Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 12:00pm

Trade union coverage

THANK you for the coverage you have given the joint trade union campaign against the cuts in West Dunbartonshire Council's budget.

This is an example of the importance of local papers and radio in highlighting the concerns of the community.

We think it is worth pointing out the campaign is led by lay trade union activists who are shop stewards and branch officials who are elected by their workmates and are subject to instant recall by the membership.

No big bonuses involved here - just hard work by ordinary working people who often carry out these duties in their own time because they believe in the trade union movement.

The shop steward movement is one of the most democratic forms of organisation and it seeks to involve the community in this campaign.

Our mass leafleting for our public meetings is getting a great response from the general public.

Clearly we have struck a chord with the people who are sick of being told they are to pay for a crisis caused by greedy bankers, not public service workers.

Earlier this month, 400 trade union and community activists met in Glasgow to discuss a similar campaign, and 60 attended a meeting in Kilmarnock.

We are not alone - many ordinary people think like us.

This weekend and next we will be on the streets with stalls collecting signatures, having discussions, building for the meetings which will have trade union and community speakers.

Public meetings will be held at Clydebank Town Hall court room, on Wednesday March 3, and Alexandria CE Centre Cafe on Thursday March 4.

Tom Morrison. West Dunbartonshire Trade Union campaign coordinator