A PETITION to save vital services has attracted almost 1,500 signatures.

Budget cuts proposed by the Department of Work and Pensions has left an axe hanging over the heads of workers at Barrow's Phoenix House.

On Saturday members of the Public and Commercial Services Union were canvassing in Dalton Road to rally people against the closure.

PCS Cumbria branch secretary Kris Houghton said: "We set up around 11am because the weather wasn't great. We had good support from our staff, we had delegates from the Trades Union Council, asbestos support groups and ex staff members."

Phoenix House in Barrow has provided essential care and support for victims and the families of industrial disease.

Among the functions undertaken by the 70 staff at the Stephen Street location is fighting for families to claim compensation for those living with asbestos-related illnesses.

Barrow shipyard workers could claim to be among the most skilled in the world, but that great reputation came at a price.

Mr Houghton said he spoke to a man on the street who had like thousands of other men, spent his life working in the yard.

Out of a 10-man crew, he was one of only two who were still alive. Eight of his close friends had all since died of mesothelioma, caused by asbestos.

To find out more information about asbestos and mesothelioma, visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance website.

Mr Houghton said: "He was so supportive of the work that we do."

Counting the signatures at the end of the protest, the group were buoyed by the knowledge they had distributed more than 1,000 information leaflets, and gained 300 signatures supporting the campaign.

Those names have been added to an online petition which has attracted more than 1,000 signatures. Among those who signed include the shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite Union, and Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock.

Mr Houghton things such high-profile names on their petition emphasise just how important their cause is.
He said: "I think just getting that information out to people and reading the information of what we do, they are shocked and disappointed that the government are looking to close the building.

If the decision goes ahead to close Phoenix House the building will be closed by 2018. This would be a worst case scenario for the PCS; Mr Houghton suggested trying to retain some, if not all services, but he does not want to consider that yet.

He said: "The number one priority would be to keep the building open. If we couldn't do that we would want to keep part of the work in Barrow."

In two weeks the PCS will take its petition before DWP representatives hoping to persuade the loss of the centre would be detrimental to the town.

A final push for supporters is planned for Saturday March 11, where the they will be joined by other unions as they march through Barrow to the town hall, where there will be a public meeting.

To add your name to the petition to save Phoenix House click here.

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