What is the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition?

TUSC sticker   (Click to enlarge)

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) was set-up in 2010 to enable trade unionists, community campaigners and socialists to stand candidates against the pro-austerity establishment parties.

It was co-founded by Bob Crow, the late general secretary of the RMT transport union, along with other prominent trade unionists and socialist organisations. TUSC is a coalition with a national steering committee which includes leading trade unionists from the RMT, the PCS civil servants union, the National Union of Teachers, the Fire Brigade Union and the Prison Officers Association.

Bob Crow speaking in Waltham Forest, East London, during TUSC's 2012 GLA elections campaign, photo Senan   (Click to enlarge)

The RMT's annual general meeting in 2012 agreed to officially support TUSC and have representation on the steering committee.

Leeds TUSC supporters demonstrate at Care UK in support of Doncaster workers striking against pay cuts   (Click to enlarge)

Since 2010 hundreds of candidates have stood under the TUSC umbrella. A few have won council seats. TUSC candidates' average vote in the 2012 local elections was 6.2%, despite a media blackout. TUSC stood 120 candidates in the 2013 local elections. Over 100,000 people have voted for TUSC candidates since it was formed.

TUSC chair Dave Nellist on the Daily Politics, 10.04.2014   (Click to enlarge)

This year TUSC has 560 candidates in the local elections and 3 candidates for directly elected mayor positions in London. There are also 4 by-elections taking place on the same day, May 22nd, where TUSC is standing candidates. This is the biggest trade unionist and socialist based electoral challenge since the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.

Coverage of TUSC at Labour Party special conference on BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26381922   (Click to enlarge)

The full list of TUSC candidates can be found at http://www.tusc.org.uk/txt/297.pdf

Press conference

Press pack available for TUSC press launch, photo by TUSC   (Click to enlarge)

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) will be holding a press event to launch its local election campaign on Friday 9th May.

Click here for the TUSC press pack

Representatives from the organisations involved in TUSC will be present at the event, including a spokesperson from the RMT union, and the rebel Southampton councillor Keith Morrell.

Also at the launch will be an array of TUSC candidates; TUSC is fielding 560 local election candidates and in London three directly-elected mayoral candidates. The event will be chaired by the former Labour MP Dave Nellist.

The TUSC press launch will be held on Friday 9th May, 11am, in the Dinsdale Young room, Central Hall Westminster, Storey's Gate, Westminster, London SW1H 9NH.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions to the main speakers and to do individual interviews with some of the candidates.