TO celebrate its 125th anniversary, a shopworkers' union is bringing a touring exhibition to Dudley.
In 1891 workers’ representatives met in Manchester and Birmingham to establish the Manchester and District Co-operative Employees Association and the National Union of Shop Assistants, which joined together in 1947 to become the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).
The free exhibition, Usdaw: 125 Years Strong, will explore the union's social history and showcase campaigns it has fronted, calling for safer workplaces, better conditions, improved pay and fairness at work.
It will run at the Dudley Archives and Local History Centre in Tipton Road from June 3 to 30.
Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “When the two unions first formed in 1891, shop assistants worked between 70 and 90 hours a week and often had restrictions placed on their free time.
"This exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the work of the union through the years to improve working conditions.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here