Waltham Forest Trade Union Council (WFTC) was pleased to welcome strikers, trade unionists and supporters to its Solidarity Rally earlier this week. At this very vibrant meeting decisions were made to support local strikers – mainly key workers – over the Christmas season and into the new year. Many sensed that joint strike action of all unions may well be on the cards in the not-too-distant future, and all laid the blame unequivocally at the door of intransigent employers and the Tory government.

Speakers described terrible working conditions.

RMT underground worker Nathan Wallace described “how it is not just about our pay not keeping pace with inflation, but the employers’ proposals to cut maintenance workers by half, and to shut ticket offices.” He declared they were in the “fight of their lives” not just for themselves but to ensure passengers travelled in safe conditions.

Len Hockey of Unite at Whipps Cross Hospital explained how unions can win.… Read on ...