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CWU demo against privatisation

Working Class Hero | 16.03.2009 22:42 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Birmingham

On Saturday 13th March, the Communication Workers Union organised a march through Bilston, Wolverhampton in protest against government plans to privatise the Royal Mail.











Several hundred people from accross the country marched through the small town, chosen because it was Parliamentary Constituency of Minister of State for Postal Affairs Pat McFadden.

A sea of red banners were led by three drummers along the relatively short route. Despite a complete absence of police there was no trouble (but plenty of missed opportunities).

Somewhat incongruously the march culminated with a rally in an Imperial Banqueting Suite. Speakers included CWU vice-president Jane Loftus, General Secretary Billy Hayes and Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith.

There was the usual lefty rhetoric, references to "traditional Labour values" and an appropriate degree of anger directed towards Peter Mandelson. The final speaker, Dave Ward, however upped the ante somewhat, pointing to the likely need for industrial action and raising the possibility of the CWU disaffiliating from the Labour Party.

With a further rally planned for Corby this Friday (20th March) and a CWU bloc on the upcoming anti-G20 march, it is clear that this is a campaign which is only just getting started.

Working Class Hero
- Homepage: http://www.cwu.org


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