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Barrow gives it's backing
to Remploy workers29
March Last Friday 23rd March,
Remploy employees were once again out in the Town centre to publicise their
just cause, handing out leaflets explaining their plight and encouraging the
public to sign the petition.
We arrived in good time. Included in the
gathering were the Remploy employees, with union representative, Pauline
Dewar, GMB branch secretary, Steve Forbes, Councillors and the Secretary of
the Barrow & District Disabled Association, Margaret Burrows. After the
usual photo shoot and general chat in carnival atmosphere similar to the
previous day of protest, we split into groups, consisting of a Councillor,
with the Remploy employees equipped with placard and petition to cover as
wide an area as possible.
We soon found ourselves spread
throughout the main shopping area in the middle of the lunch hour. The
Remploy people were pleased with the response that they received from the
public. On several occasions we would have to retrace our steps and wait
while the petition was signed. Even an ex-Tory councillor signed!
Signs of encouragement by
the public was readily accepted by those who, through no fault of their own,
would soon find themselves cast upon the scrapheap of unemployment. At the
same time they would find themselves unable to claim disability allowances
and would be deemed fit for work because of their previous employment with
Remploy.
Some of those who signed had
family members who had worked at a Remploy site. Prior to this I had no
recollection of the actual output from these factories, since then I have
been informed of the valuable work that they have completed for our NHS,
also the essential Nuclear, Biological, Chemical suits for the armed forces,
which being ex navy I can be grateful for.
Today's employment situation has altered dramatically. Those of my
generation remember work colleagues disabled in wartime who would not be
considered for mainstream employment in today's hire and fire scenario. The
concept of Remploy was delivered to provide employment to those casualties,
with the satisfaction of being able to support themselves and hold their
heads high in the community remains relevant in these times of conflict and
financial pressures which are not of their making.
As a civilised society whether we call ourselves socialists, co-operators or
any other, we have a duty and responsibility to look after the needs of
society's vulnerable members.
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