Trades unions have announced they’ll be sponsoring an anti-cuts gig organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) during the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham.
Unions including the NUJ, BECTU, PCS, the Musicians Union, the Writers Guild, Unison Cymru and the RMT will take part in the event and are encouraging their members to come to the evening’s entertainment at the Central Station in Wrexham town centre.
Bands including Mr Huw, Twmffat and Llwybr Llaethog will perform for the punters at the event on Thursday 4th August, in an effort to send a clear message against cuts to public services. There are threats to jobs in all parts of Wales including at S4C, so a rally will be held on the same day on the Eisteddfod field against proposed cuts to the Welsh language TV channel.
Tickets for the evening are on sale for £7 each online from cymdeithas.org/steddfod and in person from Yales Cafe Wrexham, Awen Meirion, Bala, Elfair Rhuthun, and from Cymdeithas offices in Caernarfon, Aberystwyth and Cardiff.
Ieuan Roberts, a local member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), welcomed the union support:
“From the very start, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has supported workers’ struggles for jobs and rights, from Shotton workers in the 70s, the miners and the quarrymen in the 80s to Ferodo workers. This year once again, we in Cymdeithas and the trades unions stand together against the government’s brutal threat to destroy our communities and drive our young people away to look for work.”
Encouraging members to go to the gigs, Meic Birtwistle from the NUJ said:
“The cuts are going to affect every aspect of Welsh life. It’s quite right therefore for us to fight back in every possible way. Thanks to Cymdeithas from organising this gig against the cuts. ”
Merfyn Tomos a local member of Unision Cymru added:
“It’s essential that as many people and organisations as possible work together to oppose the Westminster Government’s cuts. Promoting that cooperation is the purpose of events like this. It’s obvious that these terrible cuts affect every aspect of life, including the survival of the language. By cooperating we will be so much stronger.”
