TUC Cymru at the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod 2024
The National Eisteddfod has recently ended and I’m very proud of TUC Cymru’s contribution.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales took place in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf took place this year between 3 and 10 August. This annual event to celebrate the culture and language of Wales is the biggest of its kind in Europe.
It was wonderful to see the Eisteddfod return this working-class area in the South Wales valleys. This is the first Eisteddfod here for almost 70 years so there was a lot of excitement amongst the local community in the build up to the event.
An inclusive Eisteddfod
Everyone received a warm welcome at the Eisteddfod - Welsh speakers, Learners and those visiting the Eisteddfod for the first time. The festival has something for everyone including music, performances, literature and craft stalls.
Many people travelled from all over the world to visit this exciting, inclusive festival. This year there was a dedicated prayer room on site. And, for the first time ever, Imam Mirazam give a Welsh-language khutbah (sermon) at the Eisteddfod's mosque on Friday
Voicing unions’ concerns on the Eisteddfod Maes
Despite the celebrations, the creative unions in Wales are very concerned about the future of the creative industries. Our concerns include lack of work, training and education for the future workforce, as well as for those already working within the sector. We wrote to the new First Minister during the Eisteddfod week to express our shared and deep alarm about the future.
PCS Union also held a rally on the Eisteddfod Maes (site) to draw attention to the impact of funding cuts to the culture sector. Chants about the need for fair funding for the National Library and National Museum received a warm welcome from festival goers. They were joined by sister unions Prospect, Bectu, Equity, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers Guid of GB.
As TUC Cymru celebrates its fiftieth birthday, I was proud of the quality of the three panel sessions we held over the week. Each one openly discussed issues that are important to us as unions and to our communities across the nation.
AI: a dream or nightmare for workers?
On Tuesday the Societies Tent was busy for our discussion on AI in the workplace which was chaired by TUC Cymru’s Ffion Mair Dean.
Ceri Williams, TUC Cymru, and Manon Eames, Writers’ Guild, shared stories from several sectors about the impact of AI and surveillance on workers today.
As a union movement we often use the phrase “nothing about us without us”. But that’s exactly what Cate Corriea Hopkins from Cardiff University told us has happened with the introduction of AI and digitisation. She encouraged all union reps to investigate what’s happening with AI in your workplace. And to make sure you’re involved in the conversation from now on.
Sexual harassment and the workplace: how we can make safe, fair and enjoyable workplaces for all?
During the heavy rain on the Thursday of the Eisteddfod I was honoured to chair a vital discussion on sexual harassment at work.
Rhianydd Williams, TUC Cymru Policy Officer is a Welsh learner and brilliantly delivered, in her second language, an overview of our sexual harassment toolkit. The toolkit aims to help union reps and members, and employers to work together to tackle sexual harassment work.
I was so pleased to hear Nerys Evans, Deryn, and Fflur Jones, Darwin Gray, talk about how useful the toolkit has been to them when working with employers to improve sexual harassment policies.
Unions, Fair Work and the Welsh Language
On Friday my fellow trade unionist Meic Birtwistle from the NUJ gave a fascinating presentation on ‘The Valleys: Trade Unionism and the Welsh Language’. He revealed the close connection between the Welsh-speaking workforce of the Valleys and trade unionism during the 18th and 19th centuries and the battle for fair working conditions. The Welsh language was the main means of communication - most of these workers could not speak, nor even understand English.
Things have changed quite a bit since then and the number of Welsh speakers in the region fell considerably. But the good news is that it is rising again because of the huge increase in Welsh language education in this region.
Following Meic’s presentation I took part in a panel discussion about trade unions and the Welsh language today. I shared my experience of being at secondary school in the 1970s. I had to travel 10 miles from Cardiff to Rhydfelen near Pontypridd in order to receive Welsh-medium education. Some travelled even further – from SouthWest Wales. The county was at the forefront.
Sadly, the need to campaign continues in neighbouring valleys. The people of Merthyr Tydfil County Council are still fighting for a Welsh medium secondary school for their children.
As the battle for our language continues, TUC Cymru is working with trade unions to help them to support and provide services through the medium of Welsh to their members. We are also supporting union representatives in discussing Welsh language rights in the workplace with employers.
Welai chi yn Wrecsam blwyddyn nesaf! See you in Wrexham next year!