Brighton Hove and District Trades Council: GMB general secretary Paul Kenny offers his support for the 30 years of the Unemployed Workers Centre

Wednesday 8 June 2011

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny offers his support for the 30 years of the Unemployed Workers Centre

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny (centre) with volunteers and trade unionists Russell, Francis, Ray and Tony (left to right) outside the Unemployed Workers Centre today. Paul offered 30th birthday solidarity greetings from the GMB conference taking place in Brighton this week and discussed various issues affecting the unemployed and local workers with plans for further support from the union.

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches of

trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area.

A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Brighton Hove & District Trades Council was first formed in the function room above The Eagle pub in Gloucester Road, Brighton in 1890.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Promote organising and recruitment drives to build union membership.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever.

The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny offers his support for the 30 years of the Unemployed Workers Centre

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Who are we and what do we do?

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