Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Striking public sector workers chant in the streets
Hundreds of lively local workers marched through the streets of Preston in protest today. The flag-waving public sector staff took industrial action to make a stand against proposed government changes to their pension plans.
The protesters gathered at the entrance to Avenham Park and marched up to Fishergate and along to the Flag Market. Onlookers and shoppers on the high street stopped to applaud and cheer the marchers who chanted “we want our money back!” as they walked along.
Marches across the country took place at the same time, to mark their support for each other and against the government’s plans to postpone retirement age and ask for a higher contribution to their penions.
View Public Sector strike in a larger map
Despite a strong police presence in Preston, it is believed that no trouble was caused by the marchers. The crowd, of around 1000 people, gathered at Avenham Park and marched from the entrance, gaining more support on their way through town.
Some of the workers chanted: “Workers united, we'll never be defeated,” as they marched on Fishergate, also shouting: “We know where you money is – in Gibraltar!” as they passed high street chain Topshop, following demonstrations by UK Uncut regarding the tax status of the company's owners.
Preston Flag Market has been the venue for a series of protests recently, including from UK Uncut and local university students, fighting against government financial cut backs and the raising of tuition fees respectively.
University lecturers showed their support for the strike, and some classes at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) were cancelled as lecturers joined the strikes. Some picketed university buildings this morning, before joining the protest.
UCLan Students’ Union also showed their solidarity with the marchers, with their President, Reni Eddo-Lodge, claiming that students and public sector workers were ‘in the same boat,’ in a blog she wrote online.
The protest was lively and good-spirited, with lots of singing amongst the speeches as they gathered. People of all ages, including children, went on the march, wearing customised t-shirts, waving personal banners and blowing horns.
The atmosphere was serious at times when speeches were on, but there were moments of humour with satirical songs being sang to the crowd.
Many trade unions were represented, including Unite, as well as the National Union of Teachers, along with teachers' trade union NASWT and public sector union UNISON, whose representatives led the march and spoke first.
Debbie Turner, an NHS worker and the Regional Health Committee Chair, opened the speeches and said: “Currently it (the NHS pension scheme) receives £2 billion more than it pays out – and where does this extra go? Straight into the Treasury’s coffers!
"And if this government gets its own way, where will the original pension money go? Break into the treasury to pay off the deficit, not our ‘gold-plated’ pensions – rubbish!
“How can Cameron say ‘we are all in this together’ when it is only public sector workers who are being called in to pay off the deficit left by the greedy bankers?”
She continued to speak about Chancellor George Osbourne’s Autumn Statement, when she said: “On top of this, we have a pay freeze for two years, and yesterday it was announced that our pay rises would be kept at one per cent!"
The Autumn Statement was on the minds of many of the marchers, which came just yesterday before the planned action. Workers from across the public sector joined in, with one mental health worker saying that it’s essential for all to show their support, especially in light of the statement.
The Public Sector trade union, UNISON, organised marches across the country to stand in solidarity against the cuts and pension changes.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “There are hundreds of thousands of UNISON members are taking action to protect their pensions today – with solid support across the country.
“We know that today’s strike is being lead by women – 3.7 million could be affected by the plans to make detrimental changes to pensions. And they won’t be fooled by government ministers’ claims that their justified action will hit jobs. They know the real reason that the dole queues are growing are the disastrous choices the government is making.
“Its own Office of Budgetary Responsibility has predicted that 710,000 public sector jobs will go by 2017. This, alongside pay freezes and the pensions tax, will suck vital demand out of our economy – strangling any chance of the private sector coming to our rescue.”
Many of the marchers were proud to be out to show their support in the strike, and were mindful of the effect the proposed changes will have on the younger generation.
The protesters gathered at the entrance to Avenham Park and marched up to Fishergate and along to the Flag Market. Onlookers and shoppers on the high street stopped to applaud and cheer the marchers who chanted “we want our money back!” as they walked along.
Marches across the country took place at the same time, to mark their support for each other and against the government’s plans to postpone retirement age and ask for a higher contribution to their penions.
View Public Sector strike in a larger map
Despite a strong police presence in Preston, it is believed that no trouble was caused by the marchers. The crowd, of around 1000 people, gathered at Avenham Park and marched from the entrance, gaining more support on their way through town.
Some of the workers chanted: “Workers united, we'll never be defeated,” as they marched on Fishergate, also shouting: “We know where you money is – in Gibraltar!” as they passed high street chain Topshop, following demonstrations by UK Uncut regarding the tax status of the company's owners.
Preston Flag Market has been the venue for a series of protests recently, including from UK Uncut and local university students, fighting against government financial cut backs and the raising of tuition fees respectively.
University lecturers showed their support for the strike, and some classes at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) were cancelled as lecturers joined the strikes. Some picketed university buildings this morning, before joining the protest.
UCLan Students’ Union also showed their solidarity with the marchers, with their President, Reni Eddo-Lodge, claiming that students and public sector workers were ‘in the same boat,’ in a blog she wrote online.
The protest was lively and good-spirited, with lots of singing amongst the speeches as they gathered. People of all ages, including children, went on the march, wearing customised t-shirts, waving personal banners and blowing horns.
The atmosphere was serious at times when speeches were on, but there were moments of humour with satirical songs being sang to the crowd.
Many trade unions were represented, including Unite, as well as the National Union of Teachers, along with teachers' trade union NASWT and public sector union UNISON, whose representatives led the march and spoke first.
Debbie Turner, an NHS worker and the Regional Health Committee Chair, opened the speeches and said: “Currently it (the NHS pension scheme) receives £2 billion more than it pays out – and where does this extra go? Straight into the Treasury’s coffers!
"And if this government gets its own way, where will the original pension money go? Break into the treasury to pay off the deficit, not our ‘gold-plated’ pensions – rubbish!
“How can Cameron say ‘we are all in this together’ when it is only public sector workers who are being called in to pay off the deficit left by the greedy bankers?”
She continued to speak about Chancellor George Osbourne’s Autumn Statement, when she said: “On top of this, we have a pay freeze for two years, and yesterday it was announced that our pay rises would be kept at one per cent!"
The Autumn Statement was on the minds of many of the marchers, which came just yesterday before the planned action. Workers from across the public sector joined in, with one mental health worker saying that it’s essential for all to show their support, especially in light of the statement.
The Public Sector trade union, UNISON, organised marches across the country to stand in solidarity against the cuts and pension changes.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “There are hundreds of thousands of UNISON members are taking action to protect their pensions today – with solid support across the country.
“We know that today’s strike is being lead by women – 3.7 million could be affected by the plans to make detrimental changes to pensions. And they won’t be fooled by government ministers’ claims that their justified action will hit jobs. They know the real reason that the dole queues are growing are the disastrous choices the government is making.
“Its own Office of Budgetary Responsibility has predicted that 710,000 public sector jobs will go by 2017. This, alongside pay freezes and the pensions tax, will suck vital demand out of our economy – strangling any chance of the private sector coming to our rescue.”
Many of the marchers were proud to be out to show their support in the strike, and were mindful of the effect the proposed changes will have on the younger generation.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Preston against parking charges
High parking charges have been putting off almost 8 in every 10 people from visiting Preston city centre, according to a recent survey of LEP readers. 90% of people asked believe parking is too expensive, with 91% thinking that parking charges should be reduced.
Despite the economic downturn, Preston Council has plans to increase charges on January 5th 2012. Fees in the bus station, market, Hill Street and Avenham car parks have already increased by 38.5% since 2008. According to the survey, 67% said they shop elsewhere because of Preston’s parking charges. You can view the full data here.
The people of Preston have spoken out against the charges.
The map below marks where car parks are around Preston, many of them being close to the city centre, which can be expensive.
View Car Parks in Preston in a larger map
Despite the economic downturn, Preston Council has plans to increase charges on January 5th 2012. Fees in the bus station, market, Hill Street and Avenham car parks have already increased by 38.5% since 2008. According to the survey, 67% said they shop elsewhere because of Preston’s parking charges. You can view the full data here.
The people of Preston have spoken out against the charges.
The map below marks where car parks are around Preston, many of them being close to the city centre, which can be expensive.
View Car Parks in Preston in a larger map
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