June 30th Strike Action
Across the country unionists are going to the picket lines in opposition to public sector pensions being cut. In London the Education Activist Network will bring students out to protest in support of lecturers. Elephant will be covering the day as it progresses live from the streets and in our newsroom. Get information to our journalists by tweeting @elephantstudent or using the hashtag #elestu
Queen Mary students with a home made banner
- A dozen people have gathered outside mile end station with plans to go and picket at a local job centre. The mood is quietly optimistic with predominantly queen mary students.
- And we're live for #j30. Welcome to the Elephant Student Media liveblog for today's protest and mass-strike around the UKy. We're covering the event as it unfolds from London; we'll be at pickets across the capital in the morning, the students and strikers march at 11am, finishing in parliament square a little later, but we'll be out until everything has subsided. There's lots to look forward to so please follow us on twitter and use the share link to the right of this page.
- Sunny day for #strike Britain. Predicted maximum temperature of 21C in London #j30
NUT and UNISON meeting point at Mile End road, corner with Harley Grove. There's a big march planned for 9.30am in the area #j30 #strike
There's a tiny static protest outside the Palace of Westminster, nothing else visible. The late Brian Haw's camp lies deserted in the background as commuters rush past.
#solidarity #j30 @ResistCoalition @CantPayWontPay @pcs_union #elestu @elephantstudent on our way to first picket line yfrog.com
by philjneal via twitter 6/30/2011 7:00:29 AM- Amanda Bentham from Tower Hamlets Hands off our public services (HOOPS) on today's strike action: "We are proud to support all those publc sector workers striking today to save their pensions. We are being told to pay for the bankers crisis and an attack on pensions is an attack on public services. We will fight to win."
- at the first picket line @pcs_union rally #solidarity #j30 @ResistCoalition @CantPayWontPay #elestu yfrog.comby philjneal via twitter 6/30/2011 7:05:52 AM
- The group from Queen Mary has stopped outside Tower Hamlets Professional Development Centre awaiting more arrivals before moving on.
- Check out live.ele.ph for photo's and live updates #j30 #june30by n30strike via twitter 6/30/2011 7:10:08 AM
- Caroline Lucas, the only green MP, is joining the rally in her home constituency of Brighton. Announced on twitter this morning, Caroline stated she would not be breaking the picket previously photographed, stating "Fair pensions are worth fighting for".
Nothing has really changed here at Westminster, with the number of PCS strikers actually shrinking as some move elsewhere. The police are clearly expecting something come midday however with large sandbags being moved into crowd-control containers.
Said sandbags are being moved, it's taking some time. Mainstream press seem to have arrived.
- On a side note, I'm really glad we decided against calling this morning's action"Breakfast For The Alternative".by ukuncut via twitter 6/30/2011 7:44:32 AM
Protesters are gathering outside Euston tower.
- People crossing the picket line at the local job centre are being met with dissaproving groans and intense tutting.
First glimpse of protesters at Dod street job centre
New this season: "Support the strikers" aprons. Not available from TopShop. yfrog.com
by ukuncut via twitter 6/30/2011 7:54:06 AM
Sings posted at the Jobcentre on Dod St, Limehouse. A group of around 20 protesters are waiting for more people to join them. Next stop, Tower Hamlets College
- Unkind word exchange between protesters at Dod Street and members of the public try to park at the Jobcentre #j30 #strikeby caztellations via twitter 6/30/2011 7:56:48 AM
- At this early stage the public seems to be less than accommodating to the demands and feelings of the early-bird strikers, simple attempts at blocking a car park ended in an aggravated exchange
- Staff from Dod street Job Centre come out to meet the strikers An exchange of different opinions is ensuing, "Some strike and some just don't" says one staff member.
- "Stand up for what you believe in, stand up for your rights" protesters having friendly conversation with Jobcentre workers #j30 #strikeby caztellations via twitter 6/30/2011 8:04:10 AM
- 8.40am: An Atkins company worker tells protesters that he believes the cuts could be a positive move, outside Euston Tower. "You say 'cut back', we say 'fight back'" can be heard from the crowd.
A Metro/Harris poll puts the strike at a 32% approval rating, with 40% opposed.
Amazing atmosphere at the PCS picket in Euston, particularly digging this banner yfrog.com
by ukuncut via twitter 6/30/2011 8:08:56 AM- The Beeb have arrived at Euston Square following an argument between PCS supporter Clare and a cut-supporting private sector worker.
- Protesters Moving. Off to mile end station to join the rest of the protest. In small group of maybe 15-20, humble beginnings, quiet conversation and quiet confidence.
- The group from Queen Mary are moving from the job centre to Mile End station to meet with a few more people
We've arrived at Hackney Community college, which will be marching down to Lincoln Inn Fields for 11am today. There are several socialist worker vendors in attendance, and significantly more teachers than students.
Some of the placards displayed at Hackney Community College.
- Protesters discuss the discrepancies in approval rate according to the media. "It depends how you word the question" they complain #j30by caztellations via twitter 6/30/2011 8:22:44 AM
- A few honks in support of #j30 as cars rolls past Hackney Community College. One protester quips: "Little bit of solidarity there, lovely"
A banner sent in by @philjneal made by young PCS activists yfrog.com #j30
by Matthew 'TK' Taylor via Yfrog 6/30/2011 8:24:35 AM- 9.20am: The leader of the tax collectors' strike in Egypt speaks through an interpreter, encouraging people to speak out across the globe against exploitation.
- 'I'm here against the cuts. The tories are trying to destroy everything. I'm concerned about the future for my pupils and my son' maths teacher Tracey outside Hackney Community College, part closed today..
- 'People think public sector pensions are generous but they really aren't. And that's the current system. I don't want to work longer, pay more and get less. How are they going to attract the best graduates into the profession?' Sarah (teacher), Hackney Community College..
Hackney Community College is open today for exams only, as far as we're aware. A student nearby is saying how "most schools in Hackney are closed".
- Morning all. I'll be manning the live blog for most of today. If you've got any comments or content that you want to send in, best thing is to @ me on Twitter, I'm @JosephStash, or leave a comment on the live blog.
At Euston Tower
- 9.30am: Representatives for UK Uncut, the Islington Pensioners' Forum and the RMC Union share their views with a crowd of around 60 protesters.
Charlotte and Sarah are teachers at the college and explain to Alex Badrick why they're striking today.
- So I'm overseeing the liveblog for the strikes over on @elephantstudent, take a look: bit.ly #j30 #june30by JosephStash via twitter 6/30/2011 8:31:33 AM
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