With US fast food giant McDonalds facing its first ever strike at two sites in the UK, a solidarity protest was organised outside the company’s Sheffield city centre branch. Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union supported workers in Cambridge and Crayford are striking over pay and conditions, seeking a minimum of ten pounds an hour and an end to zero hour contracts. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Martin Mayer, secretary of Sheffield Trades Union Council.
Councillor Bryan Lodge, cabinet member for the environment, has defended Sheffield Council’s decision to serve legal notice on 17 tree campaigners including Green Party councillor Alison Teal. Lodge said the council had no other option but to take legal action to prevent protesters delaying the tree felling work. He claimed trespassing across temporary work barriers had the safety of protesters and Amey workers at risk. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Nether Edge and Sharrow councillor, Alison Teal, Green Party, has been served with notice of a proposed legal action to restrict involvement in protests against Sheffield Council’s tree felling programme. The authority is seeking a civil injunction to stop Teal and other tree campaigners from taking part in future protests unless they promise not to engage in direct action to disrupt tree felling by Amey workers. Teal was previously arrested for protesting against tree removals on Chippinghouse Road but charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Local charity Sheffield Young Carers took to the streets with a beat bonanza to mark Carers Week 2017 and to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The organisation ‘Fun Drum’ provided rhythm and movement mayhem with passers-by invited to grab a drum and get involved. Sheffield has an estimated 7,300 young carers. Carers Week is a national campaign which aims to raise awareness of caring, the challenges carers face and the contribution they make. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Over five hundred people took part in a rally at Barker’s Pool called to oppose the proposed pact between the Tory party and the DUP. The rally was one of many organised around the UK by Young Labour in response to Theresa’s May’s decision to negotiate a deal with the DUP to prop up her minority government. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Job centre workers held a one-day strike in a dispute over plans to close Sheffield Eastern Avenue Jobcentre on the Manor Top estate. The Public and Commercial Services Union says the job centre is located in one of the most deprived areas of the city and provides a vital service to the local community. A further five-day strike is expected to begin on Monday. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Demonstrators protested outside the Eastern Avenue job centre in Arbourthorne, earmarked for closure as part of government cuts to public services. The Public and Commercial Services Union is opposing the cuts and was joined at the protest by Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Martin Jones of the PCSU and centre user Jennifer Jones.
South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has confirmed that trade union laws will no longer be used in the police response to tree protesters. The news comes two weeks after charges were dropped against nine protesters including Alison Teal, councillor for Nether Edge and Sharrow, who were arrested on suspicion of preventing Amey workers from felling a tree on Chippinghouse Road. Those arrested were charged with preventing lawful work under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992. The charges have since been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to lack of evidence. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Hundreds of Orgreave justice campaigners joined a ‘noisy protest’ outside the Home Office on Marsham Street, London. The demonstration was organised by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and brought together trade unionists, campaigners and former miners. It follows the Home Secretary’s decision last year, not to grant an independent public inquiry into police brutality against striking miners at the Orgreave coking plant in June 1984. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
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NHS workers, campaigners and union representatives travelled to London to join a protest march against austerity measures in the health service. Organisers said that “at least 250,000” people took part in the Save Our NHS march, which began in Tavistock Square and ended in Westminster. Protesters sought to draw attention to plans which could see cut see cut backs in nearly two thirds of hospital services in England. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!