Wednesday 9th November Launch event for Community Action magazine
6pm -8pm, in the Diamond building at the Uni of Sheffield.
(Martin Mayer Secretary Sheffield TUC is on the panel)
“A launch for an online archive we’ve been creating (and will shortly finish!) for Community Action magazine. Published from 1972-1990 the magazine documents a range of community-led, place-based activism and campaigning in the UK, including but not limited to: tenant organising, opposition to slum clearance, alternative plans, advice centres, the women’s movement, workplace activism, disability rights and community transport.
Links and overlaps with the labour movement were unsurprisingly absolutely key, which is why it would be great if the Trades Council could contribute. The idea is for a round table event, starting with some background to the magazine and bringing some former editors (Dexter Whitfield, David Hall and hopefully another) into discussion with contemporary activists, ending with a Q&A.”
Jason Slade, Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, University of Sheffield.
Wednesday 9th November “Solving The Debt and Climate Crises Together”
7pm 9pm Central United Reform Church, Norfolk Street. Hosted by Global Justice Sheffield. A Global South Led Union and Climate Justice Strategy with Esteban Servat from the Debt for Climate Movement
Esteban is one of the leading organisers of this campaign, which is putting pressure onto the IMF, World Bank, Private Lenders and Governments to cancels the debts of global south countries and to link this to the campaign to properly fund the loss and damage created by climate change.
“54 countries are in severe debt and 8 are in debt distress. For the majority of global south countries the debt burden is almost equal to GDP. The interest rates that global south countries pay against are far higher than those that institutions of global north pay. Think of the cost of your mortgage interest compared with that of a credit card or payday loan! Debt is being incurred by countries such as Pakistan to mop up the damage that climate change is causing right now. Pakistan has just suffered $30bn of flood damage and while under water the IMF provided a $2bn loan in order for Pakistan to be able to continue to make existing loan repayments.”
Esteban was a leading campaigner against fracking in Argentina and this led to his exile to Europe He is now working with Argentinian Unions and with groups such as Progressive International. He is joined by Union activists from across the global south as well as debt and climate campaigners. This campaign is rooted in the working class and offers one of the best examples of how unions can be united internationally to solve the big climate questions within the context of social justice in the countries affected. Until the debt is cancelled there will be no halt to the extraction of fossil fuels, mineral resources, logging, or fracking in the global south, because while the debt exists the financial space for this transition simply does not exist.
Please note Debt for Climate have a very active Instagram account instagram.com/DebtforClimate and www.debtforclimat.org
Saturday 12th November 2022: COP27 Global Day of Action Sheffield demo
Assemble Barkers pool 12 noon for rally outside City Hall at 1245/1300hrs then march to Devonshire Green for final rally with speakers. BRING YOUR BANNERS! See flyer attached Yorks and Humber Climate Justice Campaign – Sheffield COP27 march and rally 12th November
Organised by Climate Justice Coalition S Yorks (formerly known as South Yorkshire Climate Campaign Umbrella Coalition) with support of Yorks and Humber Region Climate Justice Campaign
The National Climate Justice Coalition has called a Global Day of Action during COP27. Our climate is changing fast due to global warming causing flooding, droughts, fired and melting of glaciers. World leaders will be meeting at COP27 in Egypt this month, but will they make the decisions we need to green our economy, create good green jobs and end our dependence on fossil fuels? On past performance it seems unlikely. Our new PM Rishi Sunak wasn’t even going to go to COP27 until he was shamed into changing his mind. Meanwhile UK energy companies re offsetting tax against new investment in North Sea oil and gas
We will not be able to have the march if we can’t get enough stewards. Please fill in the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfy3MFIWC6Xcy2F5-pYJU8b9k-SBOV5eprPscFX3LknbLD0Yg/viewform if you are able to volunteer to steward on the day.
Sunday 13th November Orgreave Truth and Justice 10th Anniv. Benefit Gig
Doors open 5.30pm. The Leadmill, Shoreham Street. Join us for our 10th Anniversary night of music, comedy and solidarity! All profits to the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign. Top performers, iconic venue, great cause.
Our amazing performers:
Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life, Mark Thomas, Ferocious Dog, Joe Solo, Jess Silk, Any Old Iron, Kate Fox, Sam Browse
More information and tickets here:
https://leadmill.co.uk/event/orgreave-benefit-gig/
#WeCantLoseLeadmill Please sign this petition to help to save the iconic Leadmill https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/614202
Monday 14th November Education in Cuba -NEU report back
7pm Central United Reform Church. Norfolk Street S1 2JB. Organised by Cuba Solidarity Cm.
Report back from October 2022 NEU Delegation with speaker Fiaz Rashid. See flyer attached Viva La Educación CSC 14th Nov 7pm
Cuba has more teachers, and spends more of its GDP on education than any other country on earth, reflecting the centrality of education to Cuban socialism. The vicious US blockade, greatly tightened by Trump and barely relaxed by Biden, along with the covid epidemic and the global food & energy crisis, is putting great pressure on Cuba’s impressive educational achievements.
Tuesday 15th November ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Solidarity Rally
7pm Workstation, 15 Paternoster Way S1 2BX. Organised by Sheffield TUC
With inflation skyrocketing and bills soaring we say: “Support the STRIKES as the best way to FIGHT the cost of living crisis – Make the RICH pay- Kick out the Tories – General election NOW – -Unite the strikes- ALL OUT to WIN!” See flyer attached TUC Enough is Enough strike rally 15th November
Speakers confirmed are
Martin Cook RMT; Matt Crapper CWU Open Reach; Richard Isdell CWU Post; Jesse Palmer SNAP; Bev Laidlaw PCS; Jayne Atherton UNITE Shelter; Simon Murch NEU; Bob Jeffery UCU
Martin Mayer Sheffield Trades Council. Chair; Maxine Bowler Sheffield TUC Vice Chair
The meeting will be an attempt to pull together the struggles. There will be a collections sheet for all the disputes. Also it is proposed to set up a strike solidarity committee from the meeting.
Wednesday 16th November NHS IN CRISIS -WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? 7pm -9pm Central United Reform Church Organised by Sheffield Save Our NHS
Millions on Waiting lists -Unprecedented Ambulance waiting times-Staffing Crisis-NHS being sold-off rapidly for profit
Speakers : Holly Johnston – Nurse & NHS Workers say No; Dan Cooper – Ambulance service, Unison rep; Phoebe Pollotti – Midwife and Sheffield Maternity co-op; Andrew Mayerson – A&E Doctor and SSONHS
TEAS/COFFEE/CAKES PROVIDED. In person and on Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84861502631?pwd=TU9CZExYRjFUMGkzWmRPRVBmcHpRZz09
Meeting ID: 848 6150 2631 Passcode: 920065
COME ALONG AND DISCUSS HOW WE CAN SAVE OUR NHS
Thursday 17th November SARAG AGM and Fundraiser event
10.30am to 12 noon SARAG AGM Wortley Hall. This will be followed by lunch (provided) and a charity auction. Each table will seat 10 people and will cost £25 per head (or £250 per table) and will include a lunch. If you would be able to purchase a table by way of support, this would be greatly appreciated. Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Victims Support Group (SARAG) needs your support for its vital work!
Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Victims Support Group (SARAG) Unit 37, Moorgate Crofts Business Centre, South Grove, Rotherham S60 2DH
Working for Asbestos Victims throughout Yorkshire and Humberside. Registered Charity 1080365 – AVSG Forum UK – www.saragasbestossupport.org
#CapeMustPay – £10million to Asbestos injuries research now!
# Zero Asbestos – BAN ASBESTOS WORLDWIDE NOW
Please donate to SARAG at localgiving.org/donation/sarag
Sunday 20th November RMT Rob Dawber Remembrance Event
Doors open 1800hrs Central United Reform Church, Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB
RMT strike benefit event in remembrance of Sheffield RMT Branch Secretary Rob Dawber, who died 20 years ago. Speakers plus a showing of Ken Loach’s film “The Navigators” for which Rob Dawber wrote the screenplay. Buffet provided. £15 ticket
Monday 21st November Better Buses South Yorkshire planning meeting
2pm on Zoom – link to be sent out shortly. Sign and share our petition supporting public control of buses in our region.
You can find the petition here: www.megaphone.org.uk/p/BetterBusesSY
“Our target is to grow the petition as much as we can, aiming to reach at least 1000 signatures over the next few weeks. Oliver Coppard is moving forward on public control, and public consultation will be a key part of the process (likely towards the end of next year). We will need a huge number of people to participate in the official consultation to make sure change happens. Increasing support for the petition will broaden our reach and help us in the future as well as put pressure on those council leaders who are less enthusiastic for change.”
Tuesday 22nd November Sheffield TUC Delegate Meeting
7pm Trades and Labour Club, City Road S2 5QQ. (We are back in the club now the boiler has been repaired!). Please use side entrance on talbot Street if front doors are closed. Main speaker will be Jesse Palmer, SNAP union organiser for an update on his work organising young workers.
Trade unionists who are not delegates are welcome to attend our meetings as visitors but cannot vote on any item.
Saturday 26th November Israel Apartheid Free Zone Coalition Launch
1pm to 5pm Victoria Hall Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Sheffield TUC, Sheffield Labour Friends of Palestine, Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Kairos have joined forces to spearhead a campaign to raise awareness about Israeli apartheid and oppression of Palestinians and to call for Sheffield to be an Israeli Apartheid Free Zone. All welcome. See invitation letter attached AI Apartheid Coalition Invitation letter – v6Nov2022-PDF
N.B. we want to encourage a good attendance from trade union members. Can your union branch support this?
December Banner Theatre’s “Saltley Gate to Partygate”
Actual date to be confirmed. 7pm Concert Room. Trades and Labour Club, Duke Street S2 5QQ
Tickets £10 Banner Theatre performance followed by Sheffield TUC Xmas Social
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXCQRjD9Nls&authuser=1
Saltley Gate to Partygate! Songs, stories and videos that connects a key trade union victory of the past to the major class conflicts of today.
“All you could hear was close the gates, close the gates, close the gates, on and on and on” Don Perrygrove, car worker (The Battle of Saltley Gate)
“I am receiving £11.49 an hour. They’re paying more than £18 an hour to the agency drivers to break this strike. It’s not fair!” Teressa, driver (Coventry Bin Strike)
Weaving song, music and video Banner celebrates the 50th anniversary of the labour movement victory of Saltley Gate, when 20,000 union workers walked out to support striking miners. In a massive show of solidarity, they blockaded and shut down the coke depot in Saltley and helped the miners win a 30% pay rise!
As the cost of living crisis deepens and right-wing governments across the world pass ever more draconian legislation to protect the interests and profits of the rich and powerful, people are fighting back. We tell the inspirational stories of striking bin workers in Coventry, the direct action of Black Lives Matter and Kill the Bill activists, as well as the campaigns to save our NHS and the massively successful farmers’ strike in India.