Ipswich demo

Roger Mackay writes:

A demo of 150 striking teachers in Ipswich was cheered in the streets as they made their way to a Rally. These numbers reflect an excellent turnout of NUT members in the area, with 55 schools closed in Suffolk and a further 120 affected by the action.
Cameras from Channel 4 and BBC Look East were in attendance, the Channel 4 reporter told me that Ipswich was seem as typical of the country.
The mood of the teachers at the rally, from every sector of Education was high and responded well to the speakers from the Local Association and the local Trades Council. Harvey Crane from the PCS got a warm reception when he spoke about more joint action amongst public sector workers.
There was a high proportion of young teachers present, which augers well for the future, as no one was in any doubt that further action will be necessary.
Predictably,the local radio managed to find two high school pupils who said teachers should be thinking of them and their exams, but when did striking workers ever get support from the media. Only in retrospect!
Ipswich For Public Services was an organisation set up last year by the Trades Council in the wake of a meeting at the time of PCS and CWU action. Mark Sewotka addressed that meeting and inspired local public sector workers.
Todays' action has further bolstered that organisation and we will look to the future with confidence.