May Day - Celebrate and Fight Back

Today, I joined in the march and rally to celebrate May Day in the city-centre of Glasgow. The speakers included Agnes Tolmie, President of the STUC who spoke of the income inequalities evident in UK, referring to the earnings of the chief executives of the top 100 firms receiving a substantial rise whilst wages of ordinary workers have actually declined. Frustration was expressed about the tax avoidance industry which supports the rich getting richer. The austerity budget implemented by the UK Coalition Government was described as spreading fear everywhere and delivering "misery measures" across our communities.

Anti-cuts activist at the May Day Rally

The STUC is promoting women's contribution to the trade union movement and in her speech, Jane Mackay focused on the efforts of Agnes Mclean to fight for Equal Pay.

The EIS General Secretary, Larry Flanagan spoke about the "Why should children pay?" campaign, and highlighted the need for political will to tax the rich and direct money to jobs investment. He referred to the shameful fact that 1 in 10 children are living in poverty. The low voter turnout of 1 in 3 at the Local Government Elections on Thursday was mentioned. However, a message coming through from the voters is that they reject austerity and support politicians who fight back against the cuts.

The campaign to free the Miami Five and the call on Obama to release these innocent men was supported. Also, efforts to stop destitution of asylum seekers in Glasgow and build for a national demo on 9th June was highlighted.


The closing speech from Owen Jones, author of "Chavs - Demonisation of the Working Class", called on alternatives to the UK government attack on the welfare state. The key priorities highlighted to get out of a double dip recession were social house building programmes, guaranted living wage, industrial strategy focused on green jobs and increased taxes for the rich. Evidence of the next generation facing the prospect of being worse off than their parents and the general dispair of young people on the dole was described. 


The message from the rally was that the trade union movement and its supporters stand together and refuse to accept the austerity measures. The fight back against the UK Coalition Government attacks on the state will require everyone working to bring about a better way of dealing with the debt crisis. 

Useful links:

Sunday Times Richlist - http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/richlist/?CMP=KNGvccp1-UK+rich+list

New Economics Foundation - http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/the-new-austerity-and-the-big-society