Marching for jobs and services

AN UNRELENTING series of attacks on jobs in Sheffield and the subsequent cuts in services has led to a growing willingness of workers and community groups to voice their anger. Socialist Party members in PCS have called a Sheffield march for jobs and services, with the support of the trades council.

Robbie Faulds, Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Sheffield PCS, personal capacity

This demonstration can act as a rallying point for trade unionists and campaigners fighting back against the many attacks on workers' living standards.

The civil service is a major employer in the city. Job cuts - of a third of all DfES staff, and 30,000 Department for Work and Pensions staff nationally and massive cuts in the Learning and Skills Council, are all having a severe impact.

In the private sector, Finnish steel company Outo Kumpu are closing a plant in Sheffield with the loss of 700 jobs. This is the latest example of the loss of the traditional manufacturing base. This is leading to cuts in workers' wages, in the "race to the bottom".

But there is opposition to these attacks. There is an ongoing campaign for decent bus services and we are preparing to defend the NHS, as the local Trust has declared a Ł16 million deficit. Join us on the demo.

Sheffield March for Pensions, Jobs and Services Saturday 25 February, assemble 11am at DfES Moorfoot.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

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