Bus driver Mohammad Taj who is a TGWU/Unite elected representative for over 30 years, has become the first South Asian and Muslim to hold the position as the TUC President.
In 2018, the Unite Education department published a 64 page biography on Mohammad Taj, the first such work on a BAME trade unionist.
A powerful new 24 minute documentary recording the remarkable life and work of Bradford bus driver and trade unionist Mohammad Taj has been released and is now available to view online and the video down below.
The film follows Taj’s inspiring journey from Pakistan to becoming one of the most influential trade unionists in the UK. After arriving in Bradford, Taj learned English and endured a string of low paid jobs where he faced racism before securing work in 1974 as a bus conductor. It was here that he joined the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) and, with the encouragement of a committed white anti-racist, became an elected union representative in November 1978.
The documentary highlights how Taj pioneered new approaches to resolving workplace disputes, focused on recruiting skilled union representatives, and played a key role in improving pay and conditions helping to retain experienced bus drivers in the industry.
Taj’s activism extended far beyond the workplace. He supported the Bradford 12 in their fight for the right to self-defence, stood firmly against the privatisation of bus services, and authored his own report into the causes of the 1995 Bradford riots and worked to get more black people active at all levels within the union and the labour movement generally.
The documentary also shines a light on Taj’s courageous work in challenging sexism within his own community, his opposition to Britain’s military interventions overseas, and his long-standing involvement in the Labour Party, always striving to improve people’s lives.
In 2013, Mohammad Taj was elected President of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a landmark achievement that took him on a year-long journey to picket lines across the UK and internationally. During this time, he spoke passionately about the vital contribution immigrants like himself have made to Britain, economically adding billions to the UK economy.
The documentary, funded by trade union donations, was produced by writer Mark Metcalf alongside Dave Hackney of The Digital Cortex.
For more information, please contact Mark Metcalf on 07392 852561 or via email at metcalfmc@outlook.com.
