Northampton – Cuts fight goes on
WORKERS, APR 2006 ISSUE
The fight against huge cuts in council services in Northampton continues, with more workers and users being drawn into the fight. Users of respite care homes took out injunctions which, despite eventually failing at the High Court, delayed the Council and brought many more into the struggle. At least 100 people turned out one Saturday in a spontaneous demonstration. A big demonstration was held outside the High Court in London. Leafleting and petitioning of the public has had a very positive response. The youth workers in the CYWU are balloting for action, including a refusal to carry out any work that would aid the closure of the youth service.
Above all, the Tory Council is reeling with the level of hostility it has generated. The High Court judge criticised its failure to consult over the cuts. But the fight is really just beginning, and users and unions, especially Unison, must decide on how they proceed. The cuts affect so many aspects of the services that weaker areas will easily be picked off, as workers are persuaded to accept voluntary redundancy. £10 million has been set aside for redundancy payments, which shows the essentially political nature of the attack as the council seeks to hold down the council tax and pass essential services to the private and voluntary sectors.
The struggle has brought together many people from different areas – the key is to work together in a common strategy. The fight is no doubt being watched closely by other councils – if it succeeds in Northampton it will surely be tried elsewhere.