SDLP Youth have today said while they support university lecturers and teaching staff in an ongoing pay dispute, they youth wing insists Top-up fees can not be used as any means to settle this dispute.

SDLP Youth Chairman John O’Doherty said, “It is absolutely terrible that academic pay had reduced by 40% over the last 20 years. However we urge the association of Universities Teachers to reconsider their calls for this pay rise to be funded by Top-Up fees.

“Students are going to face bills of up to £3,000 per year if government plans go ahead. SDLP Youth have been collecting signatures across Northern Ireland and the success of this campaign has proved that the people of the north will not and should not accept such crippling taxes on learning.

”SDLP Youth offer any help we can to the association however we urge them to fight this pay dispute on fair grounds and not to just pass on financial burden to students.”

SDLP Youth held it’s AGM recently and was used the opportunity to draw up plans for the forthcoming months.

John O’ Doherty SDLP Youth Chairman stated, “After a very successful year SDLP Youth are looking forward to times ahead. We have a lot planned and have a great team in place.”

“2005 saw a increased presence from SDLP Youth with various campaigns being executed including the campaign against Water Charges, University Top Up Fees and the Safe Sex campaign to name but a few.

“SDLP Youth plan to build upon our impressive campaign record. Two Campaign Officers have been appointed to ensure that campaigns planned for this year, including Fair Trade and Homelessness, will be implemented effectively.

“Plans for a Major Youth Conference was also proposed at the AGM. As the profile and membership of SDLP Youth continues to grow it was unanimously agreed upon that such an exciting event was fitting for this progressive group.”

SDLP Youth today sent Secretary of State Peter Hain a ‘not-so-loving’ valentines card.

SDLP Youth Chairman John O’Doherty said, “Young people across the north of Ireland are sick, sore and tired of the same old issues holding back political progress here.

“We want to see the promise of the Good Friday Agreement fulfilled, so that our MLAs can get one with the job they are paid to do and in doing so giving the people of Northern Ireland much better representation.

“Today we send Peter Hain a ‘not-so-loving’ valentine’s card urging him to set a date for restoration. The message on our card reads as follows:

TO PETER HAIN WITH NO LOVE SDLP YOUTH

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I’m sick of suspension

What about you?

Paisley is Orange

Adams is Green

When it comes to stalling

They make a great team

The truth is out there

We all know

That Adams wants power

But Paisley say’s NO!

But what about the people

Caught in between

The bitterness of the Orange

And the selfishness of the Green

It’s time to get moving’

It’s time that you see

With 2 years more suspension

Where will we be

Paying twice for water

Identity cards too

So we’re sending this card

To tell you what to do

Set a date for restoration

Let those willing do their job

And send you back to Westminster

Back where you belong

Monday 19th December 2005 saw the first ever UK civil partnership held in Belfast Northern Ireland, met with cheers and protests in equal measure. The SDLP had led the fight for these rights, and were present at City Hall to celebrate the first unions, congratulate those involved, and stand up to the fundamentalists determined to ruin the day.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 provides same-sex couples with similar legal rights to married couples. When the bill was introduced to Parliament in
2004 the only party from Northern Ireland to support the bill was the SDLP.
Objections came from all other Northern parties in Westminster, calling civil partnerships unnatural and immoral. The SDLP stood strong, strong for Equality.

SDLP youth took lead in both the party and in Northern Ireland with a motion to the annual conference in 2000 expressing the need for LGBT rights to be at the forefront of the party’s agenda, a motion that was passed unanimously. Equality was at the forefront of these proposals, which address unfair aspects of taxation, pensions and social security policies. Other parties rejected outright what they called “gay marriage”.

Once again, the SDLP’s pioneering approach has resulted in a move which will change the lives of many. As the most progressive party in Northern Ireland we have proved once again that ours is a vision of a society based on human rights & social justice. We have proved we are willing to stand strong in order to challenge the inequalities and injustices within our society. This has been proven not only through these actions but our rejection and eventual defeat of the recent ‘on the runs’ legislation � a proposal drawn up between Sinn Fein and the British Government, which was to grant an amnesty to paramilitary organisations and security forces, allowing those who committed some of the most terrible atrocities of out Troubles to ever avoid justice for their acts.

Through these times the SDLP has seen a renewed interest in the party and a new life to its Youth Group. The peace process in the North of Ireland has become stale and corrupt in parts, and SDLP Youth is leading the charge to inject new life and integrity to politics here.

While the Northern Ireland Assembly remains in suspension the SDLP is still working for rapid and full implementation of Good Friday Agreement. As other parties use delaying tactics over commitment to power-sharing and ending criminality, the SDLP are fighting vigorously for the needs and rights of the people of the North � and in the case of civil partnerships, we are gradually achieving these, in spite of those who want to keep us in the dark ages.

John O’Doherty
SDLP Youth Northern Ireland

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Published by ECOSY Red & Pink Newsletter - Feb 2006 edition