BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley
THE whole trade union movement must work with local trades councils to “organise the unorganised and bring unionism back to all workers” nationwide, TUC annual congress delegates demanded today.
Members gathered in Brighton unanimously backed a motion which stressed that Britain’s 150 local trades councils — elected groups of trade unionists in towns and cities — are an “essential link for the union movement into our local communities.”
It noted the success of the partnership between food workers’ union BFAWU and Sheffield Trades Union Council, which funded a union organiser to galvanise young workers in difficult-to-reach sectors such as hospitality and win significant pay boosts.
Labour’s watered-down legislation won’t protect us from unfair dismissal or ban some zero-hours contracts until 2027 — leaving millions of young people vulnerable to the populist right’s appeal, warns TUC young workers chair FRASER MCGUIRE
Women are a vital part of the labour movement and have much to contribute, but there’s far more to be done to make sure that our sisters’ voices are truly heard, says PHILIPA HARVEY
Since 2023, Strike Map has evolved from digital mapping at a national level to organising ‘mega pickets’ — we believe that mass solidarity with localised disputes prepares the ground for future national action, writes HENRY FOWLER
This ‘Big Meet’ our focus is building the next ‘Megapicket,’ say HENRY FOWLER and GAWAIN LITTLE of the General Federation of Trade Unions