UNISON assistant general secretary Karen Jennings told a cheering Brighton rally: “This is history in the making.
“Today you are part of a democratic movement. There are nearly three million people across this land out doing the same as you.”
And the crowd were further buoyed by her parting message: “Go in peace – and I’ll see you again if this government doesn’t come to heel!”
Despite the wind and bursts of rain, UNISON members had kept their spirits up as they marched to the rally side by side with probation officers, university lecturers, teachers and bus drivers from some of the 30 unions out on strike today.
As they approached the rally, the mood was calm but determined to make their anger known to ministers.
Occupational therapist Sarah Pond reflected the mood with her observation that “it might take more than one day of action, but if we get enough public support that’ll make a difference. We need to make our voices heard.”
The rally was encouraged by a message of international solidarity from the US teamsters’ union, with a visiting official proclaiming: “We stand beside you. Your fight is our fight. Together we will prevail!”
And UNISON Brighton and Hove NHS rep Steve McQueen spoke on behalf of his fellow workers in declaring that “we don’t want to strike, but if we don’t there won’t be any public services left worth saving!”
Among the many UNISON members present were a group of police staff who had never been on strike before, prompting police staff rep Emma Swann to comment: “It was a huge decision for us to strike.
“We’re marching past our colleagues today, but they are very supportive of us. There’s the feeling that they would join us if they could, so in a way we’re doing this for them.”