A group of about two hundred and fifty trade unionists, political activists and wellwishers gathered in Derby Square, Liverpool for a rally marking the council workers' strike against attacks on their pensions.
Despite blustery conditions that made it difficult for people to hear the (not very) loud hailer, the crowd was in good spirits as they listened to speeches from representatives of the NUT and UNISON.
Though the dispute is currently limited to those workers within the LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme), last December's Turner Report shows that the bosses in business and government want to make everyone work longer. As the NUT speaker said, "a co-ordinated attack needs a co-ordinated response".
Apologists for the bosses claim that it is only fair people work longer, as they are living longer. However, life expectancy is much lower in poorer areas than the places they live in! In Liverpool it is only 68 for men, which is the minimum age that the Turner report recommended for business sector workers. Women generally live longer, but they often get paid far less!
Digby Jones - outgoing head of bosses union the CBI - commented that the action by an estimated 1.5 million strikers is:
"...selfish, it's divisive, it's hitting those who'll be hurt the most - it's trade unionism at its worst”.
But he has got rich of the backs of the workers, and will enjoy a whopping pension alongside all the other privileges which the elites enjoy. HE is trying to divide US!
Meanwhile, it is an obscenity that all trade unions are still giving money to the very same Labour Party that is selling us all down the river. The 'political levy' scheme provides 'Labour' with millions of pounds. This pays for their anti-worker, pro-war propaganda and is handed-over by ordinary people.
As the Liverpool crowd dispersed, everyone joined in choruses of 'the workers united will never be defeated'. That is definitely true, but if these are to be more than empty words then we must grin and bear any inconveniences from strikes, because it is much more inconvenient to die overworked and underpaid! We must also spread the strike into other areas and organise in our own workplaces!
Though the dispute is currently limited to those workers within the LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme), last December's Turner Report shows that the bosses in business and government want to make everyone work longer. As the NUT speaker said, "a co-ordinated attack needs a co-ordinated response".
Apologists for the bosses claim that it is only fair people work longer, as they are living longer. However, life expectancy is much lower in poorer areas than the places they live in! In Liverpool it is only 68 for men, which is the minimum age that the Turner report recommended for business sector workers. Women generally live longer, but they often get paid far less!
Digby Jones - outgoing head of bosses union the CBI - commented that the action by an estimated 1.5 million strikers is:
"...selfish, it's divisive, it's hitting those who'll be hurt the most - it's trade unionism at its worst”.
But he has got rich of the backs of the workers, and will enjoy a whopping pension alongside all the other privileges which the elites enjoy. HE is trying to divide US!
Meanwhile, it is an obscenity that all trade unions are still giving money to the very same Labour Party that is selling us all down the river. The 'political levy' scheme provides 'Labour' with millions of pounds. This pays for their anti-worker, pro-war propaganda and is handed-over by ordinary people.
As the Liverpool crowd dispersed, everyone joined in choruses of 'the workers united will never be defeated'. That is definitely true, but if these are to be more than empty words then we must grin and bear any inconveniences from strikes, because it is much more inconvenient to die overworked and underpaid! We must also spread the strike into other areas and organise in our own workplaces!
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UNISON PICKETS LIVERPOOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
31.03.2006 21:01
PAUL MCCOMBS
UNISON LIVERPOOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
31.03.2006 21:04
PAUL MCCOMBS