- Conference
- 2003 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 29 May 2003
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is appalled at the successes achieved by the British National Party (BNP) in local elections. These are based on their ability to spread lies, fear and prejudice and represent a stain on our democracy.
Conference believes that this trend is part of the wider problem of the alienation of low income communities as a result of the decline in the manufacturing sector.
Rural areas suffer from racism as much as our towns and cities. In the countryside, the lack of established ethnic minority communities increases the risk of discrimination, harassment and attack for black and Asian families. The far right is often at its most effective where people have the least experience of living and working in diverse and multicultural communities. The BNP sees areas like Somerset and the South West as easy targets for exploiting isolation and generating hatred and fear.
At the heart of the problem is the failure of Government to produce an effective national and local economic strategy that lifts these areas out of the cycle of decline, and to commit resources and programmes to restrict the ability of those who seek to divide communities.
In parallel the Government’s continued rhetoric and policies against asylum seekers promotes the idea that Britain has an immigration problem. Conference notes in particular a number of statements by David Blunkett and the Prime Minister’s target of reducing asylum seekers by half, which have polarised the issues on ethnicity and British identity.
Trade unions have long recognised that the attacks of the far-right on minority groups are a real danger to diversity in our society and our culture. The scapegoats that the fascists seize on, whether because of skin colour, religion, sexuality or nationality, are well represented in unions. That is why unions challenge discrimination and campaign for equality of opportunity.
Conference calls for a campaign by UNISON, together with the TUC, to highlight these problems and that much of the low growth in the economy is due to the closures and redundancies in the high tech sector which have skilled workforces. This is due to opportunist companies who transfer their investment overseas where labour is cheaper.
Conference therefore resolves to:
1)in discussion with other trade unions, develop a debate within the TUC on the most effective industrial and monetary policy to be pursued;
2)campaign against the de-investment in industry and for an economic policy that benefits working people and their families;
3)continue to commit resources to fighting the BNP and other fascist organisations in the communities affected, providing campaign materials and organising public meetings working with the anti-racist organisations in those areas;
4)continue to develop and promote UNISON’s anti-racist position throughout its membership using educational and publicity material exposing the misinformation regarding asylum seekers and immigration;
We call on branches, regions and the National Executive Council to:
a)celebrate diversity by supporting multicultural carnivals and respect festivals;
b)challenge myths and prejudice about asylum seekers and migrants;
c)champion victims of discrimination in the workplace and beyond;
d)seek alliances with other unions, faith groups, community groups and good employers to stand firm against fascism.