On 26 February 2022, Reading Trades Union Council delegates joined the national 'SOS NHS Emergency Day of Action' in both Reading and Oxford, showing solidarity with health and social care workers, and calling for an end to the privatisation of the NHS and investment in the service and in its staff. Not only would this reward existing staff but it would encourage recruitment to healthcare and staunch the flow of staff leaving the profession.
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| Kevin Jackson of RTUC/Unison |
The details of the protesters demands were as follows:
In Reading, Kevin Jackson (Unison), James Parker, John Gillman (both of Unite the Union) and Alison McNamara (NEU) represented RTUC along with comrades from the Reading Socialist Club, Socialist Party, Socialist Health Association and the Labour Party left. Following the protest march, Alison and Kevin addressed the rally as two of several speakers (see recording here).
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| James Parker and John Gillman of RTUC join the Protest in Broad Street, Reading |
In Oxford, John Partington (TSSA) spoke on behalf of RTUC ahead of the march through the city (see here), joining a large number of groups including: Unite the Union, Unison, the Communication Workers' Union, NASUWT teachers' union, University & College Union, Oxford & District Trades Union Council, Socialist Health Association, National Pensioners Convention and the Labour and Communist Parties.
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| John Partington joins the Protest in Manzil Way, Oxford |
The main target of the protest was the Health and Care Bill, currently passing through parliament. If enacted unamended, the bill will see wholesale privatisation of NHS services, adding to the privatised GP surgeries, ambulance services and the opticians, dentistry and pharmacy services we already experience, not to mention many administrative roles in the NHS.
