Over twenty years ago during the miners' strike the role of the police was questioned by the strikers. There were reports of the police jeering at the miners and holding up bundles of fivers of overtime money and shouting "keep up the strike, we're making a fortune". Now the police find themselves in the position of having to accept a less than generous wage settlement. They are not permitted to strike but they intend to demonstrate their grievances. "Up to 15,000 officers from all 43 forces in England and Wales will march through central London in the biggest police protest for more than a decade. ... Today's protest is the first time that police have marched to demonstrate their anger over a pay deal or unhappiness with a Government reform programme." (Times, 23 January)
Somewhat belatedly some members of the police force may now recognise that they are members of the working class, just like the miners. RD
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
All Coppers are Workers from the Socialist Standard 1971
ReplyDeletehttp://mailstrom.blogspot.com/2008/01/all-coppers-are-workers.html
Socialism Or Your Money Back has re-printed actual articles from 1919 describing the police strikes with its contemporary colourful language
ReplyDeletehttp://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.com/2008/01/last-time-police-went-on-strike.html