Protests on the streets (From The Argus)

Protests on the streets of Brighton

8:57am Friday 11th May 2012 in News By Peter Truman

Hundreds of off-duty Sussex Police officers took to the streets of London to protest about government cuts.

About 650 officers joined the march in the capital with up to 32,000 officers in total protesting.

Police Federation representative Mark White said he was pleased with the turnout but disappointed members were having to take action.

He said: “We have had enough and are seriously concerned about the morale of police officers and the service we are able to give to the public.

“They do not realise the full consequences of these cuts.

“Police officers are not allowed to strike or withdraw labour so this is all we can do.”

In Sussex about 100 trade unionists marched along Grand Parade to the Town Hall in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, at lunchtime to protest about pensions.

Among those striking were members of the University and College Union from University of Brighton and City College Brighton and Hove, civil servants from the Public and Commercial Services union and health workers from Unite.

Tom Hickey, chairman of UCU at the University of Brighton, said the most important thing was ensuring the standard of education for students.

He said: “We are here to defend public sector pensions and our own pensions.

“A lot of students support the campaign as it is not just about pensions but cuts in education.

“We are in this job to ensure educational standards and our first concern it to protect the quality of education.”

Mr Hickey said he had heard stories of lecture halls deserted yesterday as members went on strike.

But a spokeswoman from the University of Brighton said there was “minimal disruption” to classes during the industrial action.

Phil Frier, principal at City College Brighton and Hove, said: “We respect the right to take strike action and on a personal level may feel sympathetic to the cause.

"However, the college’s legal position is clear and has been set out in the letter sent to all staff either by email or post.

“Our first duty is towards our students and to ensure we do our best for them.”

Ian Evans, UNITE representative at Royal Sussex County Hospital, said about 30 people in total took part in a day of action handing out leaflets during lunch.

Members of the Prison Officers Association at Lewes and Ford Prisons also staged “protest meetings”. Governor of Lewes Prison Robin Eldridge said about 30 staff held a meeting at lunchtime but services were not affected.

Gatwick Airport re-ported it was “business as usual” with no delays to flights des-pite UK Border Agency staff going on strike.