I am not a trade unionist

Let me say that again. I am not a trade unionist.

I work for a trade union. I feel strongly about what I do and I believe in what I am trying to achieve.

I grew up in the 70s and early 80s. Politically and socially a period of massive change. My teen years straddled a change of government with Thatcherism coming in in 1979. At the time was I conscious of this? No.

I am from a middle class background. We weren't rich, but I never went without - hand-me-downs were a way of life not a lifestyle choice.

My parents were not outwardly political.I have no memories of them discussing politics. They were extremely well read and watched the news and read newspapers. But this was done mainly in the confines of their bedroom. Breakfast in bed with the papers was a daily routine for them and this is where their political views were started and ended. All I know is that my father voted Labour and my mum voted Conservative (or is that the other way round?)

Anyway, you get where I am coming from. I don't recall politics, or trade unionism being discussed at school - it may have been, but it may have happened on those days I bunked off. Yep - educationally, I was a drop out.

So I guess what I am trying to say here and set the scene is that growing up, anything that occurred outside my circle of friends passed me by.

One thing I did a lot of was listen to music - mod/ska/punk music - and still I didn't make the connection. Music was a diary of my life, but at the time it was my life - not some political message.  You see I never made the connection and no one put me straight.

Yes I was an angry teen.  Yes I felt the injustices towards the miners.  Yes, I was horrified when Thatcher stopped giving milk to children at school. Yes I was very angry about the Poll Tax. I was sub-consciously a member of Greenpeace, CND and wanted to be at Greenham Common.  I signed petitions and went on marches and was very gobby to the police about their underhand tactics. But was I aware I was engaging in politics and trade unionism? No, not at all. I was reacting to those events because I have a social conscience and it was what we did.

The connection - that I was and am politically active wasn't made until later in life.

With this in mind I am going to try and impart my opinions about how to engage people in the political process and trade unions. You see to me its not about politics or trade unionism - it's about social conscience - it's about getting people to care and empathise.  I think people need to work together, collectively and with strength to make things better for the many rather than the few.  Label it what you like - its just me.