The Unite delegation at the TUC reaffirmed our agreed Policy Conference positions on Palestine, especially on banning all arms sales and support for BDS, which had been fought for and supported by all on the Left within Unite at Unite conferences since 2010.
United Left hopes this will now mean we can move forward as a union, stop the obstructionism and misdirection of the last almost 12 months and join with other Left unions in reaffirming our resolve to build solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian people of the occupied West Bank who so desperately need our union’s solidarity.
The decision to drop an unnecessary, divisive amendment proposed by the top table, which would have not made a significant difference to the flow of arms and weapons systems was a welcome development.
It’s now up to our Unite leadership to show that this was not simply to avoid isolation within the movement, but an opportunity to return to what it says on our Unite tin:
- Building solidarity with the oppressed and occupied people of Palestine.
- Answering the call from Palestinian trade unionists, academics and political leaders to seriously explore building BDS within our membership.
Mobilising our members to join the massive vibrant solidarity marches and ensuring a national Unite voice at these events will be a crucial test of the sincerity of the decision to support the Palestine composite motion.
Raise the Palestine Solidarity Campaign trade union conference at your Unite branch meetings, ensure you elect a delegate (see information below). And continue to mobilise on the streets, starting with the next demonstration in Liverpool at Labour conference.
Trade Unions Building Solidarity with Palestine
“Join us on Saturday 19 October in London for the next Palestine Solidarity Campaign conference for trade union members and activists wanting to further their solidarity with Palestine.”
A conference for trade unionists to escalate their solidarity actions with the Palestinian people, against genocide and apartheid
Saturday 19 October, 10am – 4.30pm
Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, WC1H 9BB London
Speakers:
- Nadia Habash, President of the Palestinian Engineers’ Syndicate
- Fran Heathcote, General Secretary PCS
- Jeremy Corbyn MP
- Phil Clarke, President NEU
- Liz Wheatley, Chair International Committee UNISON
- Dooley Harte, Pension Official UCU
- Ben Jamal, Director PSC
- Louise Regan, Chair PSC & NEU EC
- With more to be confirmed.