Come to the SERTUC Public Services Conference on 6 March

I have been involved in organising this free one-day Conference on "Campaigning to Speak up for Public Services". If you want to be there, register with dlewis@tuc.org.uk

Saturday 6 March 2010 10am – 4pm
Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS

The conference will look at the causes of the current economic crisis; the response of the mainstream political parties – particularly with reference to their public expenditure plans – and the trade union movement to it. The Trade Union alternative; exploring the potential for joint campaigning activity within the region in defence of services and jobs, living standards; and the scope for building solidarity at local and regional level when union members are compelled to take industrial action to defend services and jobs.


Agenda

9.30 – 10.00 Coffee and Registration

10.00 – 10.10 Welcome and Introduction Martin Gould SERTUC President

10.10 – 11.00 The economic crisis and the public sector Graham Turner Economist and author of No way to run an economy and The Credit Crunch

11.00 – 12.15 The Trade Union response:

 The Public Sector Context “Speaking up for Public Services”
Megan Dobney SERTUC Regional Secretary
 Civil Service Compensation Chris Baugh PCS AGS TBC
 Higher Education Under Threat Cliff Snaith UCU Regional Secretary TBC

12.20 – 12.30 Introduction to Workshops John Ball SERTUC
12.30 – 13.15 Lunch
13.15 – 14.45 Cross Public Sector Workshops
The aim of the workshops is to update across sectors on the key issues and develop campaigning and organising strategies. For example pay and pensions, what are the key issues in Health, Education, Local Government, Civil Service, Prisons, Fire and Rescue Services, Government Industrials.
 Pay and Pensions Chair: Martin Powell-Davies NUT
 Job and Services Chair: Gloria Hanson Unison
 Equality Chair: Teresa Mackay Unite
 Campaigning and Solidarity Chair: GMB Lead speaker: Tom Taylor
14.45 – 15.30 Workshops Plenary Session

15.30 – 16.00 Closing Session TUC Spokesperson