From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I would like to encourage all branches and activists to attend this year’s commemoration of the Burston Strike School. As in previous years RMT wants to have as large a presence as possible at this important event in the trade union calendar.

The event will be held on Sunday 2nd September 2012, 11:00 to 16:30 at Church Green, Burston, near Diss, Norfolk (Map).

We will commemorate the longest strike in history, and celebrate the people who continue to fight for trade union rights, working class education, democracy in the countryside, and international solidarity.

In April 1914, Kitty and Tom Higdon, teachers at Burston Village School, were sacked for their socialist and trade union views. The pupils walked out in support and from then until 1939 the villagers and the Higdons, ran the 'Strike School', providing an education for local children.

The building of this school was made possible by donations from the labour movement and the granting of land by the Parish Council. There are around 120 plaques naming the donors who made the school building possible. A large number of plaques are from the RMT’s predecessor, National Union of Railwaymen which contributed 20% of the cost of maintaining the school.

There will be a food and beer tent; entertainment will be provided by Bleeding Hearts, Maddy Carty and Red Flags.

I will be speaking at the rally on behalf of RMT. Other speakers include Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary, Cath Speight Unite National Officer for Agriculture and Clive Lewis Labour PPC Norwich South.

For further information contact the South-East Regional TUC on 020 7467 1220 or have a look at the Burston Strike School website.

I hope to see you at the Burston Strike School Rally.

The organisers have set up an event on Facebook - you can join here