With the bosses?
Never.
With the union reps?
Sometimes.
With the rank and file?
Always.
With the bosses?
Never.
With the union reps?
Sometimes.
With the rank and file?
Always.
The hashtag #generalstrike is over-optimistic and workers’ self-management is not on the table. The current wave of strikes is not about how the economy is run, but about workers having some say in how the proceeds of the economy are distributed.
We have had a track record of winning disputes through industrial action (notably in 2007). In spite of defeats in more recent disputes, our dissatisfaction and ongoing dissent has set the tone for the confrontation.
We will win some things, we’ll lose some. This whole thing has been quite emotional. It has been empowering seeing action in the form of strikes, in the wider social, in the wider context of the strike wave alongside other workers, it has been inspirational, to see a bit of class pride and solidarity. I only hope it radicalised more of our colleagues.
The strike day itself was inspirational! 40,000 teachers marched in London, 9,000 in Bristol and 10,000s more joining hundreds of demos in their towns and cities.
... if we leave it to union bosses, workers will walk away from disputes with less than they could have won...