Five day fight

Hackney

Five day fight

COUNCIL WORKERS in Hackney, east London, in the UNISON union are voting on a five-day strike from Monday 30 April. A 600-strong mass meeting on Monday backed the strikes and called for a meeting during the strike week to consider escalation to an indefinite stoppage. Workers poured into the nearby town hall after the meeting and briefly occupied it in protest at disciplinary action against one of their stewards, Noah Tucker. The crunch is now coming between the union and the Labour-Tory coalition which runs the council. The council leaders are determined to make 50 million of cuts, savage workers’ conditions and close vital services.

Every council worker, whichever union they may be in, must campaign for a solid shutdown from 30 April and press for an indefinite strike. Other workers should try to win solidarity support for the council workers during the strike, especially on May Day, Tuesday 1 May.

Campaigners are celebrating two victories against cuts. A strong protest movement has kept the Huddleston centre for the young disabled open and won some funding from the council. Parents, staff and school students have also fought to keep Burbage School open and won.