THOUSANDS of marchers crammed into St George’s Square for the largest trade union rally in the town for years.

Teachers, carers and bin men were among more than 2,000 people demonstrating against public sector pension changes yesterday.

Many thousands more took part in the action across Huddersfield

Probation officer Penny Lawrence, 51, was among trade unionists gathering in St George’s Square before the march set off at 10.30am.

“If these changes go through, I will have to work until I’m 68,” said the National Association of Probation Officers member.

“This strike is about valuing public service.

“I’ve devoted my life to public service and I work very hard – people I know in the private sector earn a lot more than me.”

She was joined by Sarah Nolan, 27, who also works at Huddersfield Probation Office on St John’s Road.

The Unison member said: “I’ll be 68 when I retire, which means I have more than 40 years to go.

“I love my job but the majority of service-users are aged 18 to 24 and they want people they can relate to.”

Richard Gray was among representatives of the University and College Union at yesterday’s demonstration.

The Kirklees College art and design lecturer said: “These changes affect young staff coming into the profession. Do students really want lecturers who are 67?”

The demonstrators set off for two laps of the town centre at 11am.

Unison education chief steward Mike Forster told the Examiner: “The turnout is brilliant and the response from the public is very good. People have been applauding and have been very supportive.”

Mr Forster then handed a leaflet to a motorist stuck in a queue of traffic waiting for the march to pass. The driver gave him the thumbs-up.

But other passers-by were not supportive.

Restaurant owner Paul Wood was trying to cross Market Place as the march went past.

“They ought to get some work done,” he told the Examiner.

“I think this is an outrage. The country is on its knees because of the Government that this lot supported.

“I have a proper job. I haven’t even got a pension and I’m working six or seven days a week.

“Kirklees sacked thousands and no-one missed them. No-one will miss these.”

But Terry Ainley, 66, of Cowcliffe, was more supportive.

The retired roofer was watching the march on New Street.

“I have sympathy with them. For some jobs you wouldn’t be able to work until you’re 68.”

The marchers arrived back in the square at 11am to listen to speeches by trade union leaders.

Public and Commercial Services Kirklees chairman Trevor Andrews told the crowd: “A lot has been made about why should public sector workers have a pension which private sector workers don’t have.

“But the real issue is that private sector pensions have been driven down over the years.

“We want fair pensions for all – not equality in misery in retirement.”

Hazel Danson, of Kirklees National Union of Teachers, told the crowd that the Government was attempting “the unravelling of the welfare state”.

Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan spoke in favour of the strike.

The Greenhead Labour man said: “We have to keep this fight going. We have the public on our side. Let’s carry on, comrades, until we have won the fight for fair pensions.”

University and College Union representative Dr Nasim Hasnie drew loud cheers when he told the crowd: “Strikes are a basic democratic necessity.”

Kirklees Unison branch secretary Paul Holmes was the final speaker at the rally.

He told protesters: “This pension plan is an assault on your standard of living. Don’t think this is going to be a one-day strike because it isn’t.”