RAC interview in 'Rotherham Life'

RAC interviewed  by Chris Ledger on Rotherham Life blog

The group, called Rotherham Against the Cuts (RAC), was launched in May, which provides a basis for local people to organise their resistance to the proposed government budget cuts and the potential hardship that they could cause. It has also been founded to provide a local branch of the national Anti-Cuts movements and has also been recongised and supported by the Trades Council.

Current campaign activities

It has been described as a broad-based campaign, which will fight cuts in a variety of areas from benefit and disability allowance to pensions, the NHS, education and job cuts. They have conducted several activities – which are aimed at building the movement and involving people who can take the lead, informing the public about the cuts and building strategies that will defend services.

They currently hold a campaign stall in Rotherham Town Centre – which is outside Rotherham Market, and the Boots and Halifax branches – every Saturday morning between 11am to 1pm, where they hand out leaflets and collect signatures in support of the group. They also hold regular meetings at the Bridge Inn pub, attended picket lines and organised a peaceful rally on Thursday 30 June in All Saints Square, which attracted a crowd of around 50 people.

Chris Bingham, an activist for RAC, said: “For many years now Rotherham people have had their traditional networks of representation dismantled and dismissed, which has led to a general climate of non-involvement.

“Our first step with RAC is to build the movement and encourage the people doing the hard work of defending community and public services to join together, unite their voices, and lead the resistance against the savage cuts and the hardship that the poor and working people of Rotherham will feel the most in the coming year.”

A resistance network

Mr Bingham also said that although traditional methods like trade unions and political parties still exist, they are viewed with suspicion.

He added: “People have to develop their own networks of resistance, they have to share their information about the cuts they are facing and help each other out in a spirit of solidarity, realising that all cuts will affect them in some way.

“We, as people, have to seek each other out and develop united campaigning groups that are serious and committed, that can send clear messages to the centres of power who are deciding what services we can and cannot enjoy.

“Unfortunately, there are no magic buttons or easy short-cuts. We have to do the steady work to build up strong grass-roots organisations that have a shared set of objectives based on the principles of solidarity, mutual respect and support.”

More help needed

Despite support from the public at the rally and campaign stall, as well as a letter that was published in a recent edition of the Rotherham Advertiser, the group is still slowly expanding and it has been difficult to get people to come to their public meetings.

Mr Bingham added: “It is obvious that people in Rotherham are generally aware that bad times are coming, that something must be done and are very supportive of our analysis, but getting people to come to meetings is difficult.

“This is understandable because the people who should be involved and leading RAC are the very people who work the hardest and the longest, and are under the most strain. We can only assure those people that though we are a small group at the moment, we aren’t going anywhere and we await their involvement and participation.

“However, I think it is fair to say that everyone involved in RAC, at the minute, hopes we can build a strong fighting force that will make it impossible for the people of Rotherham to be ignored, as they have been for so long. And that it will help give Rotherham back its confidence to defy the powers that be and reclaim itself.”

Those who are interested in joining RAC can join its mailing list at rothagainstcuts@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook page . A consitution meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 August and a general meeting will also be held on Wednesday 9 August. Both meetings will be at the Bridge Inn pub, based at Greasbrough Road in Rotherham Town Centre, at 7.45pm and anyone is welcome to attend.

RAC Constitution!

Constitution of Rotherham Against the Cuts (RAC)

1. Our Mission Statement:

Rotherham Against the Cuts is a non-partisan group who welcomes the input and solidarity of any group, or individual, who, like us, are committed to fighting the savage program of all cuts that will effect every man, woman and child in this area and beyond.
 

2. Name Of Organization

The name of the organization will be the Rotherham Against the Cuts (RAC)

3. Aims And Objectives

The group has been set up to oppose all public spending cuts and attacks on the public, private, voluntary and community sectors in Rotherham, and to support and show solidarity with those who resist these attacks.

Our aim is to bring together and involve the different communities and trades unions across Rotherham to build a united resistance. It will invite all such campaigns and all trade unions to affiliate in order to unite and co-ordinate our efforts across Rotherham. RAC is open to support and affiliation from political parties.

We, RAC, shall not accept membership from any organisation and/or individual that espouses discrimination based on age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or creed as unity is impossible if these things go unchallenged.

4. Affiliation

The group will seek affiliations from Trades Union branches, groups and organizations. The cost will be £50*(minimum for local Trade Union Branches; for regional branches, amount will be discretionary, but must be higher than the amount for local branches) £5* (minimum for small local groups). Membership for individuals will cost £1.

5. Governance

RAC shall have an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) as and when necessary for the furthering of our Aims and Objectives. The constitution can only be amended at an AGM or EGM.

RAC shall function as an open, transparent and democratic group and will form committees when necessary. Its decisions will be made by simple majority vote.

RAC will hold open meetings at least once a month. Up until the first AGM, while the organisation is broadening its base of affiliates, RAC will take decisions on the basis of one vote for each person present.

Prior to an AGM, we will hold an EGM to decide the weighting of the different groups and affiliations attending and voting at the AGM.

RAC Committees should strive at all times to be representative of the wider community in their make-up, and make the Chair a rotating post, who will facilitate meetings and will be acknowledged to be the current representative of the organisation.

The AGM will elect officers to act as an executive between meetings, to carry forward decisions taken; deal with press, publicity and correspondence; and respond to events. Any emergency decisions taken will be reported to and ratified by the Steering Committee. The RAC officers may include a Chair, a Vice-Chairs, a Treasurer, a Publicity officer, a Press officer a Membership Secretary and so, and will be supported by small committees.

6. Finance.

All the monies raised by the group shall be applied to further the aims and objectives of the group.

The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finance of the group and shall maintain a bank account.

The group shall bank at a place suitable for access for the Treasurer.

Two signatures from a stated list of three shall be required to withdraw money from the group’s account.

Members shall be reimbursed agreed expenses incurred whilst undertaking approved (by committee) business expenses on behalf of the group. Any expense over £50 must be agreed by the committee.

The group will ensure that all accounts are independently examined at the end of each year.

7. Powers

In order to achieve its aims the group may:

Raise money

Open bank accounts

Work with similar groups and exchange information and advice.

Do anything, which is lawful, which helps to fulfill its aims.

8. Alterations to the Constitution

Any changes to this constitution must be agreed by two thirds of those present and voting at the AGM.

9. Dissolution

The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two- thirds of those members present and voting at the AGM. In the event of winding up, any assets, after debts have been paid, shall be given to another group with similar aims.

10. Adoption of the Constitution.

Until the first AGM takes place the persons whose names, addresses and signatures appear at the bottom of this document shall act as the Management Committee referred to in this constitution.

The constitution was adopted on 2nd August 2011 by Neil Adshead, Chris Bingham, Tom Donaldson, Ralph Dyson Linzi Haynes, Simon Thorne, Brian Todd, Ben Vergara, constituting themselves as the valid representatives of RAC and in the presence of the elected Treasurer (Tom Donaldson) and Publicity Officer (Chris Bingham).

Meeting Report: 26/07/2011

Rotherham Against the Cuts Meeting:
Tuesday, 5th July 2011, 7:30pm. Bridge Inn.
Chair: Neil Adshead

It was decided to have a meeting to finalise and agree the Constitution - this will be Tuesday 2nd August at the Bridge Inn at 7:30pm. NB This meeting is to discuss and finalise the Constitution ONLY!

The next RAC general meeting will be tuesday 9th August at the Bridge Inn at 7:30pm.

some contacts that have been made with community groups were discussed. We await replies.

A campaign of Letter-writing to the advertised was agreed on, to be organised by MH.

A Communications committee was agreed to be set up to take responsibility for leaflets, petitions and blog-content. Volunteers to be on this committee are requested.

Discussion around another public meeting was left open-ended pending further developments in the autumn regarding strikes and Trade Union actions.

It was agreed that stalls should be a strictly RAC forum but with literature from Unions and Youth campaigns to be accepted. It was agreed that the stall needed more literature - this was one way of helping to meet that need.

Unison (health branch) have provided an amended NHS petition (including RAC reference) to use on the stall.

Discussion of Manchester Tory Conference demo, Jarrow March and General strike.

Linzi Haynes stepped down as Treasurer and Tom Donaldson took up the post.

Praise for RAC!!!

Here are a couple of letters recently sent in to the Advertiser supporting the work of RAC! We'd like to thank the authors for their kind words, and we'd like to urge the rest of you to come and join us!

Praise for Rotherham Against Cuts group.

"Sir, Just done my Saturday morning shopping in Rotherham and had the pleasure of chatting to the Rotherham Against the Cuts (RAC) group.

They listen politely and give out advice on what we should be doing to fight the cuts.

They sooth frayed nerves through people being sick and tired of being sick and tired at having their lives ruined by ideologies and fat cats in London.

We’re all in it together they say. How have the cuts affected them? Not by much I should imagine. I know I’ve been affected through my health, social services, housing, education and employment.

These are to name a few areas where the cuts have touched. Most of Rotherham have or will be going through the same carry on.

This is only going to get worse. So I say good luck to the lads and lasses of RAC. They have our future in their hands and are, as we speak, trying to put it on a good footing.

All they need is a little help from us and I for one am going to give it. They seem to be the only team that cares, nobody else gives a monkey’s. The cuts are coming to a place near you so be prepared."

We must fight the cuts!

"Sir, May I say, I completely agree with Mr Jeff Sheard's letter showing support for "rotherham against the cuts".

These diehard lefties know what is coming, Rotherham will suffer from these cuts, we have already seen meals on wheels gone, laundry service gone, attacks on the youth and vulnerable by a Labour Party which has completely lost touch, not only with the working class but with the population in general.

Labour leader Harold Macmillan once said "the Labour Party is a moral crusade or nothing at all".

It is fast becoming nothing at all. 

Four million voters have deserted Labour, the working class the working poor and the absolute poor are screaming out for a new party with morals and principles.

I would say the Socialist Workers' party are the only party left with an alternative and it's a shame the rotherham workers (private sector and public sector) don't support this party when it comes to elections.

We need thousands more Jeff Sheards who take time to stop and listen and make that change from mainstream greed, back to morals and principles and fairness - something that's been lacking in the UK for last 30 years."

Rotherham Community School Photo Montage

A montage of photos from the RCS Kids not Cuts campaign in Rawmarsh. in the words of the creator, one of "RCS NUT's finest", it will "remind everyone of how we stood together in the face of an unprecedented attack and gained strength and determination from our solidarity. It exemplified what a union should be and I hope the images inspire people to maintain the same courage and commitment for the battles that lie ahead. If all else fails just think of the other unions and that should scare you back to the picket lines. I'll be waiting!"

Public Meeting Report: 14/07/2011

Rotherham Against the Cuts Public Meeting:
Thursday, 14th July 2011, 7:30pm, Bridge Inn.
Chair: Martin Hickman (RAC Sec.)
Speakers: Gavin Stevenson, Ralph Dyson.

Around 20 people attended. Gavin reported on the activities of Barnsley Students around the strikes of 30th June, highlighting the importance of involving young people in RAC and anti-cuts movements in general.

Ralph reported on the activites he was involved with on the 30th June, including picketing, speaking at RAC rally in Rotherham town Centre and marching in Sheffield. Ralph highlighted the importance of continuing to build RAC.

Many contributions from the floor restated RAC's commitment to making links with Trade Unions and students, whilst also making attempts to contact community groups and workers on the frontline, facing the cuts.

Next meeting confirmed for the 26th July at the Bridge Inn.

Meeting Report: 05/07/2011

Rotherham Against the Cuts Meeting:

Tuesday, 5th July 2011, 7:30pm. Bridge Inn.

Chair: Jill Adams

Draft constitutions were distributed to all who had not recieved them for perusal and further discussion. Insufficient members were in attendence to further discuss.

Speakers for the Public meeting, set for Thursday 14th July, were discussed. Still waiting for confirmation.

The next RAC meeting was set for Tuesday 26th July at the Bridge Inn

The email address (rothagainstcuts@hotmail.co.uk) was discussed and in the interests of confidentiality, only Chris Bingham will have DIRECT access to the email address and mailing list.

Further activities were discussed. RAC members to report back at the next meeting.

Jayne Fitzgerald was asked to produced a questionnaire to find out what cuts are affecting people and how. These are to be used on stalls, at the public meetings and possibly on facebook.

RAC vinyl banner will be produced.