Skip to content or view screen version

Local Government Strike: Day One

Disillusioned kid | 16.07.2008 16:08 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements

Local government workers in the Unison and Unite unions started a 48 hour strike against the 2.45% pay offer (a real terms pay cut given the current rate of inflation) on 16th July. There were picket lines across Nottinghamshire with a march from the Forest Recreation Ground to Old Market Square in the city centre for a rally.

The picket outside County Hall in West Bridgford (the main base of operations for Nottinghamshire County Council) was decidedly underwhelming, attracting no more than a dozen picketers. Several council workers crossing the picket line argued that they weren't prepared to support the union after the national Job Evaluation debacle. (NJE saw many council workers facing a pay-cut after their jobs were re-evaluated as part of the national single status agreement, while unions in some areas have fought the implementation of local interpretations of this agreement, in Notts Unison supported it wholeheartedly, much to the consternation of union members who lost out.)

These disagreements aside, people were generally happy enough to take a leaflet and a few councillors even came down to show their faces, no doubt hoping to improve their image amongst strikers (while pointedly doing little or nothing to actually support them).

The march congregated, as is traditional at the Forest Recreation Ground for a march down Mansfield Road into Market Square. Although far from a complete flop, the turnout was disappointing. The Evening Post's estimate of 400 marchers is probably on the low-side, but not completely off the mark. It was certainly a much smaller affair than the march (along much the same route) by teachers, lecturers and civil servants held in support of industrial action in April.

In Market Square we were subjected to the usual speeches from assorted union leaders. There were speakers from Unison, Unite, the PCS (whose members in the Driving Standards Agency are also on strike today), the National Union of Teachers and probably others. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some people seemed to drift off almost as soon as the march reached the square, but there was a sizable crowd right through to the bitter end.

It's hard to evaluate the success of the strike so far. The numbers I saw on picket lines and at the march and rally were not as big as I'd expected. Nevertheless, it is apparent that council services in the city and across the county have been seriously affected. With a further day of this strike to go and the likelihood of further action in the future there's still everything to play for.

Background: Council workers to strike over pay

See Also: UNISON Local Government Members Strike Over Pay

Links: Notts Unison | Unison | Unite: Amicus | T&G

Disillusioned kid

Additions

More pics, after picketing

18.07.2008 00:31

central library
central library

central library
central library

central library
central library

Council House
Council House

Council House
Council House

County Hall
County Hall

County Hall
County Hall

County Hall
County Hall

County Hall
County Hall


Most of the numbers were present at the Market Square event, some attending, after marching there from the Forest Ground and down Mansfield Road.

However, touring about and looking for picketing action by union members , was a little less fruitful.

There had been pickets at the Council House, County Hall and Eastcroft. Many other locations were closed including leisure centres, libraries, schools. Attendence at these location was low.

Tash
mail e-mail: tash@indymedia.org


oooops, nearly forgot .... a shot of the gathering in Market Square

18.07.2008 01:01


oooops, nearly forgot .... a shot of the gathering in Market Square.

From the council surveillance camera, high above the council house, this was the view at 12:14 when viewed through 'Metal Micky'.

Metal Micky


Comments

Hide 5 hidden comments or hide all comments

Good numbers!

17.07.2008 09:16

In York I only saw a handfull of people picketing it looks like most of the strikers just fancied a day off!

General Degenerate


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Disillusioned kid

17.07.2008 09:48

How apt, your name says it all.

"all left to play for"

Do you really think you will be in any different position after today?


YOU MUPPET

all seeing eye


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Support

17.07.2008 13:32

I was pissed off to see how little support this has got in my area (Brum), lots of scabs crossing the lines (and laughing at us) no public interest beyond how they will be inconvinienced, most union members just reating it as a day off.

I'm really really really pissed off. We have no chance to bring down the government if we dont support strikers

striker


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Strike now !

17.07.2008 14:27

Big up to Striker for his or her comments !

We need to build a grass roots movement that can make use of the workers power to prevent the country operating. Too many working class people think they are now middle class, we need to educate them, make them understand how the working class must stand together to smash the state and install a one party, one view, one goal Britain where the views, wishes and opinions of the working class will prevail.

In the old days we had flying pickets who stopped scabs breaking strikes, a few activists can be those flying pickets today. Factory gates blocked, workers sent home, power cuts to houses in the evening, rubbish rotting in bins. We can do it, we can win.

Everybody and I mean everybody should be on the streets during this strike, if you are not you are a scab and we will remember you when the revolution comes !

Power to the working class
mail e-mail: office@cpgb.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.cpgb.org.uk/


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Strike now !

17.07.2008 14:28

Big up to Striker for his or her comments !

We need to build a grass roots movement that can make use of the workers power to prevent the country operating. Too many working class people think they are now middle class, we need to educate them, make them understand how the working class must stand together to smash the state and install a one party, one view, one goal Britain where the views, wishes and opinions of the working class will prevail.

In the old days we had flying pickets who stopped scabs breaking strikes, a few activists can be those flying pickets today. Factory gates blocked, workers sent home, power cuts to houses in the evening, rubbish rotting in bins. We can do it, we can win.

Everybody and I mean everybody should be on the streets during this strike, if you are not you are a scab and we will remember you when the revolution comes !

Power to the working class
mail e-mail: office@cpgb.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.cpgb.org.uk/


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Who knew they were still alive ?

17.07.2008 15:01

Good grief a Communist on Indymedia ? Whatever next ?

As fun as it is to see old fashioned Communist calls to strike and revolution I doubt that Indymedia is the place to post it. Indymedia in the UK has long drifted away from true revolution and is now a home for Jew hating ISM types who have long abandoned the revolution for a pro Arab, pro Muslim agenda of bigotry and antisemitism.

That being said it was good to see posts like this again, takes me back to the old days when we really used to think we could changes things. SIGH.........

Wolfie Smith


Hide 5 hidden comments or hide all comments