Oldham Trades Council

17/04/2026

This is a school a lot of Oldham young people go to. Oldham NEU

A letter to parents and carers of children at St Cuthbert’s

[Check back on this page for updates, and sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/stop-compulsory-staff-cuts-at-st-cuthbert-s]

Dear Parents and Carers,

As the staff who teach, support, and care for your children every day, we wanted to explain personally why NEU members at St Cuthbert’s will be taking industrial action on the announced strike dates.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision for us. We come into school each day because we care deeply about our pupils, their progress, and their wellbeing. The very last thing we ever want is disruption to children and families.

However, the proposed redundancies to teaching and education support staff would have a serious and lasting impact on the education your children receive.

It is important for families to understand that these are compulsory redundancies, meaning staff are being placed in a position where there may be no choice in the matter. Both teaching staff and education support staff have already received ‘at risk of redundancy’ notices by email, despite the school still being in the consultation phase. This has caused significant worry and uncertainty for the staff who support your children every day. With fewer adults in school, there will be less support in classrooms, less help available for children with additional and SEND needs, and increased pressure on the staff who remain.

We believe it is important to act now to protect the future of the school community. Although strike action may cause short-term inconvenience, we firmly believe that losing experienced and dedicated staff permanently would be far more harmful to children’s learning, confidence, and wellbeing in the long term.

We are taking this action because we want to protect:
• The quality of teaching and learning
• Safe staffing levels across school
• Vital support for vulnerable and SEND pupils
• Staff wellbeing and retention
• The strong future of St Cuthbert’s

This action comes from a place of care, commitment, and a determination to defend the standards your children deserve.

We truly appreciate your understanding, kindness, and support as we stand up for the future of our school.

With thanks,

The staff and NEU Members at St Cuthbert’s.

30/01/2026

Oldham Trades Council was represented on the picket line at Tetrolsyl in Rochdale this morning, where workers have just received their first pay since the pay cuts imposed just before Christmas in a ‘fire and rehire’ tactic by management. WE were pleased to be joined by representatives of Blackpool Trades Council (with their banner).

23/01/2026

From Mcr Trades Council: Manchester Trades Union Council is writing to ask for your support in mobilising a strong and visible trade union presence at Resist Britain First on Saturday 21 February, taking place in the centre of Manchester.

Britain First and similar far-right organisations seek to divide working people through racism, Islamophobia, and scapegoating. As trade unionists, we have a proud history of standing for solidarity, equality, and unity across our communities. It is vital that we make that opposition clear by turning out in numbers.

We are therefore asking you, as trade unionists across Manchester, to reach out to your delegates and affiliated organisations, circulate the call to attend, and actively encourage participation on the day. A strong turnout from across Greater Manchester will send a clear message that the trade union movement will not tolerate hatred or division in our city.

Further details will be shared as they are confirmed, but for now we would appreciate you prioritising this mobilisation and promoting the 21 February protest through your usual channels.

Thank you for your solidarity and continued work in building a united and inclusive movement

27/11/2025

Oldham Trades Council statement on the Government's Employment Rights Bill U-turn.

27/11/2025

Aren’t you in a union? A trades union is how workers get together to improve their safety at work, pay, and conditions. Over six million workers in the UK are union members, with legal rights to organise - if you don’t have the protection of a trades union at the moment, join up! www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union

16/08/2025

A good showing at Manchester Trades Council's annual Peterloo Commemoration

14/08/2025

At the infamous Peterloo Massacre, people from Oldham marched into Manchester carrying a banner that read "Equal Representation or Death!" to join thousands of others in the call for liberty and the rights of working people.
We'll be at Manchester Trades Council's Peterloo Massacre Commemoration this weekend, remembering the martyrs that died in the struggle for working class rights 🚩