Musical moments – Dorset Red enthralling the crowd outside the Martyrs Inn
first-hand the small village where the story began.
"We are very grateful for the support we receive from unions like Unite to our work in helping those on the barge, as well as combating some of the racist comments which were made
when they first arrived," she told Landworker.
Brett Sparkes, Unite regional officer, widened the debate to the current controversy over the sanctions regime and its impact on people even if they are in work.
“The families of the Martyrs lacked any form of social security help, but there are many similarities to the system people face today,” said Brett, who is running Unite’s national campaign against sanctions facing those on Universal Credit.
Andy Mitchell, Unite Somerset and North Devon branch chair and Universal Credit anti-sanctions speaker said that more and more workers have been on strike for better wages and
conditions. “The wages of millions today are pitiful and the stories we hear can be heartbreaking. This is nothing new, as the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and their families shows us.
“Back then the labourers in Tolpuddle lived in meagre poverty on just seven shillings a week. When they asked for an increase to 10 their wages were cut to six shillings. We have something similar today called fire and rehire.
“When the Six dared to form a union they were arrested and eventually deported. Instead of Rwanda they were transported to Australia, leaving their families without any income and destitute.
“Today millions of families survive through Universal Credit, but back then the families sought help from Parish relief. Unfortunately for them, the same people who arrested their husbands were responsible for the relief and they refused to pay them anything.
“In today’s language we might call this a benefit sanction and it just goes to
21 uniteLANDWORKERSpring 2024
show in this country there is a long history of threatening to withhold social security to discipline and punish working people.”
This year’s annual festival in July will be yet more evidence of the resilience of trade unions 190 years on from the heroic efforts of a group of brave
“
“The wages of millions today are pitiful. This is nothing new, as the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs shows. When the Six formed a union they were arrested and deported. Instead of Rwanda they were transported to Australia, leaving their families destitute”
Andy Mitchell, Unite Somerset and North Devon
”
Mark Thomas
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