Sheffield Green Party Councillors and members were out in force today showing their solidarity with striking teachers, train drivers, civil servants and university lecturers.
Toby Mallinson, who is District Secretary for the National Education Union and the candidate for Hillsborough in the next local elections, was interviewed on Look North. He said “The turnout is absolutely fantastic, I believe we’ve got over 6000 people here. There’s a huge amount of support. Pay has dropped over 20% in the last ten years. It’s vital that we stop the haemorrhaging of talent.” Toby Mallinson helped organise the 28 pickets of schools across the City. A day of lost education is regrettable, but nothing compared to a whole childhood of underfunded education.
Cllr Maroof Rouf said “Teachers on strike are not just fighting for better wages and working conditions, they are striking for the future of our children and the education they deserve. Teachers are the champions of education, it is humbling to see them using their voices and actions to ensure every single student receives the quality education they deserve”
One of the biggest cheers of the day was for a 7-year-old pupil who got on the microphone and said “Rishi Sunak stop being so tight and pay our teachers better!“
Peter Gilbert, Green Party candidate for Ecclesall said “As a care worker within a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school I fully back those on strike and believe that only through collective worker action can we win the reforms needed to get social care and education back on track.”
