Thousands strike over pensions in Brighton and Hove

Thousands of public sector workers went on strike in Brighton and Hove over their pensions today (Wednesday 30 November).

Almost every school was closed, including at least six secondary schools, and Brighton University was shut for the day.

Senior managers at the trust that runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital agreed a protocol with unions to ensure that emergency and essential services were provided.

Some non-essential operations were postponed and some clinics were cancelled by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

About 1,200 out of 8,000 staff had been expected to strike at the trust’s hospitals in Brighton and Haywards Heath. In the event only about a quarter of that number stayed away.

But South East Coast Ambulance Service was significantly hampered in its efforts to respond to patients, according to Sussex Police.

Ambulances were responding only to life-threatening emergencies, according to Brighton and Hove City Council.

Traffic and bus journeys were affected as more than a thousand protesters marched into the centre of Brighton from three different starting points.

Two groups met up in Grand Parade before making their way to Victoria Gardens where they converged with the third march and where thousands of others gathered.

The total numbers taking part were variously estimated as being between 4,500 and 6,000.

It was believed to be the biggest strike and protest in Brighton and Hove for at least 30 years.

Despite a few heavy downpours, the protesters were in good spirits, having set off from East Brighton, Lewes Road and Hove Town Hall. Many had brought their children along.

They then joined up for a march to The Level where Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, joined union leaders in addressing the crowd.

A 34-year-old local man was arrested for disorderly behaviour for repeatedly swearing in front of families with children. Sussex Police said that he was given a number of warnings about his offensive language.

In Churchill Square a breakaway group of about 30 protesters tried to storm the shopping centre but were prevented by police.

Those taking part in the strike say that public sector workers face making higher pension contributions, working for longer until they can retire and then drawing a lower pension.

They complain that they are being penalised for the financial difficulties caused by the banks and that the bankers are effectively getting away with it.

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove, said: “I understand why people have chosen to strike but it is vital for the long-term prosperity of our country that we address our deficit.

“This is currently running at around £170 billion and is, quite simply, unsustainable.

“While many feel that the decisions that have been made are unfair, postponing reducing the burden is not in the interests of the country as a whole.”

He added: “Britain needs unity, not divisive strikes.”

Denise Knutson, from Unison, believes that the Chancellor George Osborne united people with his autumn statement – against the government and its pension reforms. Her union was one of several involved in the strike.

She said: “Yesterday, after what George Osborne said, people were panicking, shoving application forms to join the union under my door.

“We’ve had a huge surge in recruitment in this region.

“We’ve got people who have been members for years and never been on strike before coming out today. People are incensed.”

Ken Hopkins, who works for Brighton Learning Disability Services, said: “I work with people who have severe disabilities.

“It’s tough work and we’re not particularly well paid so my pension’s not going to be great when I retire anyway.

“So I’m here to make sure I still have some kind of decent pension when I retire.”

Simon Kirby, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, called the actions of union leaders “irresponsible” at a time when negotiations were still continuing.

Mr Kirby said: “Here in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven there are many hard-working public sector employees who provide vital services across the city and in Lewes district.

“The union leaders stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that the cost of public sector pensions has risen by a third in ten years, that the taxpayer has to foot the bill for this increase in costs and people are living much longer than in the 1970s.

“The government is simply seeking to strike a fairer balance between the need to provide a decent pension for hard-working public sector employees while at the same time managing the overall cost.

“My sincere hope is that this strike will be a one-off and that negotiations will continue so that a fair settlement will be reached and public sector workers do not have to forfeit another day’s pay.

“Trade union leaders have an important responsibility, with the government, to ensure that this matter is brought to a successful conclusion for all concerned.”

Caroline Lucas visited a picket line before speaking at the rally at The Level.

Dr Lucas said on her website: “The Conservative-led government’s assault on public sector pensions is a serious concern for my constituents and for workers across the public sector.

“While recent moves by ministers to improve the pensions package offered some hope, it’s clear that we are still far from a genuinely fair deal.

“I regret the disruption caused by industrial action but feel confident that union leaders have resorted to a full strike only as a last resort – because public sector employees up and down the country continue to feel that the government is simply not listening.

“We must not forget that these are our nurses, teachers, civil servants – the people who provide the crucial services which we rely on every day.

“The Greens will not hesitate to lend our support and solidarity to them.”

Picket lines were set up at Brighton Town Hall, Hove Town Hall, the council’s King’s House headquarters in Hove and the Hollingdean depot.

The council said this morning that bins were unlikely to be emptied and recycling would probably not be collected.

A picket line was set up at the Jubilee Library. All of the council’s libraries were closed for the day, along with the Royal Pavilion and museums, the housing offices and customer service centres. The parking information centre remained open.

Other picket lines were set up at the Sussex University campus in Falmer and the Brighton University campuses in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb and Falmer. Others were at the Brighton Job Centre in Edward Street, City College Brighton and Hove and the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Kemp Town.

The emergency homeless service remained available.

Sussex Police said: “The planned marches and protests to mark a day of strike action over public section pensions passed off peacefully.”

Chief Superintendent Paul Morrison said: “Peaceful protests have taken place across Sussex and I thank those who took part for their common sense approach for what is a very important issue for them.

“Sussex Police fully supports the democratic right to peacefully protest and we respect the demonstrators and the organisers for the way in which the protest was conducted.

“Our aim will always be to provide a safe environment for protestors, to prevent crime and disorder and to minimise disruption to the local community.

“The organisers of the marches were co-operative, helping us to plan today’s policing operation.

“Some 4,500 people, many of them families with young children, marched peacefully in Brighton and Hove although a small group of about 30 did break away and attempt to enter Churchill Square.

“They were soon returned to the main march and were monitored closely by police until they dispersed.

“But the policing operation wasn’t just about facilitating the protestors, Strategic Coordinating Group meetings were held with partners to assess the service they were providing as a result of staff taking part in the action.

“Partners reported that they were able to provide essential core services with minor disruption to peripheral services although South East Coast Ambulance Service’s ability to respond to patients had been significantly hampered.

“Sussex Police worked with partners to ensure appropriate assistance was made to calls we attended to help South East Coast Ambulance Service prioritise its service to those in most need.

“As the day has gone on we hope the police service being delivered meets with public expectations.

“We are working with partners to ensure wherever possible core service delivery is maintained.

“The official strike is due to conclude at midnight.”