MEMBERS of UNISON Cymru Wales took to the streets of Brecon last week to celebrate the historic achievements of trade unions and warn what’s to come.

UNISON, members are participating in the UK wide ’I heart unions’ week to show how unions are responsible for winning landmark social change, which has benefited the whole nation.

The group, set up their stand on the Monument in Brecon last Friday, February 12, and Sebastian Cooke said: "We gave out cake and leaflets to members of the public and highlighted the work union reps do everyday, fighting discrimination, making workplaces safe and standing up for the vulnerable."

Margaret Thomas, UNISON Cymru Wales Regional Secretary and Wales TUC President, said: "This is a great opportunity to remind people that trades union campaigning has helped shaped this country for the good. It was unions which fought for and won a minimum wage, maternity and paternity rights, pension provision, holiday and sickness entitlements. These union victories have benefited every single British person.

"Yet all of these are threatened if the UK Conservative Government’s Trade Union Bill is implemented. The Bill will make it harder for people to join and be represented by a trade union and to ever take a stand against a bad employer. If the Conservatives have their way, low-paid workers in particular – a majority of who are women may lose representation and these are exactly the people who need most support.

"No public sector employer has welcomed this Bill and they have even told the government that it will harm good industrial relations. The Welsh Government is completely opposed to it being implemented in our public services. The Tories are pushing this for purely ideological reasons. Common sense says they should drop this Bill."

The UK Government’s Trade Union Bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords and last week UNISON Cymru Wales officials convened a successful meeting of Welsh peers in the Houses of Parliament to explain the seriousness of the threats the Trade Union Bill poses and why it is essential Lords vote to oppose the legislation.