- by Polly Smythe
- The Guardian
- Issue #2154
Photo: Unite facebook
Unite’s policy conference has passed a statement committing the union to support worker-led campaigns to boycott the handling of Israeli goods, as well as campaigns for divestment from Israeli companies. Unite is the UK’s largest trade union, with 1.2 million members.
The passage of the statement constitutes a breakthrough for pro-Palestine campaigners within the union.
Tensions within the union have arisen over the perceived threat to the jobs of Unite’s members in aerospace and defence, including at BAE Systems, from the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement and Palestine solidarity groups that target weapons manufacturers.
Last March, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham sent a letter to union staff and organisers, hitting back at actions taken by groups like Palestine Action and Workers For A Free Palestine against arms manufacturers.
The letter said that there was “no contradiction for a trade union to hold a position of solidarity with Palestinian workers, while at the same time refusing to support campaigns that target our members’ workplaces without their support.”
It continued: “The ‘first claim’ on our priorities is always the protection and advancement of our members’ interests at work […] Unite cannot and never will advocate or support any course of action which is counter to that principle.
“We cannot and will not endorse any organisation which decides unilaterally and without any discussion (let alone agreement) with the workers themselves, to support the targeting of our members’ workplaces or their jobs.”
Speaking at the conference, Unite delegate Nicodemus Leo challenged this framing: “What is our solidarity worth, if we have to ask for permission to interrupt the genocide? There needs to be a red line – whenever there is a war crime happening, or a genocide happening, we’ll take all action, regardless if it puts jobs at risk.”
Unite has also been notably absent from national demonstrations for Palestine. A perception among members that the union is not doing enough to support Palestine resulted in a record number of motions about Palestine at the conference.
These tensions are reflected in the motion, which notes that “prior to taking action Unite will engage with members and reps in any affected sectors.”
