Hundreds of firefighters, their families and supporters
including Socialist Appeal sellers marched through the centre of Leeds last Saturday to
protest against proposed cuts to their services.
Hundreds of firefighters, their families and supporters
including Socialist Appeal sellers marched through the centre of Leeds last Saturday to
protest against proposed cuts to their services. West Yorkshire FBU secretary
David Williams told Socialist Appeal that the local fire authority was
proposing a further closure of 11 fire stations on top of the 10 already closed
across West Yorkshire. This would mean a total of 21 fire stations closed over
a period of 2 years with only ten new stations replacing them. “If these
proposals are allowed to ahead there will be 19
less fire appliances to respond to emergencies and up to 350 less front line
firefighters available."
David said.
The protest march ended at the City Art Gallery with a
demonstration addressed by speakers including Fabian
Hamilton the Labour MP for Leeds NE and FBU leader Matt Wrack who said
that the cuts could lead to further loss of jobs and endanger lives of the public
over this densely populated area of Yorkshire.
The unions are asking the fire authority to defer any
decision in order to get around the negotiating table to seek an alternative to
the proposals. David William thanked everyone for their support. Messages of
support to the FBU West Yorkshire can be sent to David’s address at 25 Crofton
Rise, Shadwell, Leeds LS17 8LE
Workfare is Unfair!
Following the FBU demonstration Socialist Appeal supporters joined
members of Leeds Unite community branch in a protest against Workfare government
schemes which forces people into unpaid work
placements against the threat of benefit sanctions.
A few dozen of us protested
outside the Argos and then Superdrug stores in Leeds who we believe are talking
part in these slave labour schemes which are all part of Cameron’s idea of the
“Big Society” as well as presenting employers with cheap labour in turn
preventing them from paying even the minimum wage to shop staff and helping
increase their profits.
Our loud
protests at both shops caused a lot of attention from local shoppers and we
distributed around 1000 leaflets protesting against the scandal of Workfare.
