Local PCS representatives report on a strong day of strike action on Friday 5 November. Read the text below, or download this as a two-sided leaflet here.



"The Government should take note, you cannot improve public service when you sack 104,000 workers ...you take on your own workforce at your peril..." (Mark Serwotka, London Rally 5th November 2004)

We should all be proud of the part we played on the 5th of November and for our contribution to the historic first General Strike of Civil Servants in over a decade. Government figures state 200 thousand took strike action, 176 offices were closed. The Royal Parks were on strike for the first time in their history. 90% of Inland Revenue staff in Northern Ireland was on strike. Post office workers and T&G members refused to cross picket lines.



On the picket line at Hackney SSO we received visits and messages of support from Hackney Unison, who have donated £50 to the Strike Fund, and Daniel House NUT Pupil Referral Unit members who had collected £15.

There was a positive lively mood on the London demonstration of around 1200, approximately 600 stayed for the rally (pictured). Mark Serwotka, our General Secretary, was greeted with rapturous applause, as were Bob Crow of the RMT and Andy Gilchrist of the FBU. Fifteen union General Secretaries addressed rallies around the country.



At the London Rally Mark paid tribute to the incredible response from our own members and the support from fellow trade unionists. He gave a report of the Battle Bus that toured London that morning telling how you could not move without seeing MOD, DWP, Inland Revenue, Science Museum, British Library, British War Museum members on picket lines; ACAS were on strike and on picket lines in solidarity.



Mark acknowledged the support from Postal Workers and the T&G who refused to cross picket lines and the £10,000 donation from the Fire Brigades Union. He paid tribute to our members - "you are a credit to your union and to the Public Services of this country".



As well as the RMT and FBU the rally heard the General Secretaries of GMB, UNISON, and NATFHE; the Assistant General Secretary of the TUC, a speaker from Public Services International (a Global Federation of Public Sector Trade Unionist who represent 20 million people around the world; an organisation of which PCS is a member) and a speaker from the National Pensioners Convention. All pledged their support for our action on Friday and for any future action needed to win the campaign.



John McDonnell, Chair of the PCS Parliamentary Group explained how he was involved in organising meetings with MPs to explain our position. "It’s not about saving money," he said, "if it was about saving money we wouldn’t be spending four billion to support George Bush. It’s about reactionary right wing policies Thatcher wouldn’t have dared. It’s about Privatisation – an absolute disgrace." He went on to say we have got to beat them the only way we know how, by building solidarity – "We can win this by being solid in our action."



After hearing speakers from the floor, including our own Branch Secretary, Charlie McDonald, Mark rounded up the rally. He thanked all the speakers, the activists and Reps, the PCS staff and most particularly all members who took strike action. He reminded members that "no matter how good the leadership gets they are nothing without the work on the ground."



He explained a levy was now established and money is being collected from private sector members not involved in the action. "We have to face the prospect of 6,000 compulsory redundancies by March 2005, and we will have to respond with industrial action. The NEC wants to see early in 2005 a further National Strike with Teachers, Local Government Workers etc". Mark quoted the words of his father ...



"When you fight you are never guaranteed to win. But when you never fight you are guaranteed to lose every single time!!"



We’ve made an excellent start.



Forward to victory!



Andrew Setchfield, Brian Walsh, Nigel Prendergast, Amore Robinson, Alexis Edwards