Thanks to everyone who went on strike for fair pay yesterday – the strike received a lot of coverage both nationally and locally, and UNISON Bexley branch’s picket line features in the News Shopper’s story here.

UNISON’s rain-soaked picketing at the Civic Offices on Watling Street in Bexleyheath was underway by the time the building opened at 7am and UNISON members were able to speak to staff and members of the public to explain the reasons for the strike and encourage them to support it.

We were also very pleased by the levels of support (indicated with a traditional honk of the horn, often accompanied by a cheery wave) from passing drivers, both individuals and business vehicles such as coaches and vans. The new Civic Offices’ location by a busy junction certainly allowed for plenty of this kind of drive-by support!

Thanks again to everyone who supported us by striking or refused to cross our picket line. We’ve made our views very clear to the employers and we’ll now have to wait and see if they move on their insulting ‘offer’ of a further hefty real-terms pay cut for valuable public sector workers.