Robinson successfully defended his school from closure, fought for the unification of the teaching unions, mentored future trade union leaders and transformed teaching at the Marx Memorial Library, writes JOHN FOSTER

THIS year’s TUC Congress takes place at an interesting point in time.
The cost-of-living crisis has sparked a wave of resistance from unions, with rail workers, postal workers, education workers, health workers, council workers, steelworkers and many more taking action against declining living standards.
Trade unions have once again been in the news and the national consciousness. Public approval ratings for unions are higher than they’ve been for decades.



