Love Pies, Hate Racism - the left at play

Reading Trades Union Council at play!

On 16 June 2019, Reading Trades Union Council joined other left activists at the Castle Tap pub in a social event and fundraiser for the diversity of causes supported by the town's comrades. Sue Taylor (PCS), Kevin Brandstatter (GMB), Nikki Dancey (GMB), Steve Geary (USDAW), John Partington (TSSA) and Tanya Wills (Unite) attended from RTUC.

A social on the initiative of Reading Red Corner

In addition to RTUC, Reading Red Corner (the initiators of the event), Reading Refugee Support Group, Reading Hunt Saboteurs, Plan C Reading, Berkshire Antifascists, Reading IWW and Reclaim Reading set up stalls, and all were entertained by musicians Lee Reed and Kay the Aquanaut.

RTUC spreading the word

The emphasis of the day was relaxation, kicking back, refreshing mind and body - and exchanging ideas and networks.

Antifascist Action's banner

The entertainment, food and drink was great - and the comradeship fantastic. One suspects more parties, hootenannies, rallies, marches and protests, comrades shoulder to shoulder, will follow as these networks expand and interact.

Hunt Saboteurs Association banner

RTUC in solidarity with the Oxford NHS and Pride Events

Reading Trades Union Council joined Oxford Unison Health Branch's 'March for the NHS' on 1 June 2019. Having joined the event last year, RTUC were proud to again support comrades in a hospital city which offers such great care to its people as well as patients from the rest of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and beyond.

The March reaches St Clement's

The organisers publicised the event thus:

"Oxfordshire's NHS staffing crisis continues. Lack of staff is undermining services and patient care. Action is urgently needed to enable NHS staff to afford to live in the area to solve the staffing crisis.

"We also need to address the catastrophic drop in nurse trainees and the governments plan to de-skill nurses to bring down wages.

"Critical services such as diagnostic scanners for Oxford cancer care are being hived off to private companies. Scarce NHS resources are being siphoned off to profit fat cats."

March organiser, Ian McKendrick (Unison) 

The marchers demanded:

● An end to the staffing crisis - extend London weighting to Oxford - bring back bursaries;

● No to longer waiting times; and

● Stop cuts and privatisation - put patients before profits.

John Partington (TSSA) took solidarity from RTUC

In addition to John Partington (TSSA) from RTUC, trade union solidarity was offered by the North Central Postal Branch of the Communication Workers' Union.

The CWU joins the march

The march commenced on Cowley Road, crossed St Clement's to High Street before turning down Catte Street where it merged with Oxford Pride.

RTUC Joins Oxford Pride's Civic March,

1 June 2019

The Oxford Pride march was a great show of acceptance, friendship and fun - and RTUC was proud to be represented.

Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service support Pride

As well as the fire service, police officers, faith groups and students, trade unions were a visible presence.

Unison - Proud of Pride! 

Unison flew the banner for Oxford's trade unionists and John Partington (TSSA) represented the RTUC on the march.

Unison on the March

Next up - Reading Pride on 31 August!