GENERAL FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS AND STRIKE MAP JOINT PRESS RELEASE

****EMBARGOED FOR 00.01 4 September 2023****

General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and Strike Map announce historic partnership.

General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) is today announcing a historic partnership with Strike Map, after successfully mapping over 230,000 workplaces taking strike action, since December 2020. As workers continue to vote for strike action in response to pay cuts during a growing cost of living crisis, we face the possibility of continued strike action into 2024.

The partnership, due to take effect from 11 October, will mean a new permanent home and mutual collaboration for both GFTU and Strike Map. In celebrating this announcement, Gawain Little, general secretary of the GFTU commented, “The trade union movement faces real challenges but also has huge potential to grow. Strike Map, as one of the most innovative new projects within the movement, provides both answers to those challenges and ways to capture that potential. Our partnership will be about providing critical education for a new layer of trade union leaders, to grow and strengthen the movement for the good of all workers.”

As well as mapping strikes, Strike Map has signed up over 4,000 people to visit a picket, raised thousands of pounds for striking workers and has launched its Strike Clubs, a group of localised networks of over 900 people all coordinating visits to picket lines and solidarity with strikers locally.

Emma Runswick, deputy chair of the council of the British Medical Association welcomes this move, “We have really appreciated the incredible support of Strike Map during our current pay disputes with the Government. They provide an incredible platform, network and place for building support for all strikes, that is why we support Strike Map and this exciting new partnership.”

An essential part of this partnership will be combining the impressive trade union educational offering of the GFTU with the growing Strike Map reps’ network and local strike clubs. Providing support, educational opportunities and a place to develop the reps, stewards and activists of today and tomorrow.

Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), commented, “Strike Map continues to innovate and help support this important moment of renewed struggle and fightback from workers everywhere. BFAWU urges all unions to support Strike Map as we have done and cannot wait to see what this partnership with GFTU will deliver.”

The last few years have seen Strike Map mentioned by a variety of news and media sources, including the Financial Times, Daily Mirror, The New Yorker magazine, Morning Star, Tribune and Novara Media.
Henry Fowler, a co-founder of Strike Map, said, “From a homemade WordPress website and a google form, we have built a website that is used by millions. The support from branches, regions and national unions has been incredible. We will always remember those that supported us from the beginning. As struggle has grown, so has our map. This partnership with the GFTU is a vital next step, providing an exciting future and opportunities we only dreamed of back in 2020. Like our supporters and affiliates, our incredible volunteers continue to keep our map going, supporting workers in struggle. As we head to 2024 Strike Map will continue building solidarity campaigns that assist workers taking action. Same map, new home.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors: For media enquiries, please email Georgia Wilkinson via georgiaw@gftu.org.uk.
Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)

The General Federation of Trade Unions was established in 1899 and is a friendly democratic organisation responsive to the needs of affiliated trade unions. Like unions, we aim to improve the lives of working people and their communities. Working collaboratively, there is no question or issue too large or small that an affiliate cannot refer to us. We seek to add value to specialist trade unions and sections of unions at various levels. With affiliation fees of around £1 per member, per annum, we believe we offer exceptional value. There is a range of support we provide; from developing professional support for General Secretaries and other professional groups such as Finance and Education officers, to offering an exceptional programme of online and face to face trade union activist courses and management training, to youth and arts festivals, to detailed specialist research and highly customised support for individual unions, we have a flexible and expert approach.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GFTU1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GFTU1899

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gftu_1/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-federation-of-trade-unions/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr3sXrE5cJ4aX6JbkhelsoA

About Strike Map

Strike Map is a group of trade union activists who have mapped over 230,000 workplaces taking action since 2020. Our map is ‘worker-powered’ and relies on trade unionists uploading their action. Strike map aims to document and present the levels of strike action in the country, enable others to see the levels of action and pass on messages of solidarity and encourage other workers in their struggles.
Strike Map is part funded by the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust.

For more information please go to: https://strikemap.org

Twitter: @strike_map

Facebook: @strikemap

Instagram: @strike_map

Threads: @strike_map

LinkedIn: @strike-map

YouTube: @strike_map

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