The Workers Beer Company raises funds for trades union and campaigning
organisations. The Company runs beer tents at large outdoor events, and
promotes music festivals and other events to raise money for the labour
movement.
Thousands of volunteers from dozens of organisations work in Workers Beer Company bars, pouring and serving drinks to fund the activities of their groups. This last year has seen the total amount raised by Beer Company servers reach over £1.5 million, money that goes directly to grassroots organisations - trades union branches, campaigning groups, solidarity organisations and voluntary groups. Born in the 1980s, the Company grew up in the harsh years of Thatcher, building partnerships with organisations of the left, but also with commercial organisations, in order to generate the funds needed to campaign for a better quality of life for working people. The Company's unique blend of commerce, fun and fundraising has captured the imagination of the many people who have come into contact with it, and WBC banners are now a common site at some of the largest music events in the UK and beyond. Glastonbury Festival, Reading Festival and Homelands see WBC beer tents every year, and the Fleadh, London's premier music festival, is co-promoted by the Workers Beer Company with the Mean Fiddler organisation. Apart from the large events, the Company is also involved in smaller trades union and community events, offering its expertise to unions, local authorities and voluntary groups to ensure their events go smoothly. The Bread and Roses in Clapham is the Company's first pub, an award-winning free house in Clapham, where the ethos of the Company continues throughout the year. Staff in the pub are not volunteers like those on site, but are covered by a model union agreement for pubstaff, negotiated with the T&G , offering staff proper sick pay, holiday pay and perhaps the best wage rate in the country. The Workers Beer Company is managed by an independent voluntary management committee . If you would like further information about the Workers Beer Company, the services it offers, or how to fundraise with the Company, call us on 020 7720 0140 or visit their website www.workersbeer.co.uk or write to:
The Workers Beer Company
If you would like work with other GMB members at festivals and events throughout the summer please have a look through this information. The guide book provides full details of the 'workers beer company', the work involved, and most importantly the perks of the job. The calendar shows which events 'workers beer' organise the bars for. If there is one that you are interested in please contact Rachel Lyons. For the big festivals like Glastonbury and Reading priority is given to post holders and decided on a first come first served basis. |