Conference fights cuts in Sheftield
Socialist Press1978 1978-10-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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Unless the leadership is forced to give a clear lead there is a danger that the whole campaign-and with it all the A conference has been called in Sheffield on Saturday December 2 to discuss the problems facing the NHS and a programme of action to defend and develop health care facilities.
The conference was originally called by the Sheffield Campaign against cuts in the NHS after a fight waged by WSL memNALG O UC upell LU amendment at ence.
*Opposition closures in the bers and Socialist Press readers.
A WSL member argued that it was necessary to go beyond the concept of fighting cuts as and when they occurred, and actually begin to take up the political questions which lay behind the cut-backs.
It was felt that the committee should launch an offensive around programme of action which could be taken to the centre of a conference based on labour movement delegates. This was eventually agreed.
The conference is now being sponsored by a number of union branches and Labour Party wards and support is pledged by a number of working class organisations.
Trade unions.
The committee is open to all workers in the health service and other trade uninnists in industrv lahour movement bodies and members of the public who are determined to campaign against cuts in defence of the health service.
The committee campaigns in the trade union • movement on the following policies which will ho anan dionceinn / the conferto all NHS which represent a cut in services, and indirect cuts such as natural wastage etc.
*The secrecy which surrounds the AHA must be abolished-all plans, discussions and information should be open for inspection by trade union committees and users of the health service.
*For regular increases in the health service budget to keep pace with inflation and additional finances to increase services to meet patient's needs.
**Opposition to the massive profits made by the drug and supplier firms from the NHS. For an investigation into the finances of these firms as part of campaign for their nationalisation.
*The cuts will not be prevented by lobbies of MPs, petitions, or "days of action". What is required is national strike action by health service unions. On the basis of this we call for solidarity strike action by other unions.
*We support in particular hospital occupations against closures.
Details and credentials for the 2 December conference, which will be held at Mount Pleasant Centre, sheitela, can be obtained from Chris Styles, 179, Sandford Grove Road, Sheffield, S7 IRS.