Dear Friend,

I’m writing to you on behalf of the People’s Assembly Against Austerity group that covers Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) and Bridgend. A number of us attended the People’s Assembly in London on 22 June 2013. We were inspired by the justice and rationality of the arguments against the austerity policies being implemented by our UK government and the EU. It demonstrated that we can stop these policies and we were convinced that it is possible to put hope, justice and fairness back into politics: that the working class should not pay for the bankers’ crisis.

We firmly believe that a large proportion of the local population share this view but currently lack a clear voice and support in taking action to resist and fightback.

As a local group, it is our aim to establish a broad network of people who oppose the politics of austerity whether you are a member of a party or not. The intention is to help develop support for the UK coordinated initiatives planned for the 29 September and the 5 November (see the draft statement below); to support, coordinate and share experiences of resistance in the area and beyond; to encourage people to mobilise against austerity both in work and the community.

As a first step towards establishing this network we are asking you to put your name to a letter showing support for a People’s Assembly covering Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) and Bridgend. The letter will then be widely published in early September to gain support for a rally to be held at the Pontypridd YMCA on 18 September.

Here is:

1.    The letter for signing
2.    A link to the statement that was agreed at the 22 June meeting in London providing current guidance for action and open to amendment at a recall People’s Assembly in 2014 http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/draft-statement/.
3.    A link to some good arguments put by the North East People’s Assembly group http://peoplesassemblytyneandwear.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/why-bother-with-the-peoples-assembly/ .
4.    A link to the speeches made at the 22 June meeting http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/category/launchevent/

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN THIS OPEN LETTER, LET LEN ARTHUR KNOW (email: len.arthur@phonecoop.coop)  AND HE WILL ADD YOUR NAME TO THOSE SHOWN ON THE BLOGSPOT:
http://pafightback.blogspot.co.uk
(LET HIM KNOW YOUR AFFILIATIONS/ROLES if applicable))

Letter for signing

This is a call to all people in the Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) and Bridgend area who face an impoverished and uncertain year as their wages, jobs, conditions and welfare provision come under renewed attack by the government. With some 80% of austerity measures still to come, and with the government lengthening the time they expect cuts to last, we are calling a local People’s Assembly Against Austerity to bring together campaigns against cuts and privatisation with trade unionists in a movement for social justice. We aim to develop a strategy for resistance to mobilise millions of people against the Con Dem government.

The assembly will provide a forum for anti-austerity views which, while increasingly popular, are barely represented in parliament. A People’s Assembly can play a key role in ensuring that this uncaring government faces a movement of opposition broad enough and powerful enough to generate successful co-ordinated action, including strike action. The assembly will be ready to support co-ordinated industrial action and national demonstrations against austerity, if possible synchronising with mobilisations across Europe. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity in our area will meet on Wednesday 18 September 2013 at the YMCA Pontypridd starting at 7pm and finishing no later than 9pm.

We have already agreed to sign and we hope you will decide to join us.

Andy Chyba Bridgend Green Party chair; Unite.

Helena Watson UNISON RCT – branch chair

David Smith UNISON RCT – assistant branch secretary

Angela Pring UNISON RCT – convenor

Dean Price UNISON RCT – branch convenor

Neil Parry UNISON RCT – branch convenor

Anita Lewis UNISON RCT – branch health & safety officer

Neil Holley Unite branch secretary

Terry Evans UNISON RCT – branch education officer

Peter Crews UNISON RCT –  branch secretary

Graeme Beard

Ann Bennett Labour Pontyclun Community Councillor.

Vera Arthur

Len Arthur Labour Pontyclun Community Councillor; UCU (rtd)