We are in the midst of global revolution. In September 2010, following the European Commission introducing measures to force EU governments to cut spending and reduce deficits or face financial penalties, an estimated 10 million people, in thirteen capital cities across Europe, went out in protest against austerity measures. The crash of global economies has devastated the poor and the working class across the world, leading to uprisings that have shifted political power in many countries.

In South America, protests against energy shortages have hit Chile, Bolivia waded through a 48 hour general strike in protest of wages and Columbian truck drivers protested for 15 days over government freight charges. Industrial action is the last bastion of hope for the working class. The strike is the only weapon in the arsenal of the worker, used as a voice against oppression and one voice can make a difference.

The revolution in Tunisia has shown the world that one man can make a difference. The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in December 2010 toppled the Tunisian government. This show of individual defiance of government oppression spread across North Africa into the Middle East, with civil unrest and protest causing the downfall of dictatorships that were considered unshakeable. Finally governments listened to the plight of their people and the notion of civil disobedience changed, since no longer was blind obedience to self-gratifying regimes tolerated by the masses.

So in the wake of six months of global demonstrations that have toppled governments and called for economic reforms, unions across the country descended on Victoria Embankment to march against government cuts. The turn out was almost biblical in proportions and it would be easier to mention which unions were absent from the march than to list those present. The March for the Alternative was organised by the Trade Union Congress in demonstration of the coalition government's deep cuts in public spending and the inevitable loss of many front line jobs. The three mile march was merely an indication of things to come, with there being calls by the Socialist Party for a general 24 hour strike should the cuts in government expenditure continue.

Many were reminded of the Thatcher reforms in the 1980s. Although the Conservatives defeated the striking miners 20 years ago, the sentiment on the 26th of March was one of union solidarity and strength. The unification of so many unions in support of the TUC is evidence of the growing allegiance of the working class against measures that will impact directly on their economic wellbeing. This demonstration and the University and College Union strike on the 24th March portends more union action to come. We have already seen industrial action from the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) within the past few months in opposition to the governments austerity measures and these are the same sentiments that destroyed governments in North Africa and the Middle East.

'We stand up for the millions not the millionaires', said Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the TUC, 'We want those in power to hear our anger. We want them to see the faces of those here today, all abandoned by this coalition that cares more for its friends in big business than the ordinary hard working people and families.' This sense of economic abandonment is cutting in to the heart of public services across the country, as well as the fabric of family life. People feel genuine outrage and injustice in the face of the political responses to economic reform, which appears to be designed to destroy the financial wellbeing of the lower classes, while securing the wealth of the rich. It will be interesting to see how the people of Britian react to the growing cuts in the wake of what is happening elsewhere in the world.

Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, gave a rousing speech, but was heckled by some who believe the Labour Party were the catalyst to the economic plight of the country. Mr Miliband accused the government of 'setting rich against poor', and that the austerity measures will cut deep into the heart of society. 'It is not just politicians that make change happen, it is people that make change happen.'

Almost half a million people were out in force to make change happen. Industrial action is not new to Conservative governments, the Three Day Weeks and relentless coal miners strikes almost crippled the country. What will the coalition government do to soothe social despondency that may well lead to further protests? In the current economic maelstrom more industrial action is likely and unless the government acts to quell the growing unrest in the country we may be returned to further strikes and civil unrest.