The text, which celebrates the various contributions trade union members make to society, is made public as the TUC’s holds its annual congress in Manchester over the next few days.
“My grandfather and father both worked for the TUC. The trade union movement is part of my DNA.” said Carol Ann Duffy
“The text celebrates different ways of working with hands. I hope that people who look at it will find an imprint of their own hand, their own contribution, their own work.”
The text is part of an installation developed with Manchester-based artist Stephen Raw.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “We are delighted that Carol-Ann Duffy is helping us mark our 150th anniversary in Manchester, the city where the TUC was formed.
“This text is a fantastic celebration of the work union members do across society. And it’s a reminder of why we need strong unions now and into the future.”
The text reads:
These are gardener’s hands
Planting spring bulbs in the municipal parks
My hands play acoustic guitar
I am music’s diligent apprentice
I have the praying hands of clergy
Vicar, minister, imam, rabbi, priest
Mine are the hands that feed, a chef’s
So you will sit and eat, welcome
Or where there is hurt, hands heal
Nurse, doctor, surgeon make whole
My hands wear the gloves of science
I think research is a kind of love
I offer the hands that fight fire
As I run to the burning tower
