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UK Day of strikes as millions call to fight pension cuts

by liamssoft | November 29, 2011 at 11:21 pm

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Disruption across the UK today as many services come to a virtual halt, airports, schools, rail services and hospitals are affected as workers react to government reforms of public sector pensions.

The UK is experiencing the worst disruption to public services in decades on Wednesday 30th November 2011 as more than 2 million public sector workers stage a nationwide strike, closing schools and bringing councils and hospitals to a virtual standstill.

The strike by more than 30 unions over cuts to public sector pensions started at midnight, leading to the closure of most state schools; cancellation of refuse collections; rail service and tunnel closures; the postponement of thousands of non-emergency hospital operations; and "horrific" delays at airports and ferry terminals.

The TUC said it was the biggest stoppage in more than 30 years and was comparable to the last mass public sector strike by 1.5 million workers in 1979. Hundreds of marches and rallies are due to take place in cities and towns across the country.

Pickets began to form before dawn at many hospitals, Whitehall departments, ports and colleges.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/30/public-sector-workers-strike-uk

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Beaulieu

at 00:46 on November 30th, 2011

I will be attending the London rally today and need to make sure I have enough batteries in my camera!

liamssoft

at 11:32 on November 30th, 2011

Stay safe and I look forward to seeing your photos

Beaulieu

at 11:30 on November 30th, 2011

This is an interview from Ian McDonald, a Green Party member from Kent, and retired transport worker, who is participating in the demonstration in London as a symphathiser with those 'directly under attack'.

Beaulieu: What brings you here?

Ian McDonald: I am here primarily to support the public sector workers, but indirectly all workers and indeed, those who are unemployed, the youth looking for employment, the elderly under attack from rising costs, in other words, the 99% while this Government refuses to tax adequately the bankers who created this mess and other wealthy tax evaders and selfish individuals who have no concern for ordinary people, or indeed, the environment.

Beaulieu: "Why do you think of the strike?"

Ian McDonald: "Industrial action is the only way to wake up the Government. The number of people here must be at least 50,000 which is indicative of the level of people's support."

Beaulieu: "What would you say if you met David Cameron?"

Ian McDonald: "Why do you continue to attack the ordinary people not the greedy bankers who generated the problem? Why do you continue to blame the previous Government?"

Beaulieu

at 11:46 on November 30th, 2011

We didn't see any trouble whatsoever, it was very peaceful. We saw students, teachers and the fire brigade. It seemed to be 'all very civil', perhaps the numerous headteachers gave the rally a 'calming influence'.

What was really noticeable was the excessive police presence which seemed intimidating. At the end of the march the police blocked the roads by Trafalgar Square, and blocked some other nearby roads, as if planning to kettle people, not that there was any trouble from what we could see.