This graphic shows the local (Manchester and Stockport) strikes that Manchester TUC is aware of so far. Please subscribe to our email and WhatsApp updates and give the strikers whatever support you can.
Solidarity with the Birmingham bin strikers
Manchester TUC hosted a public meeting with striker Mike Masters and Unite organiser Pete Randle. Watch this edited recording.
Donate to the strike fund and challenge the politicians responsible for the dispute.
Support the Mega Picket on 25 July organised by Strike Map, which Manchester TUC is also supporting.
No to the proscription of Palestine Action
Manchester Trades Union Council, the umbrella body for trade unionists living and working in the city, strongly opposes the proposal to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. If enforced, this would make expression of support for the group, or for their actions, a criminal offence under terrorism legislation, attracting a jail sentence.
The definition of terrorism in the Terrorism Act 2000 is dangerously broad. Had this legislation been in place at the time, anyone in Britain who expressed support for the Suffragettes, the French resistance to Nazi occupation, Gandhi, the Greenham Common women, Greenpeace or Nelson Mandela could be classed as a terrorist.
The proposal is just the latest in a series of restrictions to democratic rights to free speech and the right to protest in Britain, but it is a serious escalation. Until now, the list of proscribed organisations mainly relates to armed conflict in Ireland and around the world. An exception is National Action, a Nazi group whose members celebrated the murder of Jo Cox MP and planned the murder of Rosie Cooper MP. To put protesters who take actions such as throwing paint over property to oppose the genocide in Gaza in the same category is outrageous. Whatever people feel about the actions of Palestine Action, they do not cause terror and are not intended to cause terror. Palestine Action are not terrorists.
Proscribing a non-violent group as terrorists sets an extremely dangerous precedent. Around the world we are seeing the growth of far right parties. The Labour government should not be paving the way for even greater abuses by future governments who may target anyone who stands up to the rich and powerful – including trade unionists.
We call on MPs to oppose the proscription, and on every other individual and organisation which supports democracy to speak out and campaign against it. People can sign petitions and letters by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestine Action, or the Haldane Society, contribute to the Crowdfunder for a legal challenge, or email politicians.
Manchester Trades Union Council
Protect the Right to Strike
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.
Climate, direct action and the unions
As part of our July council meeting, Manchester TUC hosted a public discussion on Climate, Direct Action and the Unions.
Our guest speakers were:
- Monica Brady, Unite branch secretary, Arriva Wythenshawe bus depot
- Paul Harnett, XR trade unionists
- Jason Tetley, Greater Manchester Law Centre
- Zoe Cohen, Just Stop Oil
VIDEO: strike solidarity: CHEP, UCU and RMT
Manchester TUC hosted a strike solidarity meeting with:
- Gary Walker, Unite, on continuous strike at CHEP Trafford Park for 17 weeks
- Alice Brockway, UCU, on strike at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Dalbir Dhillon, RMT, who spoke about the campaign against the P&O sackings
You can donate to the CHEP strike fund via account 20217873. Sort code 60-83-01. Account name ‘UNITE 6/1 CHEP Manchester Branch’.
Video: solidarity with the CHEP strike
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:
- Gary Walker, striker
- Ian McCluskey, Unite officer
- Rebecca Long-Bailey MP
- James Coffield, GMB rep, CHEP Pontefract
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.
Video: Pay (December 2021)
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:
- Rena Wood, Assistant Branch Secretary UNISON Manchester Local Government
- Alex Kenny, NEU National Executive
- Julie Wilkinson MMU UCU Branch Secretary
Video: Bullying at work (November 2021)
Our November 2021 public meeting discussed the issue of bullying at work.
Speakers included:
- Peter Middleman, NW Regional Secretary for the NEU
- Mary Sayer, Unite in schools coordinator
- Nigel Flanagan, People’s Assembly
Video: Covid and returning to work (October 2021)
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:
- Kate Bradley & Jason Tetley from Greater Manchester Law Centre
- Councillor John Hughes, Gorton & Abbey Hey ward
- Janet Newsham & Hilda Palmer from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre