Socialists Students lead 3,000 Brighton demonstration against fees and education cuts!

[Photograph by Holly Smith]

Throughout this day of action, students across the country demonstrated, occupied and walked out against the government's attacks on further and higher education.

This day of protests followed on from the magnificent 50,000-strong show of student anger in London on 10 November.

Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) and Socialist Students initiated and participated in many of the protests nationally. Click here for reports from across the country...

In Brighton well over 3,000 school, college and university students walked out and demonstrated through the city in one of the biggest mobilisations outside of London. Click here for trades council reports...

Local student organisers are now planning for the next stage of actions and a petition has been created to build support for the growing movement. Please sign via here and get everyone you know to do the same.

Contact Ross on info.bhsp@gmail.com for local organising meetings and more information.

Browne Review attacks higher education!

Socialist Students and Youth Fight for Jobs condemned the plans under discussion to raise or possibly abolish the cap on university fees, saying it will rule out higher education for a generation already deprived of opportunities to work or learn through apprenticeships. Youth Fight for Jobs is a national organisation with the support of six trade unions.

Claire Laker-Mansfield, Socialist Students national organiser, said "If implemented, this spells the end of access to university as we know it for future generations of young people. This will not lead to an improvement in education; ministers argue fees will be over £7,000 just to compensate for the cuts coming in the Comprehensive Spending Review next week, on top of those already implemented. There will be a huge anger from young people against this, and the demonstration on 10 November should only be the start." Click here to read on...

Socialists rally in Hastings to support victimised PCS rep Sam Buckley

Full report to follow soon...

Demonstrate against the Con-Dem budget!

Protest supported by UNISON, GMB, PCS, RMT, Keep Our NHS Public, Right to work, Brighton Benefits Campaign & Youth Fight For Jobs.

On 22 June the government will unveil its 'emergency budget', after having already announced £6 billion of cuts. Now this coalition of millionaires is due to impose yet more cuts in public services. It really is an emergency!

Hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost on top of already soaring unemployment, public services will suffer enormously as resources are stripped out and our welfare state is dismantled. The problems with debt were created by huge bank bailouts but it is going to be the working class that foots the bill.

After the second world war, in a situation of even higher debt, the NHS and the welfare state was created. Now it seems debt will be used as the excuse to pull them apart, while we continue to spend money on Trident nuclear submarines, and let the super rich evade taxes.

We are protesting to say to the government that we won't pay for the crisis, and to tell our councillors that their job is to represent us, not push through government cuts.

Join us in saying NO to the cuts!
Click here to join the event on Facebook...
Click here to read the editorial in the Socialist...

Know your rights! PUBLIC MEETING!

Support meeting for ex-Telegen staff and all call centre workers

This Thursday 3 June, 7pm
Kemptown Crypt, underneath St George's church, St George's Road, Brighton

From Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council and Youth Fight For Jobs

On Friday 21 June up to 400 workers at call centre Telegen were made redundant without any notice, due to Telegen going into liquidation. This has had a big impact on their lives. They are now owed a minimum of two weeks pay, and it is up to the creditors to decide how much they will receive.

Brighton and Hove Trades Council and Youth Fight for Jobs have called this meeting to give advice to the workers and launch a campaign to get call centre workers into trade unions. A speaker from the PCS Trade Union Young Members Network will be answering questions on workplace and redundancy rights.

This meeting will be part Q&A, part an explanation of the benefit of being in a trade union and part a rally to say to young workers and workers generally; how many more job losses must we face in Brighton and Britain as a whole?

In the words of one ex-Telegen worker "It is disgusting the way they have treated us. Employers take us for granted; they see us as numbers not people. We have food, rent and bills to pay but they don’t care. They think we are disposable.

"We want our wages and we want them soon! We want compensation for the worry and difficulties we have been through, especially the people who have lost their homes. We want the books to be opened and we want to see where all the money went. And we want to know why they lied to us, and why the Directors couldn’t face us themselves?"

Hastings Anti-BNP Protest a Huge Success

A PROTEST in Hastings against the British National Party, organised by South East Youth Fight for Jobs, dealt a serious blow to BNP aspirations in the area and showed in no uncertain terms that the people of Sussex reject racism in all its forms.

The protest, held on Thursday 25 March outside The Crown House pub, was called in response to the Confederation of Small Businesses inviting the racist BNP to take part in a hustings of the local general election candidates. Despite driving wind and rain for a lot of the night, the protest met with vociferous support from local activists, trade unionists, workers and students. Passing motorists honked horns in support of the 60 strong campaigners, who waved banners and placards, chanted anti-Fascist sentiments and delivered speeches to one another.

Youth Fight for Jobs was instrumental in attracting a number of young people to the demonstration, actively getting the word out to the local education institutions and in appealing to many young people’s sense of outrage at the current economic climate and proposals of vast cuts in services.

Socialist Party members and representatives of YFJ found their speeches particularly well received. They not only denounced the BNP as a racist party, they explicitly explained how the anti-working class policies of the main capitalist parties had contributed to the rise of the BNP. Socialist members made it clear that working people must unite and fight cuts and job losses, regardless of ethnic background. The BNP merely serve to undermine working class unity and make it easier for the politicians and bosses in forcing us to pay for their crises. One trade union activist remarked afterwards that he was delighted to hear a political alternative proposed at, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Socialist Party on the need for a new mass party to represent the interests of working people.

Fraser MacInnes (South East Socialist Party)

BRIGHTON WORKERS FIGHT BACK!

March for Jobs!
First up, Brighton Hove and District trades council involving Socialist Party members have organised a March for Jobs demonstration for this Saturday 6 March starting at 12 midday on The Level, Brighton.

With jobs losses and the threat of job cuts and public service cuts looming, as the private sector and the main political parties prepare to make working people pay for this crisis of capitalism, it is as important as ever that workers, pensioners, the unemployed, students and youth mobilise and unite to fight back against these unjustified attacks.

Visit brightontradescouncil.blogspot.com for more info.

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
The trade union movement is leading the way in many workplaces to defend their members and the working class. But none of the political parties standing in the coming general are going to stand and fight for working people. In fact, they all want to lay the burden of the recession onto the shoulders of working people while the fat cats are fed larger and larger bonuses paid for by us!

For years working people were told there was no money for decent pay, pensions, homes, health, jobs and education. But suddenly there is enough to bail out the capitalist gambling and speculation that has caused this mess! We say enough is enough.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is a political alliance preparing to standing in constituencies right across the country consisting of leading trade union fighters and socialist campaigners striving to defend working class communities, jobs and services against the cuts on offer from the capitalist parties.

With RMT General Secretary Bob Crow and Socialist Party Deputy General Secretary Hannah Sell speaking at this Brighton launch to introduce your TUSC Brighton Kemptown candidate Dave Hill, this meeting offers workers the opportunity to get involved in the crucial political fight back that links together the industrial and electorial battles against the job losses and cuts that our not the fault of working people.

Visit www.tusc.org.uk, brightontusc.blogspot.com, Facebook: Brighton TUSC

Join us at the March for Jobs and the TUSC election launch.

Save Phoenix Nursery!

More than fifty campaigners came out on a rainy morning to lobby the board of Brighton University Governors outside of Mithras House on Lewes Road. The mixture of participants, from the very young to the old provided a vibrant display with local media turning out to cover the demonstrations. Trade Unions banners from Unison mixed with home made signs and placards but all with the same message: Save Phoenix Nursery!

The proposed plans to merge in July the Phoenix Nursery with the One World creche in Mouslecoomb will likely result in the loss of five jobs not to mention the determinental impact on staff and students who rely on the childcare facilities.
Management had not even planned to inform staff or creche users until March, it wasn't even on the agenda at the Govenor's meeting. But word leaked out the anger amongst people was very clear today.

Socialist Students joined the demonstration with leaflets explaining the need for a united fightback at Brighton and Sussex Universities against cuts. As well as the raising the idea of a national fightback against education cuts.

It remains to be seen which way the board's decision will go but the Nursery workers are certainally not going to give up and campaign can only grow from here.

Socialist Party and Socialist Students Demands:

• No to the closure of Phoenix Nursery or any other services.
• Open the books! Let the representatives of trade and student unions examine the University's finances and plans for the closure.
• For a united fightback, unite the campaigns at Brighton and Sussex University.
• For immediate mass investment in childcare and education.
• For a fully funded, pubically owned and democratically run education system from preschool to University.

Click here for Argus coverage

Click here for BBC video

Socialist Students in 100 strong occupation!

Occupying students negotiate with police and management just after the occupation began (left) before discussing their demands (right)

Over a hundred students have occupied a conference suite in Bramber House at Sussex University in anger at hundreds of job cuts and course closures. After a large campus demonstration students stormed the building. Campus security has blocked exits and the university management have called the police.

The demonstration was called by the Stop the Cuts campaign which has organised large protests since the cuts at the university were announced in October. Socialist Students and Youth Fight for Jobs activists are involved in the occupation and have been active in the campaign and the protests.

Socialist Student member Claire Laker Mansfield, fighting to be elected as Education Officer for the student union this week, gave her solidarity to the occupying students and urged everyone in the student community to get involved with the Stop the Cuts campaign.

Claire said: "A demonstration has been called in solidarity with this action, assembling tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12.30 in library Square. Its essential that this protest is well attended, to show management that the student community supports the occupation and calls on them to meet the demands of the occupiers and the Stop the Cuts campaign."

Socialist Students and Youth Fight for Jobs have called for one day walkout strikes of all education workers and students locally and nationally against cuts and fees co-ordinated by trade unions, student unions and anti-cuts campaigns.

Please send messages of solidarity to Socialist Student member Sarah, who is in the occupation, on 07956 132470.

Click here to find out more about the Stop the Cuts and here for more on Claire's election campaign...

"Fight the cuts!" Vote Claire for Education!

VOTE CLAIRE LAKER MANSFIELD NO.1 FOR EDUCATION OFFICER

With the recent announcement of another £2.5 billion to be cut from the education budget nationally, the student union leadership next year will need to be able to fight cuts both at Sussex and nationally. Not only do I have a clear strategy for this but I am also committed to representing students, individually or collectively, on education issues.

FIGHTING THE CUTS
I’m a member of Socialist Students and believe that a decent education should be a right for everyone. I have been involved in several campaigns at Sussex, for example I am a leading activist in the Stop the Cuts campaign and am currently organising Save Life Sciences. If elected I would:
• Organise mass opposition to cuts, job losses and fees.
• Fight for decent grants, bursaries and hardship funds.
• Use the national campaigns I’m involved in to link up Sussex’s struggle with others fighting attacks on education across the country.


REPRESENTING YOU
I believe that a Student Union is all about representing the interests of students. For the last two years I’ve been elected to represent Life Sciences students on Union council. If elected I would:
• Demand the university open its finances to scrutiny of staff and students.
• Hold regular report backs from university meetings and a weekly surgery to hear your concerns regarding education and campaigns.
• Work closely with student reps and try to increase communication between course reps and union representatives.

LISTENING TO YOUR CONCERNS
Essentially the role of education officer is to not only defend decent education in general but to deal with any problems students may have such as disciplinary action or complaints. I am approachable, non judgemental and keen to help in whatever way possible using the full resources available to me in the position.

Click here to join the Facebook group and get in touch to help get Claire elected!

PUBLIC MEETING: What can the workers do? 6pm Wednesday 9 December, Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton

6pm Wednesday 9 DecemberPhoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton

The local hub of the trade union movement has called a public meeting to discuss the job cuts taking place across the city.

Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council, alongside the campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs, is inviting all workers and their families to the afterwork meeting being held at 6pm Wednesday 9 December at the Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton.

Across Brighton & Hove working people are being threatened with redundancy as workplaces close down. It is getting harder than ever to find work in Brighton and Hove.

As well as Lloyds, Borders and Threshers shutting, Brighton council is looking to lose 150 workers and Sussex University want to axe nearly 200 jobs.

If not challenged companies will try to make job cuts on the cheap even when they are half-owned by the taxpayer.

However, time and time again it has been shown that strong unions can and do make a positive difference when jobs are under threat.

General secretary of Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council Bill North said: “As the local offical body of the trade union movement it is important that we join together to help all workers facing job cuts and attacks. Our collective strength has a huge positive impact in defending working people against these unjustified job losses. We need to get organised against job losses and for job creation and this meeting provides us with an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to win the best deal for all workers.”

Sarah Wrack from Youth Fight for Jobs, a youth-led campaign which held a 1,000-strong march and demonstration in London last month against youth unemployment, said: “Nearly 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds are already facing years on the dole because of this crisis of capitalism. In Brighton a majority of these jobs cuts are once again expected to be dished out to young workers already struggling to pay back massive student debts as well as trying to live, eat and keep warm. We urge all young workers to attend this important meeting to find out what can be done to rescue a future out of this mess.”

CONTACT DETAILS:

Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council

07709 696561

secretary@lewes-eastbourne-and-wealden.nut.org.uk

Youth Fight for Jobs

07984 027754

brightonyouthfightforjobs@gmail.com

http://www.youthfightforjobs.com/

Facebook: Brighton Youth Fight for Jobs

Protesting against job losses on Sussex Uni campus

On December 3 an emergency senate meeting called by the university to discuss savage cuts was picketed by over 400 students. Management plan to cut 115 jobs and vital campus services such as subsidised day care for children and the Unisex centre are to close which will affect students at Sussex and Brighton universities.

At the mass protest the UCU trade union warned through a vote of no confidence in the cuts proposal at the meeting that it will ballot its members for strike action. Students and staff have set up a united Stop the Cuts campaign which has been successful in mobilising large protests over the last few weeks.

Click here to read on...

Youth Fight for Jobs: "A fantastic experience!"

Youth Fight for Jobs demonstration 28 November 2009

Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) will doubtless earn a reputation for putting on the most lively, vibrant and colourful demonstrations in Britain. Over 1,000 people marched, adorned with flags, banners and placards with the message of the demo - 'for real jobs', 'for free education'. This made an impact on the huge Saturday afternoon crowds filling central London. Everywhere people stopped to watch us march by, in many cases cheering us on. Click here to read on...

Youth Fight For Jobs

Fight For A For Future: Join the March for Jobs

Saturday 28th November 2009

Assemble 12 noon, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY

(nearest tube station Euston or Russell Square)

Local Transport up to London

Coach picking up from St Peters Church at 9.30am & Sussex University at 9.45am

Tickets £4. To reserve a seat, get involved or for more info...

Phone: 07984027754

Email: brightonyouthfightforjobs@gmail.com

Facebook: 'Brighton Youth Fight For Jobs'

Local Gig Fundraiser for Youth Fight For Jobs

Tuesday 24th November from 8pm @ The Hope, Queens Road

Bands include: UK-Vacant

Convict Minority

Chairman Wow!

Coach tickets will be available at the gig for half price!

Socialist Party and Youth Fight For Jobs campaigners on the march!

[Words: Lee Vernon, Photographs: Peter Knight]

As the Labour Party conference opened in Brighton on 27 September over 1,500 students, workers and young people demonstrated outside in protest at the party's cuts, unemployment, wars and tuition fees.

Called by UCU (University and College Union) and backed by other unions including the NUJ, NUT, PCS, CWU and the RMT, the demo demanded "Peace, Education and Jobs".

On the demo was a strong Youth Fight For Jobs contingent, calling for the Labour Party to invest in green, socially useful jobs for young people alongside demands for an end to slave labour internships and for free education. This attracted a lot of support from passers-by.

The latest opinion polls put Labour's vote at 23 per cent and they face a growing public backlash. Even Labour chancellor Alistair Darling sees the party in dire straights, saying that it had simply "lost the will to live". Like rats escaping a sinking ship, senior figures like Peter Mandelson say they are willing to work with the Tories. This shows how little difference there really is between the two parties.

However, although most on the demo agreed that the Labour Party no longer represents them, the organisers put forward no programme on how to build an electoral alternative. Without any plan of what to do next, such a demonstration can only act as an outlet for people's anger and, come the next election, will leave people face with a choice between three anti-worker, pro-capitalist parties.

Without the building of a genuine left alternative to appeal to the working class, we could see and increase in disenfranchisement of workers, a lower turnout and more people turning to groups like the BNP in a desparate search for answers.

Only one speaker at the final rally, PCS union general secretary Mark Serwotka, raised the need to build an alternative left wing party based on the trade union movement. PCS members are currently discussing giving support to candidates who will stand in workers' interests against public sector cuts, etc.

The trade unions need to disaffilliate from a Labour Party that consistantly fails to represent them. 35 people attended a successful meeting of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party (CNWP) after the main protest had finished and the local group is continuing to discuss the potential of standing in the next general election. If you'd like more information and/or want to get involved send us an email at info.bhsp@gmail.com

PROTEST AGAINST NEW LABOUR!

Join the trade union-led demostration this Sunday 27 September against the New Labour Party as it gathers for its conference in Brighton.

The Socialist Party and the Youth Fight For Jobs campaign will join the rally and march with a lively and vocal contingent to display the massive anger at New Labour's failure in supporting capitalism and big business instead of the millions of unemployed youth and working people who've been left at the mercy of the recession.

As the level of joblosses grow and the impact of this crisis of capitalism is heaped further and further on young people the working class with cuts, cuts and more cuts, it becomes more and more urgent that an organised fighting campaign is built to demand an end to being thrown on the scrap pile and for decent jobs and a decent future for all. Get organised and come tell New Labour what we want!

Assemble 12.30pm Madeira Drive, Brighton

Socialists campaign against unemployment in Hastings

Socialist Party members from across the South East took part in a day of action in Hastings this Saturday. Comrades helped to spread word of the Youth Fight For Jobs campaign with nearly a thousand leaflets distributed and over 100 petition signitures collected demanding more is done to create real jobs for all.

With unemployment for under 25s set to top 1 million by the end of this summer it is crucial that the trade union movement, socialists, all youth and the unemployed unite and organise to demand proper support, jobs and living conditions for everyone affected by the economic crisis. If the capitalists and the bankers who caused this mess can get a bailout, why can't the rest of us?

Click here to find out about the national demonstration that the Youth Fight For Jobs campaign is organising on the 28 November with trade union support from the RMT, PCS and CWU.

For more information visit www.youthfightforjobs.com or email us at info.bhsp@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved in our next local day of action.

Support the Vestas workers! DEMONSTRATE 6PM WED 29 JULY

Vestas workers, the RMT trade union and the working class community of the Isle of Wight are calling for a show of strength in support of the fighting Vestas workers at a demonstration this Wednesday evening outside the factory gates. RMT general secretary Bob Crow will address the public rally at 6pm but all supporters will be welcome at any time during the day. A report will be given of the County Court hearing happening at 10.15am that morning whereby the company is seeking to evict the protesters and a demo is planned outside this venue too.

The wind turbine company has set this Friday (31 July) as the deadline for closing the factory with the loss of 625 jobs. The factory has been under workers’ occupation since Tuesday last week. Communication lines into the factory have been cut and deliveries of food and water have been blockaded by private security guards.

This is a crucial labour dispute about the right to protection from companies who hire and fire, and the right to live in a world where the environment and sustainability are absolute priorities. There is massive support for the striking workers on the Isle of Wight with hundreds of people turning out every night, including as many as 700 on Thursday last week where RMT general secretary spoke. See the video above...

A minibus organised by the Brighton and Hove TUC Unemployed Workers' Centre will be leaving Brighton around 1pm on Wednesday to attend the 6pm demo. Please email us at info.bhsp@gmail.com if you would like to go. Spaces are limited so do hurry.

Alternatively, you can make your own way from London and the South East with these RMT supplied directions:

Travelling from London and the South East: Take the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth Harbour and then bus number 9 from Ryde Esplanade to Newport town centre (40 minutes) and then a number 1 bus (3-4 minutes), getting off at St Mary’s and follow the signs to St Cross Business Park.

Travelling by car from London and the South East: Travel from Portsmouth Gun Wharf to Fishbourne, when exiting follow signs to Newport town centre and just before the town centre take the A3020 to Cowes and when you see the B&Q shop, turn off the dual carriageway and follow signs to St Cross Business Park

Finally, please send the workers your urgent messages of support and solidarity to savevestas@gmail.com and spread the word of the campaign.

Youth Fight For Jobs leading the youth fight back

Youth Fight For Jobs demonstration in Rhondda, Wales

The Youth Fight For Jobs campaign has raised its profile right across Britain as the leading youth organisation fighting back against the effects of the current recession following a recent successful fortnight of action. Sarah Wrack, from the University of Sussex Socialist Students group, reports back from the events that took place locally.

In Brighton we decided to concentrate on a fundraising gig and a meeting for the fortnight of action. After the European election results, we thought it was important to discuss the threat posed by the racist far-right British National Party and how they have no solutions to the difficulties young people suffer in the economic crisis.

The meeting also provided a good opportunity to talk about building YFJ locally. We decided to write a leaflet and build for a protest around the issue of agencies which are used to recruit a lot of people in Brighton, particularly students, to jobs with poor pay, conditions and job security.

The gig raised £70 and speeches between bands meant we could get our ideas to a layer of young people who may not initially be interested in coming to political meetings. One of the most important things we gained from the fortnight was that people who had not previously organised activities took charge and learnt a lot from the experience, meaning they will be able to take a lead for future events.

This, combined with meeting several people interested in getting involved and making good concrete plans, means the fortnight of action definitely gave YFJ more local focus in Brighton.

For more info on the campaign check out www.youthfightforjobs.com or email us at info.bhsp@gmail.com if you want to get involved locally.

Join the fightback against youth unemployment

Upcoming Youth Fight For Jobs events:

Gig night!

Chairman Wow plus many more...
7.30pm Wednesday 8 July
Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, Brighton

£1 entry on the door, under 18s welcome

Public meeting
On why the BNP have no solutions for young people

7.30pm Thursday 9 July
Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton

For more information check out www.youthfightforjobs.com