Peter Lazenby
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RAIL workers headed a march organised by hundreds of trade unionists through Manchester city centre on Saturday in a show of solidarity with them and other strikers.
With banners and flags raised, they took their message to the streets and pledged support for workers taking industrial action across the north-west, including nurses, rail workers, paramedics, postal workers and Civil Service staff.
They also raised hundreds of pounds towards strike funds.
The event was organised jointly by Manchester Trades Union Council, Greater Manchester County Association of Trades Union Councils and Manchester People’s Assembly.
It began with a rally at Piccadilly Gardens, where speakers included members of rail workers’ union RMT, communication workers’ union CWU, firefighters’ union FBU, dockers’ union Unite, the Royal College of Nursing, general union GMB — whose 750 members at the Jacob’s food factory at Aintree in Liverpool recently won a 10 per cent pay rise and £2,500 lump sum following strike action — and public-sector union Unison.
Striking rail workers left the picket line at Manchester Piccadilly station and marched to the rally carrying flags and banners to the sound of cheers.
The rail workers, taking part in the second day of 48 hours of strike action, also led the march through Manchester city centre to the accompaniment of the PCS Samba Band.
Their banner quoted the union’s late general secretary Bob Crow, who said: “Spit on your own and you can’t do anything. But if we all spit together, we can drown the bastards.”
Chris Neville is chairman of Manchester People’s Assembly which was one of groups organising the event.
He told the Morning Star: “It was a good turnout.
“We had the RMT leading the march and speakers from different unions.
“It was about showing solidarity with striking workers and was a very visible march through the city centre.”
The marchers also donated food for a local food bank.
After the rally and march, organisers staged a social event to raise funds to help support strikers. It took place at the Peer Hat music venue in Manchester and raised £1,500.
