Joe Katende, the retiring ITF Africa regional secretary, marked the ITF’s participation in the annual trade union festival by laying a wreath at the grave of James Hammond, one of the martyrs, in the village churchyard. Nine members of staff, including from the ITF’s regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America, held a banner on the march through Tolpuddle village bearing the message ‘Workers’ Solidarity has No Borders’.
The wreath laying and march are key elements of the family festival to commemorate the historic struggle of the Dorset farm workers whose attempt to organise in response to harsh working conditions and continual pay cuts was ruthlessly crushed.
ITF assistant general secretary Stuart Howard said: “ITF UK unions have always been at the heart of the festival and the ITF was very proud to be represented there this year as a global union federation.
“The courageous actions of the Tolpuddle martyrs in many ways launched the modern British trade union movement. It is important that we remember and honour those who paved the way for future generations of workers to have the rights to join a union and demand respect and justice at work.”
In 1834, unions were lawful and growing fast but six leaders of the newly-formed farm workers’ union were arrested and sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Australia for taking an oath of secrecy. Despite massive public protests, the men were transported but after three years, during which the trade union movement sustained the men’s families by collecting voluntary donations, the government relented and the martyrs returned home with free pardons and as heroes.
