Unions and their network of workplace reps help working people every day. In workplaces all over Britain there are unions making sure we are safe at work, protecting our jobs, pushing for higher pay, and helping us get learning and training.

But millions of our friends and colleagues who are not in a union may not appreciate this. They probably don’t know either that the Tory government is attacking the very trade unions that have done so much to protect workers.

With anti-trade union legislation rushing through parliament there has never been a more important time to speak up for your union. If the Tories get their way, UK workers will be among the easiest to underpay and sack in the western world.

Heartunions week is an opportunity to shout about the great things that you and trade unions achieve together so please get involved. You can find how to at Heartunions week

Bristol Trades Union Council is urging you to do all you can to make heartunions week a success.

There are lots of easy ways to take part –

1. Organise or get along to a Big Workplace meeting on the 9th February. You will be joining thousands of other trade unionists across the country. Many union branch meetings will be taking place simultaneously at 12.30pm on Tuesday 9th February. These events will include a video link with Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of TUC, and Eddie Izzard. It is a key opportunity for you as union members to be updated on the progress of the trade union bill and to ask questions. There are a number of these themed events already organised in the Bristol area- see below for details.
2. Make plans for Thursday 11 February heartunions day of action. Organise a recruiting event in your workplace, a leafleting session or street stall.  Share your plans with Bristol Trades Union Council.
3. Send a letter to the editor of the Evening Post. A draft with some suggested text can be downloaded here heart unions letter to local paper. Add your own experiences about what trade unions have done for you.
4. Sign the petition David Cameron: Don’t threaten the right to strike
5. Share your events and examples of how trade unions have helped you via #heartunions on Twitter

Events so far organised in Bristol –

• All union meeting hosted by Nigel Costley, Secretary South West TUC Secretary and Marvin Rees at Tony Benn House, Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6AY. Send a note to Tony Benn House so that they know the numbers likely to attend.
• USDAW – Tesco Members’ Meetings at Bristol Golden Hill and Yate
• CWU – Sorting office gate meetings

• Rally at the Fountains, Bristol. See here for more details Protect the right to strike

• Street stall in Bristol

Above all please do get involved. As more events get organised Bristol Trades Union Council will post details here.