TRADE unionists from across Scotland made their way to a small burial ground in Glasgow’s East End today to remember the nation’s first strike and the birth of a movement.

Addressing the rally, Unite Community’s Keith Stoddart spoke at length on the how on September 3 1797 striking weavers were, on the orders of the city council, read the Riot Act by the 39 Regiment.

Troops then launched a brutal attack on workers which left six dead and dozens wounded.

Comparing the weavers’ struggle to those of the Sri Lankan textile workers she met on a recent delegation, the CWU’s Pauline Rourke, herself the granddaughter of a weaver, urged international solidarity.

She said: “We heard about the precarious conditions they were working in, and the horrendous union-busting that was going on, but also the physical and sexual harassment in the workplace.

“How can it be that 250 years on we are fighting the same fight, we’re still fighting for what is right for decent pay and a decent standard of life?”