🪧Strikes at university, taxi fares increase in city, quiet vaccinations to help those with neurodiversity and more🚕

Good morning, and welcome to the Brighton Seagull's Monday Briefing, the only news product in the world assembled by actual seagulls! The temperature is dropping, so we're bringing you some red hot scoops to warm you up.

Strike action at University of Brighton continues this week

Staff at the University of Brighton are continuing strike action today, after striking last Thursday and Friday, in disputes over pay.

Hundreds of staff, including librarians, security, catering and cleaners, rejected a 3% payrise from the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

They had asked for a payrise 2% above inflation, which is currently at around 10%.

Ivan Bonsell, branch secretary of the University of Brighton's UNISON branch, said:

We're striking because we've had a 3% pay rise, going up to 8% for the lowest paid. That's between a 9% and 4% pay cut, on top of real terms pay cuts for years.

We're not prepared to put up with this massive attack on our income and carry on working more for less, and nor should other working people. This is a national campaign with 20 universities to start with, and more joining later.

With UCU, we can bring University education to a standstill and demand that University workers are paid properly, not by increasing fees, but by proper funding through taxing the rich.

🖋 News in Brief 🖋

• Up to 500 trees are being felled, starting this week, because they're infected with ash dieback. The trees are in Woodvale Cemetery and the Bevendean and Moulsecoomb woods. However, the council plans to plant 14,000 tree whips this season to help with woodland regeneration.
• Taxi fares are rising by 5%, as agreed by Brighton and Hove City Council's Licensing Committee on Thursday, due to inflation and rising cost of fuel. This follows a 5% rise in March. Standard fares start at £3, going up by 30p for every 197 yards or 54 seconds. Late-night fares start at £5 (from 9pm to 6am), going up at the same rate for the same time and distance.
• Formerly one of the coolest places in the world (at least according to TimeOut readers), Kemptown failed to make the '51 coolest neighbourhoods in the world' list this year (apologies to our Kemptown readers; we still think you're cool).

What's happening? Dedicated 'quiet vaccination sessions' are being held across the next few weeks for those needing Covid-19 vaccinations.

Who are they for? Anyone in Sussex eligible for their vaccine, who is over 16 and may need more time for their appointment, or anyone who has extra access needs where a quieter and calmer environment would help. This includes:

• People with learning disabilities
• Autistic people and people who are neurodiverse
• People living with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s
• People with extra access needs who are unable to use other vaccination services
• People with severe anxiety who are unable to access other vaccination centres

You can also book your carer in at the same time if they need their vaccination too.

What will the quiet sessions offer?

• Fewer appointments, so less people will be there during the session
• Longer appointments to give you more time (up to 15 minutes)
• 1:1 care for everyone receiving their vaccination
• The entire appointment will be on the ground floor
• Free transport for anyone who needs it

What vaccinations are available? First, second and third doses as well as the autumn booster. Those needing their first, second or third will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, and those eligible for the autumn booster will be offered the Pfizer Bivalent vaccine.

When are they?

• Thursday 20 October, 10am-3pm – The Whitehawk Inn, Whitehawk Rd, Brighton BN2 5NS
• Thursday 27 October, 10am-3pm – St Richard’s Community Centre, Egmont Rd, Hove BN3 7FP
• Thursday 1 November, 10am-3pm – The Brighthelm Community Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD

How do I book an appointment? By calling Possability People on 01273 894040. If there is no response, leave a voicemail and they will call you back.

You mentioned free transport? People with no means to get to their appointment can book a free return journey by calling 01444 275008.

I've got more questions. Click here, and if you can't find the answer contact the Vaccine Enquiries Team on 0300 303 9060 (Monday to Friday, 9-5) or email [email protected].