DEFEND THE NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE

Friday 11th April
12pm at Watford station.

http://iwwnbs.wordpress.com/


"Fellow Workers,
I'm writing on behalf of the Save Our National Blood Service campaign of which the IWW is a part to ask if you or people you know could help with a demonstration the Watford Blood Service HQ on Friday the 11th of April. The proposed cuts to the Blood Service will close labs all over the country to consolidate them into just 3 ‘supercentres’. This is a small part of the current attack on the NHS, but just as dangerous as any other. As well as 600 job losses, all of us that use the NHS will be put in danger by this irrational move - which has been roundly condemned by medical experts and health workers alike.

As the campaign has gained momentum, with Amicus and Unison threatening to ballot their members for industrial action, the Blood Service bosses called a temporary review of their plans. Following the review by McKinsey & Co. consultants they have announced jobs will partly stay in Sheffield and all jobs will stay in Newcastle . They have also scrapped the idea of 'supercentres'. It is clear the campaign is forcing their hand.
We are calling a demonstration at to:

- Show the workers they are supported, especially before the ballot for strike action
- Demand management release the full findings of the review
- Demand management agree to meet the campaign
- Attract media attention to this, and all NHS sell offs

We hope that any kind of victory in the NBS campaign would help pave the way for a broad fight-back for the NHS uniting patients and workers; defending the health service is urgent and we must support any initiative that could stem the tide. We literally cannot afford to lose. The demo will meet at 12 at Watford station."