Unions against far-right violence
JVL Introduction
A number of trade unions have issued statements condemning the wave of far-right violence since the Southport stabbings on Monday July 29.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said in a statement which we reproduce below:
“This situation has been decades in the making. Mainstream politicians and media outlets have stoked anti-migrant hate and Islamophobia while driving down the living standards of most people.
Austerity, cutting pay and trashing public services were choices made by right wing politicians in the interests of big business – not by migrants. The new Labour government has a duty to offer an alternative, rather than pandering to anti-migrant rhetoric.”
National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede said:
“many years of irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and in sections of the British media have created a climate that threatens the social cohesion of this country and our progress towards a more equal society.”
These and many other union statements can be found by clicking these links:
TUC, Unite, RMT, CWU, PCS, Unison, NIPSA, CSP, NEU, FBU, NUJ, Equity, BFAWU, ASLEF, GMB, RCN, UCU, NAPO, POA, Musicians Union, Community, USDAW, IWGB
NWI
Fire Brigades Union condemns far-right riots and racist violence
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Firefighters were among the first to respond to the appalling stabbings in Southport last week. The FBU sends its thoughts and condolences to all those affected, especially the loved ones of the three young children who tragically lost their lives, and we applaud the bravery and professionalism of the firefighters who attended.
It is clear that the organised far right has used these tragic events to mount a deliberate campaign of racist violence and intimidation. The attacks on mosques, hotels housing migrants and other targets in recent days have been shocking.
This situation has been decades in the making. Mainstream politicians and media outlets have stoked anti-migrant hate and Islamophobia while driving down the living standards of most people.
Austerity, cutting pay and trashing public services were choices made by right wing politicians in the interests of big business – not by migrants. The new Labour government has a duty to offer an alternative, rather than pandering to anti-migrant rhetoric.
Firefighters are on the front line. We are still assessing the experience of FBU members on the ground, but there is evidence to suggest that firefighters have faced obstruction, and that fire appliances have been deliberately damaged. Resources being deployed to fires resulting from rioting could impact response times to other incidents.
The FBU stands in solidarity with those facing racism, violence and intimidation, and we stand for the unity of all workers against a cynical divide and rule agenda.
We have written to the FBU’s Brigade Secretaries to ask them to reach out to local mosques, migrant groups and civil society organisations to offer support and build links. The trade union movement has a proud history of mobilising against the far right, and it must continue to do so.”
National Education Union stands against violent, racist and Islamophobic disorder
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
NEU expresses its sincerest condolences to the families and school communities of Southport who, at this time, are grieving the devastating loss of three young girls: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
The exploitation by far-right groups of the violent, heartbreaking attack on children is truly shameful.
Our communities have come under attack through deplorable acts of racist and Islamophobic violence, in which we have seen attacks on homes, mosques, Muslim-owned businesses, and arson attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers.
There are many children who are going to bed at night worried and frightened by events taking place in their communities – we cannot stand by and allow this to happen.
Our members, who believe in the power of education, will take the lead in challenging racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism and in challenging harmful prejudices and stereotyping about migrant families.
We value the many positive aspects that migration and immigrants bring to our Union, our movement and our country as well as the benefits for all of us in living in a society that is welcoming and inclusive.
We recognise that many years of irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and in sections of the British media have created a climate that threatens the social cohesion of this country and our progress towards a more equal society.
This violence must provide a watershed moment for change.
Divisive, hateful language and negative, racist stereotypes have a real and immediate impact on classrooms and on the wellbeing of students and educators. This threatens the possibility of progress toward greater race equality in education, employment or wider society. The current curriculum review must respond to these urgent social issues and investigate how to build an anti-racist curriculum that boosts engagement, self-esteem and a sense of belonging for every child.
The trade union movement has a strong and vibrant history of opposing racism and fascism. The National Education Union stands in the tradition of our member Blair Peach. We will support rallies, protests and initiatives called by Stand Up To Racism as a non-violent counter to the hatred manifesting on our streets.
We encourage our members to extend practical support and solidarity to those who are facing racist attacks.
We urge all districts and branches to contact local mosques, refugee centres and solidarity groups to offer the union’s solidarity and support.
Our children have the right to grow up without fear. We must stand together across our movement and our communities to stand up for human rights, social justice and using education to counter racism.”
It is good to see so many unions coming out to condemn the riots and link it so succinctly to the rhetoric and Austerity of the last 14 years. The Labour Party must take the Unions views on board and abandon their ‘sheep’ like following of Tory policies.