Millions go on strike

Schools right across the West Midlands closed as teachers walked out as part of a massive public sector strike over pensions. Even Heart's Ed James had his kids in work to look after them.

Unions organised various rallies and marches across the region here's an example of some of them:

In Birmingham UNISON President, Eleanor Smith, a theatre nurse from the city, lead nurses, paramedics, hospital cleaners, porters, receptionists, and admin staff out on strike from midnight on Tuesday 29 November, at Birmingham Women’s hospital.

strike in birminghamGeneral Secretary, Dave Prentis, addressed strikers at the major national rally, taking place at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

A massive march also made its way through the city centre with thousands of people from more than 30 Unions, marching to indoor rally at NIA.

Strike in BirminghamBin collectors in Bordesley Green in Birmingham have also been picketing and Heart's Laura Safe went along to find out why they were taking action - click on the photo (left) to hear her report:

 

 

Other rallies that happened across the region:

  • At Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital site on Dudley Road between 12 pm and 1pm, NHS workers posed as elderly masked health workers, struggling to care for patients as they are forced to work into their late sixties.
  • In Telford at 11.30am Cordingley Hall, Wellington Road until 2.30pm. There was also a Social event in Jolly Brewer pub from 2pm. 
  • In Coventry at 10 am  at Coventry Cathedral union members marched to a rally outside the Council House, Speakers’ Corner, with TU speakers.
  • In Dudley at 10.15am people met at Coronation Gardens on Priory Road before marching to Station Hotel.
  • In Shrewsbury there was a family event from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at The Square with TU speakers and live music.
  • In Stafford at 12.15pm members met at The White Eagle Club, Riverway before marching to Market Square.
  • In Wolverhampton the met started at 11am at Wolverhampton Civic Centre with live music, short speeches, demo and a rally.
  • While in Worcester workers met at 11.15am in Mealcheapen Street, off Cornmarket before marching to Tramps Nightclub in Angel Place.