We’ve posted live reports, pictures and videos from picket lines, rallies and protests throughout Wednesday (see below). Here’s our report from the London demo and our round-up of rallies from across Britain. Thanks to everyone who sent in reports, that’s it from us at 17.06pm with our analysis of the day—and what’s needed next.
It was a great day. The scale and spirit of today’s strikes exceeded most activists’ expectations and underlined that workers’ action matters. Workers can strike in huge numbers—and, when they do, they can’t be ignored.
The strikes by around half a million teachers, university workers, civil service workers, train drivers and others dominated the news all day. One BBC correspondent admitted, “Walkout Wednesday? A new winter of discontent? Whatever you call it, this is the biggest day of industrial action in decades.”
The marches and rallies were big. There were around 40,000 in London, 6,000 in Sheffield, 5,000 in Liverpool, a similar number in Bristol and Manchester and 2,000 in Nottingham. That means there were well over one in ten strikers joining a march—a real pool of activists.
The biggest section of strikers, teachers in the NEU union, were particularly visible on the picket lines and rallies. Lots of young teachers who haven’t struck before took part and found new confidence in walking out. Reports from some NEU and PCS picket lines suggest new, young people are becoming reps.
Everywhere there was bitter anger against a government that wrecks lives, mixed with pleasure at doing something about it. Even the most right wing media outlets could find no sign of scabbing, no indication of public anger at the strikers.
There was only a smattering of examples of workers who weren’t called out on strike walking out unofficially or refusing to cross picket lines. This is because union leaders are narrowly focused on their own sectors and disputes. So well done to those rank-and-file activists who did—and we need more next time.
Different groups of workers are at different stages of discussing how to win. It was the first strike day for teachers so there are so far fewer questions about strategy or escalation. Most are still enjoying the thrill of resistance.
UCU university strikers, who have struck for over 50 days in the last four years, are far more aware that only hard-hitting action has a chance of success. And many want to move beyond the union’s plan for 18 strike days to an indefinite strike.
Train drivers in Aslef have been out for seven days in seven months—and bosses have offered nothing. Simon Weller, assistant general secretary of the union, said earlier this week, “Unfortunately things have gone backwards by some measure.”
He added, “We did a webinar last week with 1,000 members. The questions were—when are we going to up the ante? They are really angry.” And they are right to be angry—with the bosses, the Tories, and with union leaders’ foot-dragging.
For the civil service workers, it was—at last—a day of national action and much more uplifting than the sectional strikes. Hardly noticed by most, Abellio bus strikers in south London were also on strike, having rightly rejected a deal pushed by their Unite union leaders.
But the different stages in the strikes can’t mean that everyone moves at the pace of the slowest. The undeniable fact—whether it’s rail workers or Royal Mail workers or NHS workers or teachers—is that the Tories and bosses haven’t retreated.
The strikes have to be longer and bigger. Repeating 1 February on a bigger scale is important, but the central question is extending the individual strikes.
Activists have to demand further united strikes, but not make their own sector’s strike strategy dependent on what everyone else does. There’s a danger otherwise that, for some union leaders, “all out together” becomes an excuse to call only token and partial action.
General secretaries can play with calls for “general strikes” while strangling their own disputes. At the rally, RMT leader Mick Lynch declared “we are united”. But why hadn’t he called the 40,000 rail workers out today? And the RMT is taking time to consider another wholly inadequate offer to members at Network Rail, rather than rejecting it and calling escalating strikes.
Today was formerly the TUC union federation’s day of action over anti-union laws. That didn’t cut through much because most people know there isn’t a TUC plan to confront the laws or defy them. The TUC places its hope in the House of Lords, not insurgent strikes.
There is a chance that there will be another day of united strikes on 15 March, when the government sets its budget. Already the NEU has said this will be the date of the next teachers’ strike across England and Wales—for two days this time.
That can’t be a substitute for escalation. Activists have to push union leaders to seize the chance to win. And if they won’t, then they have to push for action themselves. This is a government without a coherent strategy. It rams through ruthless and repressive anti-strike and anti-protest laws, but that might detonate a social explosion.
Ministers say they won’t make concessions over this year’s pay round, but claim they are always open to talks.
The obvious ruling class strategy is to agree with union leaders to end, for example, the very-popular NHS strikes through minor improvements. But they fear this might just encourage more fightbacks.
The government makes windy promises about growth and better economic days ahead. But chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s “big” speech last week had hardly a policy in it or even the pretence of a serious shift.
The 1 February strikes marked another hugely welcome shift in the scale of resistance in Britain. They have to be a spur to action that can win.
17.05pm
Over 40,000 workers brought central London to a standstill today. You can read our full report here.
16.59pm
Up to 5,000 people electrified the streets of Liverpool on a march from the Metropolitan Cathedral to a rousing rally at the Adelphi Hotel.
Workers from trade unions—the PCS, UCU, NEU, Liverpool Dockers, FBU, RMT, Unison and Aslef—joined the protest. So did representatives from the Stand Up to Racism, Right to Remain, and trans rights campaigns
Further education workers from the City of Liverpool College showed up in solidarity, as well as a large student contingent with a banner supporting the striking UCU workers.
The turnout was much larger than expected. So speakers had to deliver their speeches three times to the protesters—to the Adelphi’s main hall, the overflow crowd in the lobby, and to everyone else outside.
Mark O’Brien is the UCU branch vice president and co-organiser of the event. He spoke about the solidarity across a range of fights—from protecting the right to strike to environmental justice, anti-racism and trans rights. He called for escalation for this “hugely dynamic movement.”
Tristan Beach
16.15pm
People on civil service picket lines across Britain reported large turnouts—particularly among younger workers who had never struck before.
There were large picket lines in Westminster, central London, where a lot of government departments have their headquarters. By lunchtime, they’d all converged outside the Cabinet Office, which decides civil service workers’ pay, and is next to Downing Street.
Hundreds of them waited and cheered for the large central demonstration as it arrived. One striker, Stephen, told Socialist Worker, “It’s good to go out on strike. There’s not much of a culture of striking in Britain, and especially in the civil service. So it’s good to see so many people out.”
He added, “it’s good to be out today to support the people who can’t afford to. I’ve certainly felt the rising cost of living, with hundreds of pounds on my energy bills. So to be told we’d only get 1 percent, it wasn’t enough.”
At Redgrave Court in Bootle, headquarters of the Health and Safety Executive, Dave Owens reported, “There were 30 people on picket lines across three entrances. And there seems to have been a picket line of a similar size and the main Home Office building in Liverpool.”
He also said strikers had closed two Bootle jobcentres. “Everyone was open to the argument that you can’t just have a one day strike,” he added.
Charlotte, a worker at the Department for Education, was on strike at Piccadilly Gate in Manchester, which houses several civil service offices. “We had 50 pickets outside the building,” she said—adding that they were all going to march to a rally in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square.
“It was absolutely incredible—really young and really determined,” said Charlotte. “A lot of them had never been on strike before.”
She said that strikers had prepared for the strike with a WhatsApp group “that grew and grew and has become an organising tool. It started with 30 people and is now over 70. That helped a lot because people could see how many other people would be striking.”
And at Sparkhill jobcentre in Birmingham, striker Pete said that they’d organised the picket line with a WhatsApp group of 20 people. “We’ve had samosas and parathas being cooked on the picket line,” he said. “I’m the rep, and strikers are telling me what to do—that’s a good sign.”
He added, “We had quite a few people who were on their first picket line. A lot of new starters were on strike.”
Debbie, a striker at Streatham jobcentre in south London, told Socialist Worker, “A lot of younger people who were only recruited during Covid had a lot of questions about how you go on strike and what happens.”
But, she said, they didn’t need much convincing about why they should strike. “We’re so low paid, we’ve got nothing to lose,” she said.
15.56pm
15.52pm
Over 150 strikers have filled a pub near Whitehall to discuss what next for the strikes. Tower Hamlets NEU union member Paul McGarr said, “We have had four times the amount of people marching than we expected.
“There have been protests and rallies in dozens of towns and cities across the country.” He added, “To meet the NEU pay demand it will cost £1 billion. There are 177 billionaires who have £653 billion between them. That is a political choice of this government.”
Paul argued that the strikes need to escalate, and continue coordinating, to win. “Let’s organise strike committees at every school,” he said. “We should also argue there is no point in striking if we don’t win. Come budget day, if no deal is met, we will not stop, we must escalate.
“Week after week we should shut the school, and workers on buses, rail, PCS must do the same to shut the government down.”
Keith Crane, PCS branch secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said, “The government is in crisis, the system is in crisis. We have the power to develop action and win. Today was great, we need a lot more of it.”
Bus driver Sarah Liles and other Unite union members at Abellio in south London have been on strike for 21 days.
She told the solidarity event, “We are back on strike tomorrow, Friday, Monday and Tuesday because we know the best times to hit the company’s profits. You all need to stand strong. My union branch started with 189 members, now we have 400.
“It’s gotten so bad for the bosses that they’ve taken our union office from us and they’ve taken overtime from us.”
She called for more unity among strikers adding, “If you need help building your picket lines, we will join you.”
15.38pm
Union leaders at the finishing rally said strikers should go back to work proud of what they had done. But they were careful not to give much indication of what they thought should come next.
The most that they offered was that workers had to dig in and prepare for a long battle. Aslef train drivers’ union general secretary Mick Whelan said the day of action was “just the start.”
Some seemed to see today as a day of protest or a publicity stunt. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said the strike had “sent a message to the mainstream media” and to the politicians and officials in Westminster.
She added that UCU members looked set to vote against a new pay offer and said strikers should “stand firm” and “take each strike a day at a time.”
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said, “It can’t just be about today—we’re not going to give up. We will do more of this and our numbers will grow and grow.”
TUC union federation general secretary Paul Novak focussed his speech on the Tories’ proposed new anti-strike laws. “Not on our watch—we’ll fight it tooth and nail,” he said. But he didn’t offer much on what the TUC would do to halt them. Instead, he just said strikers should build a “prouder, growing trade union movement.”
RMT union general secretary finished off the rally as a headline speaker. But the elephant in the room is that, while 40,000 RMT members are involved in a pay dispute, he hadn’t called them out on strike.
It was still more than what was offered by the leaders of the CWU union—whose members are also in a pay fight. They didn’t even send a speaker.
Lynch closed the rally by calling for a general election and “a government that acts on behalf of our people.” He added that strikers would “win one day” and said it would be a matter of “staying the course.”
But UCU striker Sean Wallis got a big cheer when he took to the stage to call for escalation and an indefinite strike. “Across the union the debate is now on about taking indefinite action—we stay out until we win,” he said.
“That’s the kind of fight we need to bring down this government, because workers have the power.”
15.27pm
There were large rallies and marches across Britain today. They ranged from small towns swamped by hundreds to large cities that often saw thousands of strikers on the streets. We’ve published a round-up as a separate article.
15.10pm
Firefighters became the latest group to join the pay revolt on Monday. FBU union members voted by 88 percent to strike, on a turnout of 73 percent.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said today “is a historic moment for the labour movement”. “I’m proud that the FBU is supporting today’s day of action,” he said.
“We still hope to resolve our dispute without a strike, but if that’s not possible, we will call action ourselves. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with other unions in the struggle ahead.”
Now’s the time to call hard-hitting action and build on the success of 1 February.
14.51pm
Martha is a midwife in London marching with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
She was on the demonstration “in support of all the unions that are striking”. “I’m here as an RCM activist, but also in support of the NEU as I am a mother with children attending school,” she told Socialist Worker.
Martha said it was “an absolutely amazing feeling” to be out. “We’re all marching for the same thing. Solidarity is the most important thing as together we are much stronger.”
14.48pm
Thousands of strikers and supporters gathered at Devonshire Green in the centre of Bristol for a rally earlier today. Crowds swelled even further when UCU union members marched down from the University of Bristol.
As soon as the crowd became large enough, workers decided to block the road and march around the city. The march was led by several union banners. Strikers chanted, “What do we want? Fair pay. When do we want it? Now!” and, “The workers united, will never be defeated.”
There were large numbers of young workers at the rally, especially young women workers from the NEU union.
Strikers were joined by activists from Extinction Rebellion, the Acorn renters’ union and the Green Party.
Students also came out to support their teachers and lecturers. Griffin, a sixth form student at Bristol Cathedral school, told Socialist Worker that they attended the rally to “support their teachers.” “They do so much for us,” they said. “But they have suffered a real term pay cut because of inflation. A five percent pay rise just isn’t enough.”
Strikers from all of the unions spoke from the platform. Mikaela from the NEU union told the crowd, “To win we need to bring everyone on board. All school staff need to be part of these strikes. If you’re in the building you can be part of the union.”
PCS vice president Hannah David told the crowd that the members of her union will continue to take “significant action until we win.” She added that a win for one union would be a win for all.
14.18pm
A group of London Underground workers in the RMT union have joined the demonstration in London. RMT member Sadie told Socialist Worker, “It’s ridiculous that were not on strike today, there’s no reason not to be.
“Next time we need to organise to put more pressure on the RMT leaders to call us out. We are stronger together and striking with others will boost our confidence.”
14.09pm
Aasiya is a media lecturer at the University of Westminster and UCU union rep. “We feel that we can’t stay quiet any longer,” she told Socialist Worker. “We’ve got to raise our voice in protest, not just for the university sector but for all public sector workers.
“We’re fighting appalling degradation of pay and pensions, against conditions of overworking and precarity, disability, gender and ethnicity pay gaps.”
But, Aasiya added, “This is also a public movement against what the Conservative government has done to this country on the last decade and more.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to be here,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s an incredible time.
“Half a million people are out today. The employers need to take this seriously. If not, it’s escalated action from here on in.”
13.53pm
Olivia is a teacher in Barnet, west London. She’s on strike “because the children at my school aren’t getting enough funding”.
“For those who do get funding, it’s placed with other children,” she told Socialist Worker. “So instead of one to one, it’s one to five or six, which is detrimental.”
Olivia said seeing so many workers out together makes her feel “so supported”. “There were four teachers on our picket, which was amazing,” she added. “Then when I got on the tube there were so many other people. Being here is so heart lifting and so exciting.”
Throughout the London demonstration, NEU workers chanted, “No ifs no buts, no education cuts,” and, “What do we want? Fair pay. When do we want it? Now!”
“No ifs, no but, no education cuts,” strikers chant on the London demo.#TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #NationalShutdown #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday @NEUnion @pcs_union @ucu @ASLEFunion pic.twitter.com/LGcsbEWgob
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
13.49pm
With picket lines and local rallies coming to an end, some strikers are now thinking about the day and what must happen next.
Lisa, a secondary school teacher in Chesterfield, said today’s action had been “absolutely fantastic”. New, young workers that have recently become union reps played a crucial role in it, she added.
“Lots of the new reps have never been on strike before,” she said. “They are now focused and really excited by the next big day of strikes – on Wednesday 15 March, Budget Day. The last six months of strikes have been brilliantly inspiring but they haven’t yet moved the government.
“That means we need to get more unions out on strike, more coordination and more serious action. It’s good that the NEU is organising for a two-day strike. We know that one-day stoppages spread out over long periods are going nowhere. We need to strike in a way that will really hit the Tories.”
Lisa also observed the near-absence of the Labour Party on today’s strikes and rally. “We invited the local Labour MP and the Labour councillors for the area to come and speak,” she said. “But there was no official Labour presence today, not even a banner on the march.
“The nurses’ RCN had also invited the MP to speak to their picket lines last month. He wrote back saying that while he supported the nurses, he wouldn’t come to a picket line.
“This message to abstain has come down from Labour leader Keir Starmer.”
Labour’s absence from today’s strikes across Britain only helps the Tories. It allows Rishi Sunak to suggest pay is not a political issue and wash his hands of the disputes.
But more, and harder hitting strikes can pile on pressure until the government cracks.
13.45pm
Aslef union train drivers picket outside London Victoria station (Picture: Guy Smallman)
13.17pm (more recent updates below)
13.12pm
More than 1,000 people gathered in central Leeds for a rally outside the town hall. The crowds were entertained by the Commoners Choir led by Chumbawamba guitarist Boff Whalley, before moving off for a march down The Headrow.
Unions represented in the crowd included the PCU, RMT, NEU, Unison, UCU and the GMB.
13.02pm
Extinction Rebellion activist Jane has joined the London demonstration because Rishi Sunak needs to “listen to people”. She called for more climate activists to join the strikers, adding, “Social justice, workers’ rights and climate justice are all connected—they’re the same fight”.
12.56pm
According to NEU reps and the police, at least 1,000 people joined the teachers’ march in the west London borough of Ealing.
Marchers held a short rally and then travelled en mass to the central London demo, taking over an entire Tube train to do so.
A massive turnout in Ealing
12.48pm
There were jubilant scenes in Nottingham has strikers descended on the city centre.#TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #NationalShutdown #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday @NEUnion @pcs_union @ucu @ASLEFunion pic.twitter.com/Sjuylzkh3B
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
12.35pm
“The Government are digging in…we have to have serious, escalating action if we’re going to win this” UCU activist Roddy Slorach calls for more action to beat back the Tories
Strike together, March together #AllOut1Feb ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿#ucuRISING #Solidarity #StrikeTogether pic.twitter.com/O56ulWTGfz
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
12.30pm
Manchester strike rally assembling#TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #NationalShutdown #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday @NEUnion @pcs_union @ucu @ASLEFunion pic.twitter.com/q2uo5IqmDE
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
12.25am
On the London demo, NEU member Tim told told Socialist Worker he is striking because “all working people are under valued”. He added, “The Tories find funds to bail out bankers in a financial crisis and to support Ukraine. But there’s no funds for us.
NEU striker Tim
12.17pm
At University College London in central London, UCU union members and security officers in the IWGB union struck together. Research assistant Jude said, “It feels good to see so many people out together.” She has worked at the university since February 2021, but said working from home meant she’s “met more people out on strike than in my department.”
“Being out with the IWGB means there’s more presence on the streets. This is my first professional job and this way it feels like I’m not out on my own. People have an idea that lecturers are really well paid—but 60 percent are on casualised contracts.”
Jude said she understood why students feared disruption from the upcoming programme of strikes. “I totally understand why they’re upset or worried. But we’re fighting for conditions that will affect everyone—it’s for a better education,” she said.
Security worker Malcolm told Socialist Worker, “Striking is a form of unity—there’s a lot more here than the last strike.”
UCU striker Josh said that it was “totally unbelievable what is happening with inflation.” “Inflation is 10 percent—we’re getting offered 3-7 percent,” he said. “It’s unsustainable, we need to be getting at least what the private sector is being offered.” He said the pay cuts “makes life very difficult. I agree with the union when they argue we need an above inflation pay rise. For 20 years we’ve had real terms pay cuts.”
Students joined strikers on the picket line, talking to people entering the university and handing out union leaflets. Josh said students had been “very supportive in general”.
UCU members plan another 17 days of strikes—a huge hit to their wages during a time when many are struggling.
“It’s a lot of days not to be paid for,” said Josh. But he said he wanted the union to escalate to a longer period of strikes much earlier. “It’s good the union is moving faster on some more radical action, but I wish we’d done this two years ago,” he said.
There were defiant scenes around the grounds of UCL as striking security workers marched from picket line to picket line chanting, “In-house now, pay rise now,”.
IWGB members at the university are striking over a host of issues. They include a pay rise to at least £15 an hour, for their union to be formally recognised by the employer, and for workers to be brought in-house.
Paul, who’s worked at the university for ten years, told Socialist Worker, “Today we want respect.” “I’m the only one earning money in my family, I have two children and a mortgage, if anything happens to me, I risk falling behind on that,” he said.
He said he wakes up at 3.30am every day to ensure he gets to work on time, as he “can’t afford to be late” and risk a disciplinary. And Paul said the united strike was important because “we’re building bridges—the university doesn’t want that—we are a family, we are one.”
Workers are faced with a complicated system of outsourcing, with a revolving door of firms and bosses to contend with. The current outsourcers, Bidvest Noonan, are “cowboys,” according to Malcolm.
“They pay us late every month, they pay us in bits and pieces,” he said. “Some of my colleagues aren’t computer literate, technology literate,” making it harder for them to fight for proper pay.”
On the picket line, security workers smashed open treasure chest pinatas, representing the £90 yearly surplus the university generates. One worker, Sagoe, said he had to fight two years to get some £3,500 owed by bosses.
He was told to work reduced hours during the Covid-19 pandemic, but was assured he would still receive full pay for his contracted 60 hours a week. “What’s happened to the money they didn’t pay me in that time?” he said.
“I was a member of my previous union Unison. Its reps told me to accept whatever was offered to me, but I told them I would fight it myself.”
Strikers are livid that, while they are expected to survive on poverty pay, bosses inflate their ranks by employing more and more managers. “They don’t want to give us a pay rise, but it’s ironic that managers are on £35,000,” he said. “There are five new managers now—they keep chopping and changing.
“This is a top ten university in the world and the biggest campus in Britain. And the provost earns more than the prime minister—he’s on £375,000, and yet we’re here fighting for scraps.”
12.04pm
Teachers Helene and Maria travelled from a rally of over 1,000 in Ealing, west London, to join the central London protest. Maria told Socialist Worker, “It feels amazing to be out with other unions and education workers.”
Helene agreed, adding, “The government need to pay teachers properly. We are overwhelmed with the workload.” They both look forward to more strikes saying, “We will carry on until we win.”
11.54am
Janet Maiden, a health worker and Unison union activist, visited the NEU picket line at Monoux College in east London this morning. She said, “I am here bringing solidarity from nurses at UCLH. You are in good company with half a million workers on strike today.
“When people ask where the money will come from to pay for workers’ pay rises, we should point to the obscene profits made by the energy companies. If we all fight together, we can win.”
11.49am
Student solidarity in Chesterfield
11.41am
On the central London demonstration NEU member Sandra from Tower Hamlets told Socialist Worker, “It’s very exciting to be here. My school is completely shut.” She is protesting to say, “Education staff need more government support.”
Sandra from Tower Hamlets
11.37am
Huge protest of striking workers in London from @NEUnion @pcs_union and @ucu #PayUp #strikes #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/78aqj7Ln3j
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
11.20am
There was a joyous mood in Lambeth, south London, as up to 300 teachers from the NEU union rallied in Brixton’s Windrush square.
The atmosphere got ever more excited—with louder singing and chanting—as delegations of strikers kept marching to join the rally. And, as it got bigger, it attracted more honks of support from passing cars and vans.
There were especially large cheers as an ambulance sounded its horn in support. And for the fire engine that turned its lights and siren on for the rally as it passed, while the firefighters inside leaned out and applauded.
One striking teacher, Lucy, told Socialist Worker, “It feels good to be finally doing something—I’m excited about today.”
Adding that teachers are finding the job increasingly difficult, she said, “I used to strike a lot during the Thatcher years in the 1980s. Now it feels as if all that frustration is rising up again.”
Striking jobcentre workers from the PCS union in Lambeth also joined the rally—including every striker from the picket line in nearby Stockwell.
Almost everybody on that picket line had never struck before—but were all happy to be out. And, again, with their picket line on a main road, they were buoyed by lots of support from passing traffic.
Strikers and supporters in Brixton, south London. #Solidarity #1FebStrike #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/yKHCeIJgir
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
Jason, a striker in Stockwell, told Socialist Worker, “It’s about time. Hopefully this actually changes something. “People coming past and taking our leaflets are receptive—and we’ve had lots of honks in support. Then we’re going to Windrush Square joining everyone else.”
Zohaib, another Stockwell striker, said, “This is my first time on strike. But I didn’t need any convincing. “This is something that needs to be done—it’s absolutely necessary. A can of soup that cost 90p is now £1.70. How can people afford the basic necessities let alone the luxuries?”
He added that that meant the strike was about more than pay rises for each of the groups of workers on strike. “I have an elderly neighbour who can’t afford to put the heating on,” he said.
“It’s heart breaking. This affects everyone across the board. The elderly, the people with families, the single mothers. If electricity prices are so high, childcare, teachers, nurses, their prices are going up. The cost of leisure centres are going up. People can’t afford anything.
“That makes me think I need to stand up for my neighbour and other people that can’t do it for themselves. It’s the right thing to do.
“MPs who earn hundreds of thousands, with millions of pounds in their accounts—they don’t care about the increase in prices. It’s not going to affect them.
“Whether it’s today, whether it’s tomorrow, next week or next month—I will do this for a whole year or more—I’ll do what it takes to stand up for our rights. I’m so proud of everybody on strike today. More people need to stand up and join us—put a day’s pay behind them. That day’s pay cut is for our future.”
11.16am
Picketing at Piccadilly Gate, Manchester
11.14am
It’s shaping up to be a big demo in central London.
Striking @NEUnion teachers from Tower Hamlets in east London head down to the central London demo #TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #NationalShutdown#SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/zsgnS2CILT
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
11.10am
Students show solidarity with striking university workers in Glasgow
There are “jubilant and hopeful” picket lines in Glasgow, reports Socialist Worker supporter Marc. “There’s a real atmosphere of solidarity at the UCU strike at Glasgow Caledonian University,” he said.
“The picket line here has become a focus for many groups that want to show support.”
Marc spoke to student Beth, who is a member of environmental campaign group Just Stop Oil. “We think a movement of movements is important and that’s why I’m here in solidarity with striking workers,” said Beth.
“It’s part of the philosophy of Just Stop Oil Scotland.” Phoebe, also a member of the group, agreed. “Everything going wrong in society is because of a lack of care for human beings. Putting that at the heart of government is important to us,” she said.
11.05am
Hundreds of members of the UCU university union have marched from the University of Bristol to Devonshire Green.
They joined other groups of workers for a rally in the centre of Bristol. Workers carried signs that read, “End casualisation.”
Lively NEU pickets in Bristol
Striking school workers at Willow Park primary in Bristol were in high spirits on picket lines. Workers waved banners that read, “If you value education—fund us,” and, “Tories—you do the Maths.”
The school had been forced to shut to all pupils for the day. NEU union rep and teaching assistant Rob Browne told Socialist Worker that he had only become a rep on Friday of last week.
“I became a rep to organise for the strikes” he said. “On the pay we get you can’t afford to live being a teaching assistant. Austerity and then the cost of living crisis has made things impossible. It’s the final straw.”
11.02am
Julie Forgan reports from York that Knavesmire primary school had its first ever picket line today. Teaching assistants who are in dispute with the multi academy trust over an attempt to tear up contracts and move staff from 52 weeks contracts to term time only came out to support teaching colleagues on strike.
Determination on the picket line in York
10.57am
School student Dylan joined the picket lines at his Cotham and North Bristol Post-16 school.
“Some of the teachers were a bit surprised to see me,” he told Socialist Worker. “And I think everyone except the union official was impressed. I gave them all Socialist Worker strike bulletins and sold a paper and covered both the picket lines.”
10.54am
Striking @NEUnion teachers from Tower Hamlets in east London head down to the central London demo #TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #NationalShutdown#SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/zsgnS2CILT
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
10.50am
Mark Krantz in Manchester reports:
Strikers have set up pickets across the city—all are set to join the demonstration in Manchester starting at 12.30am in St Peters Square.
Philippa, an NEU rep at a school in Ardwick, told Socialist Worker, “What the government has done to our budgets isn’t just damaging us. It’s affecting the children.” After breakfast pickets are going on to join the demonstration.
Teachers have set up picket lines at schools across Prestwich. In Trafford, striking teachers rallied outside the town hall. And PCS union members rallied outside Sale Town Hall. All are then heading into Manchester to join the demo.
In the City Centre rail workers set up pickets at the train stations. At Piccadilly Station RMT union branch officer Conor officer said, “The strike is rock solid, there are no trains moving out of this station. It shows the power of collective action of workers.”
NEU members picket in Trafford
10.45
Speaking on a picket line outside HM Treasury on Wednesday morning, Mark PCS general secretary Serwotka told the PA news agency, “PCS members are currently using food banks. They are claiming in-work benefits, tens of thousands of them are on the national minimum wage. That’s a scandal.
“We are balloting a further 35,000 members including big departments like HMRC. All the indications in those ballots is that they are going twice as well as they were last time.”
10.32am
PCS union members picket Stockwell job centre in south London (Picture: Tanya Murat)
10.25am
UCU union members at three further education colleges in Islington, north London, walked out unofficially this morning in solidarity with the strikes.
Some of the workers from each site will also join with the NEU union strikers at City and Islington College—Sixth Form College in nearby Angel and City University UCU strikers. They will march to the demonstration in central London.
The three UCU branches across the colleges all voted to walk out unofficially and protest outside their workplaces.
At City and Islington College—Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, workers walked out for half an hour chanting, “Defend the right to strike,” and, “Solidarity with the NEU.” They held signs spelling out, “Solidarity,” as well as a UCU banner.
At the rally, students passing by stood with their teachers, while buses and ambulances driving past honked their horns in support.
UCU member Mustafa told Socialist Worker, “We stopped work today to show our solidarity with our colleagues in teaching, the public services as well as in universities and railway workers.
“We know the only way we can win is coordinated, escalated general strikes. Hopefully we’ve started something here today and that we’ll get a bigger and bigger voice.”
Outside CCCG in Islington, north London
Another worker, Susan, told Socialist Worker, “We’ve walked out today to support all the strikes going on. We’re totally against this new legislation they’re trying to bring through that will stop our right to strike.
“We’re in solidity with everyone fighting back right now.”
Security staff asked the protest to leave college property. But the workers stood firm and listened to speeches from Islington NEU assistant district secretary Pippa Dowswell and local MP Jeremy Corbyn.
UCU rep Sean Vernell said, “The government wants to make it illegal to strike. If we don’t have the right to strike, they will walk all over us.
“Let’s be clear—if you don’t have the right to collective bargaining, your only solution is to beg. And I’m not begging, and you’re not begging – that’s why there’s half a million workers on strike today. For us, this walk out is just the beginning.”
10.17am
Bee Hughes, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) UCU union chair reports, “Pickets have sprung to life at LJMU across Liverpool for the big first day of strikes. Members are wrapped up warm and determined we will not accept less than we deserve. We’re excited for the huge city wide rally later.”
10.13am
In Leytonstone, east London, NEU members from various schools are meeting in cafes before joining the central London rally.
Primary school teacher Kayleigh told Socialist Worker, “It’s my first strike, it’s very exciting and it’s great to be with others who also have never done this before.”
She added that the rally will “elevate our voice and tell the government that something has to change”.
Getting read to head to the central London rally
10.04am
Packed rally in Newham, east London
Around 200 teachers in Newham, east London rally outside the town hall. They’re receiving huge amounts of solidarity from local people.
Newham Sixth Form College NEU rep Rob Behan told Socialist Worker, “We’ve had really good picket lines today and it’s great to be out with almost 300,000 other education workers.”
Rob and other further education workers in the NEU walked out for one day last year. He added, “We don’t want to be on strike but we need the government to take us seriously. There are billions for war, billions for the Tories mates but nothing for us.
“We will remain resolute and we will keep on fighting.”
The NEU union members’ first picket line outside the school
“It’s the first picket line we’ve ever had,” said NEU rep Emma at Walthamstow School for Girls in east London.
Rachel, also a NEU rep, added, “We’re motivated as our last pay rise is unfunded—school budgets are already stretched.”
Pickets’ placards read, “Hey Tories, leave our funds alone,” and, “WTF—where’s the funding.”
The teachers’ determined to fight has encouraged a “couple new people to join the union and we’re looking forward to the next strike”, said Emma.
10.00am
Standing strong on the Bristol picket line
Striking Aslef union train drivers have caused severe delays to trains leaving Bristol Temple Meads.
Andrew Hudds, the vice president of Aslef, told Socialist Worker, “We’re on strike to protect our pay and standard of living. Today is a massive day, and I feel like the whole movement has changed. The trade unions are now really getting off of their names and are realising the power they have.”
One worker told Socialist Worker that coach loads of scab managers have tried to keep trains running. Another worker said that CrossCountry trains out of Bristol Temple Meads had stopped completely.
On picket lines workers made bacon sandwiches to keep warm. PCS and RMT union members offered their solidarity on the picket line.
Brendan Kelly, a regional RMT rail union organiser, told Socialist Worker that today could be a “turning point.”
He also added that he hopes that members of his union reject the latest deal from the bosses and keep on striking.
9.51
Teachers from Lambeth head to the central London demo (Picture: Jess Edwards)
Pickets from schools in Lambeth, south London, are now pouring onto three specially chartered busses to take them to the central London demonstration.
“The mood on the three busses we’ve chartered is fantastic,” says union rep Jess. “It’s defiant and jubilant.”
“We’ve picked up parents and kids as well as teachers. And every bus stop we pass has dozens of teachers waving NEU union flags.”
9.47
UCU union members at CCCG college in north London—who aren’t officially on strike—have walked out.
UCU union members at CCCG college in north London—who aren’t officially on strike—have walked out.#TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday#NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/Dz4puPfF5M
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
9.37
Southern Grove strikers boosted by support staff
“We’re feeling buoyant and ready to make a stand,” say workers at South Grove Primary School in Walthamstow, London.
Strikers have been boosted by some support staff—who aren’t on strike—choosing not to go into work. “Our pay has depleted since 2010 and we worked through the pandemic,” the strikers added.
“The big thing is that we want a pay rise not from school budgets-—schools are already struggling. We are having to buy our own resources,” said one worker whose teacher to student ratio has halved in the past few years.
“Our wages don’t match the cost of living and that’s not easy especially with really high rent,” said one worker.
9.26
Pickets at Tibshelf Community School in Derbyshire are in high spirits. Union rep Beth recently left the NASUWT union, which are not on strike, and joined the NEU. She told Socialist Worker her old union was “not assertive enough”.
“We’re hard working and dedicated, and we need the government to respect us,” she said. “Today is not just about pay. It is about our conditions and it is about the anti-strike laws. We have to stand up to the Tories.”
Beth was joined on the picket line by teaching assistant Jane. She had refused to cross the picket line, despite teaching assistants not formally being on strike.
Teacher Sally was also out. She said she was striking for her son and daughter in law, who are both teachers. She said, “We can’t recruit new teachers, and we can’t retain them. That’s why I’m out on strike.”
(Left to right) Becca, Beth, Jane and Sally
9.24
Peta is one of 70,000 UCU university union members on strike today. She reports from Liverpool, “We had 40 pickets at the University of Liverpool by 8am – a lot more than usual at that time. It’s shaping up to be a very big day!”
9.15
At Woodside Primary Academy in Walthamstow, east London, support staff have refused to cross the NEU picket line.
9.10
Aslef union members on the picket line in York
Around 12,500 Aslef train drivers’ union members are striking at 15 companies today.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan, “We’re on strike because we work for 15 employers who are making money, declaring profits and paying dividends. And yet their workers haven’t had a pay rise in four years.”
He said that rail workers could take longer action if the Tories push through the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
9.01
At Leytonstone School, east London, NEU member Neil Dhanda told Socialist Worker, “The strike has been really vibrant with a really good turnout. Not one person has crossed the picket line.”
“Now we’re walking to a local primary school to join them. Were all really excited to join the rally in central London. Many of us have never been on strike or a protest before.”
Pickets at Leytonstone School, east London
8.55
NEU union rep Philippa at Dean Trust School says “pickets are all going to Manchester to join the demonstration today.” Go here for a list of rallies and protests today.
Philippa, @NEUnion rep, Ardwick, Manchester, “What the government has done to our budgets isn’t just damaging us, it’s affecting the children.” #TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #solidarity #NationalShutdown #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/mmK09UsrfP
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
8.47
Around 85 percent of schools will be either fully or partially closed today.
Speaking outside Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham, south London, NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said, “About 85 percent of schools will be affected—either fully closed or partially closed—today.”
She said striking teachers have received “many” messages of support from parents.
8.32
Loxford primary school in Redbridge, east London
At Loxford primary school in Redbridge, east London, strikers described the picket line as “electric” to Socialist Worker.
Their headteacher brought them teas, coffees and snacks outside while pickets remonstrated with workers who aren’t part of the NEU union, who crossed the picket line.
Teacher Jahanara said she had been a teacher for 12 years and was sick of seeing education funding cut to the bone.
“There’s so much lacking in schools. Every year our budget gets cut. We used to get an annual £2,000 art budget, now it’s £750.”
Jahanara said, “This strike is about our children. We haven’t had a pay rise for years, but somehow we’ve managed.”
Strikers emphasised how important it is that any promises of more money for workers were “fully funded” and not taken out of struggling school budgets.
8.22
In Waltham Forest NEU rep John told Socialist Worker, “We’ve been left with no choice with the cost of living and inflation. Many public sector workers just can’t afford to live.”
Picket at Edinburgh Primary School in Waltham Forest, east London (Picture: Socialist Worker)
An @NEUnion cavalcade passes Sarah Bonnell school, Newham, east London. Solidarity with striking teachers #TeacherStrike #SupportOurSchools #ucuRISING #PCSonStrike #1FebStrike #SupportTheStrikes #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/9PxRvfhIsX
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
7.53
Around 300,000 NEU education union members are taking part in today’s strikes across England and Wales.
Pay up! Strikers’ message to the Tories outside Sarah Bonnell school in Newham, east London (Picture: Alan Kenny)
7.30am.
“The Government is attacking us on all fronts. That’s why we’re striking” @pcs_union member, Sarah Ensor says make 1 Feb a festival of resistance ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿
🚩Join half a million workers #onstrike today #RightToStrike
📚Follow our coverage at https://t.co/ANvDIaNn6f pic.twitter.com/rWVSnFNW3K
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) February 1, 2023
6.15am And it begins
Abellio bus strikers in Camberwell on the morning of 1 February (Picture: Sadie Robinson)
Abellio bus workers in Camberwell have been picketing since 4am. Their fight for pay continues after they rejected a deal last week.
Trade unionists should support and vote for the UCU motion
Hundreds attended an anti-austerity summit hosted by Hackney council
Stop Heathrow's third runway
Publishing house wants to offshore jobs
