Across the capital most schools, colleges and local authority staff join 750.000 UK workers on a one day strike to warn the govenment and capital to stay away from their pensions and wages. Pickets were established early this morning in every corner of London being fed with home made food by UK Uncut's 'Big Society breakfast'. Everyone out to show solidarity.
Critical Mass will also be touring the picket lines in support this morning starting out at Burgess Park near Elephant and Castle. A mass trade union march will be starting at 11am, meeting at Lincoln Inn Fields, on which there will be a J30 Strikers’ Assembly Bloc. The main march will end at Westminster Central Hall at 1pm where there is a call for a People's Assembly
More reports and thoughts as they come in.
There are People’s Assemblies called for that will have no leaders, so every voice counts, ensuring equality for all. Occupying streets and city squares is a natural expression of our power: real democracy now. One such Strikers’ Assembly will congregate near Westminster Central Hall at 1pm. Find them under the “People’s Assembly” banner.
Critical Mass will set off from Elephant and Castle at 8am for a fun packed glide around the capital supporting pickets and engaging with the public.
UK Uncut are supporting with a day of action stating; "The protests will highlight that the strikes by the unions are another form of direct action against the cuts being taken by people in towns and cities across the country. It’s predicted that strike action will grow rapidly towards the autumn and UK Uncut are vowing to support and build on the strike action with more direct action protest against tax avoiders and the banking system. The government are making everyone else pay for a crisis caused by the bankers. They’ve targeted students, pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, NHS workers and patients, and now they are attacking teachers and other civil servants."
The PCS union states: "We have continually argued that if the £120 billion that is ‘lost’ evaded or avoided in tax every year was collected, there would be no economic crisis. That argument can now be heard across the trade unions and campaigning groups like UK Uncut have become one of the most popular movements in Britain." This is why the unions are saying enough is enough and walking out.
Further info: June 30th website | UK Uncut | Afed statement on the strikes | The Commune on the march
Other Union statements of action: NUT (National Union of Teachers) | UCU (Universitiy and College Union) | PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) | ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers)
Original article on IMC London:
