Wilf Sullivan
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History Matters: Trade Union Futures and the Present and Past of Trade Unionism - 21/06/2007 22:50
This thread discusses the Content article: History Matters: Trade Union Futures and the Present and Past of Trade Unionism
I could not agree more. With the help of London Metropolitan University and the WEA I have been trying to get money out of the National Heritage Fund for the the last three years to set up a National Black Trade Union Oral History project. It appears that not only is trade union history out of fashion, but that there is a complete lack of understanding of the role that trade unionists have played in shaping civil society.
Unfortunately it is not just National Heritage and trade union education that is negligent in this respect. I know from experience that unions themsleves are throwing away valuable papers, photos and other resources that will be tomorrows history.
We can not expect younger generations to understand what trade unions are and why they are important and relevbant to them in their working lives if we can not educte them about the struggles of the past and show them how they are relevant today.
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