“Not a penny off the pay…”

“Not a penny off the day, not a minute on the day!” was the rallying cry of workers involved with the General Strike in 1926, and Unite is commemorating the centenary of the strike and its importance to working class history with an event this May.

Today’s workplaces might look very different, but those words of miners’ leader A. J. Cook are as important for workers now as they were in our great-grandparents’ time.

The full day of solidarity and workers history is happening on Saturday 2 May 2026 in Barnsley, and Unite is working with Durham Miners Association and the National Union of  Mineworkers to bring together trade unionists, historians, musicians, artists and authors to make this a truly memorable celebration of working-class pride.

The organisers have pulled together a packed programme that starts with a series of talks at Barnsley Civic, before brass bands lead marchers and banners to the NUM building for a rally. The day wraps up with a gig at Vault 27 with an exciting line up of bands and singers.

Senior Organiser Joe Rollin said, “The centenary of the 1926 General Strike reminds working-class people that when we stand together, we have real power. 

“From the struggles of the past to today’s fights like the Birmingham bin strike, unions like Unite the Union show that collective action isn’t history—it’s how we win. Trade union power built our rights, and it’s still the key to defending and extending them.”

The full running times for the event on Saturday 2 May are:

10.00 to 12.30 – Barnsley Civic – breakfast and talks by leading historians of 192

13.00 to 14.30 – March with brass bands from town centre to National Union of Mineworkers building

14.30 to 16.30 – Rally and speakers at NUM building, and performance by Commoners Choir.

17.00 til late – Evening gig at Vault 27, with Ferocious Dog, The Wakes, The Primevals, Katrina Tia Charles, and more, with tickets available here.  

Paul Sheridan, singer with The Wakes, is looking forward to being part of the day, and said, “It’s a real privilege to be playing at this event. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Of those who endured the conditions of the 20s and 30s to try and make a better life for themselves and the generations that followed.

“Although it didn’t achieve its goals it became a symbol of solidarity. These were men and women who had faced the horrors of the First World War and many would go on to fight in the Second. Our music has always found inspiration in these people, their struggle and the battles they have fought.”

To keep up to date with all the latest news and information on the Unite’s General Strike Centenary event in Barnsley, register your interest here. 

Unite also has a page to “Celebrate the Centenary” where you can download and share resources, flyers and posters to share at your workplace and in your community.

By Keith Hatch