A NEW festival of trade unionism is to launch in Dundee this weekend.

The Speak Oot festival will run from April 13 to 28, and will coincide with the Scottish Trade Union Congress’s Annual Congress in the city (April 15 to 17).

The volunteer-run event aims to celebrate the values of solidarity, activism, compassion and fairness and will promote campaigns for better working and living conditions for all.

Mike Arnott, current STUC president and secretary of Dundee Trades Union Council, said: “Speak Oot will be a festival for all Dundee’s communities connected to trades unionism.

“Any group that brings people together to further social justice is a welcome participant. Internationalism, history and our connection to the arts are being celebrated." 

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Events planned include women’s history walks and film screenings, as well as banner-making and discussion sessions.

Former MSP Rosie Kane will bring her one-woman show to the city for the first time, ex-MSP Neil Findlay will be launching his book and Scottish Union Learning and Show Racism the Red Card will hold an event in the The McManus on football, music and politics featuring former Scottish footballer Pat Nevin among others. 

The festival involves a range of organisations including Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Pensioners Forum, Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association and various trades unions including Unite, the Fire Brigades Union and the Communication Workers Union. 

For more information click here.

To register for events email speakoot@gmail.com