Report on the Public Service Unions Day of Action at Torquay

With 30 different unions involved, and some people taking action for the first time, Jack Critchlow was heartened to see so many people show solidarity in the face of the cabinet of millionaires

By Jack Critchlow, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Strikers rally in Torquay to oppose the government's approach on pensions

It was heartening to see so many local trade unionists turn out for the Day of Action in Torquay on Wednesday, attending one of a thousand rallies held across the country by 30 different unions involved, attracting up to two million public sector workers who are fighting to save their pension rights in defiance of the governments bid to raid the self-financing Local Government Scheme to help save their skins and at the same time make public servants work longer and pay more for lower pensions.

Union members from all of the main services in Torbay assembled at Torquay Town Hall before making their way to a rally at the Princess Theatre, and were greeted by members of the public who cheered them on, especially sympathising with them after the previous day’s announcement from the Chancellor that thousands more public servants were to be made redundant and at best have their pay capped.

As one teaching assistant said: “I confront examples of bullying at school most days but as far as I am concerned this government is acting like the biggest bully around. When arrogant ex-public schoolboy multi-millionaires can condemn huge numbers of families to fear of unemployment and what follows without batting an eyelid, then you know we are heading back to Thatcherism. Or worse.”

And wandering between groups of strikers the tone of conversation was one of increasing anger, as the pay and privileges of certain politicians, the bonuses and lifestyles of bankers and businessman and those cheating the country of revenue as they hide their incomes in tax heavens abroad was discussed, as was the increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor in the country today; and the very future of public services as they come under attack from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

“They haven’t got a clue how we live and get on from day to day, and they couldn’t careless,” said one. “I’m sick and tired of being told that we’re all in this together, when clearly we are not. If you ask me the Tories would as soon lay us all off and put everything out to privatisation so their mates can make a profit where care and services come first now. Then they’d donate a chunk back to Conservative Party funds. That’s how it works.”

Another who asked not to be named ‘for obvious reasons’ agreed and said: “I don’t know much about politics but it looks like this lot have got it in for people like us, but I would strike again if I had too, and I’m thinking as much about the youngsters’ coming up as about me now.”

Torquay is not known for its radicalism nowadays, but the feelings of anger and frustration were palpable and also that of determination to face up to this particular bully and see the job through, even if it meant striking again and further upping the ante in other ways. No wonder local Tories and Lib Dems kept out of the way.