Strikers and their supporters marching along Hastings seafront, 1 February 2023. Photo: Stuart Griffiths
Hundreds march in Hastings to support striking workers
Massive strike action took place across the UK today. Gabriel Carlyle reports on what happened in Hastings and St Leonards, as well as who is on strike next.
An estimated half-a-million teachers, railway workers and civil servants took part in strike action across the country today (Wednesday 1 February) demanding fair pay for essential workers and proper funding for vital public services.
Hastings seafront, 1 February 2023. Photo: Simon Hester
‘People who work for the DWP [Department for Work and Pensions] shouldn’t have to claim UC [Universal Credit]!’, Hastings seafront, 1 February 2023. Photo: Ann Kramer
Standing-room only at The Observer Building. National Education Union rally, 1 February 2023. Photo: Simon Hester
The packed hall was addressed by local teacher Jenny Sutton, firefighter Leo Cacciatore, railway cleaner Bella Fashola, and nurse Antonia Berelson, among others.
Striking local teachers and supporters on the picket line outside the St Leonards Academy. Photo: Christopher Watkins
According to the NEU, there were strikes at 28 schools in Hastings & St Leonards, with picket lines outside both Hastings and St Leonards Academies. There were also picket lines at Hastings railway station (train drivers), Lacuna Place (Department for Work and Pensions workers) and One Priory Square (Department for Transport workers).
Described as ‘the biggest strike day for a decade’, the BBC reported that more than half of all schools in England ‘either restricted attendance or closed’ during the strikes.
Next up: train drivers, nurses and ambulance workers
Local railway drivers will be on strike again this Friday (3 February) with a picket line at Hastings station at 9am.
Local nurses on the picket line outside the Conquest Hospital, 19 January 2023. Photo: Antonia Berelson
And local nurses and ambulance workers will both be striking next Monday (6 February) with picket lines outside the Conquest Hospital on The Ridge (nurses, 7.30am – 5pm, rally at noon) and the ambulance station on Bohemia Road (ambulance workers, 12 noon – 6pm, rally at 4pm).
Local nurses will also be striking on Tuesday 7 February, with a picket line outside the Conquest Hospital (again from 7.30am – 5pm).
Hastings & District Trades Council strongly encourages local people to try and get along to these picket lines to show their support. More details will be added here as they become available.
The National Education Union banner, Hastings, 1 February 2023. Photo: Stuart Griffiths
The NEU is encouraging parents and carers to: ‘talk to teachers at your child’s school to find out more about [the NEU’s] campaign’ and ‘contact your MP and local councillors and tell them that you support NEU members taking strike action’. More info here: neu.org.uk/pay/pay-campaign.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) are calling on the public to sign their petition, lobby their MPs, create a social media storm using the hashtag #RightToStrike: tuc.org.uk/ProtectRightToStrike.
And the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have a wide range of resources that people can download and / or order at their online strike hub.
Finally, HOT’s Erica Smith has produced this excellent window poster for local people to download and stick in their windows:
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