TRADE unionists will hold a rally in solidarity with the trans community in London today following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a woman.

Judges ruled this week that references to women in the Equality Act refer to biological women, with sex defined as “biological sex” in a case brought by For Women Scotland against the Scottish government. 

Multiple unions expressed dismay at the ruling. The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) executive said the decision “represents a concerning step back in the ongoing struggle for equality, dignity and safety for all marginalised people.”

It statement said: “Our solidarity is not a limited resource. It grows stronger the more it is shared.

“We reject any attempt to pit communities against each other.

“Justice is not a competition it is a collective demand.”

Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming said: “Equity will, and every trades union should, stand in solidarity with those affected by the judgment, but also defend them in their workplaces, as they seek work, and as they live full lives, visibly in our society.

“The rights of workers are won through a united movement changing social structures to the interests of our class.”

Train drivers’ union Aslef wrote on X that it is “clear, we stand with the trans community.”

The Supreme Court ruling denies that trans rights are negatively affected, since discrimination or harassment against those covered by the protected characteristic “gender reassignment” remains illegal.

An emergency demo will take place at Parliament Square in London from 1pm, UCU wrote on the same platform.

Representatives from London Renters Union, Unite, Unison and PCS are expected to attend.

Some Labour national executive committee members have broken ranks against their own party.

After the ruling, a government spokesperson said: “We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex.”

But Cat Arnold, a member of Labour’s NEC, told LabourList: “Trans women are women and trans rights are human rights. 

“I am fully supportive of the trans community. I send complete love and solidarity to our trans community.”

Labour’s NEC youth rep Elsie Greenwood was also among the signatories of a statement with other youth activists in the party urging Labour to protect trans people, LabourList said.

The original version of this story referred to the RMT backing the protest based on its logo's use on the publicity. We have removed the reference at the union's request.

"An RMT spokesperson said: “We have not authorised the use of our logo on any materials relating to this demonstration and we have not taken any position on this event. 

“RMT supports the Equality Act which provides protections for women and trans people facing discrimination and we have a proud history of fighting all forms of oppression both in Britain and internationally."