STUC Congress 2026 News! SAU Emergency Motion on CCA & T103 Carried!

On April 22rd, SAU President Tamara Rogovic moved an Emergency Motion to “Defend Public Cultural Infrastructure, Workers & Communities” at Scottish TUC Congress 2026.  

We thank delegate Dr Ankna Arockaim from the Musician’s Union and delegate Sarah Krasewitz from the STUC LGBT+ Workers Committee for speaking in support of our Emergency Motion, and we thank all of the Trade Unions who voted to support it!   

The point of this Emergency Motion is to bring attention to the issues in a national Trade Union forum, and gain the backing of Congress and the STUC General Council to carry out the actions in the motion. This gives us all more power backing us up to do further direct lobbying & campaigning. Also, bringing this to Congress puts it on the radar of the leadership in the political parties at Scottish Parliament and Councils across the country - because they pay attention to what happens at STUC Congress.   

For those who have been following closely, you will be aware that the closure of the CCA on 30th January was the result of long-term financial mismanagement by the board, which brought the organisation to collapse and cost workers their jobs. CCA workers were treated appallingly by management, and they are still fighting for redundancy pay. As a community, we must now support the former CCA workers and allies who are working to re-establish an independent multi-disciplinary arts venue at 350 Sauchiehall Street - one rooted in community, centred on artists, and built on Fair Work principles from the outset. To make that possible, the building must be secured with an affordable peppercorn rent. 

Also, in the SAU Emergency Motion to STUC Congress, we wanted to bring attention to an important issue relating to the Trongate 103 crisis - there was apparently never a Disability Impact Assessment to consider the consequences for disabled artists and community members who rely on being able to use these facilities, gain vital support for their practices, and attend events at Project Ability, GMAC, Glasgow Independent Studio, Transmission Gallery, Street Level Photoworks, Glasgow Print Studio and Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre.  

Trongate 103 is one of the few accessible arts hubs in Glasgow. It is also a vital space for LGBTQ+ artists, BPoC artists, disabled artists, working-class communities and other marginalised groups who already face barriers to cultural space, visibility and support. It must be protected. 

We welcome the April 9th Motion on Trongate 103 at Glasgow City Council which was moved by Greens Councillor Christie Mearns, with amendments made by SNP. However, we must keep pressure on the Council for immediate action. What is needed now is intervention that protects the arts organisation tenants at Trongate 103, secures affordable rents, and recognises that cultural infrastructure is part of the public good. 

Thank you to the group of artists and cultural workers from Trongate 103 Tenants Forum and the newly formed Culture Conditions campaigning group (former CCA workers and allies) for keeping us all informed as new details arise. 

We encourage everyone to join in the Culture Bloc at the May Day march on Sunday May 3rd in Glasgow. Bring your fabulous signs and let’s make some noise! 

All photos by Ash Alexander and Kirsty Miller (from Equity)