Trade unions are groups of workers who join together to maintain and improve their conditions of employment. Trade unions take action over pay, respect, equality and many other issues.

In the UK we have a legal right to join a union. An employer is not allowed to disadvantage someone because they are a union member. Find the right union for you with the Trades Union Congress Union Finder.

Junior Doctors of the BMA union from Whipps Cross Hospital © Steve Eason

Trade unions join together in an area to form Traces Councils, and the Unions East festival is being organised by the Trades Councils of the boroughs of Waltham Forest, Hackney, Newham and Redbridge. 

Solidarity – sticking together, and the belief that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ – is the core principle of trade unions and has a long history in our part of London. This festival aims to celebrate that, and re-affirm our commitment to support each other.

Unions and the spirit of solidarity are not just for our working lives. For example the London Renters Union is a member-led, campaigning union of renters fighting to transform the housing system.

Staff from Barts NHS Trust ©TUC LESE

Our festival is possible thanks to the sponsorship of local trade unions, the Trade Union Congress London, East and South East and other organisations.

Hackney Trades Council
Waltham Forest Trades Council
RMT East London Rail branch
Unite the Union Waltham Forest LE1228 branch
Unite the Union London Digital & Tech LE7098L branch
TUC London East and South East
Leyton & Wanstead CLP and Forest Ward Labour Party
Unite the Union LE7076L for employees of the National Education Union
Unite the Union London & Eastern Region
London Renters Union
London Renters Union
Inside My Art Project
Radical Joy
Equity London North
Momentum
East London Unite Community
Right To Food campaign
Strike Map
Waltham Forest Socialist Party
Communication Workers Union East London Postal Branch
Anticapitalist Resistance