Failure in bid to save cashier service

RAC were present at the lobby of the Council Cabinet. This article from The Rotherham Advertiser describes the protest and demonstration, and the implications of the council's failure to listen to the demands of the people.

PLANS to shake up council payment services have been given the green light despite protests from thousands of people.

Almost 4,000 people signed a petition in objection to sweeping changes which union bosses claim will see the loss of two thirds of all cashiers’ jobs at Rotherham Borough Council’s neighbourhoods offices.

UNISON have warned that removing the option to pay council bills at the district offices would also make life harder for service users.

 But councillors approved the scrapping of the cashier service at Wath, Greasbrough, Rawmarsh and Kimberworth Park despite the petition and lobbying ahead of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting at the Town Hall.

A council spokesman denied union claims that the move would lead to up to 17 job losses, adding: “We will, as much as possible, try to implement the improved services to customers without the need to look at losing staff on a compulsory basis.”

The spokesman said that a number of staff had already enquired about voluntary redundancy and others could be redeployed.

Val Broomhead, convenor at UNISON Rotherham, said the union was disappointed by the move.

“This service is a lifeline for many people as a source of advice and support and two thirds of staff are now threatened with losing their jobs,” she said.

Mrs Broomhead said that the proposed changes to the cashier service had been approved despite limited consultation with staff, service users and trade unions, adding: “We will be looking at the legal implications of that.”

Householders will be asked to make payments at PayPoints, online, or by travelling to other council offices.

The council is working with its IT partner RBT and council housing firm 2010 Rotherham Ltd to introduce payment facilities at more than 140 new outlets across Rotherham—and more beyond—using customer service centres, post offices and PayPoint locations.

Campaign Stall Report

Another strong turnout for campaigning in Rotherham Town Centre!

Over half a dozen RAC activists were on the streets of Rotherham town centre today (11/06/2011) handing out leaflets advertising the next RAC meeting, to collect signatures and contact details for the RAC mailing list and to build the resistance to the cuts.

Leaflets produced by ST and TD were handed out in their hundreds whilst Cuban pianist Ruben Gonzalez attracted Rotherhamers in the sunshine... for just over an hour and then the play was rained off!!!

Yet a young movement, RAC can look forward to more and more effective campaign stalls.

RAC Draft 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 cuts that will effect every man, woman and child in this area and beyond.

Union Lobby of Council Cabinet Report

RAC activists support UNISON Lobby of Council Cabinet

RAC activists gathered outside Rotherham Town Hall with a small number of UNISON members, protesting against "Rotherham Council Plans to close the Cashier Service at four neighbourhood offices at Wath, Kimberworth Park and Munsborough."

UNISON members were happy to sign petitions, but were reluctant to provide email addresses for the RAC mailing list.

The following statement was issued on the UNISON Rotherham website:

"SAVE OUR CASHIER SERVICES

ROTHERHAM COUNCIL PLANS TO CLOSE THE CASHIER SERVICE AT FOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICES AT WATH, RAWMARSH, KIMBERWORTH PARK AND MUNSBROUGH.

PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL TO PAY RENT AND BILLS, WILL BE AT GREATER RISK OF GETTING INTO ARREARS AND WILL HAVE TO COUNT HUNDREDS OF POUNDS AT OPEN PAYPOINTS IN SHOPS. TWO THIRDS OF STAFF WILL GO AS WILL THE ADVICE AND SUPPORT THAT THEY PROVIDE. ONCE THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES HAVE GONE THEY WILL BE GONE FOR GOOD.

WE HAVE GOT OVER 1,000 SIGNATURES FOR OUR PETITION AGAINST THE CLOSURES IN JUST TWO WEEKS.

PLEASE SHOW YOUR OPPOSITION TO THESE CLOSURES BY MEETING OUTSIDE ROTHERHAM TOWN HALL ON WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE 9.30-10.30AM AS WE LOBBY COUNCILLORS.

IF YOU COULD SPARE JUST AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT ATTEND THE STRONGER OUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD.

FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT UNISON ROTHERHAM ON 01709376933"

Meeting Report: 07/06/2011

Rotherham Against the Cuts Meeting:
Tuesday, 7th June 2011, 7:00pm.
Chair: Jill Adam

Around 15 people attended.

The RAC constitution was discussed and a draft mission statement was agreed pending a formal constitution. It was agreed that no decision would be made without prior discussion and agreement by the forum.

It was agreed that Jill Adams will be Chair, Linzi Haynes will be Treasurer and Chris Bingham will be responsible (with assistance from the rest of the group) for Publicity.

RAC have agreed to do campaign stalls every Saturday, from 11am to 1pm, in Rotherham Town Centre.

Simon Thorne will produce leaflets (with ideas from RAC participants) and will be handed to Tom Donaldson for printing.

Further discussion of RAC activity on 30th June - no decisions have been made, and final arrangements will be made at the next RAC meeting.

Next RAC meeting to be held on Tuesday 21st June - the event is yet to be confirmed.

A RAC publis meeting will be called on Thursday 7th July, following on from the 30th June strike, to help build the movement.

June 30th: Posters and Leaflets

Some leaflets and posters for the June 30th strikes.

Campaign Stall Report

First RAC stall held in Rotherham Town Centre!

Saturday 4th June, at 11am, around 10 RAC activist - members of political parties, Trade Union members and non-affiliated participants - gathered in the Town Centre to help build the group...

After some initial hiccups, around 100 leaflets with details of the Tuesday 7th meeting were distributed and a fair number of signatures and contact details were collected. At the meeting, topics for discussion will be; attending the council worker lobby of the Council Cabinet on Wednesday 8th June at 9:30am, the RAC's constitution, building for the Demo on the 30th June and more...

A strong and determined mindset was shared by all, and a common recognition that the RAC campaign was a worthy endeavour and a vital development in Rotherham fight back!