TRADE unionists and peace activists have marched in May Day demonstrations across the country commemorating the centenary of the General Strike, with more rallies due on Monday.

Ahead of tomorrow’s event in London, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said this year’s demonstration served as “a reminder that workers make history.

“This May Day, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the General Strike of 1926. Solidarity is powerful when it acts together. Solidarity is fundamental to our past and key to our future.”

May 4 marks the beginning of the 1926 strike when millions of workers took industrial action for nine days in support of a million coal miners, embroiled in a dispute with their employers over pay and jobs.

Other speakers at the London rally are to include the BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley, Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) chairman Kevin Courtney, the Unity for Democratic Organisations’ Gizem Toprak and RMT regional secretary Glen Hart.

Workers were urged to join the meeting on Monday outside the Marx Memorial Library on Clerkenwell Green at noon.

Ahead of May Day, Ms Toprak called on workers to “show our unity” and mark this “historical day of action and solidarity for all workers.

“We are united in our international struggle against the same oppressive system,” she said.

Mr Courtney urged union and peace activists to “celebrate and defend our movement in the UK and worldwide.”

Referring to the recent tightening of the US blockade on the Caribbean island nation and the severe shortages of essential goods facing Cubans, he said: “Right now it is more important than ever to celebrate and defend Cuba.”

Cuba’s embassy to Britain highlighted both countries’ shared “deep historical respect for the labour movement.

“As the UK prepares for its traditional early May Bank holiday this Monday, Cuba mobilises today for May 1. Two distinct cultural approaches united by a shared recognition of workers.”

Ms Woolley said May Day was “the defining date in the workers’ calendar. A day to stand in solidarity, linking arms with workers across the world.

“It has always been the case, workers make history!”

National figures in the labour and peace movements joined another demonstration at Oxford’s Bonn Square on Saturday, where chants and banners remembering the 1926 General Strike were heard.

Speakers included FBU’s Mr Wright, Strikemap’s Paul Dunn, Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Avril Alexander and the Oxford Trades Union Council vice-president Jane Coles.

Hundreds also took part in the 136th Leeds TUC March on the same day, where TUC general secretary Paul Nowak and Labour MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon gave speeches.

Writing in the Morning Star ahead of the demonstration, London May Day organising committee member Mary Adossides said people will be marching across the world “celebrating workers’ victories and bemoaning workers’ defeats, reminding ourselves that ‘unity is strength’.

“But the fight continues, the job is never done — there is no time for complacency as the bosses continue their relentless attempts to undermine workers’ rights,” she said.

The Marx Memorial Library has an open day from 10am-4pm, offering free tours, access to exhibits and the room in which Lenin once edited the revolutionary Iskra newspaper, as well as tea and cake.