Public and Commercial Services Union

Live updates from the day were posted on this page. Scroll down for earlier posts.

You can also read updates from earlier in the day.

We were also tweeting throughout the day from the PCS Twitter account with updates from picket lines, marches, rallies and other key events, using the hashtag #n30.

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Update - 1 December 2011 A few updates from across the UK from yesterday:

Northern Ireland figures for rallies

• Belfast - 15,000
• Derry - 2,500

At Bristol rally John McInally, national vice-president, called for TUC to announce, as a very minimum, a further national day of coordinated action early in 2012 if no concessions from government
 
In Southampton locals lined the high street in the city centre and cheered the huge march of strikers as they proceeded to the rally.

Messages of international solidarity received from:

• Amirul Haque Amin, the General Secretary of the National Garment Workers’ Federation in Bangladesh
• Anton Marcus, Joint Secretary of The Free Trades Zones & General Zones Employees union.
• Anne-Marie Perret General federation of office workers in France (Federation Generale Des Fonctionnaires Force Ouvriere)

 

1618 Well that's it. What a day, an amazing turnout and huge thanks to you all for the dedication and determination shown today. Your updates, messages of support and pics have all been hugely appreciated.

If you have any further updates for the PCS Flickr page or messages of support, please remember to email 30nov@pcs.org.uk Thanks again, tremendous effort by all.

 

1613 Not a member? See how much you will lose on your pension with the PCS pensions calculator and then join today.

 

1608 We have 2,980 members of the PCS Union members group on Facebook. Not a member, join today?

 

1606 Union says strikers are an inspiration - Read our press release

 

1604 Report from Southampton - "Good day in Southampton. The locals lined the high street in the city centre and cheered the huge march of strikers as we proceeded to the rally. I've never seen the like before."

 

1602 From the PCS Union Members group on Facebook - "I would like to thank all of our members for their support today Bristol MC, Avon & Somerset Central Fines Unit and SW Regionsl Confiscation Unit in particular for their efforts to make today a success."

 

1552 Some more highlights from the day:

• 10,000 turnout for march in Brighton.
• EHRC report best supported strike ever across the country - Helpline in Birmingham closed all day.
• Wigan had 1,500 march in to town applauded by members of the public and stopped traffic.
• 95% of schools closed in Wales.
• 4,000 estimated on Oxford rally.
• Brilliant day in Chester with 2,000 marching through the streets of the historic city.
   

1547 From the PCS Union Members group on Facebook "From the BBC - Paul Waugh, Editor of PoliticsHome.com tweets: "Exclusive: the No.10 press officer who leads for Govt on strikes is... on strike. So not just junior staff who have joined #n30"

 

1545 Have you watched the video for the The Workers' song Let's Work Together video yet? Download it today.

 

1540 From PCS on Twitter - "RT @Socialist_party: "The Manchester march is a mile long. Circa 30K but could be up to 50K, the biggest workers' demo for decades."

 

1539 Reports from Chester - "A brilliant day with 2,000 marching through the streets of the historic city."

 

1537 Owen Jones, author speaking in support of public sector strikers on Sky News now.

 

1535 Even more great photos added to the PCS 30 Nov Flickr pages. Send your pics to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk

 

1531 Still more pics and posts added to the PCS Union Members group on Facebook. Not a member? Join today.

 

1525 From PCS on Twitter - "@NUTonline I delivered a speech as NUT young teacher in Leicester amazing turn out!!"

 

1524 More great photos added to the PCS 30 Nov Flickr pages. Send your pics to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk

 

1523 Report of good cross section of unions taking part in Torquay rally with the Royal College of Nursing supporting other health service colleagues.

 

1521 Report of approx 25,000 on the Manchester march - with a superb response from public.

 

1520 Report from Wigan - 1,500 march in to town applauded by members of the public and stopping traffic.

 

1519 Report from the Criminal Records Bureau in Liverpool "effectively closed" - just a handful of mangers acting as Security watching pickets.

 

1517 PCS in The Equality and Human rights commission report today as the best supported strike ever across the country - Helpline in Birmingham closed all day.

 

1515 Some great new images and posts added to the PCS Union Members group on Facebook. Not a member? Join today.

 

1514 Update from London - Roar of approval for Serwotka. End of the rally; end of the day, it's been a cracker.

 

1510 Unprecedented support for strike across UK - Read our press release.

 

1508 More great photos added to the PCS 30 Nov Flickr pages. Send your pics to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk

 

1507 Not a member? See how much you will lose on your pension with the PCS pensions calculator and then join today.

 

1505 Update from London - Mark Serwotka. "Every single person on strike today should be proud of yourselves. And those millonaires in the government should be ashamed of themselves. They said this day would never happen but this is the best day for the trade union movement in generations. You are an inspiration. Message to Cameron - if you don't negotiate with us we will do this again. Go into work tomorrow with your heads held high".

 

1503 Update from London - PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka speaking at rally.

 

1503 From PCS on Twitter "Goodbye Sheffield. It was inspiring, humbling & a privilege to spend the day with you. You make me proud to be a trade unionist #solidarity"

 

1503 Updated highlights from the day

• 20,000 on Bristol march and rally
• 20,000 police estimate for turnout at central London march but estimates are as high as 50,000
• Bootle HSE HQ - 90% turnout. Joint PCS/Prospect pickets. Demo in Liverpool was approx 15,000 to 20,000 strong.
• According to ATL 30,000 turnout in Manchester
• 95% of UK border agency workers at Gatwick airport are on strike. Gatwick workers tells that border checks are being done by MoD police who have been put up in the Hilton Hotel.
• Huge support for rally in Torquay. Local rep interviewed on Palm FM.
• More than 400 Revenue and Customs members at Cotton House, Glasgow took strike action, with only 4 members going into work, making office non-functional.
• 500 on the march in Bury, Greater Manchester - the first labour movement event in the town "for a generation".
• Lancaster march was 2,000 strong - biggest anyone can remember.  All picket lines "solid".
• The battle bus has returned to PCS HQ.

 

1501 Update from London -  Martin Gould from SERTUC says, "Cameron has let it be known he thinks this is a damp squib. What do you think?" Loud jeers.

 

1457 Lisa Robinson, NAPO officer for Wales said: "We are committed to justice. This government is clearly not. We have a term for it in the crime business - 'Obtaining by Deception'."

 

1453 Update from London - Ken Livingstone, "I want to talk about a gold plated pension - the one MPs voted for themselves. They're getting £40,000 pensions and they only contribute for 20 yrs. This is about the poorest people giving more because of the bankers. We should also be campaiging to bring back private pensions rather than the gov turning public against private and vice-versa." Loud cheers.

 

1458 The PCS battle bus has just returned to PCS HQ in Clapham Junction. Who spotted it today? The Guardian definitely did.

 

1453 From PCS on Twitter - "More than 14,000 #PCS members at Ministry of Defence have been on strike. We have 100 picket lines from Faslane to Plymouth. #n30 #MoD"

 

1453 Update from London - Len McCluskey, general secretary Unite. "What a fantastic turnout. It's now in excess of 50,000 here today. Millions of people sending clear message to gov- get your sleazy hands off public sector workers. How dare they attack you? Everytime a poll is published more than 60% of the public at least support you."

 

1451 New pics and posts added to the PCS Union Members group on Facebook. Not a member? Join today.

 

1450 72% think we're right to strike on the Sky News Twitter poll. Tweet #RIGHTOSTRIKE now.

 

1449 From PCS on Twitter - "A big thanks from @pcs_union members in @ScotParl to all #n30 marchers "it made our day to welcome you to the biggest picket line EVER!"

 

1448 Check out PCS members' strike day photos on Flickr. Send yours to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk.

 

1447 Update from London - Hugh, GMB member, said all schools in Islington closed today. After two years of pay freeze our contributions rise by 50%.

 

1445 From PCS on Twitter - "what's that coming over the hill, is it Serwotka, is it Serwotkaaaaa? #N30"

 

1444 Update from London - Linda Kietz chair of GLATCS. Rep borough trades councils. "Important these cuts are resisted on all levels. Disgrace bankers are rewarded with money from government, our money."

 

1440 From PCS on Twitter - "Peter Jones from Dragons Den turned up to show support at Moorfields Eye Hospital"

 

1439 Update from London - Lesley Fisher, Union worker and nurse, "We were picketing in Haringey this morning and overwhelmed by support. The gov potrays us as parasites but we are the muscle that makes mobility. Remove it and chaos ensues. There's a big fight ahead for the public sector and we are all in it together." Roar of approval.

 

1438 Update from London - Some of David Cameron's staff have left Downing Street to be with us today. Loud cheers.

 

1436 Gatwick workers tells that border checks are being done by MoD police who have been put up in the Hilton Hotel. 

 

1432 Update from London - Frances O'Grady also said, "That £6,000 is less than Michael Gove claimed in expenses for doing up his second home". Called for a Robin Hood tax.

 

1431 From PCS on Twitter - "Working people are the real coalition" Chris Keats, Gen Second NASUWT"

 

1429 More than 400 Revenue and Customs members at Cotton House, Glasgow took strike action, with only four members going into work, making it impossible to make the office non-functional.

Six new members joined PCS at Portcullis House in the run-up to the strike where 96% of 600 staff are already members.

 

1427 Update from London - Christine Blower, "Thirty public sector unions standing together and you all look good from up here. Great to see so many women on strike. Fair pensions for all". Announced there are 20,000 here today

 

‎1427 95% of UK border agency workers at Gatwick airport are on strike. They are members of PCS and the Immigration Service Union.

 

1426 Update from London - Frances O'Grady, TUC Dept Sec congratulates magnificent display of solidarity. "The average public sector pension is less than £6,000"

 

1425 From Ministry of Defence Corsham: "Good turnout, new members recruited, Chippenham rally a huge success with great local media coverage."

 

1423 Update from London - Martin Gould, SERTUC president opens rally. "I want to congratulate you for turning out today to tell this government that its attempts to blame British families for the cost of the greedy bankers will not tolerated".

 

1422 Great picture set on N30 from the Metro.

 

1421 From Bournemouth and Poole - Courts in Poole reduced to 50% workforce. Bournemouth had it's first rally with over 1,300 members from multiple unions. Really good turn out and lots of public support.

 

1419 71% still think we're right to strike on the Sky News Twitter poll. Tweet #RIGHTOSTRIKE now.

 

1417 Great picture set on N30 from the Guardian.

 

1415 From PCS on Twitter - "London #n30 march pretty big. it set off over an hour ago and 2 sides of Lincoln's Inn are still packed and waiting to move."

 

1414 Update from London - Front of the march arrives in Victoria Embankment to be met by...The Workers' song Let's Work Together and a big screen showing the video.

 

1413 Update from Glasgow - Scottish TUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham said of the Glasgow rally: "It had has been unbelievable. This is one of those moments for which the labour movement in Glasgow is famous."

 

1412 Update from Cardiff - Over 4,000 at march and rally. Bronwyn McKenna - AGS Unison said "Today is about women... They want dignity in return for jobs that make our society decent and compassionate."

 

1411 Message of solidarity received from Stefan Teoroc, president of FSAP Publisind union in Romania.

 

1408 From the PCS Union Members group on Facebook - "At the rally at Whitworth Park Manchester. Extremely good turn out."

 

1407 At the first Falkirk trades council rally, approx 300 attended, with doors having to be opened to another hall to allow more in. Good press coverage too.

 

1405 Update from London - Started raining. Time to get those PCS ponchos on...

 

1404 Update from London - PCS member Joseph Okonmkwo marching at the front. Works for the Health and Safety Executive. "We are not the cause of the problem but the banks are. I am willing to come down every month to protest because this principal is such an important one."

 

1401 From DWP Calderdale and Kirklees. "General secretary of Nicaraguan public sector union sent message of support to the UK trade union movement."

 

1401 From PCS on Twitter - "@pcs_union Tremendous public support shown in Wrexham. Rally of nearly 1000 people thrugh the town centre. #strike"

 

1400 We have 2,968 members of the PCS Union members group on Facebook. Not a member, join today?

 

1357 Update from Liverpool - Addresses to thousands of marchers gathered in central Liverpool come to an end. Representatives from 6 different unions have spoken. Universal call for dignity in retirement for ordinary working people and 'genuine and meaningful' negotiations with government to achieve this.

 

1356 Update from London - Julie Hunt down for the day with her two kids Tommy, 7, and Grace, 9. Works for ASLEF, not on strike today, but wanted to, "Show solidarity with all the teachers and public sector workers. It's Tommy and Gracie's first strike and we hope they'll be back for the General one."

 

1355 Journalist who has visited Gatwick tells us airport is spookily quiet. Reckons very few people fling in. Hence no queues.

 

1352 Update from Cardiff - A statement by Welsh Labour ministers said: "As a government we understand fully that with a two-year pay freeze and rising fuels costs public sector workers across Wales are facing an extremely tough time right at the momemt.

"We are particularly concerned about the impact the UK government's proposal will have on women. They will bear the brunt of the proposed changes to pensions. We do not believe this can be right. We urge the UK government to get back to the negotiating table."

 

1349 From PCS on Twitter - Total shutdown of north east metro #pcs #rmt #n30

 

1349 Sign up for our campaigns newsletter and text alerts to keep up to date with the latest from our campaign against the cuts.

 

1347 New pics and posts added to the PCS Union Members group on Facebook. Not a member? Join today.

 

1346 Update from Liverpool - Liverpool rally now being addressed by Unison. Believed to be the largest rally of its kind in Liverpool since 1911.

 

1345 Update from London - Lee Jasper on a bike at the front of the march with a 91 year old man on crutches. Speaking through a megaphone, "I am going to make a citizens arrest of George Osborne. He has been caught robbing the poor."

 

1341 From the PCS Facebook group - Chippenham (Wiltshire) rally was brilliant. Thanks to all the speakers, Mark Baker (NEC), the PCS MOD Corsham, NUT, GMB, NASUTW and GMB speakers and of course all the members on the picket line this morning.

 

1340 More great photos added to the PCS 30 Nov flickr pages. Send your pics to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk

 

1338 There is huge support for a march and rally in Glasgow.

About 10,000 people have joined the march and only 2,000 of them can fit inside the rally venue Barrowlands.

 

1337 600 on march and rally in Worcester.

 

1336 In Liverpool, speaker Paula Brown says that with unity and solidarity we can win.

 

1333 Stronger unions has a comprehensive list of all the Unions blogging today.

 

1329 Update from London - Favourite chants at the front of the march, "We are the 99 per cent. You are the 99 per cent." "Clegg, Cameron on your bike. What we want's a General Strike."

 

1325 Peter Bunting, general secretay of Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions told workers at Belfast City Hall that the real extremists are those who avoid paying taxes.

 

1324 Update from London - PCS banner, "Staff in the Crown Prosecution Service will lose £18, 375, 332". Malachy Pakenham, CPS Prosecutor said, "I work for Westminster Magistrates Court and they have had to close 9 out of 10 of the criminal courts today. Support for the strike has been rock solid. And the only way they got one court open was to hire a barrister from another court."

 

1317 Over 1500 on march and rally in Wigan Lancashire applauded into town by public. Best ever turnout.

 

1315 We're off at Lincolns Inn Fields. Very upbeat crowd, lots of music playing, sun shining and helicopters circling. NUT and NASUWT at the front with hundreds waving flags

 

1312 The band of the Musicians Union is entertaining the stream of strikers going in to the Swalec stadium in Wales.

Andy Richards of the Welsh TUC said that George Osborne's autumn statement had led to more people than expected attending the rally, with an estimated 4,000 strikers turning up.

 

1310 Feedback starting to come in from rallies and marches across the country:

• Over 1,000 people on Reading march.
• Over half an hour after the march began in Liverpool city centre, the protestors are still snaking their way through the streets.
• Janice Godrich, PCS President, told 5,000 protestors in Birmingham: "We will not allow you to steal our hard earned pension's rights."
• Easily 10,000 people on march in Glasgow.
• Thousands gathered in central London - feeder march passed by our battle bus and Guardian joined the bus - footage on their website expected later.

 

1309 Call to tax the millionaires greeted with huge cheer by over 10,000 workers at Belfast City Hall.

 

1308 Opening address at rally being made by PCS's Martin Kelsey. Martin says the scale sends the strongest possible message to Cameron. 30 unions taking part today.

 

1307 Thank you to all of you who have texted us your strike stories or emailed us your support and images. If you haven't already done so, please text (07624 806 232) or email us (30nov@pcs.org.uk) and let us know what's happening.

 

1305 Student at Lincolns Inn Fields carrying placard, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?"

 

1305 Not a member? See how much you will lose on your pension with the PCS pensions calculator and then join today.

 

1303 The PCS flickr site has images from different workplaces from around the country. Is their a pic of your workplace or local area on the site? Find out now, and if not, please send your strike day images to 30nov@pcs.org.uk.

 

1302 Some great new images and posts added to the PCS Union Members group on Facebook. Not a member? Join today.

 

1300 PCS member? Sign up to get the latest direct to your email or phone.

 

1300 St George's Plateau getting full to bursting with marchers. The whole area is awash with colour as members of different unions wave their respective flags.

 

1259 Have you read our Fair pensions for all leaflet? If not, download it today (PDF)

 

1258 Marchers at City Hall in Belfast hear call for Stormont Assembly to stop implementing Tory cuts.

 

1257 More great photos added to the PCS 30 Nov flickr pages. Send your pics to us at 30nov@pcs.org.uk

 

1254 Policeman in Lincoln's Inn Fields just admitted he would love to join the strikers.

 

1254 Update from Liverpool - Liverpool marchers starting to congregate in front of St George's Hall... Although march still continuing to progress through city.

 

1252 From PCS on Twitter - The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Stockton is closed – would’ve been busy with end of month car tax renewals. #pcs #n30

 

1250 Stronger unions has a comprehensive list of all the Unions blogging today.

 

1249 At Kentigern house, Glagow MOD members were joined for the first time by colleagues from Unite and Prospect.

Rep Ian Fraser said the strike is 95% solid and the only people going in are non-members.

Ian added that he covers approx 80 offices throughtout the west of Scotland and the situation is the same there.

 

1247 Massive turnout at Reading march. Over 1000 people marching for pensions, fair pay and conditions.

 

1247 March preparing to leave Lincoln's Inn Fields lead by people holding a massive SERTUC "Pensions Justice for London's Workers" banner. PCS flags and placards prominent. Huge "Education Cuts Never Heal" NUT balloon flying high.

 

1246 At the Registers of Scotland Office in Douglas Street, Glasgow, only 10 out of 220 workers have gone into work.

PCS rep Kenny Hay said: "I've been on the picket line since 6.45am, the joint union battle bus gave us a lift when it came round at 7.30am to give us all tea, coffee and bacon rolls.

"We've had great public support so the government's claims that the public are against us are plainly rubbish. Someone even joined us with his pet dog."

 

1245 Lots more info coming in on court disruptions and closures

• Old Bailey - only one third courts working. Stephen Lawrence case going ahead with support of PCS. Lawrence family’s solicitor Imran Khan wearing Hands off our Pensions badge in court. Combined GMB and PCS picket.
• Biggest support ever at Royal Courts of Justice – largest PCS picket line with FDA lawyers joining us.
• Fulham and SW London mags both closed. No hearings at Woolwich Crown Court.
• Snaresbrooke - 6 out of 20 in bail hearings only. Suffolk Crown Court - only partial hearings.
• Severe disruption at Inner London County Court.
• Croydon Eemployment Tribunal Service - 7 on picket line compared to none on J30. Post stopped and 1 judge made donation.

1244 Update from Liverpool - Over half an hour after the march began in Liverpool city centre, the protestors are still snaking their way through the streets. Chants of: 'no ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts' are filling the air. Marchers are universally delighted by such a large turnout.

 

1242 It's not to late to join PCS - here's how.

 

1241 From PCS on Twitter - "Janice Godrich, PCS President, told 5,000 protestors in Brum: "We will not allow you to steal our hard earned pension's rights." #n30 #pcs"

 

1239 Rosa Luxemberg's book The Mass Strike is the most popular book on the Socialist Bookshop's book stand in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

 

1238 Thousands now marching in belfast. Morale is high. PCS members delighted with turnout.

 

1235 750-1000 union members on march in wrexham. Brought town centre to standstill. Public support is overwhelming. 047128 . 54667. Branch sec.

 

1227 Thousands gathered in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Placards include: "Oy, Cameron. Leave our Teachers Alone." "Nick is a Rotten Clegg". Jess, student at King's College, London said, "What an amazing turnout. The sun is shining and everyone is of the same mind that we must strike back against this Tory government."

 

Read updates from earlier in the day.