‘A reckoning will come’

For nearly 150 years the Durham Miners’ Gala has been admired all over the world as a carnival like no other, with beautiful banners, brass bands and voices lifted together in song, we fill the streets with solidarity.

Sadly there’ll be no gathering this year. But we won’t be silent. We can still link arms as Marras and workers and celebrate our gala online. Trade unionists have found many inventive ways to stand shoulder to shoulder during this pandemic.

The important role you play has never been more evident. Wherever you work you’ve kept our country and communities going. So thank you – we owe you so much.

Unite will be honouring you on July 11, more determined than ever that a reckoning will come from this crisis. We won’t let the government ignore the fact that decent jobs are hanging by a thread. To those greedy bosses using the virus to slash jobs and pay we say see you and will stop you. Fighting for fairness and human decency is what we do, it’s in our DNA.

So my message to the Durham Miners’ Association, to my Marra friends around the world, is celebrate today. Hold your heads high, stay upbeat and determined. Join with families, communities and fellow workers virtually or however you can.

When this crisis is over we’ll be back bigger and better for the Gala’s 150^th anniversary year. What a year that will be!

• Celebrate online on Saturday, July 11. Support the Big Meeting by joining Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala. The live event will begin at 1 pm on Facebook and YouTube.

WATCH LEN’S MESSAGE:

Compiled by Martin Scanlon and Amanda Campbell @redmjs @amanda_unite