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MASS STRIKE FOR THE
FUTURE OF OUR NHS IS ON
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Health 081014
M
ONDAY WILL SEE HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS of NHS workers
joining picket lines to take on
the Tories over the insulting pay assault.
How dare the politicians tell hard working
health staff, who are under the cosh with
workload as a result of the 50 billion NHS
cuts, closures and privatisation, that we
are only worth a 1 percent rise or less. Its
especially outrageous when the Westminster
elite gave themselves a 10 percent pay rise!
But the strike is about so much more
than pay. The NHS strike on 13 October,
7-11am, can provide the focus for the whole
movement. It will launch a week of strikes
and demonstrations. This is a chance for
everyone, and not just health workers, to get
behind the fght to defend the NHS.
Then on Tuesday 14 October, workers
in local government and lecturers are set to
strike, with civil service workers and RMTs
London Underground workers out on 15
october too.
The week will be topped off by two huge
demonstrations on the 18th in Glasgow and
London called by the TUC and STUC.
Breakfast
As Monday approaches, every health
worker should get behind the strike.
Make sure youre a member of a union so
you can take part.
Find out from union notices boards,
workplace reps and union meetings about
picket line details and get involved. Pickets
will start from 7am outside your workplace.
Many health workers may feel theyd
rather be out for more than four hours, but
its important to use the action called as a
successful frst step in the fght for fair pay
and the NHS. The political impact of an
NHS strike can be massive. The Tories
assault on the NHS has enraged millions
who can see the strike as their fght too.
In many areas, communities are already
organising Breakfast for the NHS
solidarity visits to picket lines at hospitals.
Health workers should argue to shape
the strike by inviting local unions, patient
groups, students and NHS campaigns.
Attacks on NHS pay are about preparing
the health service for privatisation, to make
the sell off as proftable as possible for the
Tories big business chums. The strike votes
across the unions refect the rage many feel
over whats happening to the service we all
work so hard to provide.
And its not just the NHSthe Tories
have the whole public sector under siege.
But their decision to attack workers pay
everywhere can unify resistance. We saw
this on 10 July, when local government
workers, teachers, civil service workers, and
frefghters all walked out together.
Crocodile
Now October poses the possibility of
mobilising a fght that can win. Solid strikes
will help put pressure on union leaders. This
has to be just the beginning of our campaign.
Ignore the crocodile tears from the
Tories, who say striking NHS workers are
neglecting patients.
Its the Tories who are cutting wards,
staffng levels, and even whole hospitals
permanently.
Doncaster Care UK strikers, who have
struck 80-odd days, were employed by the
NHS, then sold off to private frm, Care UK.
Now the service is under threat as proft is
put frst. Theyre striking for the future of the
NHS and we can too.
We cant let our unions repeat mistakes.
In 2011, 2.6 million struck over pensions.
Some union leaders supported a deal that
sold members short. This led to a year of
inaction as theassault on workers intensifed.
Prepared
Union leaders were right to push for strikes
over pay. This government is weak. The
incredible campaign in Scotland created a
crisis for Cameron and Miliband.
Labour promises the cuts and lined up
behind the Tories in Scotland. Whatever
government 2015 brings, we must be
prepared to fght. Autumn and winter strikes
can beat the pay freeze, and allow us to
strengthen workplace organisation.
But to win, we have to organise pressure
now to escalate strikes.
Tell the Tories we wont let them destroy our health service...
Care UK strikers are fghting for the future of the NHS

WHAT YOU CAN DO: GET ACTIVE
If youre not in a union, join: come to the picket line
Contact other local unions and ask them to use
petitions supporting the strikes to defend the NHS
Organise for your picket line to be a hub for
resistance to the Tories on the day. Some branches
are doing Breakfasts for the NHS where students,
patients, trade unionists and campaigns will join the
picket for a solidarity breakfast!
Ask your branch for pay campaign materials and to
organise a meeting in your section.
Organise union stalls: leafet your work to build the
best turnout for strike day.
Invite strikers, such as Care UK, council
workers and firefighters, to your branch and send a
donation and message of support.
UNITE THE RESISTANCE
STRIKING
TOGETHER
Organising to win conference
Speakers include: Unison Care UK strikers, Matt
Wrack FBU general secretary, Billy Hayes CWU, John
McDonnell MP, US fast food strikers, Jane Aitchison
PCS, Ian Lawrence NAPO, Ian Hodson BFAWU, Peter
Pinkney RMT, Mandy Brown Lewisham College UCU.
Saturday 15 November, Bloomsbury
Baptist Church, central London.
Book up online at uniteresist.org