Remember the past, build for the future: With Banners Held High Festival – May 13th

This Saturday hundreds of trade unionists, families and supporters will come together in Wakefield to be a part of the largest annual trade union festival in Yorkshire.

“With Banners Held High” launched 9 years ago to mark the 30th anniversary of the National Union of Mineworkers’ year-long fight against pit closures of 1984-5.

This year’s festival theme is: ‘Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Living’ highlighting the climate emergency, the cost-of-living crisis and energy poverty.

This festival will commence with a march at 11.30am from Smyth Street to Wood Street in the heart of Wakefield. The march will be led by “Houghton le Spring Pipe Band” and comprise raised banners from trade unions, the “PCS Samba Band” and the “Crofton Silver Band”.

After the march there will be stalls, a stage and a range of speakers gathered on Wood Street.

Trade Union speakers include:

Rhian Wheater, Regional Committee Officer (RCN)
RCN members have voted to reject yet another cut in their wages through a below-inflation pay increase.

Gaz Jackson, Senior Organiser (RMT)
RMT members have voted to continue their industrial action.

Kevin Courtney, Co-General Secretary (National Education Union)
Kevin will speak on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis for teachers and schools, emphasising the need for better funding and investment to safeguard education in the 

Karen Reay, Regional Secretary (Unite the Union)
Karen will focus on how the cost-of-living crisis and fuel poverty have, in particular, affected women.

The festival will also include music from Joe Solo, Bard Company and Leeds People’s Choir and the street will be lined with stalls including trade unions, political campaigns, a pop-up bar and food.

And join the online fringe events over the next couple of weeks: