On Saturday afternoon, demonstrators made their way through the city centre to Grey's Monument for this year's Tyne and Wear May Day.
May Day is a celebration of trade unionism. It is celebrated by those wishing to champion international solidarity with trade unionists across the four corners of the globe and across all walks of life. It stresses the importance of being part of a union and as a reminder of what unions have achieved over time.
Led by the Backworth Colliery Band, the colourful parade started in Exhibition Park and made its way to the Monument via Northumberland Street.
Adorned with flags and banners, demonstrators appreciated the glorious sunshine as they assembled at Monument. Stalls were set up and protestors gathered round the famous statue to listen to speakers and musical acts.
There was a whole host of speakers from a variety of different organisations and unions. Speakers including Andrew Murray, Stop the War Coalition Vice-Presient, and Daniel Kebede, NEU President, got up to address the crowd.
Hot on today's agenda was the current cost of living crisis and workers' rights under attack. One of the speakers, Alex Gordon, RMT President, spoke of the recent P&O ferries scandal and highlighted the importance of worker's rights and standing up to big business.
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor, also attended the rally however he did not get up and speak. Ex-MP for North West Durham, Laura Pidcock, was also at the event.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Liz Blackshaw, the TUC Northern Regional Secretary, said: "It's a celebration of trade unionism today. May Day is a day where we celebrate our international solidarity with trade unionists around the world. We here in the UK represent over 5.5 million working people, but around the world there's somewhere in excess of 26 million members of trade unions."
"They're spread across all sectors, they work in so many different employment arenas and similar to us here they're also facing a lot of employment struggles in their workplaces as well.
"The main things that are present today are obviously the cost of living crisis. We've all seen so much reported over the last few months with how bad it's going to be, but the bills are starting to come through the door now. Energy prices are rising 14 times faster than wages, and that's really difficult for working people to contend with."
Alex Gordon, who is the President for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMT) was also present at today's rally. Speaking to Chronicle Live, he said:
"We're here to talk really about the cost of living crisis that is faced by workers in this country - not only in Newcastle but across the country. Our members of the railway sector are currently under the third year of a pay freeze, they're seeing their energy bills popping through the door at the moment, and they're seeing some alarming price rises that nobody can afford.
"We're seeing increases in the National Insurance contributions coming through on their payslips this month, so your National Insurance contribution has gone up from 12 per cent to 13.25 per cent - which is over a ten per cent increase.
"We're seeing massive price rises in the shops - retail price inflation is now at nine per cent but for workers it's higher - so all in all, we're seeing a real crisis and our members are being told that there isn't enough money to give them a pay rise."
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