Support is growing across the north of England for “public sector alliances” of unions and community groups opposing the Government’s cuts, according to union activists. But while campaigns against cuts are underway, support for industrial action is less clear.
Cuts to local services are expected to be announced by councils in the wake of Chancellor George Osborne’s spending review.
Alec McFadden, who helps run Merseyside’s public sector alliance where councils are already seeking job cuts, said he expected joint public sector industrial action soon “without a doubt”, adding: “I think we’re seeing a measure of unity and co-ordination that we never got when Labour was in government. I think people will be shocked. I think there will be an appetite for a fight.
“There’s a co-ordination of normal people just talking to each other. It’s happening through the rank and file branches.”
John McCormack of the Northern TUC suggested industrial action may have to wait for at least next year: “The CSR is a year-on-year cut which is going to get worse as it goes on”.
A public sector alliance is campaigning across the north-east against local cuts and receiving interest from Citizens Advice Bureaux and other voluntary groups.
