In response to attacks on jobs and services by the Barry O’Farrell Coalition NSW government, Unions NSW is launching Local Union and Community Councils (LUCCs) across the state. Many of these groups are based upon networks established during the Your Rights At Work campaign in 2007.
LUCCs have been set up in more than a dozen regional and metropolitan locations, and several groups are having their inaugural meetings over the coming weeks (see below
for details).
Meanwhile, plans by the O’Farrell government to cut several community services were exposed by the August 16 Sydney Morning Herald. The paper revealed that an internal review by NSW Community Services, part of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, recommended that the NSW government reduce funding to at least seven community organisations, including the Welfare Rights Centre, Lifeline (Sydney and Sutherland), Redfern Legal Centre's financial counseling service and the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service.
The SMH said a document titled “FACS Community Services Division: further saving strategies”, dated July 18, 2012, listed the seven organisations with the recommendation “consider defunding service”.
Dates and Venues for upcoming Local Union Community Council meetings in NSW.
Unions New England Community Meeting
(Alison Rahill 0414 316 839)
Mon August 27, 5:30pm for 6pm
West Leagues Club, Phillip St Tamworth
Inner City Community Unions Alliance
(Adam Kerslake 0425 231 820)
Wed August 29, 6pm
FBEU – 1-7 Belmore St, Surry Hills
Kempsey Community Unions Alliance
(Mary Yaager 0408 931 899)
Tue September 4, 5.45pm
330 Pacific Hwy, Kempsey
Shire Community Unions Alliance
(Chris 0425 231 813)
Wed September 5, 6pm
Tradies Club, The Kingsway, Gymea
Goulburn Community Unions Meeting
(Alison Rahill 0414 316 839)
Mon September 10, 5:30pm for 6pm
Goulburn Workers Club, 1 McKell Place Goulburn
Central Coast Community Unions Meeting
(Adam Kerslake/Debbie Westacott)
Tue September 11, 5:30pm
Gosford RSL, Central Coast Hwy, Gosford
Queanbeyan Community Unions Meeting
(Alison Rahill 0414 316 839)
Wed September 12, 5:30pm for 6pm
NSW Teachers Fed. Queanbeyan, Lev 1, 95 Monaro Street Queanbeyan
St George Community Unions
(Mary Yaager 0408 931 899)
Wed September 12, 6pm
Kogarah RSL, Railway Parade