The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is proposing an amendment to a Labour motion about the centenary of the Trades Union Congress that will be discussed at this week’s meeting of Oldham Council (Wednesday 28 March). The amendment seeks recognition for the fact that an Oldham Trades Union Council was established one year before the TUC itself and that the Oldham connection to trades unionism history should be properly celebrated.
Councillor Sykes said: “We support the motion – the 150th anniversary of the TUC is worthy of commemoration. Trades unionism has brought immense benefits to working people and their families, in terms of improving their pay and workplace conditions, but also in campaigning for improvements in safety. However I was a little surprised that the Labour motion makes no mention of Oldham’s proud record in trades’ union history? The Oldham Liberal Democrats are therefore pleased to be able to rectify this with our amendment.”
He added: “For the record, one year before the establishment of the TUC itself, the Oldham Trades Council was born, clearly demonstrating that unions in our Borough were already organising themselves to speak and act as one local voice in seeking improvements to pay and conditions in local mills and factories, and ultimately to secure political representation. Not only that but Annie Kenney, the Springhead mill worker we are now celebrating as a pioneer in the fight for women’s suffrage, was also in fact the first elected female delegate to this body.”
The amendment is backed by Councillor Chris Gloster. Councillor Gloster commented: “I am pleased to say that some crucial ephemera from the early years of the movement have survived. A banner from 1890 has been displayed at Gallery Oldham as part of the Oldham Stories exhibition, and a banner earlier than this, and mistakenly dated 1857, was restored by dedicated staff at the People’s History Museum. In addition, early records from the Trades Council were saved when the former Oldham TUC Centre for the Unemployed closed in 1993 and these were transferred to the Working Class Movement Library for safe keeping. Perhaps some of these items could be used as part of the celebrations?”
Councillor Sykes ended: “The Oldham Trades Union Council still exists so the organisation should be fully involved in this year’s celebrations.”