THE UNITE HISTORY PROJECT NEEDS YOUR HELP

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Introduction

 

This project will survey UNITE’s history from 1920-2010. The history of the TGWU will be its core, with a significant emphasis on the union’s regions. It will not be a ‘standard’ academic history to be read only by interested enthusiasts. Instead its focus will centre on involving members in writing and researching their own history and devising ways in which this history can be a key part of an education programme for the union’s membership. 

The history will be covered by six accessible volumes covering the national scene. This will be supplemented by regional studies to be researched and written by members, complemented by oral histories of key activists, videos and images. All material collected will be stored on a PC and server as a lasting archive and research resource. In addition there will be a dedicated website hosting national and regional written, oral and visual material. 

Several key themes will underpin the project. These will include issues of equality, internationalism, the wider labour movement and its attitude to the conflict between capital and labour. Thus the project as a whole will move ‘beyond functionalism’ to an understanding of the wider political role of the trade union movement in the battle for social change.

 

 

 

The Unite History Project - Home

Betty Gallacher

Standing Up For All Workers

 

“Oi you! I need a word with you”.
It might not be at the cutting edge of political dialogue but it was a wonderful means of communicating for Betty Gallacher; for Betty

Read more: Betty Gallacher

Debbie Wilkinson

Interview by Mark Metcalf

 

In brief, Debbie talks about her upbringing and from which she acquires a rudimentary knowledge of trade unions from visiting the Durham Miners’ Gala as a youngster and then later as Co-op Bank employee.

 

Read more: Debbie Wilkinson

Fares Please!

An Oral History of London Bus Workers

By Digital Works

 

This project is an oral history of the workers on the iconic London Bus, exploring the lives of drivers, conductors, cleaners, mechanics and designers.

Read more: An Oral History of London Bus Workers - Agnes Griffiths - Digital Works

Abdul Tan Rashid

Interview by Mark Metcalf

 

My name is Abdul Tanveer Rashid and I am known as Tan.

I was born in Middlesbrough Parkside Hospital in December in the year 1978.  My parents were both born in Pakistan with my dad coming to England as a child in 1963 and my mother arriving after marrying my dad in 1976.

 

Read more: Abdul Tan Rashid

Mohammad Taj

Steering From The Front

 

Elected TUC President on 11 September 2013, the first Muslim and the first South Asian President, Mohammad Taj’s story is an incredible journey. When thousands of people saw Taj’s photo which featured in a poster campaign by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, this is what they read :

“My name is Mohammad Taj. I am an immigrant. For 40 years I have been a bus driver and committed trade unionist fighting for the rights of ordinary working people” Foreword By Diana Holland Unite Assistant General Secretary for Transport and Equalities, Executive Board member of the ITF – International Transport Workers Federation.

Read more: Mohammad Taj Steering From The Front

Jacob Goddard

Interview by Mark Metcalf

 

Barrow born Jacob Goddard speaks about why he became an active Unite member within Barclays in Leeds at a relatively young age. 

After completing his degree, Jacob had difficulty in finding permanent work and he describes precarious employment experiences in various Leeds call centres where he witnessed people getting made redundant without due process as there was no union to represent workers.

 

Read more: Jacob Goddard

Betty Tebbs

A Radical Working Class Hero

 

I am immensely proud that Unite has published this biography of the legendary Betty Tebbs. It is based on an original autobiography (unpublished), which she gave to Unite. Born at the end of First World War, Betty became an activist in one of Unite’s legacy unions, the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers, which later became SOGAT and eventually the GPMU. As a young woman Betty worked in the papermaking industry in East Lancashire. It was in this industry she began her work as a union activist, eventually becoming a highly respected Mother of the Chapel (the print industry term for a woman Senior Shop Steward). Foreword By Len McCluskey.

Read more: Betty Tebbs

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