Hundreds of workers marched from Glasgow's city centre to the West End on Sunday in celebration of May Day 2026.
Members of the Glasgow Trades Union Council (Image: Newsquest staff)
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Starting at Barrowland Park, members of organisations including Unison Scotland, Glasgow Trades Council, Unite the Union's hospital sector and Living Rent walked along Ingram Street, George Square, St. Vincent Street and Place Street to rally at the Glasgow University Union.
The workers were joined by members of the Saint Frances Pipe Band and the Kinneil Band.
Roz Foyer (left) at today's May Day march in Glasgow (Image: Newsquest staff)
Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, told the Glasgow Times that today's action was a celebration of trade unions and the working class.
She continued: "Traditionally, May Day is a time for workers to come together and celebrate their collective power.
"It's a great chance for us as a movement in Scotland to look back upon the many victories that trade unions have won for working people and also galvanise ourselves for some of the struggles that lie ahead.
"If it weren't for trade unions, we wouldn't have the weekend, we would still have child labour, and workers would still be, in many cases, in enslaved conditions. These were all fights and struggles that had to be won through collective action, with workers coming together as part of the trade union movement.
"That struggle always continues, and that's what today is all about. It's about celebrating that story and the important part that we play in society to make it a fairer place."
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Today’s event, which was organised by the Glasgow Trades Council, took place on the 100th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike and also saw workers unite against the unprecedented cost of living crisis, stagnant wages and the impact of ongoing wars abroad, as well as celebrate the power of trade unions and the working class.
Neil Anderson, treasurer for the Glasgow Trades Council (Image: Newsquest staff)
Neil Anderson, treasurer for the Glasgow Trades Council, said: "Today's march is to highlight what workers do for the community and give activists a voice and platform to rally. We have people from United Hospitality who are still in dispute with Village Hotels, as well as the leader of the Dutch Workers' Party.
"Today is about celebrating workers and also promoting workers' rights and pay."
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Meanwhile, Suki Sangha, chair of Glasgow Trades Union Council, added: “100 years ago, Glasgow’s working class were preparing for one of the greatest recorded acts of mass solidarity.
“Today, mainstream politicians are failing to understand and address the issues destroying the lives of working-class people.
“We are in the fight of our lives, and it is once again left to the trade union movement in our workplaces and communities to promote the interests of our class and hold politicians of any brand to account.”
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
Hundreds marched through the streets of Glasgow today on May Day 2026 (Image: Newsquest staff)
The Glasgow Trades Council was established in 1857 and represents more than 400,000 workers.
This year’s rally was addressed by a variety of speakers, including the RMT’s Eddie Dempsey, Labour MP Brian Leishman and striking Village Hotel employee Stella Small.
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