Workers march against Tory cuts

THOUSANDS of trades unionist across the Six Counties staged strikes and rallies on Friday 13 March in a show of anger against Tory imposed cuts across the public sector.

Prominent in the demonstrations were the health and education unions whose members are facing savage cutbacks as the Westminster Government continues its ideological attack on the welfare state.

Sinn Féin politicians and activists came onto the streets in support of the striking workers and were given a warm welcome by those on the picket lines.

• Sinn Féin politicians Paul Maskey MP and Pat Sheehan MLA with striking worker

However, reacting to union leaders' speeches that were critical of the parties in the Stormont Assemby, Sinn Féin Councillor Jim McVeigh, the party's group leader on Belfast City Council, said on social media:

“Some lazy speeches at the rally in Belfast today. Sick of union leaders condemning every political party as if they all share the same ideology and policies.

“Has no union leader the courage to state publicly that Sinn Féin is fighting Tory austerity while the DUP, UUP and Alliance are happy to roll over and implement cuts?”

“This is a cowardly analysis,” declared McVeigh.

See more pictures »