STRIKE A LIGHT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2013 :: RMTnews 25 RMT member Dave Rayfield and his son Billy are running this year’s London marathon on April 21 to raise money for Farleigh Hospice in memory of Dave’s mother who died last year. “We're aiming to raise the £8,000 r equired to run the hospice for a day and any sponsorship will be gratefully received. Dave work as a driver on London Underground and Billy is currently studying politics at Trent University in Nottingham and is already campaigning for workers’ rights and the re nationalisation of public utilities especially our railways. Please use the link below to make donations : http://www.justgiving.com/David-Rayfield1 The Matchwomen's Festival on July 6 at the Bishopsgate Institute, London will be the first of its kind, celebrating the 125th anniversary of a strike by East End matchwomen. There will be speakers, children's events and workshops during the day, and comedians, poets and bands until late. In the East End of 1888, trouble was brewing. Bryant & May matches were a powerful global player with friends and shareholders in high places. But employees at its Bow factory were literally starving, and at risk of contracting ‘phossy jaw’, the grisly industrial disease which could lead to disfigurement and agonising death. Still, being mostly female, of Irish heritage and very poor, the matchworkers were supposed to be grateful for the work and ‘know their place’. Thankfully, they didn’t. One July day 125 years ago, they were pushed too far. When one girl was unfairly sacked, 1,400 workers downed tools and followed her out of the factory gates. After a bitter two-week battle which saw the East End in uproar and questions in Parliament, the women won better pay and conditions, and the right to form the largest union of women and girls in the country . This was the start of the modern union movement we know today: but historians have over-looked it, until now. On July 6 2013 the first annual Matchwomen’s festival will be held at the Bishpsgate Institute and all will be welcome. Speakers and performers include descendants of the match workers, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady and Tony Benn, poets Michael Rosen and John Hegley, the Ruby Kid and Steve White and the Protest Family. Make a matchwoman’s hat, and try your hand at matchbox making against the clock. All this plus Wiis, stalls, and food and drink- admission FREE. DONATE AT www.matchwomensfestival.com/ email:matchwomen1888@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/Matchwomen Twitter: @matchwomen1888 STRIKE A LIGHT! The Matchwomen's Festival on July 6 at the Bishopsgate Institute will celebrate the 125th anniversary of a strike by East End match workers CHARITY MARATHON PAIR