Sort of Nothing Like A Book Club: Issue 21

This weeks' editor:
Kate

Hello,

Welcome to Sort of Nothing Like A Book Club, the newsletter from Creative CoLab (formerly CAGED Arts).

For this edition we've been taking a look at trade unions. Historically these organisations have bought about huge changes to our working conditions and workers rights. We've been taking a look into this past and exploring their role in 21st Century Britain.

Read on to find out what we have discovered.

Should you join a trade union?
by Heidi Murphy

Over on the blog Heidi has been looking into the role of trade unions and how you can get involved.

Find a union for you
If you are interested in joining a union but not sure which one is right for you, this handy tools from TUC will help you decide.

History of trade unions in the UK
This page explores the history of trade unions in the UK. Looking at 18th century to the present day it mentions key events and considers issues for the future.

The Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers Strike (1910)
This article tells the story of the Womens Chainmakers Strike in Cradley Heath, West Midlands. Led by union organiser and campaigner Mary Macarthur the women workers went on strike to protest low pay and exploitative working conditions. Their victory had a huge impact on the regulation of pay.

Light, camera, industrial action: how trade unions stormed our screens
This article takes a look into cinema that highlights workers struggles and trade unions. Written in 2014 it features the movie 'Pride' and many others that highlight pieces of our social history that are frequently overlooked.

Popular books with a work based theme & six books every trade unionist should read
Here are two handy lists of fiction books with trade unions and/or work place struggled at the centre of their stories.

14 'Striking' Films To Watch This Month
This list of film suggestions was made in response to UK university strikes. Featuring a variety of films about university life and industrial action there are some great suggestions here.

And Lastly...

Art is full of stories and images depicting work struggles, protests and fighting for rights.

If you have any recommendations of things to read, listen to or watch, or if you have any thoughts you'd like to share we'd love for you to get in touch.

Bye!