Stroud Trades Council will be holding a May Day Rally in Bank Gardens.
The march to to celebrate International Workers’ Day will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 11.30am and will be led by Stroud Red Band.
Stroud Trades Council will be joined by members of Trades Councils in Cheltenham and in Gloucester amongst others from around the area.
Union branches will attend with banners and flags and there will be short speeches from trade unionists and community groups in Bank Gardens, some before and some after the march.
A number of local community organisations will also have stalls in Bank Gardens.
The speakers will be Caroline Hayhurst, one of the phlebotomists from UNISON who are on strike in Gloucester hospitals, a teacher member of the National Education Union who was a delegate to the recent annual conference, Rachel Beaney the Regional Secretary of PCS union, Stroud historian Stuart Butler who is the organiser of the forthcoming Stroud Chartist Festival, Robin Layfield representing Stroud Palestine Solidarity Campaign, one of the UNITE bin workers on strike in Birmingham, Ian Trehearne from the Communication Workers Union, Steve Hunter representing Unite Retired Members, Ben Histon a Unite Representative from Walls factory in Gloucester and a representative of Stroud Against Racism.
Speaking on behalf of the Trades Council, Andy Woolley said: “At the present moment life is difficult for many working people and unions play a significant role in improving pay and conditions, work-life balance and ensuring workplaces are healthy and safe. We take this opportunity every year to celebrate our work and that of those who have gone before us and invite local people to join us and enjoy the event as it progresses through the town centre.”
Further information about why Trade Unionists celebrate May Day can be found on the Trades Cpuncil website at: https://stroudtuc.org/why-do-trade-unions-celebrate-may-day/
