They all came to show the media just how strongly they came to warn inatener not to interfere with their right to strike.
And they came 80,000 strong.
Compare that number with the 600 MPs who have criticised them, the dozen or so national newspaper editors who have attacked them, and the 40 or so members of the TUC General Council who have sabotaged the struggle against low pay by their silence.
Compare that lot with the 80,000, and then ask: Who represents the working people of this country?
John Suddaby, NUPE Camden General branch secretary, who led a contingent of to the demonstration, summed up the general feeling when he said: ILS really fantastic. we've got a chance to really show Callaghan and Labour Government what we feel about low pay.
We're not going to stick it any more. If we're as vital as the press has been saying we are Tor the past week, then it's about time they started paying This demonstration is our first chance to show strongly we feel about this; to show how insulted we are by the offer we've got so far.
•We want £60 a week, and even that's only two-thirds of the national average wage. And we want a 35-hour week.
•In Camden, North London, we've had very all-out NUPE strike today. All the depots have been closed.
*The most important thing now is to make sure that those boroughs that go on indefinite strike today Southwark - are not isolated.
*There has to be a massive campaign for the unions to call everyone out in solidarity. To move on to an all-out strike for the full claim across country.
*The union leadership main sitting tight and leaving it up to individual branches what they decide to do. This isn't good Now enough — it's a recipe for defeat. this *The leadership of the union has to be forced to give a real lead to the members. members all want to win - the turn out today shows that.
*Now we have to face the real fight.
Bob Elliott, shop steward for told assembled Camden strikhow ers that he was angry with the negotiators:
They agreed to voluntary staffing of ambulances for emergencies. Thirty five ambulance offices rejected this and are out on strike. 'But in many places this effective worked as Email, and they've kept some people in. scabbing on the driving amou ance and they ve got the St John's like enoulance was a real backdown under unfair pressure. *Ambulance drivers are fed up with being paid a basic wage of f46 a week. the decent living wage. We have to go back to our branches and go is for an all-out strike for the full claim. *Callaghan is already on the run. If committees action then we can win our claim."
Branch secretary Linsay of The University College NUPE came with her members and spoke for many ancillary workers when she said: *We are here today in this freezing cold weather because ambulance drivers, backed down and emotional blackanyway if we work a 40 hour week build strike and councils of have been Hospital stope want people dying.
shorter hours.' our basic wage is E38 a week - among 'Some of my members have to work seven days a week earn enough for their families.
•We are nearly all here today 'We only from UCH, but many people paid holiday.
1 blackmailed to stay in the hospitals. They are told that they are urgently needed to keep the hospitals open and to bonus support in our fight against low pay and for about lad of her members, : them Mira Mickovic and Lily Sajnebevger, added to her words. 'Quite simply want more money and less You navero wor really long hours. If you take even one day off sick you don't get paid and you lose your It's too much work and not enough money. And we've just enough. We don't work for fun. It's not even a particularly rewarding job *If they want to keep working they'll have to realise that our basic pay is just not enough.
David, aged 13, from Acland Burghley school should have the last word. "My school was closed down because strike', he said. "I think I'm the only one from my school who decided come on the demonstration 'But I came as I support the strike and think they should ge more money.
Socialist Challenge 25 January 1979 page 3
pubic So what will SOCIALIST CHALLENGETRADE UNION DAYSCHOOL on Rebuilding the Left in the Unions Saturday 17 February 1979 Open to all supporters of Socialist Challenge in the unions. Venue: Starcross School, Risinghill Street, London N1. Entrance 50p.