Approx. 7,000 manufacturing industry workers march in West Mids

[ls]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8053083.stm


The demonstration was followed by a rally in the city, which was chosen as a venue because almost one-in-10 people in the West Midlands is now unemployed.

Good on them, it's just a shame it was "run" by UNITE.

[bellyscratch]

This is a pretty poor turnout really, as it was supposed to be a national thing. I know that there has been a big attempt to keep out 'SWP and Trots' from getting involved in it. There were train tickets booked by UNITE from the north east for this, but only for the people that the trade union bureaucracy approved of. There were no coaches booked and no attempt to promote it within the different political groups in the area.

But I know there was a demo in London as well in support of the Palestinian people which is another factor to take in to consideration for the low turnout.

I think this is just something else that proves activity needs to be build from the grassroots really.

[Pogue]

I was on the London Palestine demo and we had under a 1000 but it was fairly lively.

[Joe Hill's Ghost]

I was on the London Palestine demo and we had under a 1000 but it was fairly lively.

Ironically I was supposed to go to the west mid thing, but then the london wobs weren't needed at the last minute. Then the I literally ran into the Palestine thing on my way about town. :lol:

[Pogue]

Ironically I was supposed to go to the west mid thing, but then the london wobs weren't needed at the last minute. Then the I literally ran into the Palestine thing on my way about town. :lol:

Same situation for me. I was gonna go Birmingham but then we weren't needed, but I then chose to go to the Palestine one.

[rednordman]

I know that there has been a big attempt to keep out 'SWP and Trots' from getting involved in it. There were train tickets booked by UNITE from the north east for this, but only for the people that the trade union bureaucracy approved of. There were no coaches booked and no attempt to promote it within the different political groups in the area. Which is interesting, as these unions are all shite aswell.

I have to admit to you that I am actually puzzled as to why the 'union buercracy' wouldnt approve of any socialist movement becoming involved. what have the 'legit' unions nowadays have that the communists and anarchists do not?

Because for the most part, I think i would be correct in saying that most workers rights as so far, would have been achieved from socialists. Its quite clear to me now that this beurocracy you speak of is not socialists, and thus has lost almost all but the basic workers rights that the socialist of our history fought very hard for.