Supporters of the National Health Service and all those who want to defend jobs, services and a decent welfare state will be marching in Manchester to tell the Conservative Party Conference that we mean to Save Our NHS from cuts and stealth privatisation.

Calderdale Trades Council is supporting this march and rally, which has been called by the North West TUC, backed by unions and NHS campaign groups. The march assembles at Liverpool Road (M3 4FP) from 11am, marching to a rally in Whitworth Park.

The protest will highlight the impact of huge job losses and spending cuts across the health service, as well as the rapid sell-off of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies – many of whom like Circle are also Conservative Party donors.

The event will also raise concerns about the wider effect that government economic policies are having upon communities across the UK.

Trades Council Secretary Tracey Howton said:

“Calderdale Trades Council with other local groups, wants to encourage as many people as possible to support this important demonstration. The Trades Council is offering to contribute to the cost for unwaged Calderdale residents to go to the Manchester Demonstration, either for travel on the Calderdale UNISON coach or on the first train to Manchester on Sunday 29 September.”Calderdale UNISON Coach

Calderdale UNISON is organising a coach from Halifax to Manchester. Calderdale Trades Council has agreed to pay the fee for unwaged people travelling on this coach direct to Calderdale UNISON. People wanting a seat on the Calderdale UNISON coach should e-mail unison@calderdale.gov.uk stating their name, how many seats they want and whether they are waged or unwaged. Calderdale UNISON are now allocating coach seats to non-UNISON members on a first come first served basis, so we recommend e-mailing them as soon as possible if you want a seat on the Calderdale UNISON coach.

Train Travel Arrangements

To get to the demonstration people need to catch the train to Manchester departing Halifax 9.37, Sowerby Bridge 9.44, Mytholmroyd 9.50, Hebden Bridge 9.53, Todmorden 10.00, Walsden 10.03. Calderdale Trades Council is willing to pay £10 towards the cost of going to the demonstration for unwaged people who are travelling on this train. If you wish to claim this £10, please e-mail tradescouncilcalderdale@yahoo.co.uk by Midday, Friday 27 September, stating which station you will be joining the train at.