IAN LAVERY MP warns that decades of neoliberal policies have left former industrial communities behind — but a renewed Labour commitment to working people could change the political landscape
Time to restore the rich tradition of community-building
In the first of a two-part feature for TUC Congress, DOUG NICHOLLS, general secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, discusses the issues involved in developing trade union and community relations
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER: (Above) Laura Dickinson, Enough is Enough regional co-ordinator for Yorkshire, joins the RMT, TSSA, Aslef and Unite picket line in Leeds
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HENRY FOWLER outlines the GFTU’s new 2026-27 education programme and argues that investing in trade union education is essential to building worker power, developing leaders and strengthening collective action
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IF A trade union had a problem with its computer system, the chance is that it would contract a qualified professional to help put it right.
Ditto if the lights went out in union head office and you had paid the exorbitant energy bills, you would probably call an electrician.
However, when it comes to fixing the gulf that has developed between workplace organising and community organising, between trade unions and community organisations, unions haven’t necessarily taken advantage of professional advice or learned from the rich tradition of community-building that we have throughout the country.
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