The UK government is proposing new legislation that will restrict the right to strike for workers in the health, education, transport, and fire and rescue services, as well as border security and parts of the nuclear, radioactive waste and fuel sectors.
This move comes as thousands of workers are being forced to take industrial action to protect their pay, standard of living and the services they provide. However, this legislation is not a solution to the deep-rooted causes of industrial disputes and is a distraction from the government’s inability to effectively manage public services and the economy.
Solidarity, alongside many other unions, is supporting the TUC’s campaign to defend the right to strike, as it is a fundamental right of workers.
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is currently being fast-tracked through Parliament, despite the fact that it is undemocratic and will do nothing to address the issues facing the country, such as high inflation, a pay crisis in the public sector, and an overburdened NHS.
We urge all those concerned with freedom in our country, not just union members, to get out on the streets and protest this attack on individual and collective liberty. Let’s defeat these evil proposals with united action. Join a protest in your area (see the list below).
England
Birmingham: Centenary Square B1 2ND, 12 noon AND Conference and Events Centre, Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4EW, 6pm
Bournemouth: rally in town square, BH2 6ED, 12 noon
Brighton: assemble at The Level, Brighton, 11am
Bristol: assemble outside Defra Horizon House, BS1 5AH, at 10:45 am to march to College Green, BS1 5TJ. Rally there at 12 noon
Canterbury: assemble Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury CT1 2BT, move off at 11.45 for march around city centre and then back to Westgate Hall for rally
Cambridge: assemble at 11am on Parker’s Piece, march to to city centre, followed by a rally Guildhall at 12.30
Carlisle: Carlisle Market Cross, CA3 8JA, 11am
Chesterfield: New Square, Chesterfield, S40 1AH, 11am
Coventry: Broadgate, CV1 1FS, 11am
Derby: Cathedral Green, Derby, DE1 3AF, 10am
Dover: assemble Migrants Memorial on Dover Seafront near to Eastern Docks and march to Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, 4-5 Waterloo Crescent Dover CT16 1LA for 10:45am rally
Exeter: assemble at Bedford Square, EX1 1LR at 10:30 for march to Corn Exchange, EX1 1BW for rally at 11:30am
Hastings: march from Hastings pier TN34 1JY, 11am
Hull: Hull Interchange, HU1 3UF, rally at 11am, march at 11:30am.
Halifax: Halifax Industrial Museum, HX1 1QG rally at 10:30 am,
Leeds: meet at 11:30 for march from Leeds Town Hall, LS1 3AD at 12 noon followed by rally at 1pm back at Leeds Town Hall.
Liverpool: assemble 12noon at the Metropolitan Cathedral, march at 12.15 with a rally at The Adelphi Hotel at 12.45pm
London: assemble at 11 am for march from Portland Place W1A 1AA, to a rally in Westminster Central Hall.
Manchester: rally at St Peter’s Square, M2 5PD at 12:30pm, short march at 1pm and second part of rally back at the Square.
Newcastle, assemble Civic Centre, Newcastle NE1 8QH 11:30am, march starts at 12 noon to Greys Monument, NE1 5AF for rally at 12:30pm.
Nottingham: assemble 11am for a march through city centre from meet point of Nottingham Bus Station concourse, Carrington Street to indoor rally at 12:30 in Albert Hall, North Circus Street.
Oxford: march and rally, assemble at 12 noon, Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford OX1 2DH.
Peterborough: assemble 11am at Stanley Recreation Ground, march at 11.30am to Cathedral Square
Plymouth: Guildhall Square on Royal Parade, PL1 2BJ, 12 noon.
Portsmouth: assemble Portsmouth Guildhall Square, PO1 2AB. March leaves at 12:20pm for route round the city centre and returns to Guildhall Square at approx 12:50pm for closing rally.
Reading: West end (KFC end) of Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2AP ending with a rally in Town Hall Square, 12 noon
Sheffield: assemble 12noon at Devonshire Green S1 4GT for march to rally at Sheffield City Hall, S1 2JA at 1pm.
Southend: outside Odeon cinema, 12 noon.
Weymouth: Jubilee Clock Tower, Weymouth, DT4 7BE, 12 noon.
Wokingham: assemble 11am at Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, RG40 1AS
York: Exhibition Square, YO30 7BL, 12 noon
Scotland
Dundee: City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BA, 1pm
Edinburgh: The Mound, EH2 2EL, 12 noon
Glasgow, Buchanan Street steps, G2 3NY, 12 noon AND Glasgow indoor rally, ticketed (free), Trades Hall of Glasgow, 85 Glassford Street, G1 1UH 7pm. Tickets here
Wales
Cardiff: HMRC building, CF10 1EP, 11:30am
Swansea: Castle Square, Swansea, SA1 1DW, 12 noon
