Head of education, campaigns and organising for the General Federation of Trade Unions HENRY FOWLER explains why it is launching a fund to support trades councils and give them access to a new range of courses and resources

LOCAL government trade unions fighting against council budget cuts face a Groundhog Day scenario.
Once again across the negotiating table sit councillors who despite standing for election on an anti-austerity ticket, wring their hands saying they do not want to make these budget cuts, but they have no choice, their hands are tied by Holyrood or Westminster, therefore they have to implement a legally balanced budget and make these “savings.”
Sitting looking on is the senior council officers making sure they do just that.

From Workers’ Memorial Day to May Day rallies, TOM MORRISON examines the real challenges facing the labour movement as Reform UK’s glossy literature exploits legitimate grievances in traditional left strongholds


