The voice of Manchester workers since 1866
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 is the Tories’ latest attack on workers’ rights. The law stipulates that when workers in certain sectors lawfully vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t comply. This undemocratic new law could curtail the right to strike for 1 in 5 workers.
For more information about the new law and the campaign against it – including the national demonstration on 27 January 2024, see manchestertuc.org.uk/righttostrike.
As part of our July council meeting, Manchester TUC hosted a public discussion on Climate, Direct Action and the Unions.
Our guest speakers were:
Manchester TUC hosted a strike solidarity meeting with:
You can donate to the CHEP strike fund via account 20217873. Sort code 60-83-01. Account name ‘UNITE 6/1 CHEP Manchester Branch’.
Unite members working at the CHEP pallet factory in Trafford Park have been on continuous strike over pay since 17 December. On 12 January Manchester TUC hosted an online solidarity meeting which was addressed by:
Watch clips from the meeting here:
Messages of support can be sent to ian.mccluskey@unitetheunion.org.
Donations to Unity Bank NW/1 Strike Fund. Account 20217873. Sort code 60-83-01.
You can visit their pickets 24 hours a day on weekdays at Village Way, Trafford Park, M17 1HR. The nearest Metrolink stop is Village.
Our December 2021 public meeting discussed pay. As inflation rises, zero hours contracts increase, some sectors see pay rises, and others see pay freezes/cuts, how can the trade union movement press for its members to be fairly paid?
Speakers included:
Our November 2021 public meeting discussed the issue of bullying at work.
Speakers included:
Manchester TUC’s October 2021 meeting discussed Covid health and safety in the context of the return to the workplace for many workers post furlough, and after working from home guidelines had been watered down.
Guest speakers included:
Our June public meeting discussed public transport.
Speakers:
Our May public meeting discussed the Climate Emergency and the union response.
Speakers included:
The UK Government is hosting “COP26” – the UN global climate summit – in Glasgow this November. This summit is where world leaders will come together to decide our future. The global climate emergency is here and now, already exacerbating natural disasters and human inequalities and will shape the coming years. We urgently need action that reduces carbon emissions while protecting and creating good, green jobs and a more equal society. Yet despite the global trade union movement ensuring that previous COP summits have agreed to call for a “just transition” (i.e. one that protects workers and our communities) our government is not doing nearly enough.
That is why many unions are supporting the call from the COP26 Coalition for trade unions and workers to join the global day of action for climate justice on Saturday November 6th. Because of Covid, the coalition is promoting regional demonstrations rather than everyone going to Glasgow. The coalition has designated Manchester as the main demonstration for the northwest of England. The Trade Union Caucus within the COP26 Coalition is working with unions and trades councils across the country to ensure there are big, united and powerful “Trade Union & Workers Blocs” (i.e. sections) on each demonstration.
Youth strikers are taking action on Friday 5th November and we are encouraging workers and unions to take whatever action they can in solidarity, whether that is action or discussion at workplaces or joining the youth strikers from 11am in St Peter’s Square.
[Note that the time above has changed!]
On Saturday 6th November the union/worker bloc will meet at 11:30am in Piccadilly Gardens before joining the main demonstration at noon in St Peter’s Square.
To build for the day of action on Saturday 6th November you can:
This is likely to be the biggest trade union climate mobilisation to date, putting our unions and workers at the heart of the fight for climate justice. Spread the word!