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From The Socialist newspaper, 18 September 2019
South Yorkshire defeats fire cuts
Firefighters and supporters celebrating their victory against the South Yorkshire fire cuts, 16.9.19 (Click to enlarge)
After months of campaigning, lobbying and petitioning by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Socialist Party and others, on 16 September the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority voted not to proceed with the chief fire officer's proposal to reduce crewing levels from five to four.
This would have resulted in 84 fewer firefighters over the next three years.
Now, they will instead look at using some of their £25 million reserves, and lobbying the government for 'fair funding'.
We are proud the Socialist Party played a big role in this campaign, collecting over 2,500 signatures across South Yorkshire, campaigning with the Fire Brigades Union. We distributed hundreds of leaflets and supported the FBU lobbies.
This victory proves once again that if you fight, you can win.
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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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 18 September 2019:
What we think
Ditch the Tories - and austerity
Trade union movement must put its stamp on swirling events
Climate change
Climate protests: which way forward after 20 September?
Climate change: what's socialism got to do with it?
Socialist Students
How students can fight and win
Socialist Party feature
Northern Ireland: Campaign mounts over historic sexual abuse allegations cover-up
Socialist Party workplace news
PCS general secretary candidate: unions must mobilise to drive out Boris
Strike back to stop bullying Royal Mail bosses
Lincolnshire health visitors strike boost
DVSA strike - employer asks for talks
Nottingham College UCU - more strike action planned
PCS members at BEIS maintain just fightback
Ilford: strike forces school management to back down
International socialist news and analysis
Violence against women in South Africa
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
South Yorkshire defeats fire cuts
Donate to help us move our press by October
March planned to save Bewdley Fire Station
London: packed public meeting discusses political crisis
Opinion
Peterloo - fighting for democracy and a better life
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