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Tim Lezard

Tim Lezard

Tim Lezard is Co-editor of the new union news website UnionNews.

http://union-news.co.uk

  • Tim Lezard Tim Lezard

    UnionNews: from news values to our values

    As a journalist and activist I’ve spent more years than I care to remember promoting trade unions, so it’s rather nice to have the compliment returned and having trade unions promoting my own latest venture – the on-line news service for trade unionists, UnionNews.

    In last Sunday’s Observer, three general secretaries very neatly pinpointed why there is a need for projects like UnionNews. There was Len McCluskey from Unite saying: ‘When anything’s reported, it’s strikes and disruption, even though 90-odd% of the time we’re involved with companies and organisations, it’s helping, adding value.”

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    Posted on September 11th, 2011 by Tim Lezard filed under: Union news

  • Tim Lezard Tim Lezard

    Tolpuddle Festival: The music and the message

    For many trade unionists, lying on the famous Tolpuddle slopes swigging from a flagon of scumpy is the perfect reward for a year’s hard work. Suddenly all the meetings with management, all the discussions in committee rooms and all the work representing colleagues are put into perspective by a soundtrack of Tony Benn and Billy Bragg.

    And where better to be to celebrate trade unionism and remember the Tolpuddle Martyrs than at a free festival in the rural Dorset village where they lived?

    What began life as a fairly dry memorial day with a long list of speakers and a silver band has in recent years been transformed into a lively, vibrant and fun rally attended by upwards of 9,000 people. But although the event has changed, its serious message remains: trade unionists from all over the world gather in the third weekend in July to commemorate the Martyrs’ contribution to British working life.

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    Posted on June 8th, 2010 by Tim Lezard filed under: Union news