BURSTON STRIKE SCHOOL

The annual trade union celebration in the Norfolk village of Burston marks the strike by school children which became known as ‘the longest strike in history’. During the spring of April 1914, the young pupils at the Burston village Council School walked out of their school building in protest at the sacking of their beloved teachers Tom and Kitty Higdon, who were being punished by the local gentry and church authorities for Tom’s trade union and socialist views. The strike and boycott lasted for some 25 years. Every year trade unionists march the route that the children took around the village carrying large placards aloft, with the slogans "We Want Our Teachers Back" and "Justice We Want". At the head of the procession was a large banner, inscribed with the one word "Justice". By 1916, a national fundraising campaign had been launched that went on to raise enough funds for the building of a brand new school and many National Union of Railwaymen branches donated funds towards it. Today the Burston Strike School still stands as a monument to working class education and the struggle against tyranny. Since 1984, the Burston Strike School Rally has been an annual event, with the day now being fixed to the first Sunday in September. The event is completely funded by trade unions which allows it to be free of any ticketing. Local RMT branches brought their banners and marched behind the award-winning RMT band. 25 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2023 :: RMTnews and why the workers keep losing out. Community activist Bernadette McAliskey (neé Devlin) spoke about how the far right were sourcing funds and getting organised. She discussed how impoverished and disenfranchised workers were often taken in by sectarian and fascist arguments. She summed up by saying it was up to trade unionists to educate ourselves at events like these. “We must reach out within our communities and make sure they are educated in turn,” she said. Even when socialising on the Island of Inis Oírr we saw the joy of our class communing. A young Irish Language poet and rapper took time to sit around the campfire with a group of travellers to share some songs with each other. A swathe of young, socialist musicians were brought in every lunchtime and evening. They jigged and reeled our cares and woes into fun and laughter. The atmosphere created on that remote little island, gave us great heart for the future and we made connections that will stay with us all in our respective struggles. But the takeaway from the weekend was summed up by an Islander who lent her production skills to Left Bloc. She helped facilitate sound and video of each talk. It’s a mantra I will hold, and all reps, officers and activists should remember: “Be useful, be kind and tomorrow - we go again”. Left Bloc and Trademark Belfast have set the bar for vibrant, dynamic and relevant left-wing education and space for comradely and positive debate. We should support them at every turn and create our own spaces to find joy in resistance. Sláinte agus RMT abú! BURSTON STRIKE SCHOOL RMT brass band marches to celebrate 110 years since the school strike