A trade unionist rally will be held later this week as groups and leaders collectively echo the calls for better working conditions.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Carlisle Trades Council will bring together union leaders and workers who are affected by the cost-of living crisis in Carlisle, on October 29.

The TUC said the event will include speeches by union leaders on the cost-of-living crisis and the need for ministers to respond urgently to address the ‘catastrophe’ faced by workers.

Local workers will also be speaking on their involvement in industrial action and discussing how local people can come together to support each other at such a challenging time.

The rally is one of several event taking place across the country before a mass parliamentary lobby to call for urgent measures to address the cost-of-living crisis – including raising pay.

The TUC is calling on all workers to join the movement in its call to demand better working conditions for working people.

The so-called ‘Demand Better’ campaign calls on ministers to raise wages and improve workers’ rights via several criteria.

A TUC spokesperson said these include introducing a £15 minimum wage as soon as possible, giving all public sector workers a ‘real’ pay rise, banning zero-hours contracts and ‘fire and rehire’ tactics, bringing forward inflation-proof raises to universal credit and pensions to October, introducing new bargaining rights for whole industries and protecting the right to strike, and raising women’s incomes and stopping workplace racism.

The campaign also calls on ministers to reduce household costs by cutting energy bills, nationalising energy retail and setting up a new ‘public energy champion’, and rolling out a rapid programme of home insulation.

The rally will take place at the Carlisle Station Hotel at 1pm on October 29.

Speakers include deputy general secretary of the National Education Union Niamh Sweeney, ASLEF National Council member John Metcalfe, and senior TUC spokesperson Kevin Rowan.

The TUC lobby of parliament takes place on November 2.

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