O.K. so I don't actually work in formal education anymore, and I don't actually work for an institution, I work for myself, so I can't technically go on strike, but nonetheless I headed up to London yesterday to show solidarity with striking teachers and some other professions.
And catch up with some old work friends and go for a few beers after, I mean that's what solidarity is all about, right?!?
I couldn't make it up to the start of the march at Hyde Park because the first direct train I could get from Ramsgate at the cheap rate got me in for 12.50, and the rally started at 12.00.
By sheer chance I managed to make it the half way point just as the front of the march was going past and just had to hang around on the pavement for a couple of minutes until my friends showed up which was nice!
And on to Trafalgar Square for the speeches which were a bit same old same old - a rather grey Green Party representative, one of the few labour party MPs who actually stands with, well, Labour, a couple of leftist journalists, obviously some teacher reps, and so on!
The assembly filled the square which was good and I think the turnout was around 50K people, it certainly felt like it.
It felt good to be part of something meaningful - I do think teachers deserve a significant pay rise after more than a decade of real term pay cuts.
To the Chandos...
After we piled into the Chandos, a great pub on Trafalgar Square with Sam Smiths ales and stouts and lagers if you like that sort of thing.
Really nice to be drinking with a few old friends by 15.00 and just catching up... ended up going for some food and then wandering to Victoria Food Halls which I'd never been to before for some great beers, Dim Sum and Tacos!
I got the 20.40 train back happy to have shown some solidarity, albeit in the loosest sense of the word!
Protests, demonstrations, and strikes are increasing quite dramatically... it's a clear sign that in many ways, people have had enough. Not sure where this all ends though.
Quite!
'Enough is enough' is a popular refrain at these events!
I don't suppose you saw Piers Corbyn there? I know he was quite big on the protest scene.
I didn't notice him!
He's only interested in imaginary problems like 5G causing COVID
😂🤣 that sounds like Piers! lol
There would have been some irony if you couldn't get there due to a train strike. I saw some striking teachers at our local school. It seems Labour don't want to be associated with strikes these days, but they should support workers. It's the Tories who created the conditions that required strikes.
Power to the people!
The irony wouldn't have been lost on me - Tube strikes weren't too much of a pain.
The hint is in the word..... LABOUR party.