PCSU – The New Listener

Mark Serwotka on a new spirit of co-operation

17:21 Monday 14th September 2015 BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

CHRIS MANN: More now on the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Leader. He spent his first day fighting for the unions. He’ll be opposing Government plans to tighten the law on strike ballots and industrial action. I got reaction to that and to his election from Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of one of the country’s biggest unions, the Public and Commercial Services, PCS.
MARK SERWOTKA: I’m very excited about Jeremy’s election, not just because of the margin of his win, but because he’s enthused so many people in actually putting forward a very different set of policies to the people of this country, something very different from what we’ve had for many many years. And I think that’s got to be a really good thing for those who want to see a very different kind of society.
CHRIS MANN: Of course the extraordinary thing is he struggled to get enough MPs nominating him, but there were the Party members, who elected him as you say with an overwhelming majority. That suggests a very split party, the views of the MPs not reflecting those of the membership.
MARK SERWOTKA: Well I think it does raise the question of whether the MPs are entirely in tune with the membership, and those who voted to support Jeremy through the registration scheme. But of course in the last twenty years in politics the Labour MPs in Parliament have actually been forced to conduct a debate with the Conservatives along very narrow lines. Austerity against austerity lite. What Jeremy offered was a very different economic strategy, one that is about a more equal society, that is against cuts in benefits for the poorest, that is for people paying tax when they are rich or a corporation. And we haven’t really had that in Parliament for years. So I think the fact that people will now be offered something so very different will electrify politics in Britain, which is why I don’t think David Cameron is happy about Jeremy’s election whatsoever. I think he’ll be quite worried about it.
CHRIS MANN: And it’s a long time isn’t it since the unions really cosied up to Labour. There was a suspicion wasn’t there between the two since Tony Blair took over. So is it beer and sandwiches again?
Continue reading “Mark Serwotka on a new spirit of co-operation”

Regional Revenue Offices Go

07:25 Tuesday 24th June 2014
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: In a week’s time getting face-to-face advice about your tax won’t be an option. HMRC’s enquiry centres in Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough and across the country are closing down. It’s a move the Public and Commercial Services Union is protesting today in a series of strikes. Mike Black is the secretary of the union’s Cambridge branch. Mike, morning.
MIKE BLACK: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: Just remind us what these enquiry centres were about.
MIKE BLACK: Thousands and thousands of people in Cambridgeshire have come through our enquiry centres asking for advice for their tax, to try and make sure that they pay the right tax at the right time, that they don’t incur penalties, and that they get the repayments to which they are entitled.
PAUL STAINTON: Can’t you do all that online though, or on the phone?
MIKE BLACK: Well no, and it’s strange that the Government makes a defence that it’s all about digital, when they’re actually, the public service cuts of this government are actually wrecking Government digital services as well.
Continue reading “Regional Revenue Offices Go”

Margaret Thatcher’s Funeral In Context

08:10 Wednesday 17th April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: We can speak now to Dr Richard Carr, political historian at Cambridge’s Anglia Ruskin University. Morning Richard.
RICHARD CARR: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: It’s on a par really with the funeral of Winston Churchill. Is that how this will be remembered, for some people? Continue reading “Margaret Thatcher’s Funeral In Context”

Living In The Past

17:20 Friday 5th April 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[C]HRIS MANN: Thousands of civil servants across the country, some in Peterborough, have walked out for the start of a long weekend of industrial action. Unions say they’re defending their pay, pensions and work conditions. Well joining me now is Andy Reid from the Public and Commercial Services Union. Andy, hello to you.
ANDY REID: Hello.
CHRIS MANN: Who took part and why in this half-day strike in Peterborough today? Continue reading “Living In The Past”

Peterborough News 23rd June 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 07:00 to 09:00 on Wednesday 23rd June 2010. News travel weather and interviews.

Topics:
Stewart Jackson MP welcomes Budget proposals but will ask again for Peterborough to benefit from National Insurance relief for start-up businesses in order to reduce high unemployment in the city.
It is still unclear why Cathedral Square fountain maintenance costs have doubled from the original estimate but a councillor staunchly defends them.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 23rd June 2010”

Peterborough News 24th May 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 07:00 to 09:00 on Monday 24th May 2010. News travel weather and interviews.

Topics:
The Coalition Government outlines its proposed spending cuts.
Parts of Peterborough Children’s Services have been marked inadequate by OFSTED.
Peterborough Cathedral is seeking £100,000 for drainage works.
A local hairdresser appears in the SUN newspaper’s Mum of the Year contest.
There is a beehive at the top of Cumberland House in St Marks Street Peterborough.
An expatriate Peterborough United fan updates us on South Africa’s progress towards hosting the World Cup.

Interviewees:
Dermot Finch Chief Executive IPPR Centre for Cities.
Angus Ellis PCSU Union.
Lisa Schwarz Spencer’s Hair Salon Peterborough.
Rosemary Robinson Bee Person.
Paul Brown Ex-Pat Peterborough United FC Fan.
Jonathan Williams Solicitor and Cathedral Worshipper.
Marco Cereste Peterborough City Council Leader and Chairman NHS Peterborough.
Canon Richard Cattle Peterborough Cathedral.
John Richards Director of Children’s Services Peterborough City Council.
Sheila Scott Cabinet member for Children’s Services Peterborough City Council.
Toby Earl TV Easy Magazine.

Team:
Presenter: Paul Stainton
Producer: Heather Noble
Sport: Peter Swann
News: Suzi Roberts
Travel: Justin Peterson
Weather: John Gray
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BBC Peterborough March 18th 2010

BBC Radio Peterborough Breakfast Show summary for Thursday 18th March 2010

Topics:
300 jobs have been saved after plans to close the Peterborough Land Registry were shelved.
Four hospital wards in Peterborough are closed due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting virus.
Local JobSeeker claimant numbers rise but Peterborough wins £1.5 million for job creation.
Three quarters of UK Universities face budget cuts.
Cornish sea shanty singers sign for Lady GaGa’s record label.
Forest manager says ex-PUFC player George Boyd needs fitness and has a lot to learn.
Local PUFC fans walk to Nottingham via pubs for Free Kicks Foundation charity.
Rare birds spotted locally.
Waterstones recommend best books to buy.

Interviewees:
Stewart Jackson MP.
Chris Wilkinson Director of Nursing NHS Peterborough.
Richard Astle Greater Peterborough Partnership.
Malcolm Dawson HR Director Land Registry.
Victoria Dyke Public and Commercial Services Union.
Dr Alastair Hunter University and College Union.
Mike Weedon Birdwatching Magazine.
John Warren Falmouth Shout Shanty Singers.
Dave Murray Chair Peterborough Campaign for Real Ale.
Nilesh Patel PUFC fan and Charity Walker.
Anna Elmore Waterstones.

Companies mentioned:
Nissan.
Indesit.
Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.
Perkins Engines.
Cross Keys Homes.
Waterstones.

Team:
Presenter: Paul Stainton
Producer: Steve Titman
Sport: John Symes
News: Susie Roberts
Travel: Justin Peterson
Weather: John Gray
Phones: Kerry Devine
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BBC Peterborough March 9th 2010

BBC Radio Peterborough news for Tuesday 9th March 2010

Presenter: Paul Stainton
Producer: Ben Stevenson

Topics: NHS Peterborough is now £10.9 million in the red but the Interim CE has a plan. Opportunity Peterborough restructuring: former Director of Strategic Growth becomes Head of City Vibrancy: the Plain English Campaign are summoned. Public and Commercial Services Union strike: Day Two. The Royal Society of Arts collaborates with Peterborough City Council to launch “Citizen Power Peterborough”. Beetroot is good for the spleen. Rumours of back-room tantrums as Peterborough United FC. prepare for relegation: Glumbusters called in.

Interviewees: Steve Bowyer Head of City Vibrancy Opportunity Peterborough. Ian Albert PCS Union. Matthew Taylor CE Royal Society of Arts. Michael van Straten Health Guru. Darren Fower Peterborough City Cllr. John Cousins Glumbusters. Sheila Bremner Interim CE NHS Peterborough and CE NHS Mid-Essex. Marie Claire Plain English Campaign.

Brands Mentioned: Glumbusters. Opportunity Peterborough.
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