A day of discontent: police march and public sector strike in pictures

As thousands of public sector workers across London went on strike to defend their pensions, around 30,000 police officers also took to the streets against the cuts. Police officers are banned from taking strike action but a number of those we spoke to today raised the idea as a very real possibility if the cuts continue.

On pensions PCS union leader Mark Serwotka told the Guardian “The tide is coming back. The time has come for the TUC to get back in touch with the government and call for talks to reopen.” Although the government made clear on Wednesday night that any attempt to reopen talks would receive short shrift. Francis Maude, the cabinet secretary, said: “Pension talks will not be reopened and nothing further will be achieved through strike action.”

Police march

It’s extremely rare for police officers to take any political action in this country but as the force faces increasing job losses and budget pressures officers and staff are becoming more and more unhappy.

Paul McKeever, the federation’s chairman, said: “The march is the only way that police officers can demonstrate their anger. The reality of the cuts to policing is really beginning to bite; numbers are beginning to fall rapidly. In the past year alone we have lost over 5,200 police officers from the frontline and we are witnessing the privatisation of core policing roles as chief officers struggle to cope with budget restraints. The Government need to be realistic about the outcome of severe cuts to policing; we cannot afford to compromise on public safety.”

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde said “Chief officers fully appreciate how strongly staff feel about the budget cuts to policing and the changes to their pay and pensions. Forces have had to make painful decisions to reduce the number of staff and make major changes to produce the required savings. The Winsor report on pay and conditions has made some radical proposals but much of this is still subject to negotiation. It is crucial that the outcome is fair and recognises the unique demands of policing and the need to recruit and develop high quality staff.”

Strikers

Striking outside Tate Britain

Outside Parliament

Health workers joined the demo

Some Greens joined the trade union demonstration

A few links to picket line spotting around the capital: Transpontine, Brixton Blog, HarpyMarx, Martin Powell-Davis, Londonist.

Police march:

The police demonstration had a determined mood to it, many wearing black caps to symbolise lost jobs. There was little chanting or noise as they marched through London. Only when they passed the Home Office did marchers boo and hiss. Many officers had come with their families and friends.