Dawn of the Plebs

Early Start

This was one of those days if you were there will remember for years.  I started the day at 4:45 had a two mile walk to the bus stop before getting to Rotherham then Sheffield.  I was worried due to Sheffield if I would get there in time to Steward the train.  Other Stewards were Bev Laidlaw, James Downton, and Charles Law.  I was joined also by a small delegation from our Branch and off we set on the 7:32 Train to London.  

On the Train all seemed determined to make this a good day from the chatter but all wanted to see a general strike after this ASAP.  All were in good humour and it was a really nice family atmosphere.

Arrival

After arriving at St Pancras Station we all went for a badly needed cig before setting off on a 30 minute walk to Victoria bank James went off to the University but we were joined for the walk there by Peter Murray Branch Chair of Doncaster Mexborough branch.  Once we got to the assembly point of the march we lost Pete and walked to the PCS assemble point 5 already there was a large number of PCS Members there in fact from what I saw I would not be surprised if our Union had the largest contingent we settles in with the Branch banner behind a jazz band the sun shining.  

The march starts

After about an hour the March set off all full of energy and cameras flashing passing Big Ben, Whitehall, and Trafalgar Square, On the way Alan noted all the statues we both commented it was a monument to mass slaughter of our class.  All the way round the March was conducted in good humour lots of music noise, whistles, and horns.  Lots of boo’s as we passed near parliament that home of the biggest Organised Crime Syndicate in the UK the British Government.  The day was surprisingly warm and many stopped off at passing pubs for a pint.

After passing Trafalgar Square and beyond I spotted Peter Tatchell along the route there were two open top buses with Zita Holbourne and Marion Lloyd on them spurring us on.  As we neared Hyde Park feet were starting to get very tired.  First thing we did was to flop down in the park for a rest using the poncho’s to sit on.

The speeches Mark Serwatoka our general Secretary, Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey, Matt Wrack FBU, General Secretary and Bob Crowe General Secretary RMT all gave Great speeches, there was also good speeches from community groups including the disabled and youth representatives.  As for Ed Milibands speech the less said about that the better.  The rally ended at about 4:00pm and we set off for the stations again.

Getting down Oxford Street Street during the rush hour was a nightmare so many packed crowds whoever would choose to go shopping here must be a real masochist.  police all outside Starbucks and Top Shop to protect the crooked greedy tax evaders  mmm for the very rich crime does pay it seems.  All now were tired so we called off for a well-earned pint however I would not recommend a night out round here at these prices.

Journey Home  

The train set off at 6:55 arrived in Sheffield 9:00pm all were very tired I changed my socks on the train to some looks of horror from Ian Storeys sitting next to me.  All again on the way home agreed a long but good day but now we want a General strike. In fact that was the call everywhere you went on the day from all unions members are you Listening TUC?  I finished back in Rawmarsh in my local having a couple of pints while talking to a couple of professional experts telling me about how the March went from what they saw on the news but were not actually there typical.  

Martin Hickman

Branch Secretary

Sheffield PCS HQ Branch