by Cameron Scott
Celebrating May Day is an ancient tradition that goes back centuries, marking the beginning of Summer, and also signifying rebirth and new beginnings. Since 1889 it has also been the date for International Workers’ Day and is therefore celebrated by trade unions and other workers’ movements in major cities worldwide. Glasgow’s Trade Unions Council, established in 1858, has long held an annual May Day procession through the city. This year’s event started in the city centre at George Square, then followed a route south, through the Gorbals to Queen’s Park where a rally took place. This year members of the Public and Commercial Services Union, or PCS, which represents civil servants who are currently in dispute with the UK government over wage claims, had the honour of leading the parade. Other marchers following behind represented various unions, political parties and community groups, including the Educational Institute of Scotland, Unison, Living Rent Glasgow and Wyndford Residents Union, both of whom campaign for fair conditions for housing tenants, the Young Communist League and Glasgow universities students groups, in total numbering around one thousand marchers.
