Pickets were out bright and early in the North West as UNISON members joined the largest co-ordinated industrial action seen since 1926.
They appeared from 6.30am outside hospitals, health centres, town halls, libraries, schools, police stations, and courts, in every town and village from Crewe to Carlisle.
The mood among pickets was determined and optimistic. Torrential rain and gale force winds swept across the region on Tuesday night but gave way to a human force UNISON members expressing their anger at government ministers’ attempts to make them pay more, work longer and get less.
There was a great response from out members in all sectors to the strike call. In addition UNISON health workers ensured that emergency cover was provided in areas of critical care.
There were 12 marches across the region. The two largest were held in Liverpool, where 15,000 marched through the city. In Manchester one of the biggest demonstrations the city has seen in years saw over 35,000 walk from Liverpool road in the city centre to Whitworth Park opposite the region’s biggest hospital.
The marchers’ ranks were swollen by large numbers of doctors and nurses from the hospital who wanted to show solidarity with our cause. There was a massive display from UNISON branches and members.
Kevan Nelson the newly appointed regional secretary addressed the rally saying that Manchester had spoken and that the government must listen.
This was an historic and magnificent day where the government would be unwise to ignore. UNISON member Ella Legg from Salford Hospital branch who has only recently become active in the union spoke passionately for her profession, occupationally therapy, the NHS and for a decent pension. She received a huge ovation from the crowd.