CWU eastern region support Burston Strike School rally

September 6 2016

CWU eastern region branches once again had a strong presence at the annual Burston Strike School Rally in Norfolk at the weekend, reports regional secretary Paul Moffatt.

Every year on the first Sunday of September, hundreds of trade unionists and socialists gather in this small village to commemorate what is commonly described as the longest strike in history’, which began over a century ago.

Back in 1914, village school teachers Kitty and Tom Higdon were sacked for being socialists and trade unionists, organising agricultural workers and for their commitment to universal education for all.

However, the children decided the next day that they would not allow this to happen, and walked out of the village school, supported by their parents.

The Higdons continued to teach the children of the village, initially on the village green and, as support for them grew from across the labour and trade union movement, a new school was built, which taught local pupils right up until 1939, when the Higdons died.

The school building still stands today as a memorial to them.

“Every year, the branches of the eastern region attend this event,” said Paul, “and, as well as showing our respects for the principles and the contribution made by the Higdons and the people of this village all those years ago, we also always highlight the key issues of the day affecting our members.

“This year, we had a campaign stall on the village green aimed at raising public awareness regarding the Post Office closure programme and the intended industrial action ballot.

“This was very well received by trade unions and the public who shared their support for our Post Office members and the plight they face with pensions and closures,” Paul continued, adding that Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was this year’s keynote speaker, also came over to the CWU stall to show his support.

“It was great to see Jeremy here and, in his speech, he spoke widely about the issues that workers face in the UK, the NHS, public transport and the lack of affordable housing in the UK for younger workers and their families.

“Jeremy also spoke on austerity and the need to generate growth in the UK, not a slash and burn programme of cuts that we see under a Tory Government.”

Summing up, Paul said: “This year’s rally was a big success and showed that the fight for justice and equality will always be uppermost in the aims of our movement.”