Help build the London anti-cuts demonstration on October 23rd

Tonight's meeting of the London Transport Regional Council of the RMT agreed to call a London anti-cuts demonstration on Saturday October 23rd.

This demonstration - provisionally assembling outside the RMT offices in Chalton Street near Euston at 11am - will help provide a clear focus in the capital to the Regional Week of Action being built around the date of the Government's Spending Review announcement. The demonstration is planned to march to Congress House where the SE Region TUC are holding an indoor rally from midday.

I was pleased to be able to speak to the meeting, as an NUT Executive member, in support of the proposal for a joint demonstration. We would be 'taking to the streets' to oppose cuts - just as the TUC Congress in Manchester has been urging us to do. A well-built London demonstration - bringing together trade union branches and the many anti-cuts campaigns springing up across different boroughs - will raise the confidence of trade unionists to struggle and get the message across to Londoners that we don't have to accept the Con-Dem cuts.

Last night, Lewisham NUT agreed - in anticipation of the RMT decision - to back the march. It could coincide with strike action from firefighters and we hope that the FBU will soon be adding their backing to the event.

Now the call has gone out from the RMT, other union branches should give their support and - most of all - go out and build for a solid turnout on the day.

Confirmed assembly and route details will be announced as soon as we have arrangements finalised - but don't delay - start spreading the news!