Politics for the Many

CONFERENCE: A Labour Movement Agenda for a Labour Government with John McDonnell MP
2024-05-25 11:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
Speakers to include John McDonnell MP // Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary // Rebecca Long Bailey MP // Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary // Asad Rehman, War on Want // Ellen Clifford, Disabled People Against Cuts // Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography // Lord Prem Sikka // Mary Robertson, Lecturer at QMUL // Andrew Fisher, IPaper Columnist //Jess Barnard, Labour NEC // Johh Hendy KC, IER // Jacqui McKenzie, Human Rights Lawyer // Ann Pettifor, author, The Case for the Green New Deal.
Put the date in your diary and reserve a place today.
Hosted by Claim the Future. Supported by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung London Office.

MVM Bedford & Milton Keynes Street Stall
2024-05-25 12:00 - 13:30
Each month, a group of us set up a colourfully decorated stall in a shopping district (alternating between an MK or Bedford location) and give out leaflets, ask for petition signatures and have friendly chats with members of the public about their views. It’s usually a very lively atmosphere (we have a quiz!) and, it being a non-party political event, the reception is almost always extremely positive! Please feel free to join us or tell a friend.

Behold Ye Ramblers - Townsend Theatre Productions - Crathes
2024-05-25 20:30 - 22:30
‘Behold Ye Ramblers’ is the story of the beginnings of the struggle for the right to roam freely across open moors on ancient paths and enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities and pursuits. It’s a history based in the Clarion movement that in the 1890s onwards encouraged and celebrated healthy community activity such as cycling, music and choral singing, drama groups, handicrafts, whilst collectively building Clarion Houses as rural community centres to enable people to escape the daily grind of work and cramped city living. There are active Clarion Cycling Clubs and Choirs to this day!
This is a highly entertaining celebration through Music Hall, poetry and song of the birth of The Clarion newspaper and the movement that grew in its name; of its founder Robert Blatchford and his self-styled journalism influenced by William Morris and Edward Carpenter; of his ability to convert hundreds of thousands to his collective vision, including some of the richest in society, such as the Countess of Warwick; and of the heroic working class disciples such as GHB Ward and his fellow activists from the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers that campaigned and trespassed for public access across Derbyshire’s moorlands.
Find out how this happened, who fought for our Right to Roam and be entertained at the same time.
A show for all to see and to be determined to be able to walk alone and with others!

Behold Ye Ramblers - Townsend Theatre Productions - Moray
2024-05-26 20:30 - 22:30

UCU Congress 2024 (Bournemouth)
2024-05-29 - 2024-06-01
Congress will be held on Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 May 2024 at Bournemouth International Centre
Motions deadline: 12 noon, Friday 15 March 2024
Congress motions, as set out in the first report of the Congress Business Committee, will be available in the week beginning 27 March.
Deadline for the submission of amendments 12 noon, Friday 3 May 2024

Safety Reps Connect 2024
2024-05-30 - 2024-05-31
Safety Reps Connect will be the national event for safety reps in 2024!
The day will bring together health and safety reps for a day of engaging workshops, insightful panel discussions, and interactive networking sessions. Learn from experts and gain valuable knowledge to enhance your role as a safety rep.
This year, 2024, marks 50 years of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It is the key legislation governing occupational safety and health in Britain, defining duties on employers and establishing the Health and Safety Executive. At this event, we will reflect on the progress of the last 50 years, while looking forward to the action needed to protect ourselves and our workmates in the years to come.
Whether you’re a seasoned safety rep or just starting your journey, Safety Reps Connect 2024 is the perfect platform to expand your network, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest issues in the union movement.
Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Join us at Safety Reps Connect 2024 to connect and take your skills to the next level!
Reps attending Safety Reps Connect 2024 are entitled to reasonable paid time off from work. Talk to your employer about paid release. If you have any difficulties obtaining release, please speak to your union officer.
View who will be speaking at Safety Reps Connect 2024.

REDS ON THE GREEN:A Walk through Radical Clerkenwell
2024-05-30 19:30 - 21:00
Join us for a series of free events joint with Islington Council and discover the radical history of Clerkenwell Green. Through monthly sessions explore local stories, ground-breaking ideas and people who made history.
Join David Rosenberg at Marx Memorial Library for this second session – a walk through radical Clerkenwell (please email islington.museum@islington.gov.uk to book your free ticket)
• Light refreshments and a display on local radical history
• An exploration of people and places with a stroll through the streets of Clerkenwell

Class War in Britain - the Miners' Strike 40 Years on - online
2024-06-01 14:00 - 17:00 | Online
With:
John Hendy KC, who represented the NUM in the 1980s // Mike Jackson, Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners co-founder // Ian Lavery MP, striking miner in 84/5 & former NUM President // Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign // Jon Trickett MP, Councillor elected during the strike & campaigner for coalfield communities // //
Plus: Carolyn Jones, Morning Star // Mish Rahman, LP NEC // // Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary & GFTU // Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up to Racism // & more TBA!
An afternoon of online political education, discussion and debate on one of the most important struggles in our history – including what really happened; the role of the state and media; and lessons for solidarity and socialism today.
Hosted by Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas. Media partner – Labour Outlook. Free event, but solidarity donations essential to hosting and streaming costs.

Prospect National Conference (Birmingham)
2024-06-08 - 2024-06-12
Prospect National Conference decides on the priorities of the union by garnering the views of branches.
The next National Conference will be held from Saturday 8 June – Tuesday 11 June 2024 at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

Silk Mill Festival
2024-06-08 11:00 - 17:00
All unions and their members are warmly invited and welcome to join us for the march and following Festival with music, community and TU stalls, speeches and commemorative chaplet laying to the historic Silk Mill workers who were locked out by their employers in 1833/4 for failing to accept a pay cut and renounce their rights to be a Trade Union member-sound familiar?
If you’d like to book a Union/Branch or campaigning stall contact mozgreenshields@gmail.com
The march starts in Debry Market Square and will parade through the streets to the Festival site at Cathedral Green.

Our Work Matters: Outsourced Workers Connect
2024-06-12 10:30 - 18:00
Free training and networking event for outsourced workers.
Outsourced workers are the forgotten heroes who keep the country going.
At Our Work Matters: Outsourced Workers Connect, workplace union reps and members who are outsourced and work in facilities management roles* in the public sector will come together to discuss the issues facing their colleagues and workplaces, and how to run successful campaigns to resolve them.
This training event will give practical advice and support on key everyday workplace issues such as winning better pay for outsourced workers; your health and safety rights at work; what to do if your job is TUPE’d (transferred) to a different employer; and how to build a workplace union for outsourced workers.
You’ll hear directly from other outsourced workers and union reps who won have campaigns in their workplaces for higher pay, more holiday days, better sick pay and insourcing.
It’ll also be an excellent opportunity for you to network and make new connections with people working in similar roles and workplaces to you. The packed programme of interactive workshops will feature inspirational union reps as speakers and will give key practical advice.
During this event, we will also visit parliament and speak to several MPs, so that they can understand the challenges facing outsourced workers.
Sign up and join other union reps and members to learn, share, connect and make a difference in your workplace.
* Facilities management roles include outsourced caterers, cleaners, security guards, porters and building services.
Speak to your union about getting time off work to attend this training. A small number of bursaries will be available for travel expenses. If you are interested in applying, please email ourworkmatters@tuc.org.uk for more details.

TUC Women Chainmakers' Festival
2024-06-29 12:00 - 17:00
Taking place annually, the Women Chainmakers’ Festival is a family friendly event bringing alive memories of the past whilst inspiring visions for the future through street theatre, re-enactments, live metalworking, political stalls and speeches, music, children’s activities and entertainment.
Featuring national entertainers and speakers, including a ‘Mary Macarthur’ in period costume delivering one of Mary’s rousing speeches and a procession of modern unions and ‘strikers’ dressed as Edwardian chainmakers, the festival ensures that this historic episode is celebrated by the local community and trade unionists from all over the country.
There is much to celebrate and commemorate about the women Chainmakers of Cradley Heath and, sadly, their example and circumstances remains relevant to many working in Britain today.
The Chainmakers’ Festival brings the Black Country community together with the Trade Union movement. Through examining our history we can deliver a better future for women and our wider society.

2024 Unions 21 Community Summit - London
2024-07-02 - 2024-07-03
Across the globe, 2024 is a time of change.
With the backdrop of declining membership and lower bargaining density, unions are grappling with the introduction of AI, continuing development of digital technologies as well as the challenges of political transition and engagement.
Now, as ever, unions and union centres are looking at how we develop ourselves as organisations to address these external challenges and build for tomorrow as well as for today.
The Unions 21 Community Summit is the place to go for unions and their staff who are looking for new ideas, inspiration and practical takeaways to tackle the challenges of today.
Outline of the day
Open plenary: The challenges of transforming our unions. Why should we?
You can’t put the genie back in the box: AI and Unions: Practical case studies showcasing union use right now and what we could be doing
The challenge of change – how do we bring change to our unions?
Responding to technological change – Can we be digital first? Exploring leadership, UX and communications
Political change: How do unions respond to political change?
Networking opportunities

LOCATION
St Giles Hotel, WC1B 3GH

Andy Burnham on democratic reform
2024-07-16 19:15 - 20:00 | Online
Join the Mayor of Greater Manchester in an online conversation with the #Labour4PR campaign.
Two years ago, Andy Burnham spoke to the #Labour4PR campaign about his support for Proportional Representation and radical democratic reform. Since then Constituency Labour Parties, affiliated trade unions, and the Labour Party Conference have all overwhelmingly backed electoral reform – and Labour’s official policy has recognised that the flaws in First Past the Post are driving distrust and alienation in politics.
As we approach the coming general election, we welcome Andy back to discuss the incredible progress the campaign has made, why we need reform more than ever, and what opportunities the general election will bring in creating a political system fit for the 21st century. Reserve your ticket today!
Book your place

Young Organisers Network: Strategic Planning Residential
2024-07-30 - 2024-08-02
Strategic Planning Residential
– Bringing it back to our unions
– Deepening engagement
– Building an action plan (at work and in the wider movement)
– Patrols and campaigning

Weekly York/North Yorkshire Coffee Morning
2024-07-31 12:00 - 13:00
A weekly event – sign up online.

Grace Blakeley on theories of imperialism & the crisis today - online
2024-08-04 16:00 - 17:30
Grace Blakeley, acclaimed author of ‘Vulture Capitalism,’ will join Matt Willgress of Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas to discuss “How can theories of imperialism & state-monopoly capitalism help us understand the crisis today?”
In today’s world – riven by crisis, inequality & war – is it worth returning to the classic theories of Lenin, Bukharin, Luxemburg, Hilferding & others about imperialism to help us undertand, & transform, society?

Bristol street stall
2024-08-10 13:00 - 15:00
Come along to the monthly MVMBristol street stall.
Location – different each month!
To get involved / for more details please get in touch via:
bristolmakevotesmatter@gmail.com

Potteries Chartist Festival - North Staffordshire
2024-08-18 12:00 - 17:00
A festival organised by the People’s History Association of North Staffordshire and supported by North Staffs TUC honouring the Chartist radicals of 1842 and the ‘Potteries Peterloo’ which saw Josiah Heapy shot by soldiers many more injured and 142 people arrested with 54 transported to Australia.
A family friendly day, the event will have stalls, music, poetry, speeches and food.

Manchester Pride
2024-08-23 - 2024-08-27
Manchester Pride is one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities. Our vision is a world where LGBTQ+ people are free to live and love without prejudice and our culture is universally celebrated. We’re part of a global Pride movement celebrating LGBTQ+ equality and challenging discrimination.

The 35th National Hazards Conference 2024 - Keele
2024-08-30 - 2024-09-02
The climate crisis and workers’ health – a deadly combination

The Hazards Conference is one of the biggest grassroots conferences for trade union safety reps and activists, with plenary sessions, and a comprehensive workshop programme. It is an opportunity to exchange experience and information with and learn from safety reps from other unions, sectors and jobs across the UK. It’ s a good craic too!

This years conference will include sessions on:

HASAWA @50 – What is the future?
Climate and workers’ health and safety – the challenges of extreme weather events and the impact of work activity on the climate
Making the case for mentally healthy work – workers are being exposed to increasing workloads, health impacting work related stress, violence and bullying and we need to resist not be more resilient
Bad work injures and kills – collective pressure and safety reps save lives – but the majority of workers are not in trade union organised workplaces, how are we fighting for these workers?

And again this year, we will be awarding certificates to great health and safety campaigns and calling out the bad employers on health and safety.

Either register using the Eventbrite booking form: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/845819989357 or download the paper copy booking form

TUC Congress 2024
2024-09-08 - 2024-09-12
The 156th annual TUC Congress will be held 8-11 September 2024, Brighton.

Councillors' coffee time - online
2024-09-09 - 2024-09-10
Out with the old boys’ networks, we’re here to build new support for women in local politics.
For women to be able to participate, progress and stay in local politics, we need new forms of networks and support that work for us. By bringing women in councils across Britain and varying levels of experience together, we hope to spark skill-sharing, strength and encouragement.
We are inviting all women serving as councillors to switch off from regular work for an hour and come together with women across the political parties to share challenges, experiences, resources and advice, so you can feel supported as you participate in local politics.
Former councillor Hannah O’Neill will provide light facilitation of the session, which otherwise will remain an open and informal discussion, so you can bring whatever is on your mind to the session.
We’ll be hosting this gathering twice on Monday 9th September, at 1-2pm and 7-8pm so you can choose a time that best matches your schedule.
All women who register to join our community as a councillor will be sent an invitation for all of the gathering dates and times, as well as regular words of encouragement to keep you going!
All women are welcome to register for these sessions. Non-binary people whose experiences or identities intersect with women’s and therefore feel they would benefit from accessing a women-centred space are welcome to join us.

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - OTTLEY COURT HOUSE
2024-09-21 20:30 - 22:30
One person Magic Lantern show of the classic book The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists adapted by Neil Gore from the book by Robert Tressell directed by Louise Townsend
Neil Gore, presents a one-person version of the classic novel by Robert Tressell featuring projection, political conjuring tricks, live music and song. Meet the famous characters and enjoy the scenes, speeches and songs, featuring the Great Money Trick as its centrepiece.

Change that lasts: why Labour should introduce PR - Liverpool
2024-09-22 18:00 - 19:30

Troublemakers at Work Conference
2024-10-05 - 2024-10-06
Troublemakers At Work will be hosting their second conference on Saturday 5 October 2024 at Central Hall in Manchester.
Join hundreds of other workers to share experiences and learn from each other: from organising from scratch or reviving a moribund union to resisting a rotten deal or winning a strike.
Register your interest and sign up for updates

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - BATH
2024-10-09 20:30 - 22:30

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - GLOSSOP LABOUR CLUB
2024-10-12 20:30 - 22:30

Unions 21 2024 - Transforming Unions - London
2024-10-16 - 2024-10-17

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - UNITY WELL BEING CENTRE, NELSON
2024-11-22 19:30 - 21:30
