RECENTLY, a festival was held to celebrate the Tolpuddle Martyrs, Dorset legends who spearheaded trade unionism as you know it today.

To start with, it goes without saying that trade unions, in my opinion, are a fundamental part of employment.

I would argue that anybody who is in paid work, no matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ that job is, should ensure that they are in a trade union.

Jobs are not always consistent, and you will be treated arbitrarily by all businesses you will come across. Some will see you as a name, and others will see you as a number.

As a university student, I was able to witness for myself. I saw the difference trade unions can make following the high-profile lecturers strike across the UK.

It was a difficult period for all involved but, as explained by the University and College Union at the time, there was a lot at stake. The retirement money lecturers worked most of their career for was suddenly threatened, putting their future in complete jeopardy. Day after day, I saw the UCU brave abuse, snow and veiled threats to stand and picket alongside the workers. And you know what? It worked, against all the odds.

At the end of the day, the business world is constantly in flux and it can feel like sometimes you cannot keep up.

Trade unions, on the other hand, provide consistency in a climate where our financial futures and prospects may feel unstable. Hopefully, if your employers are treating you right, you will never have to use them but it is a legal and moral requirement to be treated fairly by your employers.

This is what the Tolpuddle Martyrs fought for and is by far the best way to not only honour their memory, but to also continue it.

By Charlotte Colombo