Cheryl Pidgeon -Regional TUC SecretaryCheryl Pidgeon, Regional TUC Secretary, recently attended my local Trades Council meeting as guest speaker. She gave a lively talk covering her early life and the work positions she held before being appointed to the post of Regional TUC Secretary. She also explained that she has been involved in many campaigns including helping people into education to enable them to learn to read, trying to put an end to violence against women (but this equally included men who have also been subjected to violence).

She spoke about how important it was to get out campaigning amongst the public and also the importance of getting young people interested in voting. Cheryl said that young people currently feel cut off from the political process due to lack of employment opportunities. She also voiced her concerns on the high interest rates that banks charge small businesses starting up, making it difficult if not impossible for them to survive.

The Women Chainmakers’ Festival was also mentioned and we were reminded of the importance of this event. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the women chainmakers successfully winning a decent living wage, so the 2010 festival will have some special events to commemorate the anniversary of this occasion.

Cheryl said that the campaign to save those public sector job losses threatened within the Telford area can be publicised through the TUC blogs and mailing lists.

It was a breath of fresh air listening to Cheryl and last but not least she very kindly brought us biscuits and chocolates to sustain us during the meeting.

4 Comments CherryPie on Dec 6th 2009

4 Responses to “Regional TUC Secretary Visits Local Trades Council”

  1. Claudia says:

    Thank you for sharing, CherryPie. Those are all very good points, which need to be emphasized. My mother was an activist. From childhood, I learned to speak up, and do my little bit, to correct or improve our ways of life. Ms. Pidgeon is very right about young people feeling left out, and being disinterested in the voting process. It’s up to us to get them involved. They can truly make a difference.

    Looking forward to your photos and report of the 2010 Festival.

    • CherryPie says:

      Thanks Claudia. She was very inspirational. I was the only female apart from Cheryl and the others were inspired by her too.

      We really do need to get the young people involved it is the only way to make the change we need.

  2. Phidelm says:

    Cheryl sounds inspirational, Cherie; wish I could have been there to hear her speak (and that has nothing to do with the biscuits and chocolate, you understand …!).