Shadow Chancellor is guest at Manchester trades union celebration

John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor, will attend a Manchester conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

TUC – Retrospects and Prospects, will take place this Friday, June 1, at The Mechanics Institute on Princess Street.

Academics, trade unionist and leading lawyers will look back on the influence of the TUC on industrial, political and legal developments, and what the future might be like for the UK’s trade union centre.

The event is also a nod to the founding of the TUC at the Mechanics Institute back in June 1868.

Sessions in the conference will include Labour’s John McDonnell discussing TUC relations with Labour in Government and in opposition, and the TUC role in framing laws and changing laws.

TUC regional secretary for the North West, Lynn Collins, said: “It’s important that we draw on the lessons for the past as we face up to the challenges of the future.

“We are delighted to be joined by a field of academics, politicians, and some of the best legal brains in the UK for this event which launches a week of activities celebrating the role of trades unions in UK society.”

She added: “Our conference will seek to remind everyone of the fantastic achievements of trades unions over the last 150 years, changing the world of work, and in many cases the laws of the land, and will look forward to our role as we face a fourth industrial revolution and the challenges of the future world of work.”