Banners

Trade Union Banners

Trade unions have always used colourful banners to highlight their presence and values at marches, parades and demonstrations. Traditional banners often contain symbolism to highlight values of unity, solidarity, strength and compassion. Some were designed from standard templates while others are original works of art.

The images are often of the particular trade or occupation. They may also include local landmarks.

If you have information on the banners included please let us know. If you have other pictures of South West union banners please send them to [email protected] and we shall add them to the gallery.

Trade union march through Taunton in the 1900s

SOUTH WEST TRADE UNION BANNER GALLERY

The family tree of trade unions is a complicated one but the gallery tries to link the unions with their heritage.

• Civil Service unions - PCS and banners from the long campaing by unions that were banned from GCHQ
• Communication Workers Union and its forerunner Union of Postal Workers
• Fire Brigades Union
• GMB The General, Municipal and Boilermakers Union and its formers unions inlcuding the clerical union, APEX and magnificent banners from the gas workers
• National Union of Mineworkers
• Transport unions: ASLEF, TSSA and Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (and its predecessor the National Union of Railwaymen)
• Education Unions: NASUWT and the National Education Union following its merger between Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Union of Teachers
• Higher and Further Education Unions: Universities and College Union - a merge between the Association of University Teachers and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education
• UNISON was formed in 1993 with the merger of COHSE, NALGO and NUPE
• Unite was formed following the merger beteen Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union. Legacy unions in the familty tree are UCATT, AUEW, MSF, ASTMS, TASS,  AEF, GPMU (NGA, SOGAT – NATSOPA) 
• The National Union of Agricultural Workers had a strong tradition of branch banners before it joined the TGWU. Banners from the dockers union and the Workers Union are held by Bristol Museum    
• Union of Shopworkers and Distributive and Allied Workers
• Trades Union Councils bring together unions at local level and have a range of banners
• Banners from Labour Parties across the South West are often on trade union marches and events
• Banners featuring the Tolpuddle Martyrs
• Other banners

Procession of banners at the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival 2017

^{photo: Jess Hurd}