Working people have organised themselves to defend and promote their well being for hundreds of years.

Trade Unions have been the main form of organisation. Workers across the world organise trade unions and work together for their and wider interests.

We act locally, in our workplaces and communities, and act globally, to support workers experiencing the ravishes of the globalised capitalist economy.

Trade unions fought for the 8 hour day, safer work places, anti-discrimination leglisation, the NHS, opposition to wars..... use these links to find out more.

The TUC is a useful start http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/index.cfm?mins=72&minors=72

Read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs here http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/index.cfm?mins=75&minors=75

Each British trade union will have its own history so try this link http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/unions_main.cfm

The Peoples History Museum http://82.71.77.169/

and the Working Class Movement Library http://www.wcml.org.uk/

are but two other useful sites.

For a local flavour, read about the Chainmakers Festival http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-14949-f0.cfm?regional=6

2009 will be the 25th anniversary of the 1984/5 Miners' Strike, one of the defining events in modern trade union history. watch this space for local and national events. Also see  www.strike84.co.uk.

2009 is also the 125th anniversary of the Durham Miners Gala, which this year will be celebrated on 11th July.

And do read E.P.Thompson's "The Making of the English Working Class"