Striking university workers in Newcastle joined the day of action for trans+ rights
Trade unionists staged a powerful show of solidarity with trans+ people on Wednesday.
Trade Unionists For Trans Rights, a network launched in response to the Supreme Court ruling, called the day of action.
In York primary school workers organised a show of solidarity in the morning, holding placards and trans+ flags outside before classes began.
Julie, a Unison union member, told Socialist Worker, “It was really positive to be part of the day of action. Grassroots activists from a lot of different unions were working together to show solidarity with the trans people.
“If the equality policies that many unions are proud of mean anything at all, fighting for trans+ rights should be central for the unions.
“If a legal ruling is unjust, it needs to be fought and ultimately defied.”
NEU education union members took action at Candi sixth form in Islington, north London.
Workers at Oasis Navigation Education Trust, an organisation that works with young people experiencing violence, took action in Manchester.
Áine told Socialist Worker, “The ruling attacks the safety and dignity of young people which my job is built around.” They added that taking part in protests had shown them “the level of anger with the ruling” and made them realise that they “have power”.
In Áine’s workplace they’re looking “to have conversations about trans rights” and to “equip” people to challenge transphobia in the workplace.
In Manchester Boots shop workers held signs in solidarity with trans+ people.
UCU union members and students held trans+ rights protests and pickets at universities. Around 100 people came out in Sheffield and Bath and about 10 in Hull, King’s College London and Liverpool.
Bee from Liverpool John Moores University told Socialist Worker said, “It’s clear that the grassroots trade union movement is ready to hold our employers, our union leadership leadership and the government to account.
“Today was the first day of action amidst a fortnight of protest. We will keep building the solidarity and push for trans rights and liberation.”
Up to 50 people staged a solidarity picket in Newcastle, where workers started two weeks of strikes on Wednesday.
Council workers in the Unison union protested outside Hackney town hall, east London, and in Camden, north London.
Liz, a Unison national executive member and branch secretary in Camden, said the ruling ‘’effectively tries to erase trans people”. “As a trade union we thought it important to do something,” she told Socialist Worker.
“We thought we’d do a visual act of solidarity by taking photographs, holding placards and wearing badges.
“It is part of creating a space where people feel able to be part of and to be in.”
She added, “After we actually sat down to do a meeting on what to do next.” They’re planning to take action around the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia this month.
And they’re also making plans for what to do if bosses backtrack on previous commitments on supporting trans+ rights.
We need to combine the militancy of the streets with the social power of the trade union movement to fight for trans+ rights like it has done over abortion rights.
Fight every attempt to exclude, isolate and attack trans+ people
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