On the road to higher wages

Linda Taaffe, Secretary, Waltham Forest Trades Council

Workers in Waltham Forest are amongst some of the poorest in London. So the call for an immediate, big pay rise that rang out loud and clear from the Waltham Forest Trades Council motorcade really resonated.

Ten vehicles, representing local trade unions in dispute with the government, wound their way slowly through the main roads on 4 October to advertise the TUC's "Britain needs a pay rise" march.

Horns blared. People stopped and came out of shops. They waved and gave signs of support; they got the message. Enough of austerity and poverty wages, we can join together and fight back against a government that only represents millionaires.

One young woman said "Yes, all my family needs a pay rise" and grabbed a bundle of leaflets to give out. The lead vehicle carrying the trades council banner was emblazoned with Unite slogans, followed by vehicles, all decorated up with TUC 18 October demo posters.

Easy riders

There were Unite and Unison local government, Unite and Unison at Whipps Cross hospital, teaching unions NUT and UCU, and the firefighters' union FBU complete with flags and motorbike rider. Then came the bakers' and food workers' union BFAWU, and lastly campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs.

Groups of leafleters at four sites along the busy route handed out nearly 2,000 leaflets - despite the rain. These included translations into five languages, urging all to join together to stop this race to the bottom that the bosses want - and to make a start by coming along to the demo on 18 October.

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