We Need More Than Manchesterism

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Lectern in front of replica Downing Street door, with Larry the cat, and a banner reading "We Need More Than Manchesterism"

Manchester TUC worked with dozens of other organisations to stage the first ever protest at the site of the proposed “Number 10 North” with a replica Downing Street door, Larry the cat and a lectern, to demand more than “Manchesterism” and spell out what we want from the new PM on the eve of Andy Burnham becoming Labour Party leader.

The event combined political theatre with a serious point: people who have lived under Andy Burnham’s Mayoralty don’t think “Manchesterism” is enough. Representatives from different organisations each spelt out a key demand to a stand-in for the incoming Prime Minister.

The speakers addressed a wide range of issues. Together, they painted a picture of the challenges facing the country and of their determination to campaign for a new national direction.

The following organisations took part on the day:

  • Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine
  • Greater Manchester Unite Community
  • Fossil Free Greater Manchester
  • Manchester Trades Union Council
  • Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit
  • Greater Manchester Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
  • Stop the War Coalition
  • Unite Greater Manchester Mental Health
  • Defend Our Juries
  • Manchester Metropolitan University, University & College Union
  • Red Roots Collective
  • Trafford Trades Union Council
  • Patients Not Passports
  • Migrant Justice Manchester
  • UNISON Greater Manchester Mental Health
  • Manchester Friends of the Earth
  • Fare Free Greater Manchester
  • Trans Liberation Group
  • PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) HMRC Salford
  • Stand Up To Racism
  • CHARM (Community for Holistic, Accessible, Rights Based Mental Health)
  • Climate Justice Coalition

Lessons from unionising Amazon in the USA

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On Monday 8 June 2026 Manchester TUC hosted a public meeting with Amazon workers from the USA and Coventry to discuss the impact of Amazon on the labour market and efforts to unionise the company. You can watch an edited version of the recording of the meeting here.

The speakers were:

  • Jonathan Rosenblum, US Amazon driver and author of ‘We’re coming for you and your rotten system‘
  • Mohammednur Jemal Mohammed, GMB rep at Amazon BHX4 Coventry, who was part of a delegation of Amazon workers from Britain to North America in February.
  • Galen Zavala Sherby, Kentucky Amazon worker, Teamster and DSA member who has been organising at his facility for three years.

December 2025 strike calendar

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The graphic below shows local strike dates that Manchester TUC is aware of so far. Please subscribe to our email and WhatsApp updates and give the strikers whatever support you can.

Note: the RMT Cross Country and Unite Metrolink strikes have been suspended following talks

Local strikes in November

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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.

No to the proscription of Palestine Action

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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

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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

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Image of Just Stop Oil protesters blocking a fuel tanker

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

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Images from the three strikes

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

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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.