So after
the longest ever build up to a strike, the first days of strike action for the Durham TAs are about to begin.
(barring a last minute serious offer from Durham County Council)
Their
campaign has become stuff of legend, they have taken all the lessons from past
struggles and mobilised a workforce that is scattered across the County of
Durham. Think on that point, this isn’t one workplace but over a hundred
workplaces. They don’t meet up every day at work, they probably don’t know many
of their colleagues, yet they have been able to mobilise a campaign that would
put Barack Obama to shame.
Leading
up to the strike next week, they are experiencing for the first time the
pre-strike anti-union propaganda that is often generated designed to undermine
and intimidate workers from taking strike action.
My advice
is take it and use it for your own ends.
They are
frightened of your true power and that ultimately is your withdrawal of labour.
I have
read reports of schools trying to bring other workers/staff in to cover, that I
expect is being dealt with by the two unions involved UNISON and ATL. But you
can speak to the local trade unions in your school in order to build solidarity
and support. I am sure teaching unions would not want to be used to break
fellow trade unions strike action.
Your
challenge is that the members are spread over so many schools and some schools
will be stronger than others. But that will change, confidence is very, very contagious,
it is my experience that workers in struggle find their voice.
Attention Labour movement
1.
We need
to help amplify their voice.
2.
We need
to send messages of solidarity.
3.
We need
to raise money for the strikers.
4.
We need
to turn up on picket lines and rallies.
5.
We need
to back this campaign through thick and thin.
Follow the campaign on Facebook
Follow the campaign on Twitter
Look out
for their hashtag #ValueUs
Look out for their Blog “Lions of
Durham”
Solidarity to
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