I visited two of the many
health service picket lines on my way to the office this morning.
The first, at St. Thomas’ Hospital, was large and lively,
with sizeable contingents from UNISON, UNITE and the Royal College of Midwives
(who chanted “Don’t Push Midwives. Push Our Pay”). Spirits were high in spite
of the pouring rain and the picket line (given its proximity to Parliament)
attracted some high profile visitors (indeed our General Secretary, Dave
Prentis, had only just left when UNITE General Secretary, Len McCluskey,
arrived!)
The second picket line, by contrast, outside a mental health
office in Brixton, doubled in size when I joined it to support a valiant lone
picket. The good humour and determination was just as evident on this picket
line as it had been at St. Thomas’ though. Not all health workers work in large
hospitals – but every picket line, from the largest to the smallest has contributed to the significant impact of this
morning’s NHS strike.
There is no doubt that, a generation after health service
workers last took national strike action over pay, we have a lot of rebuilding
to do – but without doubt the way to carry this rebuilding out is to take
action. In order to mobilise and motivate members we need something to mobilise
for – and (having heard Dave Prentis pledge that this campaign will continue
into the spring and towards the General Election) the challenge for activists
will be to find forms of action which have the impact we need and will resonate
with members who are not exactly familiar with industrial action over pay.
Congratulations to all health service workers who took
strike action this morning – and in particular to those who stood on picket
lines, whether you were in single figures or in your hundreds!
No comments:
Post a Comment