In 1834, six farm workers formed a trade union, which led to their arrest for ‘taking an oath of secrecy’ and a sentence of seven years’ transportation. Every year almost 5,000 people gather at the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Museum for a festival of music, arts and political discussion to remember that sacrifice, which was the birth of trade unionism, and celebrate a movement that has since delivered huge gains for working people.
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival is where we celebrate workers’ contribution to society, reflect on the achievements of the labour and trade union movement and look to future challenges and campaigns. Millions of low-paid workers provide essential services to help ensure the country is fed, healthy and safe, but often do not get the recognition, respect or reward they deserve.
“After 14 years of the Tories, people are impatient and despite the real successes of the Labour Government, like the Employment Rights Act or keeping Britain out of Trump’s disastrous war in Iran, people do not feel like change is happening fast enough. People want action on bad bosses. They want action on the cost of living. They want action that makes a real difference to their lives. Labour must take that action, and we must take it soon.
“Andy Burnham has a lot to live up to, a lot to deliver, a lot to change and he should start by listening to trade unions and to our communities. He should start by delivering the New Deal for Working People in full, without delay. That’s our message to Andy on the eve of him becoming our next Prime Minister.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival: www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion