Politics for the Many

RALLY: Winning a socialist future - ending austerity, racism & war - online
2025-02-11 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | Online
With international guests from Palestine & Latin America plus: Jeremy Corbyn MP // Apsana Begum MP // Sabby Dhalu (Stand Up To Racism) // Gawain Little (Strikemap) // Alex Gordon (RMT BL) & speakers from Unison TFRC, NEU Left, Unite UL, PCS Left Unity & NEU Left.
Hear from speakers across a range of organisations reflecting on the challenges facing us and how we move forward as a socialist movement. How can we work together on the Left to achieve positive change in 2025?
Presented by Union Lefts, in association with Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas and Strikemap. The Union Lefts are RMT Broad Left, PCS Left Unity, NEU Left, United Left in Unite, & Time for Real Change in Unison. Open to all. Free event but solidarity donations essential to streaming & hosting costs.

HeartUnions week 2025
2025-02-10 - 2025-02-16 | Online
HeartUnions week is 10-16 February 2025. A chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and encourage them to join a union.

Unions make work pay
Working people need change. Unions have been campaigning for years to push the government to deliver higher pay and stronger workers’ rights. And we’re closer than ever to delivering transformative change for working people.
The Government’s plan to Make Work Pay is making its way through parliament and could become law later this year. This plan was developed with unions and would be the biggest upgrade of workers’ rights in a generation.
This shows the difference that unions make, delivering higher pay and stronger workers’ rights in Westminster. And unions are making work pay up and down the country too – union members earn tens of thousands more than non-union members over their working lives. Union members have won significant pay rises in both the public and private sectors in recent years. So if you want to make work pay, it’s time to join a union.
What’s HeartUnions about?
HeartUnions is a campaign week of activity where the trade union movement celebrates unions and the good that we do.
During the week we want to do two simple things:
1. demonstrate how brilliant unions are by showcasing all that we achieve for working people.
2. encourage as many people as possible who are already union members to ask someone they know to join one too.
So, during the run up to HeartUnions week – and during the week itself – we’ll be sharing stories that show unions’ impact and providing reps and members with resources to help them get more people to join a union.
Find out how you can take part in HeartUnions week
Contact us
For more information about HeartUnions please email cmcgurran@tuc.org.uk.

Street Stall - Bristol
2025-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 | The corner of New Station Road and Fishponds Road (outside NatWest bank)Fishponds BS16 3TX
Come along to our street stall.
Day:Saturday 8th February
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Where: At corner of New Station Road and Fishponds Road (outside NatWest bank)Fishponds BS16 3TX
Buses: 17, 25, 46, 47X, 48/48X, 49/49X) check at https://www.firstbus.co.uk/
RSVP: if you can, let us know if you are planning to join us
To get in touch please email: bristolmakevotesmatter@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you there!

The role of unions as strategic partners: Good Business Fortnight webinar
2025-02-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
The industrial relations landscape is set to change as parliament debates an Employment Rights Bill that will strengthen workers’ rights, remove some of the hurdles to union recognition and give unions the right to access workplaces to talk to workers.

To discuss these changes and wider issues of how trade unions work with employers, TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell is speaking at a webinar on “The role of unions as strategic partners” for Employee Representation Thursday during Good Business Fortnight.
This webinar will explore the changing landscape unions are operating in, the expectations placed on them and their role when businesses face strategic decisions.
Kate will be joined by Accord general secretary Ged Nichols and Ariam Enraght-Moony, chief people officer at TSB bank.

Cuba, Africa, and Apartheid's End: In-person event - London
2025-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Marx Memorial Library, 37a Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DU, United Kingdom
With special guest Isaac Saney, author of Cuba, Africa & Apartheid’s End: Africa’s Children Return! + Black Studies & Cuba specialist, Dalhousie University, Canada.
An event discussing and celebrating Cuba’s role in liberating Namibia & South Africa, and the end of apartheid, including through the battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
As Nelson Mandela put it “The decisive defeat of the aggressive apartheid forces [in Angola] destroyed the myth of the invincibility of the white oppressor.”
This in-person event will also feature film clips & photos from the archives, plus interviews and speakers – Fiona Sim & Myriam Kane – Black Liberation Alliance, Roger McKenzie – Morning Star, Fraser McGuire – Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas & the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
Hosted by Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas & the Black Liberation Alliance. Free event but solidarity tickets essential to covering costs. With thanks to media partners Labour Outlook & The Morning Star.

Elect Her - Monthly Candidate Clinic
2025-02-03 19:00 - 20:15
We’re inviting any women preparing for selection to come to a drop in space, where we can get to know you and support you. We are offering this as an opportunity so we can understand what you need help and support with.
It might be that you want to practice your selection speech or you would like tips on social media or you need coaching on how to manage your energy and keep connecting to your ‘why’, whatever it is come and join us and our expert team.
Drop in and ask away!

Street Stall - Surrey
2025-02-02 13:00 - 16:00 | Commercial Way or Mercia Walk, Woking
MVM NW Surrey – Street Stall
Come along to our street stall.
Day: Sunday 2nd February
Time: 1pm– 4pm
Where: Commercial Way or Mercia Walk, Woking
We look forward to seeing you there!

Street Stall - York
2025-02-01 11:00 - 14:00 | St Helen’s Square, York, YO1 8QP
MVM York & North Yorkshire – Street Stall
Come along to our street stall.
Day:Saturday 1st February
Time: 11am– 2pm
Where: St Helen’s Square, York, YO1 8QP
We look forward to seeing you there!

LGBT+ History Month 2025
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-28
From BC to AD LGBT+ people have existed. Over the past 20 years, since the first UK LGBT+ History Month in 2005, we have highlighted the incredible things LGBT+ people in all our diversity have achieved throughout history in all areas of life.
Over the past 50 years Schools OUT have worked to #educateOUTprejudice and usualise LGBT+ lives, creating learning environments where all LGBT+ people feel safe, seen, and supported; which is why we founded UK LGBT+ History Month following the repeal of Section 28 to be a dedicated space to celebrate our rich and diverse history, herstory, theirstory. This year it is even more important that we:

Claim our past
Celebrate our present
Create our future

Each year we choose five LGBT+ historical figures in line with the theme to highlight. This year we have chosen five LGBT+ people who have created social change from across the centuries in progressing change for women, the environment, housing, nuclear disarmament, preserving heritage, abolition of the slave trade, and immigration, among many other causes.
The 2025 LGBT+ Historical Figures are:

Octavia Hill
Ivor Cummings
Annie Kenney
Charlie Kiss
Olaudah Equiano

If you are planning on celebrating UK LGBT+ History Month in February 2025 please register on the form below, and add your events to the official UK LGBT+ History Month calendar here. We still have limited availability to speak at events in February, please book here.

2024 National Young Members Conference - Swansea
2024-11-29 - 2024-12-01
UNISON’s Young Members Forum has agreed to hold a National Young Members Conference on Friday 29th November at 4pm, finishing Sunday 1st December 2024 at 12:30pm.
We have now opened the Online Conferencing System (OCS) to allow submission of motions in line with the rule-book requirements. Information on when, how and who can submit it can be found in the NYMC bulletin.
Please note the deadline to submit motions on OCS is 12.00 noon on Friday 2nd August 2024.
UNISON’s Young Members Conference takes place over Three day. Voting on motions is restricted to delegates only. Delegates should attend all sessions of Conference.
The conference bulletin will have further information on motion submission from the SOC and submission deadlines.
If you have any queries, please contact the Conference Office at conferences@unison.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - OTTLEY COURT HOUSE
2024-09-21 20:30 - 22:30

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

2024 Unions 21 Community Summit - London
2024-07-02 - 2024-07-03

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.

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.
