“All this divisive rubbish about 'private sector workers don't get a good pension, so why should...blah blah blah?' is ridiculous. Most trade unionists there today would advise private sector workers to join a good union and to fight for a good pension - with support from many of those there today. They'd rather push private sector working conditions upwards, rather than argue that public sector pensions be dragged down to private sector levels. Also, critics of the strike have not grasped a really significant point - that teachers' pensions were reviewed and amended 4 years ago (which teaching unions agreed to without resorting to strikes), and independent audit conclusions were made that they are now sustainable. This is exactly why the government won't conduct another independent evaluation - because they know it will destroy their argument. Finally, the likes of 'bloke' above have missed the point that today was part of a bigger campaign to halt the coalition's broader cuts policy - which even Tories are now saying cut too deep and too soon. If we let them attack our pensions, who and what will they attack next? Maybe then 'Bloke' and others will want the support of those he's currently so critical of.”

“"Remove the right to strike and give them the choice, sign your new contract, or sign on. "

How do you plan on educating the 68% of pupils in the UK that did not go to school today if the striking teachers in question refuse the new contract you are proposing? It's not a case of filling vacancies will bodies: teachers are qualified professionals - and there certainly aren't enough teachers floating around unemployed at the moment to fill the 18000 odd schools that shut today.”

“Bloke_ , I'm actually looking forward to reading any posts you may submit in the future. ---
Just to see if they make any more sense than this one of today !
There is in my opinion quite a load of tripe on the site today and Cameron and his 'wallies' really are succeeding with their brain-washing propaganda. For everyone's sake I wish some people would stop believing everything they read in the press about what brilliant pay, pensions, and conditions of employment all public sector workers have.”

“@Peter20101: You said, 'If you didn't vote, dont complain about any government that is in power, as you decided it wasnt important enough to do so...'
Well, as all political parties offered us nothing more than a good kicking, then I chose not to collude with any of these serial abusers and refused to consent to the fraudulent capitalist electoral system. So surely that actually gives me more right to complain than those of you who did consent to one or another gang of capitalist rip off merchants.

@Bloke: You are the reincarnation of Oswald Mosley and I claim my free kinky jackboots and jodphurs.

Seriously though, today was absolutely fantastic, but that's just the start and we need to escalate the strike to be sure of victory. And it'd be good if private sector workers got their act together and struck with us.

Public sector pensions, by the way, are not gold plated and that's just a media myth, only believed by the gullible and the cynical. But of course, if anyone in the praivate sector does feel particularly hard done to over their pension, then you know what to do, get organised and fight for something better instead of wishing things were worse for others.”

“Truevoice wake up and smell the coffee a strike has never achieved anything only mediation will resolve the issue. As Lord Hutton has said this is the best deal that is available and affordable for the taxpayer. Meganvan Billy Bragg can afford to make these comments and of course he never uses tax avoidance scams.”

“Police Officers (the real one's, not the plastic plods or volunteer special's) are public servants too and they're not allowed to go on strike. The solution is simple... give the correct amount of notice and simply change the employment contract of every public sector worker in the country to include the same terms applied to Police officers. Remove the right to strike and give them the choice, sign your new contract, or sign on. It won't add to the unemployed problem because for every person who refuses to "doff their cap and knuckle under" there will be someone who's priority is to feed their children.”

“"@Meganvan. Is that Billy (the hypocrite) Bragg? Who preaches multiculturalism and oneness with the people then goes off to live in splendour in a 'monocultural' village on the Devon coastline. He talks the talk that's for sure."

Thats it? That is your argument? Seriously? Even by your standards, that is TERRIBLE! So, in your world you are a hypocrite for believing in something if you aren't living it 24/7, 365 days a year? I believe that beaches should be clean, but I don't live next to one; does that make me a hypocrite? I'm against fox hunting, but I don't live in the countryside; does that make me a hypocrite?

If Mr. Bragg had left Barking because of "all the foreigners" then your claim would be water tight, as it is it is simply ludicrous.”

“The GMB flags today said it all, "My pension is my pay"! Public sector workers generally can expect a lower wage than those in the private sector, often for working in the most challenging of circumstances and in unsocial hours. Historically this has been compensated for, to a degree, by good pension packages. This Government not only wants us to work longer for less, but has also announced pay caps which, when viewed alongside the rate of inflation, equate to a PAY CUT!! So, no Mr Cameron, I am not happy for you to raid my hard earned pension pot in order to pay for the greed of the bankers, who got us into this situation in the first place. How about they pay?”

“@Meganvan. Is that Billy (the hypocrite) Bragg? Who preaches multiculturalism and oneness with the people then goes off to live in splendour in a 'monocultural' village on the Devon coastline. He talks the talk that's for sure.”

“I was there for the march, it was nice to see people clapping in support of our cause. If any body had paid into a scheme for years then to be told that they are going to change the terms for the worst then anybody would fight that.”