Overwhelmingly positive support again from public for second NHS strike at Calderdale Royal Hospital

There was a good turn out at the Calderdale Royal Hospital NHS staff strike picket on the frosty morning of Monday 24th November.

Unlike the first NHS staff strikers’ picket a few weeks ago, NHS staff and supporters only picketed the main hospital entrance on Dryclough Lane this time.

Mick Coughlan, a member of staff at Calderdale Royal Hospital, said,

“As a member of UNISON I’m taking part in industrial action in protest at the decision by the Lib Dem/Conservative government’s decision not to implement the independent pay review body’s recommendation to give NHS staff a 1% pay rise. This must be contrasted with the MP’s pay review body suggestion of 11% for them being accepted. All in it together?”

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Excellent public support for striking #NHS staff in #Calderdale and #Huddersfield

The entrances to Calderdale Royal Hospital were picketed by striking NHS staff this morning between 7-11am, with many passing cars honking their horns in support.

Members of Unison, Unite, GMB and the Royal College of Midwives stood in the rain handing out leaflets, to explain that years of frozen pay and deteriorating working conditions are making it impossible to retain staff and to care properly for patients. Continue reading

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham backs fight to save Calderdale and Huddersfield A&Es

Today Halifax MP Linda Riordan welcomed Andy Burnham, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, to a meeting of around 50 Save Calderdale and Huddersfield A&E campaigners.

This was an opportunity for campaigners to hear his views of the proposal to close Calderdale A&E, ask questions about how best to develop the campaign and find out about current Labour health policies.
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Halifax public meeting fights for our NHS

Hundreds of people turned up at a public meeting in Halifax today to discuss the possible closure of Calderdale A&E, and it was agreed to fight on to keep it open. Continue reading

Protect #Calderdale A&E public meeting, 26th February, Hebden Bridge

Anyone who’s interested in getting involved in a campaign to protect Calderdale A&E from any reduction in its services is welcome at a public meeting called by UNISON’s Michael Parkinson and Upper Calder Valley Plain Speaker, at the Fox & Goose, 9 Heptonstall Road, Hebden Bridge HX7 6AZ,  at 6pm on Wednesday 26th February.

Members of existing Protect Our NHS groups, such as Calderdale NHS 38 Degrees, are welcome. There is strength in numbers and it would be good to link up with existing/ongoing campaigns.
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Unison report on local government, sustainable energy, jobs & skills

The new green team: Local government, sustainable energy, jobs & skills includes outlines of how local councils can create a revolving fund using income from the installation of renewables and FITs to help create a green team that would redeploy local council staff into delivering sustainable energy projects such as energy efficiency retrofits and renewables installation. Calderdale’s Energy Future mentions a new revolving loan fund without saying how it will work – could it be something like this? If anyone knows, please say.