Fighting racism and fascism
We should all play our part in defeating racism and fascism and all members across the civil service and related areas need to work together to ensure that we play our part in the movement against far-right extremism.
PCS seeks to give members and reps the tools they need to identify and counteract dangerous, racist narratives.
Our anti-racist anti-fascist strategy was developed in 2014 in response to a rise in support for far-right groups and ideas arising from massive austerity cuts to services and jobs that created fertile ground for the politics of division. It was updated in 2019, and again in April 2022, to take into account the changing nature of the threat and to consolidate the union’s resources to enable reps to continue to challenge racism.
The strategy document gives context for the rise of the far-right ideas and groups, provides a list of key aims and objectives, signposts to useful guidance and resources, highlights PCS’s training resources, gives basic guidance on tackling racism in the workplace, and reminds members of general security issues if they intend to campaign against the far-right.
As part of our anti-racism and anti-fascism strategy, where reps believe racist/fascist behaviour and actions are occurring in the workplace, such issues should be raised with management at the appropriate level.
Each workplace represented by PCS, whether in the core civil service or in the commercial sector, should have an appropriate departmental or employer code. This should include equality provision with discrimination and harassment policies derived from the civil service code of conduct.
PCS operates a 24-hour racial incidents helpline. This is for PCS members only, to report incidents involving racism at work.
- Have you experienced a racial incident at work?
- Do you feel unable to contact your local union representative?
Call the 24 hour racial incident helpline: 020 7801 2678.
Our promise:
- All messages left are strictly confidential.
- An officer of the union will contact you within 48 hours to discuss the incident in detail.
The helpline gives support to members who feel they’ve been the victim of any type of racist incident at work.
PCS activists are encouraged to sign up for a one-day workshop Racism and intolerance: changing attitudes in the workplace, which is available through the PCS Academy.