Striking news from Notts

Well, it has been a long and hectic couple of days. Yesterday I was one of nearly a million local government workers on strike to defend our pensions. I was up at about 5 a.m. to get ready for the picket line. Got up quietly to make sure I didn't disturb Sonia. After a healthy breakfast of porridge and a banana, left the house at about 6 and drove through a quiet Nottingham to set up the picket line at Trent Bridge House.

Got the bright yellow banner set up at about 6.30 (with the help of the Head of County Personnel!) and settled down to a freezing morning on a windy corner in West Bridgford. The dawn came up at about 7 along with another 2 pickets, Jenny and Denise from School meals service. The rising sun didn't make it any warmer.

Only a few members of staff tried to sneak in before core time started at 7.30 and had to walk past me and cross a formal picket line. Overall very few actually went in to TBH, I estimated about 35 to 40 in a building where 450 work. Some had exemption letters from the branch because they were in the last year of service and a day's strike action would affect their pension. One promised his day's pay to the strike hardship fund - thanks Norman.

Recruited one new member on the line. He said he didn't want to cross the picket line but he wasn't a member. Gave him an application form which he filled in there and then. He then went home. This was about the same time as we were visited by UNISON's Regional Secretary, Helen Black and local NEC member Chris Tansley. Helen and I compared notes on how we had done on the radio. I was put forward as a media contact, and was interviewed by Radio Nottingham on Monday afternoon. They used a quote from me on the 8 o'clock news and a lengthier piece at about 8.15. Managed to get my name wrong on the news bulletin but Sonia was up by then and rang them to tell them my name wasn't Barry!

We turned away the post delivery, so a big thank you to the CWU member for his support.

By 10.15 we all agreed that no-one else would be coming in as core time started at 10, so I headed off to the Branch Office to drop off the banner and then went to the Forest (Goose Fair site) to join the march. Was met by BBC TV cameraman who was to interview me. He hooked me up with a radio mic and then followed me round as I photographed people, chatting about how well the action had gone, and him asking the occasional question about why I was on strike etc. I was worried that, after four and half hours in the cold my nose woudn't stop running, but it didn't show on East Midlands Today that evening.

Ran into several old friends and acquaintances as I went round taking photos. Was glad to see a good turn out from the Angel Row gang. Here's the photographic evidence...


The march set off and I was followed around by the BBC man. I ran into some more of the Angel Row gang on the march, so here's their photos...

The march ended at the Albert Hall, where we held a rally with speeches from the unions involved. After that most people wandered off, with some discussing which pub was closest and others returning to their picket lines. I headed back to the Branch Office where I ate my sandwiches in the car before joining Jackie, Jill and Pete on the County Hall picket line until about 4.30. Once we had met the postal van, we packed up for the evening.

I headed home for a hot drink and a hot bath, remembering to set the video to record my 5 minutes of fame. More of my photos are posted on the branch blog.