What a fantastic day!

Nicky Downes writes:

What a fantastic day! I started the day in Coventry with a picket at my Primary school in Coventry. Myself and a number of other members including an NQT, leafleted the parents and had a wonderful response. Every parent took a leaflet and many wished us luck with the campaign. One parent who works for the DWP said 'I'll see you at the rally. I'm striking today too!'. In fact we had no negative comments at all and we were spurred on despite the pouring rain by all the toots from passing motorists.

We held a rally in Coventry City Centre where we were joined by members of the PCS and UCU. The most inspiring speech came from a young teacher who spoke about how her student debt and low pay meant that she might never be able to afford a mortgage. Another young teacher had worked out her pay by the hours she actually works and discovered she earns less than the minimum wage! Then we marched to our coaches to Birmingham for the rally where we joined thousands of teachers and City Council workers who were on their second day of action against single status. We marched through the city centre making up new slogans to chant at passing shoppers.

It was an inspiring day which I know has given many teachers the confidence to fight for, not just better pay, but, also, better working conditions in their schools.

__,_._,___