Thousands of people have gathered outside Downing Street tonight (Monday) to protest against the controversial 'Strikes Bill' being read in the Commons. Protesters who braved “absolutely freezing” temperatures included union leaders Mick Lynch, of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, and Dave Ward, of the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union and Unison were also present at the demonstration, which coincides with the Bill’s second reading in Parliament. The legislation would see the right to strike restricted by imposing minimum service levels.
Under the draft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, bosses would be legally able to fire employees who ignore a “work notice” ordering them to work on days of industrial action. Protesters chanted “f*** the Tories” and “the people united will never be divided” and others banged drums as they gathered in Westminster.
Speaking at the protest, Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, said she was “keeping warm” by thinking about how National Education Union (NEU) teachers had earlier voted to strike.
“It’s absolutely freezing but you know what’s keeping me warm? The NEU just smashed their ballot,” she told the crowd.
“Picket lines, democracy, we are the champions of them and we are not going to accept any extra conditions on our ability to do that.”
Clare Keenan, from the PCS, described the Bill as an “attack on my human rights and those of my fellow workers”.
She said: “You can’t make people go to work five days a week and having to use food banks and removing their ability to protest. It’s just a hurdle that they’re putting in the way to stop workers from taking industrial action.”
Retired George Hallam, who attended to show solidarity with workers, likened the Bill to anti-strike action taken under Margaret Thatcher’s government.
He said: “I think the Government is chancing its arm because the last time it tried something like this was the 1970s… It’s worse than a sin, it’s a mistake, because they’re likely to get a bloody nose like they did back then.”
