SHEFFIELD TRADE UNION COUNCIL SAYS:

Beat the Cost of Living Crisis

-Support the Strikes!

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ALL WORKERS NEED A COST OF LIVING INCREASE NOW!

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“Don’t tell us to not to demand a pay rise

when inflation has hit 14% RPI!”

“Sheffield TUC will continue to give maximum solidarity support to workers taking strike action in the face of an unprecedented cost of living crisis” said Martin Mayer Secretary Sheffield Trade Union Council. “This week it’s the turn of RMT rail workers, CWU Royal Mail workers, RCN Nurses and UNITE Shelter workers, and supporters will be joining picket lines and collecting money to support the strikes” he said.

RMT rail workers to stage 48-hour strikes from this week:

Tuesday 13th/ Wednesday 14th December and Friday 16th/Saturday 17th December

Until last week, rail workers had received no pay offer at all for 2022, and have had no pay increase for 3 years. Negotiations only delivered a 4% pay offer but that was conditional on huge changes to terms and conditions including Driver Only Trains on all services, closure of all ticket offices and other cuts, which the RMT has refused. RMT recently re-balloted its members for strike action and received an overwhelming mandate. Everyone knows it’s the Government that is holding back the Train Operators from settling this dispute, yet refuse to negotiate directly with the union. Where the Government is not involved, settlements have been reached e.g. ScotRail, Welsh Rail and the direct access train operators.

Royal Mail CWU strikes

Royal Mail members have had an unagreed 2 per cent pay deal imposed on them. This was at a time when RPI inflation was running at 11.8% (it is now 14.5%) and when Royal Mail had announced Group profits of £758 million – of which most was paid out in dividends  to private shareholders! In a national strike ballot over pay, Royal Mail CWU members voted by a massive 97.6 per cent majority to take action. CWU members have also voted by 98.7% on a 72.2% turnout for strike action in defence of the “Pathway to Change” national agreement. The Royal Mail company leadership has reneged on the Pathway to Change agreement’s Key Principles and has begun to impose changes without negotiation and without agreement, with serious adverse consequences for working conditions. CWU repos have faced bullying and harassment by management with many reps unfairly suspended, and the company is one of the first to use new Tory laws to allow agency workers to break strikes.

UNITE Shelter Workers are on 2 weeks solid strike

These dedicated social care sector workers do marvelous work helping the homeless struggle against a scandalous social housing crisis in the UK. But this well-respected charity has offered a paltry 3% to its workers in spite of a massive £14.5M reserve of funds that could easily finance a proper cost of living pay rise.

Commenting on the decision to go on strike, one member of Shelter’s staff said: “The work we undertake, particularly in frontline services, is so valuable and clients depend on our teams. But that shouldn’t mean they have to sacrifice a decent and dignified living because the work they are drawn to is in this sector. At the very base level, absolute bare minimum, those working for a housing charity shouldn’t be experiencing housing insecurity as a result of being unable to pay rent.” Another added: “I really care about the work and I think it’s recognised that I work hard – but I don’t feel right now my employer cares about me. I’m a single parent. I’m now in overdraft every month, I go around switching my lights off, I have turned my boiler down, I get stressed when the kids school wants me to pay for another school trip. The best acknowledgement my employer can give me for all my hard work is decent pay.”

 

RCN Nurses strike on 15th December (but not in Sheffield -nearest strike is in Nottingham)

The NHS is one of the best things about our country and it is falling apart due to massive austerity cuts over the last 12 years. Britain now has fewer hospitals and a huge loss of beds – Germany has three times the number of beds per head of population than we do. Severe staff shortages make the situation even worse, and a collapsed social care sector when too many sick and elderly people are stuck in hospital with nowhere else to go. Seven million people are waiting for NHS operations. Patients are stuck in the back of queuing ambulances. Nursing staff make up more than half of the NHS workforce, and they are pushed to breaking point. Care is not safe and patients are paying the price. For the first time in history, nurses are left with no choice but to go on strike. Unfair pay is forcing too many to leave. Over 25,000 nurses left last year alone. Without nursing staff, there will be no NHS. Nursing staff always speak up for patients – now we are speaking up for the nurses.

COST OF LIVING CRISIS, WAGE RISE AND STRIKES

“Workers cannot afford another cut to their living standards after 12 years of austerity and stagnant /falling real incomes,” said Martin Mayer. “The current cost of living crisis is causing severe hardship across our communities and with RPI inflation now nearly 15%, millions of households face hunger and unheated homes this winter. We totally reject the Tories’ notion that cost of living increases will damage the economy. Britain is the 5th wealthiest country in the world but the wealth is not distributed fairly. If working class communities are made poorer still, then the economy will suffer from collapsing demand for goods and services. We demand a proper pay rise now for all workers. If you are not in a union, join one now!” concluded Martin Mayer

UNISON: Sheffield Climate Justice march Saturday 6th November & SCCUG COP26 Coalition Calendar of Events

CALLING ALL TRADE UNION MEMBERS AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY! 

Please get involved in the campaign for Climate Change, and join the Sheffield march;

Saturday 6 November.

Assemble at Devonshire Green at 12pm

Global Day Climate Justice march

Climate Change IS a Trade union issue! Workers and their families are all affected by global warming. “There’s no jobs on a dead planet” said Sharron Burrow ITUC Gen Secretary. We have to fight for real action to combat climate change. That means public investment in 1 Million Climate Jobs. We know you can’t achieve that by leaving it the free market as the Tories are doing! We can rebuild our economy so that it’s greener AND fairer, and improves the livelihoods of ordinary working people. Here are some examples of what we can and should be doing NOW:

  • I million new zero-emission council homes – help to solve the housing crisis and reduce heating bills AND help the climate. House building creates jobs for construction workers but also making the furnishings and fittings that make a home
  • a World Class public transport system with new zero emission buses and electric trains – good green jobs for transport workers, bus and train manufacturers, AND lower fares and better connectivity, plus we reduce emissions and pollution
  • Publicly owned energy companies to generate clean green electricity – end fossil fuels and create zero carbon energy and end fuel poverty. We can’t rely on the private companies to do this
  • Insulate our homes and offices. A massive public investment programme will create good green jobs to retrofit our leaky homes – Britain’s housing stock is the least efficient in Europe!
YOUR UNION BRANCH IS SUPPORTING THE MARCH ON 6th NOVEMBER.
WE NEED MEMBERS THERE, TO STAND WITH US AND SHOW THE TRADE UNIONS ARE DEMANDING REAL CHANGE!

Please email l.m.wakefield@shu.ac.uk to let us know that you are interested and will be attending the event on the 6th November in Sheffield.

Here is a timetable of some of the events coming up in Sheffield in the run-up to 6th November.

 Everyone is welcome

The planet is on fire! It’s clear that we are facing a global catastrophe that is already impacting on everyone across the world. The COP26 ‘talks’ will no doubt prove as inadequate as the past 25 talks.

The COP26 Coalition is organising on an international, national and local level. We aim to highlight the common interest we have, the innovative solutions available and to use our collective power to compel governments here and around the world to act!!

Friday 22nd October: Film showing – ‘The Ants & the Grasshopper’

Ant and the Grasshopper

‘The Ants and The Grasshopper’ 2021    Director – Raj Patel

Sheffield Climate Coalition Umbrella Group (SCCUG) COP26 Coalition are delighted to bring back to Sheffield the film, ‘The Ants And The Grasshopper’ which received its International Debut here at DocFest 2021, as part of the lead up to COP26 being held in Glasgow this November.

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/WO8vc0f6DFY

The film will launch the Sheffield Global Climate Justice Summit (this summit will be held on Sat 23rd October – details to follow) which will be looking at how we can urge the world leaders, meeting at COP26 in Glasgow, to ‘centre’ the experience and needs of those most affected by the climate and ecological emergencies, in their solutions for addressing them.

Available to watch in person:
Date Friday 22nd October 7.30pm
Venue: Sheffield Quaker Meeting House St James Street Sheffield S1 2EW
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-the-ants-and-the-grasshopper-in-person-tickets-179739173707

Available to watch online:
Anytime between 22nd and 24th October
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-the-ants-and-the-grasshopper-online-screening-tickets-180010776077

We want this important film to be seen by as many people as possible and so we are making it free to view with a suggested ticket price of £3.50. If you are unable to afford this, please feel free to pay less, or nothing at all. Pay as you feel.

About the Film:

The documentary weaves together the most urgent themes – climate change, gender and racial equality, increasing inequality between rich and poor – with ideas that can be used to save the planet. It follows a Malawian woman, Anital Chitaya, whose gifts are to bring abundant food from dead soil, make men fight for gender equality, and ending child hunger in her village.  When needing to save her village from extreme weather, she faces her greatest challenge: persuading Americans that climate change is real and persuading us that we are all in this together.

The film makers reflected on this story for 10 years and through it came to a very different understanding of the world:

“Our reflection on patriarchy, privilege and power, is one that is raw, but a vital part of the transition away from a colonial world to a decolonised one… and point(s) to the way we’ll all have to confront our culpability for a world undergoing catastrophic climate change”

To follow the road to actions around COP26, please go to our Facebook page at @SCCUGCOP26Coalition

Friday 29th October – ‘Walk with Amal’ – ‘Staying Afloat’

Little Amal, a young refugee, has embarked on a remarkable journey – an epic voyage that is taking her across Turkey, across Europe. To find her mother. To get back to school. To start a new life. Will the world let her? Can she achieve what now seems more impossible than ever?

https://www.walkwithamal.org/

  • Amal enters Sheffield the traditional way, on a barge. As she floats into Victoria Quays, communities are out in force to greet her in the city.
  • As the day unfolds Amal discovers giant washing lines hung with messages of welcome across Tudor Square and a traditional Sheffield brass band with a twist, playing all the cities favourite songs.
    • This will be an opportunity for the Coalition to welcome Amal at the docks and to publicise November the 6th

1st November – National Banner Drop Day – Global Day of Action

On Monday 1st Nov, we invite you to Raise the Banners for Climate Justice! This is the day that World Leaders will meet in Glasgow for COP26.

After 26 years of UN climate talks (COPs), the climate crisis is escalating around the world. Justice won’t easily be handed to us by world leaders. We are the ones who have to demand it.

This action is for everyone – and a perfect way to get communities, schools, faith groups and neighbourhoods talking about climate change and to have their voices heard. Simply hang one outside of your front window of your house.

If you are coming to the demonstration on the 6th, you could bring the banners with you.

The aim is to cover the streets of Sheffield on November 1st – the beginning of the climate talks – with banners that have YOUR messages of climate justice!

Read the national COP26 Coalition’s short overview of their vision and plans for the day here.

Please add your name/organisation and where you will be dropping your banner to the document 1st Nov – Banner Drop Sheffield/S. Yorks – Areas Covered:

Take a picture and send it into our Facebook page @SCCUGCOP26Coalitiion on the day.

7th – 10th November – National People’s Summit for Climate Justice

 The COP26 Coalition is hosting the People’s Summit as an alternative to business as usual of false solutions and inaction at the COP negotiations. The Summit will be held both in-person in Glasgow and online.

Join us in imaging our future, combining our knowledge and building the  movement for climate justice from the ground up. You can now explore the initial programme and register at: www.cop26coalition.org/ps

SUPPORT FOR UNISON SHEFFIELD COLLEGE STRIKE

Sheffield TUC supports

UNISON receptionists/switchboard operators

on strike at Sheffield College

6 strike days planned, starting Monday 25th November

Sheffield TUC stands by these 6 UNISON members taking strike action tomorrow against a forced change to their contracts which could leave them hundreds of pounds worse off a year – or threatened with the sack.

Martin Mayer, Secretary of Sheffield Trade Union Council said “We are appalled that Sheffield College is forcing these low-paid, mainly women workers to start working on a rota across all four college campuses in the city without extra pay or travel expenses. This will cause significant hardship e.g. with childcare and extra travel costs.”

UNISON has tried to negotiate a solution with Sheffield College management and has even offered mediation via ACAS, but management has refused.

Martin Mayer said “We support our UNISON members taking strike action against bully-boy management at Sheffield College. We demand that Sheffield College stop punishing these low paid staff whose earnings will in effect fall below the living wage because of additional travel costs.

There will be a UNISON picket line tomorrow, Monday 25 November, outside the City Campus on Granville Road from 7.30 am.

Further strike days are planned for 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11 December

Messages of support can be sent to the strikers via Robin Symonds, UNISON Regional Organiser via email to: R.Symonds@unison.co.uk

Martin Mayer is Secretary Sheffield TUC. He can be contacted on 0776 107 8482

SHEFFIELD TRADES COUNCIL: DIARY OF EVENTS

Thursday 28th November UCU Strike Rally

12:30pm City Hall steps, Barkers Pool. Both University of Sheffield and Hallam University lecturers are out on strike. This is a national strike on pay and conditions plus a local dispute at Hallam University on workload and stress issues. They need you support. Please bring your banners.

 

Friday 29th November #YouthStrike4Climate march and rally

Assemble Devonshire Green 1130am. Depart for city centre march 1230hrs. Rally on City Hall steps Barkers Pool 1pm -3pm. Many young students will be speaking about the climate emergency plus guest speakers including UCU strikers. Trade unions and adults from all walks of life are invited to join the demo and rally.

 

Friday 29th November Sister4Kashmir conference

2pm Town Hall. Invite only event

 

Saturday 30th November Solidarity with Palestine rally

12 noon till 1pm outside Sheffield Town Hall. The US administration this week announced it recognises as legal the illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian soil, overturning the international UN consensus on the issue. This has huge implications for the battle for justice in the Middle East. Organised by Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign

 

Saturday 30th November “Die-in for Kashmir” protest v India’s martial law in Kashmir

2pm till 3pm Barkers Pool

 

Tuesday 3rd December STOP TRUMP AND HIS RACIST FRIENDS Sheffield rally

5pm Outside Town Hall. Organised by Sheffield Stand Up to Racism

“Kick out the Tories! Impeach Trump! Reject Farage!” Trump is coming to London in December for the NATO Heads of State summit, and on Tuesday 3 December the Queen will be hosting a reception for him at Buckingham Palace. Stand Up to Racism are taking to the streets that evening, in London and all-round the country, to protest against the far-right politics of The Tories, Trump and Farage. 

Join and share the Facebook event page here    Flyer attached.
Download PDF leaflets for the London demo, and a template for protests around the country, here

 

Tuesday 3rd December Kashmir and Palestine Hustings

7pm ISRAAC Centre (Somali Community Association) 54, Cemetery Road S11 8FP

 

Wednesday 4th December “The Nation’s Health and the NHS under the next GovernmentGENERAL ELECTION HUSTINGS MEETING organised by Sheffield Save Our NHS

7pm Central United Reform Church, 60 Norfolk St Sheffield S1 2JB. 

We have invited the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Brexit Party. More Details to come closer to the event.

If you would like to ask a question, please send to us by return email before 6pm Monday 2nd December to teamssonhs@gmail.com

Join and share the Facebook event page here
Download PDF leaflets for the London demo, and a template for protests around the country, 
here

 

Saturday 7th December  General Election market stall event

11pm till 1pm outside Town Hall. Organised by Sheffield TUC in conjunction with Sheffield Peoples Assembly. Other campaigns also to be invited. Sheffield TUC will be handing out its General Election leaflet highlighting main points from Labour manifesto. Other campaigns invited e.g. Stop and Scrap Universal Credit, Sheffield Save Our NHS etc.

Saturday 7th December Miners’ Strike Filming Day.

10am–4pm NUM Barnsley, 2 Huddersfield Road, Barnsley S70 2LS

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign are inviting striking miners, their wives, partners, families, friends and anyone who supported them, to come and speak on camera about their favourite stories – sad, funny, inspiring, or anything they wish to share from the time.

People will be able to browse the NUM banner collection in the Miners Hall and see images from artist Darren Coffield’s Ashes and Diamonds exhibition. Tea and Coffee will be provided.

All welcome

https://otjc.org.uk/miners-strike-filming-day-7th-december/

 

 

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

 Wreath laying ceremony and speeches by The Memorial Tree

outside Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street

12:30- 13:30

FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2019

“Remember the Dead – Fight for the Living”

International Workers Memorial Day is a big event this year with plenty of rousing and inspiring speakers’ present- there’s also a wreath laying service at the Town Hall memorial tree in which we as a branch have been asked to participate.

If your about next Friday and can spare a bit of your lunch break please attend as it’s important we show our support- it’s good for our members and the general public. If enough of us can attend on Friday, we’ll raise our banner high in a show of strength and solidarity with our fellow Trade Unionists.

 Will Tierney
UNISON SHU Health & Safety Officer

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HOLOCAUST HERITAGE AND LEARNING CENTRE

Sheffield Unite Against Fascism public meeting on Tuesday 14 March, 6pm – 7.30pm,

Central United Reformed Church, Norfolk St, Sheffield S1 2JB

Holocaust Heritage

‘Introducing the new Holocaust Heritage and Learning Centre for the North’ 

Please join us on the night to hear about this important initiative and participate in the discussion how Sheffield can contribute.

Speakers include:

Lilian Black, Chair, The Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Association

Sue Pearson, a Kinderstransport refugee who lives in Sheffield

Chair: John Campbell

For more information about the new centre in the north please see https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/holocaust-heritage-and-learning-centre-north