Support for PCS members at Home Office

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PCS Comment

24 July 2012

Since the announcement that Home Office staff would strike this Thursday if the government continued to refuse to talk, warm and inspirational messages of support have been flooding in to us.

Concerns over the damage to these essential services caused by mass job and pay cuts, far outweigh fears over Olympic disruption. Here are just a few declarations of solidarity we have received.

Please email your support and call for an end to the devastating cuts at the Home Office: solidarity@pcs.org.uk

Former secretary of the PCS Home Office south and south eastern branch, Sue Kendal said: "Solidarity to all my former colleagues striking to save jobs and pensions from the decimation being inflicted on public servicesby the millionaires cabinet. I wish I was there with you. Don't be cowed by the vicious bile spewing forth from politicians and the media, stand firm with your heads high - history will show that your cause is just and honourable."

National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN). national chair, Rob Williams said: "Ahead of the action in the Home Office, please accept this message of support from the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN). We know that this is particularly important as the government and the Tory press are yet again trying to single out PCS. As Mark Serwotka commented on TV last week, they don't want to know about border control staff the rest of the year, when they are inundated with work and the general public are just as frustrated. We give you total support in your action to reverse the brutal staff cuts that have led to chaos. We will help spread the message throughout the union movement and are confident that many others will rally to your cause - particularly the threat of summary sackings from Jeremy Hunt, who has been so implicated in the 'Murdochgate' scandal. In solidarity."

Tate Galleries branch organiser, Russell Carr said: "Good luck with your action on Thursday. Keep up the pressure."

Ronnie Job, secretary of Swansea Trades Council, said: "The aggressive hate-press PCS members in Home Office have been getting is blatant attempted bullying and harassment on behalf of the government. The attack on PCS members from Ed Milliband is sad but unfortunately only to be expected from the Labour leadership these day. But rest assured you have lots of supporters in workers in the public and private sectors as we all face similar cuts.

"This message is sent in a personal capacity but I am sure that me comrades in Swansea Trades Council will join me in sending best wishes."

Mick Connole NUM Unison said: "A message of support to all members taking strike action, be brave, do not believe the news/papers, stand strong and you shall overcome. I was on strike for a year during the 84/5 miners' strike and to this day am convinced it was the propaganda of the media that eventually beat the NUM. It was and still is the most noble achievement of my life fighting Thatcher's government, you only get a short period of time to take your chance to fight before it's too late and you are wishing you had stood when you had chance."

Ian Harris of the Hillingdon Against Cuts group said: "Hillingdon Against Cuts would like to express it's deepest solidarity and pledge as much support as we can to the public servants taking strike action on Thursday.

"The cause of the Border Control workers is especially close to us, as we have Heathrow Airport in our borough, and we will continue to support PCS picket lines, and continue to build support for the PCS in the local community.

"Hillingdon Against Cuts has supporters from the GMB, Unison, Unite, FBU, RMT, PCS and CWU unions (all in a personal capacity), as well as hundreds of supporters from the ranks of the students, pensioners, unemployed and non-unionised workers, from all sections of our community. I send you solidarity on their behalf."

Public and Commercial Services Union