Sheffield March For Jobs, Pensions, Services,

25 Feb 2006, 11.am

Location: Assemble at DfES Building, Moorfoot(bottom of moor) at 11am

The attacks by the Government on jobs and services in the public sector continues apace. PCS is organising a march and rally to oppose the jobs and services cuts.

March to Town Hall for Rally

Speakers from Local Trade Unions and Community Groups

The attacks by the Government on jobs and services in the public sector continues apace. 15,000 jobs have already been lost in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), 1,300 jobs are on the line in the Learning and Skills Council (LCS) and other job cuts are taking place all over the civil service including the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) which will see a 31% reduction in staff by 2008.

The job cuts are having a disastrous effect on the services staff can provide to the public. Anyone trying to claim benefit through the DWP is now directed to a call centre due to the lack of staff in Jobcentres. People cannot get through due to the volume of call and it's taking weeks for them to get the benefits to which they are entitled.

The Fire Service is also under attack with the prospect of local fire stations closing to save money.

Privatisation continues at an alarming rate in the NHS and education with City Academies and Foundation Trusts.

But it's not only the public sector that is under attack and losing jobs. The steel firm Outu Kumpu are losing 750 jobs and Littlewoods have closed all their shops including the one in Barnsley. Pensions are still under attack in the private sector with Rentokil and the Co-op proposing to close their final salary schemes.

We can't sit back and see our jobs, pensions and public services destroyed and privatised. If you oppose privatisation and believe in a properly-funded and staffed public sector, join us on Saturday February 25.