AGM 2005 Pages 22 ORGANISING FOR THE FUTURE

RMT pledges to defend transport industry AGM 2005 p16 Taking action to defend services p16 Defend Northern Rail p16 No to ‘bustitution’ p17 End lone working p17 Role and responsibility of the guard p17 No to ‘bustitution’ p18 Zero tolerance of staff assaults p18 Stamp out bullying in the workplace p18 Ticket office staff face violence p18 Young Members’ Award p19 Defending pensions p19 RMT Parliamentary group success p20 No to the EU Constitution p20 No more nukes p20 Stop the war in Iraq p20 No to ID cards p21 Venezuelan trade unionist electrifies conference p21 Zambian-style solidarity comes to conference 15 RMTnews :: july/august 2005 16 AGM 2005 With the likelihood of a strong Yes vote for action if the “vertical integration“ goes ahead, a national NR strike would halt the entire network as thousands of signallers and maintenance workers walked out. General secretary Bob Crow told the AGM how RMT had sought assurances that the proposals would be dropped and that its workers in the region would remain employees of NR. “We have not received those assurances,” he revealed. Bob called the plans a retrograde step, after lethal corner-cutting from privateers like Jarvis and Balfour Beatty led to horrific disasters such as the Hatfield crash and forced Railtrack into bankruptcy - itself forcing ministers to create “not-for-profit” NR and take infrastructure back in house. “Local vertical integration is a nonsense because it means more fragmentation, and it threatens the same spiral of cost-cutting that led to Hatfield and Potters Bar,” he said. “If the government is now seriously converted to the benefits of vertical integration why can‘t Merseyrail be taken over by NR? “We need just one company out there running the railways that knows what is happening across the network and serves the people of Britain.” Bob rejected NR claims that the plans were a regional one- off, asking delegates: “Once they’ve done it with Merseyrail, who’s next? Scotrail? GNER? Virgin? “They all want to run their bit of the infrastructure because they know there is serious money to be made,” he said. He insisted that “we would be failing our members if we left Exeter this week without agreeing that if they try to re- privatise us they will face a national rail strike.” Edinburgh and Portobello delegate Graham Buchanan agreed and warned delegates that “if we fail to fight back we will be handing this country an unsafe railway.” Stagecoach Devon delegate Danny Ferguson called on RMT to bolster its industrial muscle with an immediate campaign aimed at informing the public of the dangers inherent in NR’s risky scheme. “Once they realise their railway is unsafe they will be on our side,” he predicted. “Let’s not wait - let’s act.” Waterloo delegate Greg Tucker said that his employers coveted local infrastructure operations because they would scoop “super-profits”, warning that if this was allowed to happen “the fight for renationalisation would have come to nothing.” Manchester Victoria delegate Alex Holden rejected NR’s claim that “no detailed plans exist” for the transfer, arguing that this response was typical of the company’s tactics of “prevarication, delay and distraction.” He urged RMT to stand up for the people of Merseyside, recalling that, when the Rail Against Privatisation marchers came to Liverpool, they received “a clear message from the people that they do not want their services privatised.” Labour MP Bob Wareing, a member of the RMT parliamentary group, has tabled Parliamentary Early Day Motion 352 urging the government not to proceed with the transfer. It has so far been signed by 20 other MPs. TAKING ACTION TO DEFEND SERVICES Delegates unanimously backed calls to ballot 18,000 Network Rail members for national industrial action over Network Rail’s proposed transfer of Merseyside’s infrastructure to Merseytravel - which itself plans to subcontract to the private sector DEFEND NORTHERN RAIL T he “madness” of new Labour’s planned death by cuts for Northern Rail provoked a unanimous call for industrial action in defence of jobs and services. Delegates were united in their condemnation of a government- inspired “consultation” ahead of a new Northern Rail franchise - an exercise which plans to recommend sweeping service cuts, massive fare increases and the “bustitution” of routes with cheaper buses. RMT has been raising awareness of the threat since before the May election, but conference warned yesterday that the campaign needs to be stepped up - underpinned by the threat of strikes. Alex Holden, who works in the Northern Rail franchise area, noted that rail privatisation was originally justified with claims that it would improve and extend services. “It has taken ten years, but now it is clear that this promise was a lie,” he said. Alex said that the soaring costs of subsidising the privateers had even alarmed the Blair government. Its solution, however, was not to renationalise but to look at ways of paring the service to the bone, he said, warning that “the harsh wind of capitalism is blowing through the north.” Carlisle delegate Craig Johnston called the scheme “madness”, noting that the government was refusing public ownership while handing over part of the franchise to Dutch state rail. “So we are state-owned - its just the wrong state,” he said. Liverpool No5 delegate Mick Dooley said: “We need to send a strong message to these people; that any attempt to cut Northern Rail services will be met by industrial action - it’s the only language they understand.” RMT assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski agreed that the union must be prepared to fight such an appaling prospect and welcomed the fact that 20 MPs had now signed the RMT Early Day Motion on Northern Rail. He predicted that “when we take industrial action, and it is not about pay or hours but saving the railways, we will get a groundswell of support from the public.” Danny Ferguson Greg Tucker Alexander Holden july/august 2005 :: RMTnews 17 AGM 2005 Mick Cash Pat Sikorski D elegates warned that the role of guards on trains was being eroded still further, since Rule Book changes were forced through by Railway Safety, with TOC’s using various tactics, such as timetable changes and the introduction of new stock, to chip away at the position. South West Trains delegate Greg Tucker warned that companies want to see guards as merely “flexible ticket collectors” rather than “trained safety operatives” - he said that he was completely opposed to any attempt to pile more duties on train drivers, especially as a driver himself. Although disputes were ongoing at two companies - most notably Midland Mainline - but Greg said the issue needed to be raised nationally, especially with Railway Safety. However, he noted that Railway Safety was acting more and more like “a wing of the TOC’s than an independent safety body”, insisting that only a national strike plan would offer a genuine resolution. Alex Holden complained that the industry seemed unable to change the rules to protect guards, who saw the rules amended in 1999, yet country property owners had been able to get the rules concerning the use of train horns “on a whim.” Pat Sikorski backed the calls, saying that RMT was currently building the campaign amongst train guards. He warned that the RSSB was now regarded as “totally under the control of the TOCs”, insisting that “we must be prepared to instigate not only legal action but also judicial review.” A GM unanimously condemned the increasing practice of lone working by TOCs, warning that it put staff at risk. South East Essex delegate Derrick Marr said that some people were beginning to think that being threatened or abused was “just part of the job”, rather than a practice to be “eradicated from the workplace.” He warned that some companies now wanted single inspectors to try to fine unruly passengers, although often they were not safe even in threes - three of his local members were still off sick after being attacked. “Despite this the company is still trying to cut costs through lone working,” he said. North Thames delegate Mary Dwyer said that her company even sacked people if they were attacked more than twice because “it was assumed that they have done something to bring the assault on themselves. “People are afraid to report assaults now because they may lose their jobs - it has to stop.” South Devon Bus delegate Danny Ferguson said that the biggest priority for union reps was not pay or conditions, but health and safety, “the life and limb of our members”. East Kent delegate Ken Slade warned that catering grades were frequently left alone on trains with cash - resulting in being mugged, threatened and assaulted. “Nobody on the railways should be working alone,” he said. Mick Cash agreed the employers needed to take the issue seriously and said that RMT was putting pressure on the companies to ensure they honoured their legal responsibility for the safety of their employees. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GUARD End lone working NO TO ‘BUSTITUTION’ D elegates condemned the government’s plans to scrap rail branch lines and replace them with bus services. Midlands bus delegate Graham Geliher said that bus workers wanted to show solidarity with threatened rail workers, and pointed out that the government only favoured it because it is easier to subsidise bus services than rail. “Bustitution doesn‘t benefit us - .we already have to work every other Saturday and Sunday,” he said. “It only benefits the likes of Brian Souter.” Mick Cash agreed that the practice made it easier to close down rail lines, and said that it was the government’s “inappropriate” response to the massive costs incurred by privatisation. He called for a properly “balanced” transport policy. RMTnews :: july/august 2005 18 AGM 2005 D elegates heard that rail and bus workers were continually subjected to verbal and physical attacks, and that the employers were doing little to protect them. AGM also heard that in some cases, staff were targeted for disciplinary action or even the sack after falling victim to thuggery on the transport network. It unanimously backed proposals for the RMT to demand a “zero tolerance” policy on staff assaults, with ballots for industrial action if employers fail to back their workforce. Delegates also called for legislation making assaulting a public-service worker comparable with assaulting a police officer. Carlisle Northern Rail delegate Craig Johnston warned that “attacks on public service workers are increasing - not only in frequency, but in intensity and ferocity as well”. He blamed society’s downgrading of the public sector alongside the dominance of the market, noting that nowadays “the customer is king and we are just serfs”. Alex Holden rejected industry claims that the increase was down to “better reporting”, revealing that “virtually a third of all transport workers now expect to be assaulted in some way.” North Thames delegate Mary Dwyer condemned an uncaring management, complaining that “they would rather prosecute somebody for having their feet up on a seat than for assaulting a member of staff.” Alex said that it was a “disgrace” for British Transport Police and the train companies to claim that it is all the fault of staff. “We must make it clear that we are not prepared to stand by and watch our members get battered,” he insisted. Assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski agreed and said that the executive would be pressing for clear zero tolerance policies. But he stressed that “you cannot just rely on a piece of paper to defend yourself”, pledging that members who were force physically to protect themselves and colleagues would be fully supported - with industrial action if necessary. D elegates demanded action by RMT reps and employers alike to stamp out bullying and harassment in the workplace. AGM called for such abuses to be tackled through strong union procedures and legal challenges under legislation concerning discrimination and health and safety. Bristol delegate Robin White said: “It is a fact that every year one in ten workers suffers bullying and harassment - that means 7,000 RMT members. This is unacceptable and we have to do something about it.” Conference stressed that company policies against bullying and harassment needed to be worth the paper they were written on and backed with a clear set of union procedures for reps to follow in the case of a complaint being made. “It is crucial that the union takes steps to ensure that when workers have the courage to stand up for themselves the union stands with them,” insisted Southall, Ealing and Slough delegate Kent Knight. Mary Dwyer agreed that better training for union officials was essential. “It is not always easy for reps to see the sleight of hand in management’s treatment of employees,” she warned. “Many workers don’t report bullying out of fear of what will happen to them in the future.” South West Trains delegate Greg Tucker said that it was often “private company policy” to target union activists and other individuals for harassment - in such circumstances, employing that company’s official grievance procedure would be a waste of time. “We must oppose any attempts to divide and rule,” he said. Senior assistant general secretary Mick Cash backed the resolution, stressing that “it is about providing support for our reps so they can spot harassment - prevention is better than a cure.” TICKET OFFICE STAFF FACE VIOLENCE D elegates warned that the increasing prevalence of low-security, “open plan” ticket offices was placing staff at unnecessary risk of robbery and violence. Derrick Marr said that one worker in Brentwood was reluctant even to press the alarm button when necessary, because she had been told that the subcontracted security firm charged for callouts. Derrick warned that companies were increasingly expecting staff to cash up large sums at the end of the day alone, placing them at further risk. He demanded better guidelines, more staff and guards “when necessary.” North Thames delegate Mary Dwyer said that even where ticket offices had protective screens, these could often be easily smashed. Pat promised that the executive would shortly be publishing guidelines on booking office security and also called on employers to undertake proper risk assessments. YOUNG MEMBERS’ AWARD General secretary Bob Crow presented Leeds City branch member Stephen Finn with the John Cogger Young members Award, noting that without active young members, “there is no future for the union.” Steve thanked the union as a whole and his branch in particular, adding: “I never thought I would be a trade unionist, but I’m liking it, and liking it a lot.” ZERO TOLERANCE OF STAFF ASSAULTS STAMP OUT BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE Stephen Finn Kent Knight Robin White july/august 2005 :: RMTnews 19 AGM 2005 L ondon Underground delegate Bill O’Dowd said that it was “depressing” how often the pensions issue raised its head, with pension rights eroded further each time. “We don’t just have a two- tier pensions system any more, we have a three or four-tier system,” he said, pointing out that final-salary schemes were not only closed to new members now, but the state pension system was being eroded alongside company pensions. Bill also pointed out that on London Underground, workers for the privatised “infracos” were no longer allowed to join the TfL/LUL pension scheme. And workers were not allowed to have their pensionable age start at 18. “Whether you are male or female, black or white, whoever you are a decent pension is all you really have to look forward to,” he said, calling on the government to make up the shortfall in the LU funds which were caused by management taking “pensions holidays.” Bob Crow said that the difficulties with the LUL scheme were an “anomaly”, but pointed out that it was one that managers didn’t seem to be afflicted with. “If its good enough for managers to get a pension from 18 then its good enough for other workers as well,” he insisted. EPS delegate Mick Lynch said that workers’ pensions should be reckoned the same way as MPs’. Most workers’ final- salary schemes offer 1/60 of wages for each year of service - whereas MP schemes were based on 1/40 of their salary. Mick called for the scheme to be extended to all public service workers, arguing that “to retire with dignity should be our right. He said: “If it’s good enough for MPs it is good enough for our members.” Retired members secretary Ted Richardson also welcomed the adoption of the Pensioners’ Manifesto by the National Pensioners Convention, urging RMT - and all other unions - to adopt it for themselves and to campaign for a decent state pension for all, linked to average earnings. “Pensions are one of those things that always seem to be coming tomorrow, but for all of us that day finally comes,” he said. Ted also said that there was an urgent need to give women parity within the state pension system, noting that they were originally excluded from the system altogether. He noted that pensions were originally pegged at 25 old pence - based on the cost of keeping a person in the workhouse for a week. “To be honest that principle has never been overturned,” he said. “It was inadequate to live on then and today’s pension is inadequate to live on now.” Ted also called for massive support for the pensioners’ lobby of parliament on October 12. “Pensions need to be supported by everyone,” he said. Piccadilly & District West delegate Ollie New said that the creeping privatisation of pensions system was “one of the worst scandals in Britain” - he argued that “pensioners should be the same for everyone as a right.” Bob Crow rejected government claims that everyone will have to work for longer before retiring, insisting that “if people are living longer than they should have more time to enjoy themselves. “The government should raise pensions and if that means raising taxes, so be it - you raise taxes, you buy civilisation,” he said. Bob argued that direct action would be necessary - such as mass go-slows on motorways - and warned that “the only action this government understands is direct action.” AGM called for a strong union campaign to defend company pensions DEFENDING PENSIONS R MT Parliamentary Group chairman John McDonnell told the AGM that the time had come “not just to hold back the tide of new Labour but to reverse it.” Introducing the group’s report, John said that New Labour’s arrogance and big business agenda had nearly cost Labour the last election, resulting instead in a greatly reduced majority and the lowest Labour vote “for decades.” He recalled: “People didn’t just vote against new Labour, they stayed at home in their hundreds of thousands - and possibly millions.” In contrast to the slim majorities of many MPs, the RMT Group had all been returned with increased support, noted John, due to their championing of “real Labour policies” based on peace and social justice. He argued that such policies were increasingly popular with the public, and that it was time to bring the labour movement together through a revitalised TUC and the Labour Representation Committee to formulate and demand “a progressive programme for a real Labour government.” But he warned that the Blairites were still in power, dedicated to a legislative programme enshrining assaults on civil liberties, attacks on refugees, pensioner poverty and ever- increasing privatisation. Backing the RMT campaign against Network Rail’s plans to hand over infrastructure responsibilities to privateer Merseyrail, the MP won applause when he pledged that if it came to a national strike, the parliamentary group would “be out on the picket lines with you.” The Hayes and Harlington MP also thanked RMT members for helping the election campaign in his own constituency. “Some of my constituents are still recovering from being canvassed by Bob Crow - but we‘re offering them counselling,” he joked. John also hailed the union’s Rail Against Privatisation march for “injecting some much-needed politics into the otherwise sterile election campaign” and highlighting the official Labour Party policy of rail renationalisation. Bob Crow thanked the group for their hard work, wryly noting that the group was 40 per cent bigger than when RMT was affiliated to Labour. He said that the team had provided the union with more help and information in the three years of its existence than the previous group had in decades. RMT Parliamentary group success John McDonnell RMTnews :: july/august 2005 20 D elegates warned that the EU constitution was not yet dead, despite the no votes in referendums in France and the Netherlands, and backed the ongoing No campaign against the creation of an undemocratic, militarised superstate in Europe. RMT is one of the founding members of Trade Unionists Against the EU Constitution, and the AGM said that the union should remain at the forefront of the campaign. Greg Tucker congratulated the union for producing a pamphlet which clearly set out the contents of the proposed Constitution. “I was proud that this union forcefully put the progressive case against this privateer’s charter,” he said. He warned that, following its overwhelming rejection by the French and Dutch people, eurofanatics in Brussels were desperately searching for ways to introduce its provisions by the back door. Stratford No 1 delegate Bill O’Dowd noted that, despite the No votes, measures such as the controversial services directive were being forced through, with the aim of enforcing the privatisation of public services across Europe. “Trade unionists must realise that this one is not going away and Brussels will ignore democratic decisions, as they have done in the past, and try to impose this discredited document,” he said. Bob Crow pointed out that today the vast majority of trade unions in the UK now opposed the Constitution as they became aware that the proposals constituted the creation of an undemocratic superstate. He rejected arguments that the creation of a single European state was needed to protect workers’ rights, stressing that “what we really need is workers joining together across the world - not just in Europe.” NO MORE NUKES T he AGM unanimously backed calls to affiliate with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, with the executive registering its surprise that this was not already the case. First Great Western delegate Robin White condemned the government’s determination to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons to replace the ageing Trident system, pointing out the hypocrisy of such a move, given the government‘s stance towards Iran‘s nuclear programme and its position as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Robin called on RMT to support the non-violent Block the Builders campaign to prevent the development of new facilities at the atomic weapons factory in Aldermaston. “We went to Iraq to destroy non- existent weapons of mass destruction yet we continue to build them,” he said. Greg Tucker pointed out that the British government had even threatened to use its nuclear arsenal at the beginning of the Iraq war. Plymouth delegate John Thompson argued that nuclear weapons were “necessary” because of their “deterrent value.” However Bob Crow insisted that “you cannot have guns and butter - we should spend our resources on construction not destruction.” NO TO ID CARDS D elegates affirmed the union’s fierce opposition to the introduction of compulsory identity cards after the government scraped its ID Cards Bill through the Commons with a mere 31 vote majority. AGM agreed unanimously that the scheme was “a further serious and sinister erosion of the rights of the citizen” which was unjustifiable, despite government claims that it was ‘necessary’ to combat terrorism and fraud. Glasgow shipping delegate Jim McCauley noted that, as a seafarer, he had carried an ID card all his life, but that New Labour’s plans were of an entirely different order. Citizens would have no input as to what information would be retained on the electronic cards, he warned, which could inform the authorities “whether you’ve ever been in jail or ever been on a picket line”. South Devon Bus delegate Danny Ferguson said that trade unionists should be leading the campaign of opposition to the cards, with civil disobedience if necessary. “Britain is being turned into a police state and it is a Labour government that is doing it,” he warned. “We need to make it clear to Labour MPs - whose party the unions founded - that these proposals are unacceptable.” STOP THE WAR IN IRAQ T he AGM condemned the ongoing occupation of Iraq and the terrorist attacks against workers, trade unionists and civilians in equal measure. However delegates made clear that the spiralling violence was a direct result of the illegal US-led war. They called for RMT and Britain’s wider labour movement to support for the emergence of independent, democratic unions in Iraq and to call for a genuinely democratic country. The AGM agreed that such an outcome could not be achieved as long as the occupation continued. Delegate Robin White said that only recently 50 workers had been killed in one attack in Baghdad. “We have to look at ways we can build solidarity with Iraqi trade unions, help them get rid of the occupation forces and build a decent, workers-led society,” he insisted. Robin also attacked the “plunder” of Iraq by the US and its companies. He said that “we must support fellow trade unionists in Iraq and support the process for a decent political solution.” Bob Crow said that it was right for RMT to support the wishes of the Iraqi unions and help them to build a democratic society in the way they wanted - not in the image of the occupiers or even British unions. AGM 2005 NO TO THE EU CONSTITUTION july/august 2005 :: RMTnews 21 V enezuelan United Transport Federation vice-president Ruben Dario Linares Silva won a rare standing ovation after telling AGM that there was nothing “inevitable” about the neo-liberal “globalisation” of the world. Ruben – also an executive member of his country’s newly re-founded trade union federation UNT – described how Venezuela has been defying the stranglehold of US companies and its own millionaire elite. In 1998, and again in 2002, a radical reformist government, based in working communities and among the poor, who make up 80 per cent of the population, was democratically elected under the presidency of Hugo Chavez. The government’s programme of nationalisation, redistribution of the country’s oil wealth and for trade with countries other than the big US firms has led to overt and covert attempts to unseat the Chavez government, with tactics including a failed coup and a phoney “general strike” led by business leaders and the oil elite. However, those attacks had only led to a new mood of confidence and empowerment amongst Venezuelan workers, who were invested with a new sense of self-reliance and destiny. Speaking through an interpreter, Ruben told RMT delegates that the Venezuelan revolution was armed, “not with guns but with our constitution, which is a guiding light to winning new benefits and rights.” Ruben brandished the “little blue book” of his country’s 1999 constitution, which guaranteed the right to form and join - or not to join - whatever trade unions “they may deem appropriate”, the right to voluntary collective bargaining and the right to strike. “Since the new constitution, not one company has been privatised. “We are also moving forward and demanding workers’ involvement in managing state companies so they have a say in how the wealth is divided among the people,” he said. Groups of Venezuelan workers were also occupying and re-opening shut down factories and making any state aid to business conditional on workers’ involvement in management. RMT delegates were stunned to hear how advanced the Venezuelan constitution was. Living in Britain, used to harsh anti-union laws, and with an unwritten constitution and a set of laws enshrining the unlimited rights of business, it was like a broadcast from a different planet. Ruben was not just talking of the need for change, he was describing how it was going on right now. “We also remember Thatcher and the part that RMT played in fighting her policies. “Thatcher’s policies affected Venezuela as well, creating great poverty - we are fighting back against liberalisation now and know that the road forward is socialism; in Latin America and elsewhere, capitalism brings only negative things for people,” he said. Stressing the unique nature of his country’s Bolivaran Revolution, Ruben said that “we are discussing socialism in Venezuela, but on our own terms and on the basis of our own needs”. He mentioned Chavez only once - warmly - towards the end of his address as a useful ally in his people‘s struggle. “Chavez has given help and inspiration, especially on workers’ rights,” he acknowledged. AGM 2005 EXTRACT FROM THE VENEZULEAN CONSTITUTION Article 88: The State guarantees the equality and equitable treatment of men and women in the exercise of the right to work. The State recognizes work at home as an economic activity that creates added value and produces social welfare and wealth. Housewives are entitled to Social Security in accordance with the law. Article 89: Work is a social fact and shall enjoy the protection of the State. The law shall make the necessary provisions for improving the material, moral and intellectual conditions of workers. 1) No law shall establish provisions that affect the intactness and progressive nature of labour rights and benefits. 2) Labour rights are unrenounceable; any action, agreement or convention involving a waiver or encroachment on these rights is null and void. 3) When there are doubts concerning application or conflicts among several rules, or in the interpretation of a particular rule, that most favourable to the worker shall be applied. This rule must be applied in its entirety. VENEZUELAN TRADE UNIONIST ELECTRIFIES CONFERENCE CONSTITUTION: Venezuelan delegate Ruben Linares holds his country’s new pro-worker constitution aloft Z ambian Rail Workers’ Union assistant general secretary James Kapanga livened up the AGM when he led it in a chant of “Solidarity!” RMT delegates took their cue and responded with “Solidarity For Ever!”, James quipped “yes, I know” before making the serious point that “solidarity makes us strong.” He said: “We have to find a common solution and we can find it by working together. Solidarity begins at the grass-roots, at membership level, regional level, branch level.” The Zambian union leader recalled that when he arrived in Britain recently he saw a newspaper headline reading “Transport sector in disarray” which led him to think “we have the same problems.” James said that Zambia too is under threat from greedy transnational corporations determined to break up and privatise the country’s transport networks, undermining the unions and driving down pay and conditions. He revealed that as a result of such attacks, membership of his union had plummeted in recent years from 8,600 to just 850. But James remained upbeat, insisting that union solidarity would overcome the privateers. He urged delegates to ignore all talk of “social partnership“, noting that this merely turned trade unionists into “sleeping management.” Zambian-style solidarity comes to conference James Kapanga NOTE: MORE REPORTS FROM AGM WILL APPEAR IN NEXT MONTH’S RMT NEWS