Thousands march for better pay as unions demonstrate across Britain

[Turborama]

Source: The Independent (UK)

Tens of thousands of public sector workers and their supporters have begun rallying in cities across the UK to demand better pay.

The “Britain needs a Payrise” marches, organised by the TUC, are getting underway in London, Glasgow and Belfast in protest at the Government’s offer a 1 per cent pay rise.

Unions say that ordinary people are now facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since the Victorian period. Average wages have fallen by £50 a week in real terms, while directors now earn 175 times more than the average worker.

Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: “Our message is that after the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery. An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system –that any of us might need – is no longer working for the many.”

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thousands-march-for-better-pay-as-unions-demonstrate-across-britain-9803431.html

[Prophet 451]

1. I wish I could march with them

I would but I can barely walk these days.

[dotymed]

2. Thatcher and Raygun

screwed their respective countries over, together. Trickle down..yep. 90% of us are getting a lower standard of living daily.
At least England already had universal health care.

[Prophet 451]

4. "had" may soon be the operative word

The current set of vandals-in-charge are trying their best to privatize the NHS by stealth.

[pampango]

3. "union leader Sally Hunt will use her speech in Hyde Park to blast the “narrow nationalism” of UKIP"

Britain Needs a Payrise

Last night TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady, who will address crowds in Hyde Park today, launched a rallying cry for a fairer Britain.

“After the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery.

“An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system — that any of us might need — is no longer working for the many.”

And lecturers’ union UCU leader Sally Hunt will use her speech in Hyde Park to blast the “narrow nationalism” of Ukip. “Britain needs more than just a pay rise, we need real change,” she is set to say.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-f781-Britain-needs-a-pay-rise

Good that labor knows its real friends from its xenophobic 'friends' in UKIP.

[Turborama]

5. Thanks for the heads up on that. Just found an article with more details....

Union leader to call for alternative to 'monochrome fortress Britain' offered by Ukip

Nigel Farage may masquerade as the workers' friend, but he wants to turn the clock back on immigration, workers' rights and women's rights, a union leader will tell thousands of demonstrators in central London today.

Speaking at the TUC demonstration the general secretary of the UCU Sally Hunt will say it is time to end the 'fear and narrow nationalism that has led to the rise of Ukip and its monochrome vision of a fortress Britain.'

She will say the rise of Ukip is not just a challenge for politicians, but one for trade unions too. Speaking at the Britain Needs A Pay Rise rally in Hyde Park, Sally Hunt will say:

'I am here today because I believe that Britain needs more than just a pay rise, we need real change. We all know that insecurity breeds a climate of fear and isolation. The rise of Ukip is not just a challenge to the politicians, it is a challenge to trade unions too.

'Although he masquerades as the workers' friend, Farage's agenda is really about taking us back not forwards. Ukip may seem like a joke but remember this: those who want to turn back the clock on immigration want to turn back the clock on women's rights and turn back the clock on workers' rights.


Full article: http://www.ucu.org.uk/7246

[pampango]

6. I like the depiction of UKIP's goal as a "monochrome fortress Britain" and

the party does indeed want "to turn the clock back on immigration, workers' rights and women's rights".

"We all know that insecurity breeds a climate of fear and isolation. The rise of Ukip is not just a challenge to the politicians, it is a challenge to trade unions too." Ms. Hunt sounds like a tremendous union leader.

Nice find, Turborama.