Sheffield save our early years pictures and brief report

The protest was despite the artic conditions very well attended I arrived late due to delays on public transport and had to jump off the tram to join it as it passed us.  The pleasing thing about today was this campaign has been organised largely by local community’s mums and dads and Unite community branch with support from other trade unions and like Sheffield anti cuts alliance, SWP, and SP but in the main its ordinary parents that’s been the driving force here.

I ended up helping out stewarding for a short while spirits were very high and there were some very good speakers.  The general feeling was a determination to fight back and not let them get away with these cuts which will have a massive impact on parents and in particular young mums trying to get support back into work.

It was announced a legal challenge will be made over this some of the grounds will be lack of consultation and equality issues.  The general feeling was also of anger while we all know it’s the government that’s driving these attacks on our community’s it was felt the Labour council should be supporting this protest and standing up for local people not going along with the cuts.  One speaker called for the Labour party to grow some balls and do an illegal budget.   

Let’s hope we can go on from here and keep up the pressure and not let them get away with it

Fraternally Yours

Martin Hickman

Branch Secretary Sheffield PCS HQ Branch