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The importance of trades councils
Trades union councils promote working-class solidarity in local communities. STEVE GILLAN explains why all trade unions should be affiliating at local level and playing an active part promoting at national and regional levels throughout Britain and Northern Ireland
POA general secretary Steve Gillan chairs the trades union council joint consultative committee

TRADES councils are the local trade union movement. They can be called upon by any trade union branch to show strike or other dispute solidarity, which could be via a picket line, media publicity or a financial appeal.

National trade unions can promote their priority issues more effectively when local trades councils assist with publicity, leaflet distribution, recruitment and speakers at meetings.

When trades councils respond to strong feeling in working-class communities, they can report this to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) at regional and national levels.

Trades councils at county and regional levels

Trades councils at national level

Trades councils conference

What is a trades union council?

What do trades councils do?

Affiliation to trades councils

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