Bristol Trades Union Council, Bristol People’s Assembly and Bristol Transformed were pleased to stand with workers from ASLEF – The UK Train Drivers’ Union , The Great Western Branch CWU, Wales & Western Division TSSA and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) who shared their fights and outlined how we can win the struggle for decent pay and conditions for all workers.
There are a number of important strikes going on nationally and locally. Please see below a list of picket lines where you can visit and show support
Bristol Trades Council supports the summer of strikes and sends solidarity to all workers who are fighting for decent pay, conditions and pensions. If profits are through the roof, bosses can afford to pay workers properly- and we will fight until we win!
Join the strike rally hosted by Bristol Trades Council, Bristol People’s Assembly and Bristol Transformed with speakers from ASLEF – The UK Train Drivers’ Union, CWU Bristol & District Amal, Wales & Western Division TSSA and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
Bring your banners and support on Saturday 30th July 1pm at Temple Quay (outside the Knights Templar) to show the workers united will never be defeated!
Members of Bristol Trades Council proudly marched alongside trade unionists from around the country in commemoration of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs were six agricultural labourers from the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, England, who, in 1834, were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. They were arrested on charges under an obscure act during a labour dispute against cutting wages before being convicted in R v Loveless and Others and sentenced to penal transportation to Australia. They were pardoned in 1836 after mass protests by sympathisers and returned to England between 1837 and 1839.
There has been an annual gathering to mark the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs since 1930s. It began as a Sunday afternoon event with wreaths laid on the grave of James Hammett, followed by a procession of banners and speeches. Today, the annual event sees thousands of trade unionists from around the UK and the world descends on the small village of Tolpuddle in Dorset to celebrate the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the legacy they left behind.
Solidarity with the striking care workers from St Monica’s Trust. Heralded as heroes through the pandemic, management now want to disgustingly fire-and-rehire staff in the care homes.
Bristol Trades Council supports you in your fight against cuts to working hours; cuts to sick pay and cuts to pay- some over £3,500 a year! It’s an outrage a company should treat anyone in this way- not least those who spend their lives caring for others.
A fantastic show of solidarity on the demo we called with Bristol People’s Assembly and COP 26 Coalition Bristol in support of the RMT strike.
About 200 marched with banners from PCS South West, Bristol NEU, Unite Community, Bristol ASLEF – The UK Train Drivers’ Union Bristol UNISON and South Gloucestershire Unison
Great speeches were heard from Brendan Kelly from the Rmt Regional Office. South Wales & South West. Bristol, Hannah David from the South West TUC, Josh Connor from Bristol Unison and Roger Thomas from Bristol Trades Council, calling for workers and unions to unite against the attacks on our wages and conditions from this government.
We are stronger when we stand together, so let’s march together, fight together, and together we can win!
Bristol Trades Council was pleased to be able to stand on the picket lines with determined fighters: determined to win on pay; determined to win on conditions and determined to win a decent, public rail service for all!
Bristol Trades Council was pleased to celebrate with their traditional May Day March and rally today.
Messages in solidarity were brought to workers across Britain and internationally from the Trades Council, Unite Bristol Area Community Branch 001500, Bristol NEU, NEU Bristol and South Glos Young Educator Network, Unite Retired branch, Bristol UNISON, South Glos Unison, University of Bristol Unison, Unite Housing branch, NUJ, USDAW, socialist groups and activists.
The speeches were ended with a rallying cry from Bristol Trades Council President, Sheila Caffrey, “We need active, fighting, democratic unions that will take on the bosses, companies, councils and the government to make the changes we need. So, all workers should be in a union, therefore, if you’re not in one- make the decision to fight today and join one. If you are in one, make the decision today, to step up and campaign harder and louder. If you already fight hard and loud, then join Bristol Trades Council and help us link these campaigns to ensure we win!”
Solidarity! Workers of the world unite!
Bristol Trades Council stood shoulder to shoulder with workers and colleagues in GMB Wales & South West, PCS South West regional group, RMT Bristol Branch, Unite Bristol Area Community Branch 001500 , Thompsons Solicitors, TUC South West, the NUJ, USDAW, Unite Retired Branch, the £15 now campaign and other activists for Workers Memorial Day on Thursday 28 April, mourning our colleagues who have died in work or due to a workplace injury,
Moving speeches about those who have lost their lives due to workplace negligence were shared, along with the wreath-laying.
But why should we, the workers, be made to pay for lack of safety and protection at work?
We must mourn those who have died, but to really honour their legacy, we must agitate, organise and build the trade union movement so it protects all future generations of workers from harm.
Bristol Trades Union Council celebrates International Women’s Day and sends greetings to sisters everywhere. We continue to place equality at the heart of our work.
Bristol Trades Union Council is supporting the Bristol Women’s Voice International Women’s Day event
Saturday 5th March 2022,
10.30am – 4.00pm
Bristol City Hall, College Green,
Bristol, BS1 5TR
For more information visit the Bristol Women’s Voice website.
In 2022 Women’s Pay Day – the day when the average woman starts getting paid compared to the average man – was Friday 25th February 2022.
Even in jobs that tend to be dominated by female workers like education and social care the gender pay gap persists.
In these sectors women get paid much less per hour on average than men, both because they are more likely to be in part-time jobs or are in lower-paid roles.
The longest wait for Women’s Pay Day comes in finance and insurance. The gender pay gap is the equivalent of 118 days, meaning it’s nearly a third of the year before Women’s Pay Day finally kicks in on 27th April 2022.
In some parts of the country gender pay gaps are even bigger, so their Women’s Pay Day is later in the year. Women in the south west Women’s Pay Day is 1st March 2022.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s shocking that working women still don’t have pay parity. At current rates of progress, it will take nearly 30 more years to close the gender pay gap.
“It’s clear that just publishing gender pay gaps isn’t enough. Companies must be required to explain what steps they’ll take to close their gender pay gaps – and bosses who don’t comply with the law should be fined.
“The last two years have shown us that employers can do more to help women balance caring responsibilities and work. Flexible working is vital to mums keeping their jobs and progressing at work and is our best chance of closing the gender pay gap.
“All jobs must be advertised with the possible flexible options clearly stated, and all workers must have the legal right to work flexibly from their first day in a job.”
Frances added: “The gender pay gap widens dramatically once women become mums. We need more funding for affordable, good quality childcare to support working parents – along with better wages and recognition for childcare workers.
“And both parents need to be able to share childcare more easily. Without better rights to well-paid leave, mums will continue to take on the lion-share of caring responsibilities – and continue to take a financial hit.
“We need a complete overhaul of the shared parental leave system. It’s not an affordable option for most working families. Dads need leave they can take in their own right. It shouldn’t rely on mums giving up some of their maternity leave.”
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