| Admin History | Reading Trades Union Council traced its history to predecessor bodies back to 1891 and possibly 1874.
It described itself in 2019 as the focal point of the trade union movement in Reading. It co-ordinated work of local branches of various unions with groups and individuals from the Reading area 'committed to supporting and improving the social, political and working conditions in the local community and workplaces'. It also celebrated important local events – contemporary and historical – relating to the Reading area in support of trade unionism, workers’ rights and community causes. It was affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.
The organisation was involved with various strikes in the 1970s, including the important strike of Chix workers (mainly Asian women) in Slough, 1979-1980; and campaigned actively against apartheid in South Africa and in support of striking miners in the 1980s. It set up the Reading Centre for the Unemployed with funding from Berkshire County Council in 1982.
After a period of hiatus it was relaunched in 2010 and again in 2016 to co-ordinate protests against the Government's austerity programme. |