UNISON Rotherham Local Government

Speak up for public services

(12/12/06) UNISON is urgings its activists to support to TUC-organised lobby of Parliament on 23 January 2007 to support public services under attack from various angles/

The lobby starts at 11:30am, witha rally in Methodist Central Hall from 12:30pm featuring a number of speakers.

It is an opportunity for all public-sector unions to join together to celebrate the public-sector ethos, to resist privatisation and the use of market forces within the public sector and to support continued investment in public services.

Lobbyers will argue that change should be based on evidence and done in partnership with staff. Transport will be arranged from throughout the country by unions working together through TUC regional offices.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Some things are just too important to be driven by profit. This lobby is an opportunity for all public servants to join together to celebrate the values of public service and to tell MPs that trying to run public services like a business may please shareholders but won't deliver better services."

The TUC has launched as special website to help coordinate the day. It can be found at www.tuc.org.uk/speakup and features downloadable leaflets and posters to publicise the event, together with the campaign logo that can be used by unions and supporters to produce their own material.

The TUC has produced a model letter - available on the web site - for lobbyers to send to their MPs, who will receive a letter from Mr Barber, setting out the arrangements the TUC has made for the day

The TUC is also co-ordinating efforts to have an Early Day Motion that lobbyers can ask MPs to sign.

UNISON's Positively Public campaign