Last night, Saturday the 21^st of May, saw upwards of thirty people attend a public meeting on the upcoming June 30^th education and civil service strikes.

Hosted by the North London Solidarity Federation, the meeting was very practically focused. Attendees talked about their particular workplace or uni situation and highlighted strategies and tactics which have helped them to organize at work and/or begin talking to their co-workers or fellow students about June 30^th and why they shouldn't cross picket lines. When individuals had experienced troubles galvanising their workmates, others at the meeting were glad to help them strategise about what sort of practical steps they could take to begin those conversations. Finally, we discussed what sorts of momentum-building actions could be undertaken in the run-up to June 30^th that will ensure education workers and students are not only aware of the issues but feel empowered and confident enough take strike action.

Groups and universities across London were well-represented. We had quite a strong contingent from LSE, folks who had experience at Goldsmith's, and even someone from Kent. SolFedders were present, obviously, but joined by IWWs, the Commune, the Communist Workers Organisation, World Revolution, and lots of radical students who'd been active in the anti-fees movement of last Autumn. The atmosphere was relaxed and comradely and after the talk was done, many stuck around for a pint or two.

Practically, literature was handed and it looks like they'll be an education workers/student organiser training in London before June 30^th. It also looks like we'll be producing a leaflet designed for students (including high school students and sixth-formers) to hand out encouraging their coursemates to strike alongside workers on the 30^th. Folks were also keen to attend Monday's upcoming assembly on the June 30^th strikes, bringing the practical suggestions we had to a larger group and disseminating those discussions across the London radical scene.

Further information:

June 23^rd public assembly: http://libcom.org/forums/announcements/organising-june-30th-marchmont-centre-london-wc1-7pm-monday-23rd-may-100520

All Out for June 30^th leaflet: http://solfed.org.uk/?q=all-out-for-june-30th-leaflet-for-edu-workers-parents-and-students

Don't Cross Picket Lines leaflet: http://solfed.org.uk/?q=dont-cross-picket-lines

Women, Higher Education, and the Cuts meeting, Thur the 26th: http://feministlibrary.co.uk/2011/05/19/women-higher-education-and-the-cuts/

SolFed Workplace Organiser Training Program: http://solfed.org.uk/?q=organiser-training