| Description | This is a holding entry until MS 1611/B/12/3 is resolved.
Interview transcript with Reg Race, Senior Research Officer with NUPE Head Office. Race makes a number of points about the context of the Banner production. He seeks to explain the union's national policy and approach to the anti-cuts campaign. Various economic and political concepts are also discussed, such as the 'social wage', 'industrial democracy', Keynsian economic approaches to combatting depression and unemployment. Central Government approaches to the International Monetary Fund [IMF] and initiatives such as the Resource Allocation Working Party [RAWP] are also considered. [RAWP advised the Department of Health and Social Security on resource needs for the NHS.] NUPE's relations with the Labour Party are examined, with a recognition of the need to reach out to Labour activists whilst criticising the Labour Government's policies towards public services. Race makes recommendations to Banner on the occupational groups and work issues to focus on in the show.
Interview transcript with George Thompson. A background to the formation of the NHS is given, in which a critique of British socialist political developments is provided. An assessment of the skill and sophistication of the British ruling elite in winning over radical politicians to serve their purposes is provided. Social approaches made to Michael Collins during the 1922 Irish Treaty negotiations in London are cited in support of this view. The apparently progressive domestic policies of the 1945 - 1951 Labour government are contrasted with its reactionary foreign policies. Contemporary Labour policies towards the IMF are criticised, as are Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Dennis Healey [respectively the former and current Prime Minister and current Chancellor of the Exchequer]. Thompson also criticises capitalism and consersative paternalism.
Interview transcript with NUPE shop stewards, Coventry. This focuses on the impact that budget cuts are having on schools, particularly the school meals service. Information is provided about inferior menus and the effect that reduced maintenance levels are having on the schools and the kitchens. The use of low attaining pupils to undertake painting duties in schools is mentioned. The attitude of local and national Labour politicians to NUPE and the cuts campaign is discussed, as is the reporting of NUPE issues by the Coventry Evening Telegraph.
Interview transcript with picket meeting regarding Birmingham Accident Hospital on 18/10/1977. This discussed the proposed closure plans for the Accident Hospital and the transfer of services to Selly Oak Hospital. Support offered by other unions is discussed and one nurse's opinions of COHSE, NUPE and the RCN are provided. Differences in attitude amongst workers at the Accident Hospital over strike action are recorded.
Transcript of BBC Radio 4 School Meals Report nd. This is concerned with reports that school dinner take up has dropped dramatically since prices were increased and that poorer families are being effected most. A Government campaign to raise awareness of the entitlement to free school meals is discussed.
NUPE Pickets at West Midlands Regional Health Authority [RHA] 19/10/1977. Nurses and ancillary staff discuss the proposed closure of Sorrento Maternity Hospital. The ambiguous role of Sir David Perris [Chairman of the RHA and also Secretary of Birmingham Trades Council] in seeking cuts in Birmingham's hopsital provision is considered.
Flora Dugdale Community Home for Adolescent Girls, Wellington, Shropshire nd Staff consider the likely impact of closure on the residents who will have to be transferred elsewhere. Duties of staff are considered, as is the means used to control residents by staff.
Shrewsbury Council meeting on cuts nd. A debate on proposed cuts of Shropshire County Council's services is recorded, including the proposed closure of Flora Dugdale Community Home.
NUPE Wellington, Shropshire 17/10/1977. Discussions of the background to the proposed closure of Flora Dugdale Community Home for Adolescent Girls are noted, and the likely consequences for residents. The text of a letter from two residents of the Home to the Director of Social Services is included. This identifies the disruptive effects of closure on their education. The transcript includes a consideration of NUPE tactics in resisting this and other cuts in Shropshire Social Services budgets. The likelihood of support being received from NUPE, the National Union of Teachers [NUT] and other teaching unions is assessed. NUPE relations with the Shropshire Star are also mentioned. The need to communicate the anti-cuts message to a wide variety of bodies is stressed, including employees, trade councils and a range of political parties including the National Front.
Handwritten notes with extracts from interview transcripts nd. Some of the extracts have been crossed through or annotated and these notes appear to be part of Banner's script development process.
BBC Radio 4 Budget Situation report nd. This records Dennis Healey's statement to Parliament about proposed tax benefits.
NUPE stewards, Worcester nd. Cuts in public services is contrasted with expenditure on a new headquarters for Hereford and Worcester County Council. Contracting out of some Parks services is mentioned, as is the reduced quality of school dinners. The impact of cuts on operational routines in school kitchens is considered. Staff - Supervisor relationships and working conditions are also discussed, as well as entitlements to free school dinners and other benefits. The condition of under privileged children is mentioned.
NUPE representative for 'Meals on Wheels', Birmingham nd. Previously employed as a delivery driver for a motor components company, she states that she was made redundant because of her union involvement. Gaining employment with Birmingham Social Services Department as a driver is described, as are various transport requirements, for mentally and physically handcapped clients and delivering meals on wheels to elderly people. An outline of her NUPE duties is given, and also action taken in protest at public services cuts in Birmingham. Provision for elderly people in Birmingham is considered, at home, in residential care and in geriatric hospital wards. Industrial disputes and treatment of residents at Magnolia House is discussed.
Briars Croft, Norton Grange, Palmscroft nd [copy marked 'Chris' [?Rogers] These were welfare homes in Birmingham under threat of closure. A discussion of the campaign against cuts in service provision for elderly people is recorded. Mention is made of the poor treatment received by some elderly patients as Hounslow Hospital was being prepared for closure.
Briars Croft, Norton Grange, Palmscroft nd [copy marked 'Dave' [?Rogers] This is an annotated copy of the material listed above and indicates Banner's collaborative approach to script writing. This copy also contains further information on Briars Croft Home, as well as a verse to be included in an 'Old Peoples Programme'.
Handwritten notes for an actuality ending for this production are included.
Sir Adrian Cadbury, Confederation of British Industry [CBI] 1977 A very brief statement of the need for moderation of pay is made, and then views and observations of hospital workers are recorded. Details of a Sorrento Maternity Hospital closure meeting are recorded, and also the views of a fireman intervewing nurses at Moseley Hall Geriatric Hospital. The lack of time to treat patients as individuals is noted and they are described as wasting away in hospital. It is also reported that legal advice received by Romsley Hill Hospital was that, in the event of closure that 'Hounslow Hospital tactics' should be adopted to avoid patient sit-ins etc.
Redhill School, school kitchens nd. Comments about the impact of the tendering process for school supplies are recorded. Details of how menus are planned are included, as is the decline of customers for schooldinners and an increase in sandwich takers.
Saint George's Roman Catholic School, Kitchens nd. A description of kitchen duties is given, as is the impact of reduced hours [less cleaning etc]. The simplified menu is discussed, as is the anomaly of being sent to college on day release, only to be advised to abandon methods of working that you have been educated in. With regard to the present campaign against cuts, the attitude of NALGO members is criticised.
Norton Grange Welfare Home nd. The consequences of not replacing a 'handyman' are considered. The need for an effective laundry service is also discussed.
NUPE Local Government Regional Meeting nd. Speakers repesent Birmingham School Meals, Staffordshire Ambulance Service, Sandwell Local Government, South Shropshire Highways and Transport, Halesowen Swimming Pool, Lichfield NUPE Branch, Bedworth and District Branch. An insight is provided to the effects of public service cuts in a range of services from across the midlands.
Swinford Old Hall Welfare Home 14/12/1977. A description of staff duties is given, and also the effect that budget cuts have had.
West Midlands Ambulance Service 12/01/1978. The duties of ambulance crews are mentioned, and also the effect of cutbacks. Incidents encountered whilst on duty are recounted. Difficulties in assisting patients in high rise blocks are discussed. The threat to close ambulance stations [including West Bromwich] is mentioned, as is the campaign against this. The campaign includes a letter writing programme to foreign embassies in London [which has prompted 'jokes' about Sudanese and Irish people]. Note: The transcriber of this interview has queried whether comments made about a language barrier by one of the interviewees is racist. There are also observations about the state of some patients and their houses, as well as medical conditions. The technical and operational merits or otherwise of ambulances and medical equipment are examined. An assessment of the value of Birmingham Accident Hospital is given and the foolishness of closure proposals for it.
NUPE Shop Steward at Highcroft Hospital 20/11/1977. A brief background to this psychiatric and geriatric hospital is given. Budgetary pressures and the adverse impact on staffing levels are discussed. There is also discussion of the impact on Good Hope Hospital and Sutton Coldfield Cottage Hospital. |