Unable this year to continue our tradition of a march and rally through Oxford (because of restrictions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic), Oxford & District Trades Union Council organised a May Day virtual event this year. The rally tradition marks a day in which unions come together to celebrate international workers day and support each other’s campaign efforts.
Oxfordshire trade unionists, and others, met over Zoom on Saturday 1st May 2021 to share experiences, actions and lessons from the past 12 months, and to look ahead to the future.
The whole event was recorded and is available to watch on YouTube here. It features a very interesting discussion between Michelle and Dan on their shared interest in anti-colonialism.
Keeping to the ethos of International Workers Day the event Included speakers from Oxford, from across the country and from overseas.
Invited speakers included:
- Mohammed Aruri (Palestinian Workers Solidarity Organisation) – what UK trade unions can do in solidarity with Palestinian Workers
- Dan Hicks, author of Brutish Museums
- Michelle Codrington-Rogers from education trade union NASUWT (outgoing vice-president)
- Cassi Perry, ODTUC vice-president
- Matthew Callow from Oxford UNITE health services trade union
- Nigel Carter from the Oxford Coalition of Organisations of Black People and People of Colour – read Nigel’s speech here.
We also urge you to take a look at the report from our neighbouring TUC in Reading – who organised a fantastic online event, celebrating their 130th anniversary as a Trades Council. You can check it out here.
Oxford & District Trades Union Council would like to thank our affiliate trade unions for their support and participation in the event.
Oxford & District Trades Council affiliates marching in pre-Covid times back in 2016