The Solidarity Tent is a new space for networking and activities, located in the GMB field.

Friday 19 July

18:00 – 20:00 – The Hardy Players performing…Six Men of Dorset

The New Hardy Players live in Dorchester and the surrounding villages and are very much a part of the Dorchester community. We make our plays by involving local members of the community in all aspects of theatre-making, including costume, set design, prop making, music, song and dance, marketing and fund-raising. We give performances in indoor and outdoor venues and support local businesses through advertising in our programme and publicity. In addition, every year we support local charities; The New Hardy Players are a non profit organisation and all proceeds following production costs are donated to various charities. To date the New Hardy Players have given nearly £100,000 to Julia’s House, Weldmar Hospicecare and Dorchester Poverty Action.

Saturday 20 July

10:00-12:00 – Women’s Talking Point with the TUC South West Regional Women’s Committee

A drop-in space for women to come talk about anything.

12:30-13:30 – The Movement Will Die Without Us – with the TUC South West Young Organisers’ Network

The TUC SW Young Organisers Network lead a session on young workers and the movement. Hear their lived experiences in the workplace, how they are being crushed by terrible working conditions, why their record levels of activism as a generation don’t always translate into trade union activism, and what we can (must!) do about it.

15:00-16:30 – The Road to Union Recognition – The Ongoing Struggle in Amazon

The GMB have just concluded their ballot for statutory recognition at Amazon’s warehouse in Coventry; the latest battle in a long, hard road to union rights in the retail giant famous for exploiting workers. Come hear from Nick Henderson (GMB activist) and the GMB union officers on the absolutely ludicrous, kitchen-sink style techniques that Amazon have thrown into union busting, and how the GMB have fought through them (with the support of the TUC and the movement, as shared by Charlie Pullinger) – stories at times so ridiculous you’ll laugh and cry. You’ll come away with the kind of righteous rage that will have you going back to your own workplaces with a new sense of resolve and a new toolkit to continue to grow our movement to reach the workers who need us most.

19:00 – Tolpuddle Comedy