TUC 2009 - Monday morning
14 September 2009
Janice called for members of the BNP to be banned from working in the public sector and highlighted determined action by trade unionists in fighting the BNP in the past.
Challenging the BNP’s message of hate
Janice said: “The BNP’s message of hate and fear stands in stark contrast to values of equality and access for all on which our public services are based.
“It’s not acceptable to be a fascist at the weekend and stroll into work Monday morning and have access to sensitive information about citizens from across our communities.”
She added that the mainstream political parties need to urgently address the serious gaps in their policies that allow the far right to exploit division, and called for an urgent national demonstration.
“Rising unemployment, poor access to decent public services, privatisation and bad housing all contribute to alienate and act as a petri dish for the germs of the BNP to spread,” she said.
“PCS believes that united action, in many cases led by trade unions, bringing together communities and workers is key to defeating the far right through inclusive and collective organisation in our workplaces and communities.”
She closed by saying: “We fight the BNP not just because their views are repugnant and based on ignorance, but because they seek to divide us, separating worker from worker when we know our unity is our strength.
“This is the strength we need to defend our jobs, our working conditions and our communities.”
Against racism, against homophobia
National executive member Zita Holbourne spoke in support of motion 12 ‘Against racism, against homophobia’.
She said it was important to recognise that the BNP is homophobic and sexist as well as fascist.
“The BNP hates me for several reasons,” Zita said. “I’m black, a working woman, a single parent and a trade union activist.”
She highlighted how our Make Your Vote Campaign brought together communities to not only challenge politicians on their policies, but to fight the far right.
She told delegates that we produced MYVC campaign material in different languages and took our message to Pride and other events.
“We encouraged people to register to vote and use their vote,” Zita added. “However let down people feel with the mainstream parties, we must remind them of the importance of voting to keep the BNP out.”
She highlighted some examples of the obscene views and statements of BNP elected members’, and said that activists at the far right party’s recent Red, White and Blue festival burned a golliwog for the crime of “being black”.
“The PCS rulebook stops BNP members from joining the union. We also need fascist free zones in our communities. We need to engage all people in this fight against evil.”
Remembering the victims of racism
PCS delegates and visitors later joined colleagues in a silent vigil outside the conference centre to remember the victims of racism and fascism throughout the world.
More than 1,000 people stood for three minutes holding flags and signs saying ‘Not in my name’.
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