Around 200 local people joined an ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration in Ramsgate yesterday (October 1) alongside striking rail and postal workers to protest at the cost of living crisis.
The protest was part of a day of action in the national Enough is Enough campaign and moved from the postal workers picket to the railway workers’ picket both of which were near Ramsgate train station.
The demo was addressed by trade union activists, speakers from community groups and Broadstairs councillor Aram Rawf.
Community group speakers included Save Our NHS in Kent and Access Thanet. Trade unions represented included: CWU,RMT, ASLEF, NEU, UCU, UNITE and the RCN.
Hilary Chuter, one the protesters said: “This is a marvellous example of local people and workers standing together at this time of crisis.
“Many now on strike, or balloting to go on strike, are those who worked face to face during the pandemic. What’s been their reward? Worse conditions and less money.
“And we have bosses who are determined to make things worse, while making huge profits for themselves. We are right to say, ‘Enough is enough.’
“Here in Thanet, one of the poorest parts of the country, many people are already in desperate conditions and will be in even bigger trouble as the bills come in. Meanwhile we have more billionaires in Britain than ever before. This is not a cost-of-living crisis — this is a cost of greedy bosses crisis!”
Broadstairs resident and disability campaigner Christine Tongue spoke to the protesters on behalf of disability group Access Thanet.
She said: “Disabled people were the first victims of austerity, now they’re in the front line with the cost of living crisis. We want our voices heard.”
People wishing to be kept in touch about future actions by Thanet Enough is Enough can email [email protected].
