IT was a packed house at The Hub CE Centre as the people came from throughout West Dunbartonshire and further afield to attend the latest anti-cuts meeting, organised by Clydebank Trades Union Council, Monday February 28.

Chris Walsh, of the Glasgow University Occupation Group, spoke of the students' fight for justice.

He called for the mass mobilisation of students, workers and communities.

The students had been condemned as trouble-markers in the media. Not so.

They pose no threat to society, compared to the behaviour of the banks at the Government.

The lack of jobs for young people contributed towards the democratic revolutions arising throughout the Arab and Muslim world, according to Chris.

Brian Smith, Glasgow Unison branch secretary, spoke of massive job losses across local government, welfare reform and The Big Society.

We are now beginning to move from the defensive and onto the offensive, he said.

Mass industrial strike action may be required to force the Government to back down.

Brian spoke of the divisive and divided position of the voluntary sector.

On the one hand, many faced cuts.

On the other hand, some would take advantage of public sector job losses and cuts to provide public services on the cheap using volunteers.

A question was raised from the floor about the legality of national strike action, given the anti-trades union laws.

There was a question about the Trades Union Congress coordinated strike action. Concern was expressed about the cuts affecting the disabled.

Three people died after Atos Healthcare said they were fit to work and stopped their benefit.

The call from the hall was "no cuts at all".

James Graham, Parkhall