Bromley council battle continues

Bromley council workers in Unite the Union have continued their strikes against privatisation of service by the Tory-run local authority. The latest round of action culminated in all sections striking on 19 May.

Unite branch secretary Kathy Smith said about the strikes: “Our library section closed all libraries in the borough. It was amazing during the strike to see librarians convert nursery songs to picket songs defending public services and forming lines to sing and dance.

We’ve had many honks from the passing traffic and mums with kids on their way to school saying thanks for doing this for us.

Some non-members in our transport section crossed the picket line with the intention of getting a limited service out.

While at our adult services section all the centres were closed for the duration. So we moved the pickets from adults to join transport.

We split the picket between entrance and exit gates. The drivers sat in their buses without coming out for a while with the engines running.

After about 30 minutes they shut them down and went back into the office and then were sent home.”

  • 12 June: Strikers Benefit Night, Labour Party Rooms, St Marks Rd, BR2 9HG – 7pm onwards. Tickets £5 available from [email protected]
  • 13 June: “People and Services First” march, assemble 12 noon, Norman Park, Bromley Common, BR2