The trades council once again funded train tickets for local trade unionists (with special thanks to the NUT for their sponsorship) , and others made their way there with their own unions' transport. Eastbourne trade unionists were well represented from Unite the Union (a superb turnout), NUT, Unison, Equity, CWU and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists amongst others. Tens of thousands of trade unionists joined from all over the country to march through central London, and to hear from a range of speakers, compered by comedians Andy Parsons and Amy Lamé.
TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady said:
"Our message is that after the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery. The average worker is £50 a week worse off than in 2007 and five million earn less than the living wage. Meanwhile, top directors now earn 175 times more than the average worker.
“If politicians wonder why so many feel excluded from the democratic process, they should start with bread and butter living standards.
“An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system –that any of us might need – is no longer working for the many.”
