The Big Meetings

Last weekend saw the 130th Durham Miners Gala, or the ‘big meeting’ as it’s known. The popularity of the Gala has grown and grown in recent years, it is literally the biggest trade union gathering in Europe, with over 100,000 trade unionists descending on the Cathedral and University city that is so closely associated with the heart of the labour movement in the north east. Those who attend can’t fail to be inspired and motivated by the whole event.

Arguably, this is a key moment for the whole labour movement. Trade Unions are facing an assault from the coalition government that hasn’t been experienced for a generation, while working people are so much under the cosh that they need unions today more and more to stand up against squeezed incomes, diminishing employment rights and increasing vulnerability in the workplace.
Whilst the economy may be growing, employment is increasing, there is a 17 per cent increase in self-employment and full time jobs remains static, half of all new jobs are paid less than the Living Wage. North East female unemployment is also up 13% over the last year leaving many women still feeling the bite of recession.

The biggest strike “in a generation” hit the region last Thursday, with teachers, firefighters and civil servants striking over pay; members of public sector unions Unison, Unite, GMB, PCS, FBU and NUT. The strike saw 1.5 million people join the dispute - the largest since the pensions row in 2011 which led to the mass strike on November 30 of that year.
It takes courage to take strike action. The fact that this government has united so many workers to take strike action against it is a sign of the failure of their policies. The government is destroying our public services while handing massive tax cuts to the richest while the banks who caused this crisis are dishing out bonuses as usual.

People don't vote for strike action without good cause. For every day that a worker is out on strike they lose a day’s pay – something most families can’t afford at the moment. In most cases, strikes happen because workers feel they're not being listened to, an employer is acting unreasonably and they have tried every other avenue.

Without workers’ right to withdraw their labour, any employer could simply ride roughshod over its workforce – slashing pay, sacking staff, exploiting people at a whim. During a dispute it’s important for employers and unions to keep talking and try to reach agreement.
Public services are disappearing and all workers are facing real terms pay cuts and diminishing standards at work, including attacks on pensions and other terms and conditions. Last week saw two of the largest and most public expressions of unity, determination and ambition of the labour movement – trade unions.

I am often asked are trade unions relevant in today’s society – and the answer is a resounding yes, now more than ever. 

Beth Farhat

Northern TUC Regional Secretary