Tens of thousands of trade unionists demonstrated in London on February 28 to demand that the G20 leaders act on jobs, justice and the climate.
The Put People First demonstration was much larger than the TUC had expected and showed just how angry trade unionists are with the limited measures taken so far by Governments to resolve the economic crisis.
There was a large Unite contingent on the demonstration with members from every Region. Health workers and construction workers were marching side by side demanding chnges in Government policies.
There were also several international delegations of trade unionists on the protests, including workers from France’s CGT, Italy’s CGIL and the Dutch FNV union federation. This international flavour was also represented at the rally, with speeches from US and Australian union leaders.
The march was also marked by large numbers of young people and students who had come to London to make their voices heard over issues ranging from climate change to the “war on terror”.
Derek Simpson speaking at the Rally at the end of the march expressed the anger felt by many: "It is not just about business. It is not just about commerce and bankers, it is about people. Putting people first, that is the message. We need to do more about jobs in this country, more to protect people's homes in this country and this demonstration is a means of bringing it to the government's attention."
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