THE trade union movement covering the Northern TUC region congregates today to win back workers’ rights across the region — employment rights which have been systematically eroded under this shambolic Tory government. 

As delegates from every corner of the region assemble in Newcastle this weekend, it is against a political backdrop that will shape our region for years to come — a government that is still wasting its (hopefully) limited days attacking the right to strike for working people instead of attempting to resolve the mess it has made of our NHS and broader public services. 

Privatisation of public services was a bad idea 40 years ago, and still is today. A change of boundaries in the north-east of the region means that as of the mayoral elections in May, the region will be bound in a groundbreaking devolution deal with a new mayor implementing its ambition.   

The trade union movement hopes that the new mayor will return good jobs and skills, increasing investment in health and care services, improving the life chances of our young people and providing easily accessible, safe and reliable transport.   

With child poverty sitting at a heartbreaking 42 per cent, zero-hours contracts and minimum wage employment a norm, never-ending financial precarity with the cost-of-living crisis that does not seem to be ending here, our conference has much to do.  

As councils around the country are raising local taxes to the highest possible level to overcome years of underfunding and the impact of the cost-of-living and energy crisis, our affiliated unions and trades councils are debating how to tackle the years of public service robbery that continues to this day and causes workers to leave the sector in droves.    

Fighting for continuing rights for seafarers two years on from the outrageous P&O dismissals continues to be essential, as is fighting for NHS workers to get paid for all the breaks they work.   

Winning commitments from local leaders who have authentic powers to not implement MSLs is to be debated, as is addressing the negative impact of AI technology across sectors, particularly in culture and creative arts.  

As public transport continues to be inaccessible for many in the region, it is hoped new transport powers will bring better infrastructure and services for the future. Our unions have motions demanding concessions for disabled and retired people, improved subsidies and public ownership.  

Our thriving trades union councils will be fully participating in our debates as well as tabling issues, including international solidarity, continuing our commitments to supporting the people of Palestine and challenging corporate investment practices.  

Having won on so many fronts in the last 12 months, our unions are confident that the purpose of this conference will be to continue agreeing our priorities and fighting for them to be won.  

When we walk out of this conference we don’t know how long we will be waiting for a general election, but here in the Northern region we also know that the best efforts of government can only be achieved with the full support of the trade union movement.   

Our unions have had an extraordinary year, and the year ahead is going to be just as challenging.    

The strength and solidarity drawn from our unions here and across the country make the convening of our trade union leaders one of the most important roles the TUC can have.