The world won't all change at once, keep your group going with little steps. [...] Expect people to take part, drop out, take part again. Do different things, make mistakes, learn together, keep trying!
SHEFFIELD GROUP
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have held public meetings with Kate Pickett, Danny Dorling, and the local Director of Public Health
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are looking at Living Wage and wage ratio campaigns
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have written and submitted a detailed policy proposal to Sheffield's city strategy consultation – highlighting local levels of income inequality
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organised information stalls, distributing flyers and raising awareness about themselves and the Robin Hood tax campaign
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utilised local research on inequality in Sheffield, by academics, the council and the local Primary Care Trust
have performed an "equality play" at meetings and will use street theatre for an anti-tax-avoidance protest
So on one hand, we want to get egalitarians out of the closet & active. On the other hand, we want to push the case for income equality to those yet to engage with it. A priority for the Newport group is to relate the general themes & findings of studies such as The Spirit Level to the particular contexts in which egalitarians in Wales will do their work.
LONDON GROUP
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have spoken at trade union and other local events, highlighting their local campaign and the message of The Spirit Level
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contributed to the successful wage ratios campaign in the GLA: 20:1 with a long-term target of 10:1
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lobbied London-based MPs of all parties and have begun efforts to set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group in parliament
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conducted their own fairness test on the budget and spending review
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are campaigning for a statue for the “Unknown London Worker” on Trafalgar Square's “fourth plinth”
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have begun a campaign to launch a “kite mark” for companies who agree to limit wage differentials
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have a “blue skies” sub-group, which meets to discuss equality in a philosophical context
To emphasise the point that we must extend our efforts beyond the Westminster Village, we have a Social Movement sub-group working on getting the message over to the many sympathetic organisations in London and the wider public. The difficulties may seem daunting but public exasperation with the current system hasn't been so high for decades. We are finding a ready audience for the evidence we have for a rational alternative.
BRISTOL GROUP
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have written a strategy document clearly outlining their campaign aims, methods and timeline
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have written an equality declaration which will be used as a campaigning tool in the run-up to the local elections in 2011, with council candidates of all parties being encouraged to sign it
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have plans to hold a Bristol Equality Conference where they plan to launch the “Bristol standard” (a business standard which will allow local businesses to show their commitment to tackling inequality)
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after the election they also plan to launch a wage ratios campaign, based on local research already undertaken
And most importantly…. what are you doing? We'd love to hear your stories about local campaigning, about inspiring events, successes as well as any difficulties you may have faced, so we can all learn from each other. Good luck and get in touch!
