Striking home care workers rally in Birmingham, 15.9.18, photo by Birmingham Socialist Party

Striking home care workers rally in Birmingham, 15.9.18, photo by Birmingham Socialist Party   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Sam Witts, Birmingham Central Socialist Party

“Are you Tories in disguise?” was just one of the many chants directed at Birmingham’s Blairite council on 15 September at what was another fantastic rally for the striking home care workers.

Their action is due to the Labour council imposing new contracts that slash their hours and pay.

The appalling treatment of the bin workers last summer by the right-wing Labour council, is still fresh in the memory (see ‘Birmingham bin workers win!‘).

A host of rousing speeches given by care workers, service users and supporters hammered home the importance of a genuine anti-austerity strategy, not just nationally, but also locally, to what is a vital service to the people of the city.

Because of our active role in the home care dispute, attending early morning picket-lines every week, many Socialist Party members were invited onto the platform – including Rob Williams, who sent solidarity from the National Shop Stewards Network, Unite member Kris O’Sullivan, and PCS member Bill Murray.

After these inspiring and fighting speeches, the care workers led an incredibly lively march through the city centre blowing whistles, chanting, giving out leaflets, raising strike funds and gathering support for their bravery in their frontline battle against austerity.

Birmingham Socialist Party would like to send its ongoing solidarity to the care workers and we will continue to support them in any way we can – victory to the Brum home care workers!