This is the second time Connexions have taken industrial action to prevent Birmingham City Council hemorrhaging jobs. Since the last strike, Connexions Unison members feel that management and the Council are starting to moot ideas about how to reduce the risk to 34 posts, but they obviously need a lot more prompting. 300 posts have been lost through compulsory redundancies elsewhere in the Council this year. The situation in other parts of the country for Connexions workers is a lot worse. We can't expect any political saviours, it's down to people like us to make the difference. 

It's good if you can wrong-foot the employer and take action when you realise posts and services may be at risk, before people start serving their notices - because by then, demoralisation can creep in amongst staff. It would also be harder for the employer to back down and it would be more of a symbolic protest.

The lesson is, if you hit the ground running: agitate, organise, build support with the wider anti-cuts movement, take action, this will put your workforce in a stronger position to resist government attacks.  It can also inspire others not to give up hope, but to fight back. 
 
What you can do:

i) Draw people's attention to the struggle with the Connexions leaflets and petition, write to Councillors and the local press letters pages

ii) Use Connexions actions to inspire others     

ii) Join future pickets and events, people are very welcome - bring colleagues, friends, young people.