be able to meet up with friends and that the route (1.6 miles to meet the main march) was walkable and safe. I think we need to emphasise these points when we go out again next week.

Next Saturday, we are going to contact our local networks to get more leafleteers out (enough for an afternoon session) and we need a paste-table and some TUC/anti-cuts literature, plus a collecting tin (I am sure we could get lots of donations!)

Our next pitch is Wed or Thurs at East Dulwich Rail Station (details to be confirmed) and, on Wednesday, to visit workplaces in our area.

Southwark Speech and Language Therapy strike gets results

2011-03-06T03:50:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and supporters ,

Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) were celebrating in Southwark yesterday (3MAR11) when the reduction in funding to SALT services announced by Southwark Council was far less than had been anticipated and Unite members are now well placed to defend jobs and services , following their one day strike against redundancies in February.

Thanks to a high profile campaign which had fantastic support from parents , schools the local community and trade unions , the local authority has obviously had second thoughts about taking the axe to a popular and essential front- line service for vunerable children.

Although funding from Southwark Council will be cut by 30% , this represents a smaller reduction in service than had been predicted, and should allow Southwark PCT to create some new SALT posts, which would be prioritised for the eleven Southwark SALTs at risk of redundancy should they wish to apply for them. Where staff at risk of redundancy have found other jobs and wish to move on , Unite will be campaiging to protect their posts and the services they provide.

Southwark SALTs are linking their campaign with colleagues across the country, and when they met with Shadow Health Minister John Healy this week, he gave his support to Unite's plan to hold an evidence - gathering session at the House of Commons, where SALTs from across the country will be invited to provide information about the impact of cuts on SALT services.

Unite's campaign to save Speech and Language Therapy jobs and services goes from strength to strength and Southwark SALTs are calling on other NHS staff and service users to join them outside the Department of Health in Whitehall on Wednesday 9th March at 4pm , when Southwark SALTs will hand in over 2,000 petitions against the redundancies. Following this we will be joining other NHS staff and the public on the march to defend NHS jobs at the Royal London in Whitechapel at 5pm , going through the City of London and finishing at Barts.

While we are aware that there is still much to fight for , SALTs in Southwark have shown that if you are prepared to speak up and stand up for your clients and your jobs , it is more than possible to stop the cuts, and are very grateful for the tremendous support we have received.

Our dispute is not over yet , so please keep sending messages of support

to speakupspeech@gmail.com

Tell your friends join the other two thousand signing the online petition -

http://unite.newsweaver.co.uk/Flyer/1ai94usvxci-1a2a85iny1

Stephen Hack , Southwark SALT Unite workplace rep

Deputation to Council Assembly on the 22nd Feb 2010

2011-02-25T12:20:00.001-08:00

Dear All,

Last night we were ready to deliver our deputation message and to take any
questions councillors might have asked us. There were three other
deputations Southwark Save our Services, Age Concern Southwark and a
combined deputation that included Southwark Irish Pensioners. In order for
deputations to be heard Council's standing orders had to be suspended. This
motion was moved by Catherine Bowman of the Lib Dems. Earlier we were
amazed to be leafleted outside the town hall by the Lib Dems who thought we
should consider their alternative budget proposals. Given that it is the
Lib Dem Con coalition who are forcing the cuts through they were very brave
and several protesters were urged to moderate language and show restraint.
They did manage to escape unscathed but were left in no doubt what anti cuts
protesters thought of them and their Party.

Inside the council chamber the motion to suspend standing orders to hear
deputations fell by 28 votes to 32. The Labour group voted against hearing
the deputations and justified this on the basis that it wasn't normal
procedure to hear deputations when Council Tax is set and by admitting the
four deputations that evening would be unfair to those who had "respected"
the tradition of not hearing deputations at Council Tax setting.

The deputations and observers in the public gallery were angered by this
position. It was felt to be undemocratic and questions were asked as to
what the Labour Group feared from the deputations? The mayor attempted to
maintain order and threatened to have the public gallery cleared -
eventually the meeting was again brought to order but not before one or two
people were ejected. It was a very disappointing reaction from the Labour
Party and everyone present thought it was cowardly. Knowing that the
business of the meeting would be passed as per the recommendations of the
15th Feb cabinet I left the gallery. I've heard this morning that a
concession was made to set aside £500,000 for lunch clubs and a further
concession was made to the environment and ecology grant - we'll get
the detail in the minutes

Don't forget next STUC meeting 7pm Peckham Town Hall 9th March

Brunswick Park By-election Public Meeting - 1 March 2011

2011-02-25T12:17:00.000-08:00

Brunswick Park By-election Public Meeting (Southwark Save Our Services/Southwark TUC Hustings)

7pm, Tuesday 1st March 2011, St Giles Centre, 81 Camberwell Church Street SE5

NEWSFLASH - Brixton Town Hall OCCUPIED

2011-02-23T14:51:00.001-08:00

Brixton Town Hall has been taken, councillors have fled the building & protesters are holding a people's assembly!

Tomorrow 6pm - PROTEST AGAINST THE CUTS IN SOUTHWARK

2011-02-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 22 NO to ALL CUTS to Jobs and Services! Lobby the Council, 6pm Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road SE5
Bring banners, whistles, drums and your kids! – tell the council what you think of the little axe men and women carrying out the Con-Dem cuts! Called by Southwark UNISON and Southwark Save Our Services

Saturday 19FEB - making some noise against the cuts

2011-02-16T15:44:00.001-08:00

To build for the demonstration at the full council meeting on Tuesday 22FEB, Southwark SOS will be meeting up at 11am on Saturday 19FEB outside the Peckham Library for some street theatre, leafleting, and lots of noise - EVERYONE to bring pots and pans for a chorus of disapproval against ALL CUTS. Join us!

This week

2011-02-13T09:22:00.001-08:00

MONDAY 14^th FEBRUARY

‘Don’t Go Breaking My Art’, 10am - 1pm Leafleting, petitioning and leafleting at the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square. To draw attention to government’s intention to slash funding to public services and the culture sector in particular. Organised by PCS union.

‘Stop the Valentine’s Day Massacre of Our Public Services’ Rally, opposite Downing Street, 5 – 8 pm Organised by Coalition of Resistance.

TUESDAY 15th

Mass Lobby of Parliament ‘Tell MPs: Hands off our homes, our benefits and our rights’. Rally in Central Hall Westminster and mass lobby of Parliament. 12-4pm. Called by Defend Council Housing.

WEDNESDAY 16^th

Planning meeting for publicity stunts and 22 Feb demonstration/lobby . 7 pm. Room A3, and London South Bank Uni, London Road Building. Ring 07939 090 667 for directions) Organised by SSOS

TUESDAY 22nd
NO to ALL CUTS to Jobs and Services! Lobby the Council, 6pm Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road SE5 Bring banners, whistles, drums and your kids! – tell the council what you think of the little axe men and women carrying out the Con-Dem cuts! Called by Southwark UNISON

New Cross Library is Occupied!

2011-02-06T05:51:00.000-08:00

New Cross Library has been occupied since Saturday (5FEB11) afternoon by local people wanting to stop the closure of the library and the threat to other library services in Lewisham. They welcome your messages of support and other help. Contact 07905 685 906

People of New Cross occupy their threatened public library.

Press Release:

At 5 pm today Sat 5th Feb, a group of about 30-50 local people from New Cross, South East London, who were taking part in a ‘read in’, decided that they wanted to continue the protest against council plans to stop funding the library by staying overnight. James Holland of The Save New Cross Library Campaign, said: “Local people made it absolutely clear that they want the library to stay open in council organised consultation meetings and with over 5000 signatures on a petition, in response the council has simply delayed and re-packaged their plan, so we are taking action that we hope it will be impossible to ignore.”

He continued: “The mayor’s new PR strategy is to claim to have 'saved the library' by transferring it to the community, but we are not fooled. Even if they satisfy huge concerns over who they might transfer it to, they must also give us the money we need to run it properly. The library costs only slightly more than the mayors salary (and significantly less than any of the executive directors), yet any transfer that doesn’t continue this funding will be no better than a cynical exercise to shift the blame for the eventual closure. ”

Earlier in the day the ‘read in’ featured music from Sly and Reggie, readings, discussions, poetry and The University of Strategic Optimism. Read ins were also happening at all the threatened libraries in Lewisham and many others across the country .

It was during discussions on the future of the library and what people could do to prevent the planned huge reduction in funding that the idea of occupying came up, after a lively discussion most people decided that they supported the idea (although some said that they were not able to stay themselves). People are currently discussing practicalities with staff.

Contact 07905 685 906

communityactionlewisham@gmail.comnotes to editorsNew Cross Library is at 283-285 New Cross Rd, London SE14 6ASSly and Reggie -http://www.thesuburbanpirate.com/UfSO http://universityforstrategicoptimism.wordpress.com/ See here for more about what the idea of the 'read in 'http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/?page_id=802Save New Cross Library facebook group http://tinyurl.com/6zvdhbw

Also....
Lambeth lobby & demonstration tomorrow, Monday 7th February at 6 pm outside the Town Hall in Brixton. Organised by Lambeth SOS.
In Lambeth, up to 1000 jobs to be axed, including cuts in libraries, housing, Further Education, children's services and care for vulnerable adults.
Lambeth and Lewisham Colleges merging - courses axed and sites closing.
Tube station and bus routes cut. Fares rising.
Education Maintenance Allowance cut and student fees rising.
Nightime fire cover cut - risking lives.
Benefits and pensions slashed and many more services under attack.
TAX THE RICH - SAVE OUR SERVICES

web: http://www.lambethsaveourservices.org
email: lambethsaveourservices@gmail.com

Tuesday 25th - Protest at Southwark Council meeting

2011-01-23T21:56:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 25th - Protest at Southwark Council meeting

Assemble 3 pm at Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road SE15. The protest will then continue throughout the Council meeting which starts at 4 pm.We need hundreds of people outside to tell the Council: 'No Cuts!'

Fight against cuts: Action Update

2011-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

The enormous anger against the Con-Dems hasn’t gone away, and we have ongoing action in Southwark – Arts students in Camberwell and Adult Learners in Peckham, school students and trade unions also organising for a mass demonstration at Southwark Town Hall on 25th (For details of all of these see Listing below.)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Help with leafleting, and bring your friends/workmates to the events listed below
Please consider helping to organise SSOS activities. We need extra people to help with: preparing & printing leaflets; organising teams to distribute publicity; updating Facebook, Blogspot etc.; updating supporters’ contact information; contacting the press; organising funds and other finance; chairing, or taking minutes at our meetings; other stuff. Please contact Chris (0793 9090 667) if you can volunteer for one of the above, or to get further details.

WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY: March on Parliament to save EMA

4pm: Assemble at Piccadilly Circus; 5pm: March to Parliament Square

Students, education workers and all defenders of the right to education, unite and join the demonstration as MPs debate the end of EMA. Bring your friends, your colleagues and your union banners.

Also on Wed 19th January - SSOS Organising Meeting

Open to all. Please come. 7pm, Room A3, South Bank Uni, London Rd building. For details including agenda contact Chris on 0793 9090667. Please note invitation above asking for your help in organising our campaigns.

Saturday 22nd January – Leafleting

Join in street leafleting. We need to be publicising the demonstration at Southwark Town Hall planned for 25th Email: eccles_john@hotmail.com or phone/text John on 07519 811657 to say what you can do.

Also on Saturday 22nd

National Campaign against Fees & Cuts conference. Venue: University College, London WC1E 6BT

National Shop Stewards Network Conference, South Camden School, NW1.

Tuesday 25th - Protest at Southwark Council meeting

Wednesday 26th – Protest outside Southwark Council meeting discussing EMA

6 pm at Southwark Town Hall, Peckham Road SE15. Support the school students who will address the Councillors at 6.30 pm.

Saturday 29th – Demonstration in London against Education cuts

Details to be announced.

Chris Kelly,
for Southwark SOS Campaign
southwarksos@gmail.com

Southwark Says NO to the Cuts!

2011-01-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

Our Council should oppose - not impose - vicious Tory/LiDem attacks!
DEMONSTRATE

Tues 25 Januar y 3pm onwards | Peckham Town Hall
Peckham Road, London SE5
Ever yone come along: students,
pensioners, workers, community groups,
parents, children Unite and fight!
......................................................................................................

Help spread the word and make this protest massive
For copies of leaflets/posters and to join our campaign
CONTACT US:
southwarksos@gmail.com
www.southwarksaveourservices.blogspot.com
T WIT TE R: @southwarkSOS
FACEBOOK: Southwark SOS
PHONE: Michael 07983 475 050
......................................................................................................

Save Southwark Adult Learning Campaign - ARTS TEACH-IN

2011-01-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

STUDENTS PLAN ARTS TEACH-IN ON MONDAY 17 JANUARY

TO HIGHLIGHT ADULT EDUCATION CUTS

Inspired by the actions of university students campaigning against tuition fee rises, Southwark Adult Learning campaign is organising a Teach-in at the Thomas Calton Centre in Alpha Street, Peckham SE15 4NX (behind Netto’s) from 11am til 8pm on Monday 17 January.

The aim of the teach-in is to highlight draconian cuts and impossible enrolment targets which spell almost certain closure for a whole range of arts, crafts, dance, fitness and other life-enhancing courses. Beginning at 11am, the teach-in promises to be a day-long festival of arts, crafts, banner-making, drawing, painting, knitting, sewing, massage, discussion, talks, music and movement.

The celebratory event will demonstrate the importance of adult learning to the people of Southwark. Artists, celebrities, students and the local community will come together to say NO to Southwark council’s destructive new adult-education rules and fees hikes. We warmly invite anyone and everyone who cares about arts and education to come along whenever they can, and join in to support our stand.

OUR DEMANDS

Stop fee rises
No class closures
Restore concessions for those on benefits
NO to impossible targets
Keep our community together

Background information

The fee rises affect all courses other than basic skills. After only one class and one term, students, whether waged or not, are expected to pay a premium fee of £165 - a rise of over £100 for those previously entitled to concessions. After a barrage of complaints and appeals, Southwark council has finally admitted that this has not been imposed by the Skills Funding Agency as management had previously claimed. The Skills Funding Agency recommends concessions for the whole year. It is Southwark’s own decision to withhold concessions. Also, courses that cannot attract enough ‘new learners’ will be forced to close: arts and crafts course will be particularly hit. Several courses already closed in the winter term because of these barriers.

Voices of students

Vincent: Our ‘teach in’ will celebrate the brilliant work produced by adult learners in Southwark. People have gained skills that they want to build on and to share with others. We want to show Southwark council that they are not just destroying learning but a vibrant and talented community.’

Carlo: ‘The ceramics class inspires me. It gives me one day a week to really look forward to when I can go somewhere, be with people and do something I love – all of us love it! If the cuts go ahead, I will again be in semi-seclusion, there will be nowhere for me to go and meet people.’

Joan: My class is very active and everyone is making progress. What a waste to throw this away. Southwark is pro-arts. Why cut classes and damage creativity? For what? Some crazy rules?’

Here's to a New Year filled with Resistance!

2011-01-10T13:19:00.001-08:00

Wednesday 19 JANUARY: Next SSOS Organising Meeting

Open to all. Please come along. 7pm, Room A3, South Bank Uni, London Rd building.

Two events taking place tomorrow (Saturday) 18DEC10

2010-12-19T04:41:00.000-08:00

1. TUBE STRIKE
Tubeworkers from the RMT Bakerloo Line will be on strike tonight and tomorrow. There will be a picket line at the Elephant and Castle, Bakerloo Line entrance this evening and tomorrow morning. Please go along and show your support.

2. BRIXTON TOPSHOP: "SAT 18 DEC = PAYDAY "
11AM outside Topshop
Last year Philip Green, owner of TOPSHOP DODGED £290 MILLION
That money should have paid the EMA for over 276,000 students and paid for their school sports! LETS TAKE TAX ENFORCEMENT INTO OUR OWN HANDS
For details and other PAYDAY activities go to UKUNCUT.ORG.UK

JOIN OUR ACTION TODAY & DECISION TO MAINTAIN OCCUPATION - from Camberwell Arts College

2010-12-09T15:01:00.000-08:00

ALL MEET AT LCC (ELEPHANT & CASTLE) AT 10.45

we leave Camberwell occupation at 10. Then head up to LCC, then LSBU for their walkout and rally, then go our own route for our action, which will be peaceful, unarrestable and really, really fun!

Last night we had an amazing night; with Pil and Galia Kollective coming down at short notice to give us an intelligent, open debate, and JJ from the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination got us all thinking up and running about with his group direct action games. The two contrasted really well and got us all ready for today!

We also obtained the financial information we demanded from the university! This was one of our demands, and we are the first occupation to have this demand met! The books prove that 70% of the CCW budget is spent on administration, most of which is at Davies street , which Camberwell did without for many decades, which we DO NOT NEED. ONLY 30% OF THE CCW BUDGET IS SPENT ON TEACHING RESOURCES. WHAT??????????

We had a big meeting after dinner with about 36 people present, where we decided on a peaceful, unarrest-able action that we will be doing with London Southbank University this morning. We decided that it was really important to show solidarity with other local colleges and Universities, so that we start to create a lasting local network of action and support.

Please do come out and meet up with us and make yourself useful on what will be a historic student day of action!

In other news,

WE HAVE DECIDED TO KEEP OCCUPYING. It would be no good if the moment we are meant to be on holiday, we give up our fight for 4 weeks! We all decided last night that we will stay in occupation through the holidays. This means we will need as many people with any spare time to come down over the next few weeks, and join in and stay. We need to show the university, the government and the public that we are not just here for a laugh, and that we should be taken seriously. We will continue to use the space for organising, making, and planning actions, and keep making a nuisance of ourselves.

Come and join us today!

The occupiers

Anti-cuts campaign gears up in next few days – HOW YOU CAN HELP

2010-12-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

Following the central London demonstration by thousands of students last week, including many from Southwark schools, there is another, even bigger march on parliament this Thursday: DAY X. And next Tuesday 14th we will be demonstrating at Peckham Town Hall against Southwark council’s spending cuts.

WHAT YOU CAN DO STRAIGHT AWAY

Pass on this email, text or phone others, use Facebook to spread the word - Tell friends/fellow students, workmates and campaigners about the events below

Contact everyone in your community group/union branch

Action this week:

Leafleting today and tomorrow (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Can you help to give out leaflets? (Ring John on 07519811657 urgently)

Tuesday 7th : Support the Occupation at Camberwell Arts College!

Send messages of support.Contact Nik: 07921956219; Catarina: 07549942903; Tobias: 07512248598; camberwellanticuts@gmail.com

Wednesday 8th : students day of Action

South Bank University Assembly of University Staff & Students - speakers: a student from a London occupation, local trade unionists etc. (4 pm - 6pm in Room B230);

Thursday 9th : The vote on tuition fees takes place in Parliament (Daytime and evening protests)

Students, workers, communities, family-members, friends...

WE NEED EVERYONE THERE! (If you can't leave work early, come after work)

11 am - LSBU students assemble; 12 noon - school students and all others.

London South Bank University, Keyworth St, SE1 6NG, near Elephant & Castle. (If you work in central London, go to ULU, Malet Street, WC1E 7HY)

12-3 pm Marches converge on Parliament

3pm - late

Vigil on Victoria Embankment /outside Parliament (til vote is taken)

Friday 10th : London Wide Assembly

All students and workers are invited to discuss what's next for the movement against University tuition fees and to defend the EMA. (6 pm at LSE, Clement House Aldwich WC2B 4JF)

Saturday/Sunday 11th /12th

Stalls and leafleting to advertise events on Monday and Tuesday (see below); Can you help? (Ring John on 07519811657)

Monday 13th - Day of Action to Save EMA

Local actions - morning & lunchtime. If you are a school student, send us your ideas, and we will try to get others involved!

4 pm Protest outside the government's Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, 1 Victoria Street SW1H 0ET – school students, education workers and everyone - come along!

Tuesday 14th December at 3 pm (note new time)

Protest at Southwark Council Cabinet Budget meeting

which will be deciding which services will be cut and how many jobs will go! At the Town Hall, Peckham Road, SE5 8UB (Contact us for leaflets and posters)

Thursday 16th December: STOP THE MADNESS -HANDS OFF LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES

Public Meeting: SPEAKERS Dr Louise Irvine local GP , John Lister (Health Emergency) 7pm at WALWORTH METHODIST CHURCH, 54 Camberwell Road

Advance notice:

Next SSOS Organising Meeting on Wed 19th January

Open to all. Please come. 7pm, Room A3, South Bank Uni, London Rd building.

SSOS needs help with web/publicity

Southwark Save Our Services is growing fast to keep up with the massive attacks being launched by government and local council.

We have built the student actions, leafleted schools, colleges and in the street, held a protest outside the Town Hall, connected with council tenant groups - and started to be a focus for uniting and fighting the cuts. But we are running out of hands. None of us active members are techie-types - and our facebook/twitter/blogspot profiles are falling behind. We are not even finding time to upload our publicity leaflets! Nightmare!

We need someone willing to work with the other busy members to make sure our web presence reflects what we do and what we want to do. Can you help? Please contact Nicola at southwarksos@gmail.com

Camberwell University of the Arts Occupied today!

2010-12-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

Monday 6 December 2010

At one o’clock this afternoon, Camberwell College of the Arts joined a wave of other occupations around the

. It became the first of the UAL’s colleges to occupy in protest against the proposed cuts; which are especially harsh for arts and humanities education, and the rise in student fees. The students called for all arts students to join the occupation, or take their own action in solidarity.

They released this statement:

We, the students of Camberwell College of Arts, believe that if the massive cuts proposed for education happen, it is unlikely that academies such as ours will continue to exist. Arts and humanities courses are being targeted with the largest cuts, while still requiring a great deal of funding, which even a rise in fees will not cover. In response, we have decided to occupy the Wilson’s Road building at our college.
We see the arts as occupying a vital place within society, one which benefits us all, both culturally and economically. If arts education ceases to be a viable route for students, that benefit will be lost.
An artless society is a heartless society!
We oppose the transformation of education into a market. Education should be a forum for all publics, not just those who can afford, to learn, experiment and debate.
Therefore, we call for all arts students, especially those from UAL to join this occupation, and call for more arts-led occupation and actions. We propose to use our space for a practice led resistance. We will run workshops, performances, debates and experiments, creating a collective space of generative discourse. At no point will we disrupt any fellow student’s education, allowing all scheduled lectures to continue. We wish to propose, rather than simply oppose!

We demand that UAL:

Issue a statement condemning all cuts to Arts education, and the rise in tuition fees and defending the value (economically and culturally) of Arts education for society, and its place within government funded education.

· Put pressure on the MP of every borough that UAL has a college in to vote against the educational reforms.

· Guarantee that there be no more course closures, or course amalgamations. This includes, if possible, the re-instatement of the Ceramics courses.

· Safeguard all jobs for our teaching, research and support staff.

· Issue a statement guaranteeing no further cuts in access time to workshops and facilities. This means no losses of current facilities, studio space or access time to workshops.

· Provide full details of the existing budgets, and any projections of how the budget is likely to be spent if cuts and fee reforms do happen.

· Provide all cleaning, catering and security staff with a full living wage package, again with no loss of jobs or hours, and that all outsourced staff and services are brought back in-house.

· Provide a more effective, regular structure for student feedback which effects positive change, in the normal running of the University.

· Do not victimize anyone taking part in this occupation.

· Allow free access in and out of the occupation for all students, staff, speakers and other visitors.

The Occupiers, Camberwell College of Arts

Contact Details:

Nik: 07921956219

Catarina: 07549942903

Tobias: 07512248598

camberwellanticuts@gmail.com

Twitter: @camberwellantic
Facebook: Camberwell Anti Cuts
http://www.3-camberwell.blogspot.com/

SIMON HUGHES speaking at South Bank University - Thursday 2DEC

2010-12-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

Join the protest - Simon Hughes, LibDem MP, is speaking at London South Bank Uni. We need to put pressure on the LibDems to honour their pre-election promise and vote against the hike in tuition fees. Come along at 5pm Thursday 2DEC10 on London Rd at the Elephant & Castle to make your voice heard!