Solidarity’s 2026 AGM combined procedural clarity with emotional intelligence and a renewed commitment to trauma‑informed, member‑centred trade unionism. Chaired by David Kerr and guided by General Secretary Patrick Harrington, the union set out a bold, practical agenda for the year ahead.
Setting the Scene
The 2026 Annual General Meeting of Solidarity Union opened in Edinburgh with a sense of grounded purpose. The room—wood‑panelled was arranged with care: the camera positioned for accurate minute‑taking, the banner placed thoughtfully and seating adjusted so that David Kerr, chairing the meeting, could manage the flow of contributions with ease. Members joined both in person and online, a reminder of Solidarity’s commitment to hybrid democracy and accessibility.
The atmosphere was steady and comradely. People arrived with papers tucked under their arms, nodding greetings, settling into chairs. Online participants appeared in the corner of the screen, equally present, equally valued. It was a meeting shaped by the union’s ethos: practical, humane, and attentive to the realities of working people.
Opening and Financial Overview
Chair David Kerr opened the meeting, confirmed quorum, and handed the substantive business to General Secretary Patrick Harrington, whose report was characteristically transparent and precise.
Patrick emphasised that while the union is financially stable, its sustainability depends on membership dues and unpredictable case‑related donations. The financial report was accepted without challenge.
Representation, Growth, and the Year’s Work
Solidarity continues to grow steadily, gaining one to two new members each week, many of them careworkers, nurses and midwives navigating increasingly complex workplace pressures. The union’s model—empowering reps to manage their own cases with support from the centre—remains one of its strengths.
Patrick and Glen Nicklasson (our President) both noted the introduction of new workplace visitation rights, expanding the union’s ability to support members directly. He also welcomed the Labour government’s decision to abolish union fees to the Certification Office, easing administrative burdens and recognising the value of union transparency.
Motions and Debates
The AGM’s motions reflected the union’s core commitments: fairness, trauma‑informed practice, and principled advocacy.
Template Resources for Grievances and Disciplinaries
Patrick proposed creating a suite of standardised tools—template letters, checklists, step‑by‑step guides—to support members facing grievances, disciplinaries, or GDPR requests. These will be published on the union website and reviewed quarterly. The motion passed unanimously.
Challenging the Five‑Day Appeal Deadline
The union resolved to challenge the widespread but legally baseless five‑day appeal window in disciplinary procedures. Patrick and David Andrews argued for a minimum of 14 days, especially for members with trauma, disabilities, or limited access to representation. The motion passed with strong support.
Embedding Trauma‑Informed and Equality‑Conscious Principles
A major motion committed Solidarity to embedding trauma‑informed practice in all grievance and disciplinary work. This includes:
- Predictability and transparency
- Emotional safety
- Reasonable adjustments as standard
- Flexible deadlines
- Supportive meeting formats
The union will develop model standards and training for reps.
Congratulating the Certification Office on 50 Years
The AGM formally congratulated the Certification Office on its 50th anniversary, recognising its role in maintaining transparency and independence in the trade union movement.
Welcoming Employment Rights Reforms — With Caveats
The union welcomed the Labour government’s new employment protections—day‑one rights, restrictions on exploitative practices, and stronger union safeguards. But Patrick and other speakers stressed the need for:
- Better enforcement
- Expanded collective bargaining
- Stronger protections for precarious workers
Solidarity reaffirmed its political independence.
Solidarity with the Birmingham Refuse Workers
The AGM expressed full solidarity with Birmingham’s refuse workers, who are resisting unsafe and unfair changes to their working conditions. Solidarity has supported the dispute through publicity and donations, while navigating legal constraints around picketing.
Marking the Centenary of the 1926 General Strike
David Kerr proposed a motion honouring the 1926 General Strike whcih passed unanimously. Patrick framed it not as a failure but as a warning: when capital squeezes too hard, workers know how to strike back.
Constitutional Reform
Members approved a revised constitution designed to improve clarity, accessibility, and legal robustness. A key amendment clarified that:
- Legal support is provided at the General Secretary’s discretion with a right of appeal to our Executive Council
- Reps must be protected from coercion or undue pressure to pursue cases they judge unwise (passed by amendment from Graham)
This reform ensures that union resources are used strategically and ethically.
Casework and Campaigns
Patrick reported a rise in disability discrimination cases, particularly around absence management and performance procedures. Other cases involved redundancy disputes, breaches of the ACAS code, and Equality Act violations.
Campaigns this year include:
- Buy UK Goods
- Enforcement of the Equality Act, especially in the insurance sector
- Ongoing work on well‑being and workplace culture
Patrick outlined the union’s tribunal strategy: support initial claims, but discourage weak cases that drain resources and offer little chance of success. Only strong cases will be taken to a Tribunal.
Closing Reflections from the General Secretary
Patrick closed the AGM with a speech that captured the emotional heart of union work. His remarks are reproduced in full:
Accomplishment, Happiness, and the Power of Union Work
Closing remarks delivered by General Secretary Patrick Harrington
Brothers and Sisters,
Let’s talk about something we don’t celebrate enough: the joy of getting things done. The deep, human satisfaction that comes from rolling up our sleeves, facing a challenge, and saying, “We made that happen.”
Accomplishment isn’t a luxury. It’s a need. It’s what keeps us moving, keeps us hopeful, keeps us connected to one another. When we achieve something — especially something hard — we feel it in our bones. That spark of pride. That lift in the chest. That sense that the world is a little fairer because we acted.
And that, comrades, is exactly what union work gives us.
Every time we win a case, every time we protect a member, every time we force an employer to think twice — that’s accomplishment. Real accomplishment. Not the empty targets and KPIs management throws at people. Not the hollow “wellbeing initiatives” that never touch the real issues. I’m talking about meaningful victories that change lives.
When a member walks into a meeting terrified and walks out supported — that’s accomplishment. When a workplace becomes safer because we refused to look away — that’s accomplishment. When someone keeps their job, keeps their dignity, keeps their rights — that’s accomplishment.
And we don’t do it alone. We do it together.
That’s why it feels so good. Because union accomplishment isn’t individual glory. It’s collective strength. It’s the knowledge that when we stand shoulder to shoulder, we can move mountains. We can take on employers bigger than us, systems stacked against us, and still come out stronger.
Our work gives us satisfaction because it matters. It has weight. It has consequence. It leaves the world better than we found it.
So let’s carry that energy into the year ahead.
Let’s take pride in what we’ve achieved — and hunger for what’s still to come. Let’s remember that every victory, big or small, feeds that deep human need to build, to protect, to improve.
And let’s never forget: When we accomplish things together, we don’t just win — we grow stronger, happier, and more united.
Thank you, comrades.
Report from Maria Camara
