USDAW members unite to defeat racists

British UNI Commerce affiliate USDAW has launched the first in an ambitious programme of briefings aimed at tackling the policies and propaganda of the racist BNP in the workplace.

Black and Asian activists held a special get-together last month, when they met with other union reps from across the North, to promote Usdaw’s anti-racist message to members at work.

General Secretary Sir Bill Connor said: “We are committed to making sure that our members are aware of the consequences of BNP activity, both in the local community and more specifically the workplace. We know from our black and Asian members that the presence of the BNP, in some towns and cities, has meant a direct increase in racist attacks and abuse.

“We are determined to ensure everyone understands that the BNP is a racist party, with a racist agenda of ‘rights for whites’.”

At the close of the weekend, union reps left with the knowledge and confidence to counter the racist propaganda of the BNP and the ability to support Usdaw’s black & Asian members under threat from racism.

The event also reaffirmed the union’s desire to defeat the BNP at the ballot box in May. The union’s campaign in Oldham last year saw USDAW member Stephen Williams elected to the council at a time when the BNP were causing trouble in the town. “The BNP’s expectations of electoral success were defeated in Oldham because ordinary union members took the time and effort to reveal the truth about their racist policies,” said Sir Bill Connor. “We won’t rest until the BNP lose their council seats and their racist policies are dumped in the gutter where they belong.”