This Friday, Salford Trades Union Council, or Salford TUC, begins ten days of celebrations marking its 150th anniversary since it was founded at the Three Crowns pub on King Street in Greengate on 9th November 1866.
Up until that point many trades unions, councils and societies had existed in isolation all over the country, almost being ignored by larger trades associations as their members were exploited. It was at this Salford meeting that Salford TUC president, Samuel Nicholson, said `Why not have a congress of our own?'
Just over twelve months later, invitations were sent out to trades federations and councils representing 120,000 members to attend the first `Congress' at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester in 1868, which was to become the national Trades Union Congress, or TUC.
"The decision taken in the Three Crowns pub in Salford has implications for working people across the country and around the world" former TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, told the Salford Star ten years ago, on the 140th anniversary.
For the 150th birthday Salford TUC is going to town, featuring all sorts of events with a community and trade union heart. The celebrations are to be launched on Friday 4th November with an exhibition at Ordsall Neighbourhood Office on Robert Hall Street between 4:30pm and 6pm, followed by the amazing Lighting The Legend show On The Shoulders of Giants
Twelve community groups and schools have made banners and lanterns inspired by the rich tradition of street parades and marches in the area, like the popular Whit Walks. These will be paraded through Ordsall, starting at Ordsall Community Arts on Robert Hall Street at 6:30pm, and ending at Ordsall Park with a firework display by Walk The Plank from 7:15pm. After the firework there's an exhibition and hot drinks reception at St Clements Church.
Saturday 5th November sees a Save Our NHS Conference at the Working Class Movement Library on the Crescent 11:30am-4pm; on Sunday 6th November there's a Children's Party with Salford Red Devils (now fully booked); and on Monday 7th there's an International Day at Islington Mill (1 James Street M3 5HW), with stalls from 11am, and from 4pm until 11pm an evening of international food, dance and music.
On Tuesday 8th, there's more stalls and exhibitions during the day at Islington Mill, and, from 7pm a Meeting On The Environment, an informal gathering of local organisations, groups and activists speaking on all kinds of eco issues, from fracking to flooding, environmental destruction, community renewables, eco tourism and direct action. The Environment Day event is a preamble to a massive march and protest against fracking on November 12th (for further details click here).
On Wednesday 9th November, at 1pm, a special plaque will be unveiled at the former site of the Three Crowns pub which is opposite the Renault garage off Trinity Way, on the King Street and Blackfriars corner. This is to be followed at 6pm with a Women's Day event at Islington Mill.
On Thursday 10th and Friday 11th, events move to the Langworthy Cornerstone (corner of Liverpool Street and Langworthy Road), with a Pensioner and Youth
Event between 2pm and 4pm, and an Education Conference 7pm-9pm on the Thursday; and a full day of exhibitions and stalls on the Friday, followed by a Community Tea and Conference between 7pm and 9pm.
Saturday 12th November sees a No Justice Day at the United Reformed Church on Chapel Street (M3 6AF) from 11am to 6pm, with exhibitions, stalls and speakers highlighting campaigns including the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign, No More Blacklisting and JENGbA Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association. There will also be representations from the GM Hazards groups and the Greater Manchester Law Centre, amongst many others.
The celebrations end on Sunday 13th November with a Standing On The Shoulders of Giants free night of music at the Old Pint Pot starting at 3pm.
For further details see the Salford TUC Trade Union Week Facebook page click here
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