Bromley: Strikers and service users demonstrate together

Beth Sutcliffe

Headed by a fire engine covered in trade union flags, chanting “they say cut back – we say fight back”, 300 people joined a south London march on 13 June against privatising council services.

Tory-led Bromley council plans to reduce directly employed council workers from 4,000 to just 300. One speaker at the rally said the council – which underspent by £10 million last year – plans to buy a Holiday Inn on the Isle of Wight. This is for profit, obviously – at the same time as privatising services and reducing staff numbers!

The current phase of industrial action against the council’s plans goes on until 20 June. Strikers were joined on the march by service users, who opposed the cuts just as enthusiastically.

Bystanders in Bromley town centre clapped and waved. Drivers tooted their horns in support. Socialist Party members carried a Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition banner at the front of the march.

Other speakers said the Bromley campaign outcome will be noted by councils around the country. Union members have already put up a good fight against the plans. But coordinated action across the country is needed to effectively deter other councils – and central government – from making more cuts.

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On the 19th June picket line one of the strikers explained her personal situation, which exposes the lie of all the Tory propaganda:

She works part-time in the libraries. After a period of illness, going back to work meant she was poorer than staying at home, and had to give up her car, but she wanted to get out to work.

Her children are grown up, so she is also hit by the bedroom tax. Now she is having to strike to save her job at all.