TRADE union delegates at the TUC Congress in London on Monday supported the call from the North East London Council of Action to occupy Chase Farm Hospital.
They were responding to the news that the government has given the go-ahead for the closure of the Enfield hospital’s A&E, Maternity and Paediatrics departments.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny told News Line: ‘I would support an occupation of Chase Farm on a peaceful basis where the community has a right to determine the services they need.
‘The GMB will back that. We should be building hospitals and homes not closing them.’
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: ‘If the workers support an occupation, I’d support it.’
USDAW delegate from Bury, Rob Bell, said: ‘I would support an occupation of Chase Farm.
‘We have our problems in the North West. In the last four years they’ve shut Bury A&E and Fairfield A&E and want to move everything to Oldham.
‘I can raise in my union supporting an occupation at Chase Farm.’
Marilyn Morris from Accord, the union for Halifax Bank of Scotland staff, added: ‘Lloyds Banking Group are getting rid of nearly 40,000 jobs.
‘The decision to go ahead with the closure of Chase Farm A&E, Maternity and Paediatrics units is disgusting.
‘It’s hitting vulnerable people, especially children, who need attention.
‘I’d support an occupation to stop the closure. I’ll raise it in my union.
‘I’ve no time for Andrew Lansley. He says it’s not important how or when cancer patients are treated but just the results.
‘In Harlow they’ve taken funding away from the cancer advice line.
‘The unions should take action to bring this government down.’
Unite delegate Ivor Monkton told News Line: ‘I’d support an occupation of Chase Farm to stop the A&E closure.
‘In Wales, where I live we are one and a half hours from the nearest hospital and I know the difficulties.
‘I would expect the unions to listen to what the local population says and their members in the hospital.
‘If they’re calling for an occupation, I’d support an occupation.’
Roger King, a NUT delegate from Birmingham, said: ‘What this government is doing is disgraceful.
They’re decimating the health service.
‘What’s happening at Chase Farm is clearly part of the attack they intend to have on the NHS.
‘The closures and privatisation is part of their attempt to save money.
‘I’ll support an occupation at Chase Farm and any other place they intend to make the same cuts and closures.
‘Obviously, action is need to defend the NHS.’
Dr Alec Clark, ATL, added: ‘I’d support an occupation. People have to do what is right in their area.
‘If it was my local hospital, I’d be minded to do the same. It shows how strongly people feel.’
Unite health official Gail Cartmell told News Line: ‘We will back our members at Chase Farm on whatever action they feel is appropriate to defend jobs and services.’
Ruislip PCS delegate Paul McGoay said: ‘We would support workers taking any action necessary to defend their hospital, up to and including occupation.
‘The closure plan is part of a general attack on the working class and the services they provide.’
Asked would she support an occupation, Unison officer Eleanor Smith replied: ‘If the community is saying that’s what they want. Why does the government keep claiming they are for the community, why aren’t they listening to them?’
