Rally will ‘demand better’


The union movement is getting behind what is expected to be a huge march and rally in London later this month to demand a better deal for working people suffering the worst living stands in many years. 


The TUC has spearheaded the demonstration, which it hopes will attract 250,000 people, under the slogan “We Demand Better”, noting that “everything’s going up but our wages”.


The demands are for a real pay rise for every worker — and a real living wage for all; a ban on zero hours contracts and fire and rehire; decent sick pay for all; an end to racism at work; a tax on energy profits to help with bills; a rise in Universal Credit; and a boost to bargaining rights. 


“And more than that,” says the TUC, “we demand a government that listens and acts to support working people.”


Addressing his union’s conference, CWU communications union leader Dave Ward urged members to “get behind this like never before. 


“I don’t think we’re ever going to get another moment to reassert the values we believe in against the background of circumstances that are facing us.” 


And urging its members to attend, the FBU firefighters’ union said that the demonstration “is part of building a movement to demand a change of direction”. 


Assemble 11.00am, Saturday 18 June, Portland Place W1, London; march 12 noon; rally 1.00pm Parliament Square.