| In a sign that the authority’s ruling Labour group supports their aims, Lord Provost John Letford was at the head of the march.
But Prime Minister Tony Blair and Labour MSPs at the Scottish Parliament came in for fierce criticism from speakers at a rally in City Square.
Noting that smoking in public places had just been banned in Scotland, one union official described Tony Blair as “a bigger threat to public health than smoking”.
The workers gathered in Hilltown Park before setting off to the city centre with a police escort.
A piper led the way and the crowd carried banners bearing messages such as “Fighting For Pensions” and “Hands Off Our Pensions”.
The marchers filled the length of Reform Street. At the City Square, they were addressed by union officials and Scottish Socialist MSP Rosie Kane.
Mike Arnott of Dundee Trades Union Council told them they were taking part in the biggest demonstration in Dundee for many years.
“There’s not hundreds of us, there’s thousands of us,” he said.
“They are hoping to force us to work until we are 65. Are we going to let them?”
The answer from the crowd was a defiant cry of “No!”
Unison branch secretary Rory Malone said that three-quarters of those affected by the proposed changes were women, often in low-paid jobs.
“Women who have struggled for equality are being attacked again,” he said.
Kenny Ross, of the Fire Brigades Union, said it was a “national disgrace” that under a Labour Government so many people were having to strike in support of their fundamental rights.
He was echoed by Martin Keenan from the Scottish TUC, who said it was “unacceptable” for ministers to act in this way.
Richard White, of the TGWU, said the march and rally had been “a fantastic demonstration of solidarity and struggle”.
Unless the Government saw sense, today’s industrial action was only the beginning. The workers would carry on until their fight was won.
GMB official John Begley said the average pension for council workers was just £40 a week, with women on an average of only £31 a week. That was “shameful”.
Ms Kane said council workers needed everyone’s support in their fight.
She noted that MSPs in Edinburgh had refused to come out to meet strikers marching on the Scottish Parliament.
She called on them to “get off their comfortable backsides” because the strikers deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.
Mr Arnott closed the rally by telling the crowd, “If we stand together in solidarity we can win this dispute.” |
