Over 100 people thronged the streets of Wigan on 21 March. We were marching on a cold, grey Saturday afternoon against the looming cuts and privatisation facing those who work in and use council services. These include attacks on the service conditions of Unison members, wage cuts and unemployment.
The march was called by Unison and had support from the NUT and its members who face similar issues. Marchers shouted: “Sack the bankers, not the workers”.
Many shoppers cheered their support and voiced their anger about the criminal role played in these cuts by the Labour government.
Socialist Party member Roger Bannister later addressed the rally, highlighting the desperate need for an alternative to council policy, to wide applause and support.
The need for a national response against wage cuts and privatisation has never been greater. When billions can be found to bail out incompetent bankers, why is it that the workers are always asked to take the brunt of large-scale cuts and poor working conditions? Local trade unionists and socialists are already looking for alternatives to the three main capitalist parties, hoping to build a broad electoral challenge in the elections next year.
