Brighton, Hove and District TUC would like to express its full solidarity to organisers Unite Against Facism and those present at the In Defence Of Mulitculturalism public meeting on Tuesday April 5 at the Friends Meeting House which was violently attacked by members of the racist, far-right English Defence League.
This physical threat - the first witnessed in Brighton for over 20 years - upon our right to hold public meetings peacefully, that celebrate our achievements and rights, is very concerning. In light of this attack, we are highly concerned about the very likely presence of the English Defence League and other ultra right-wing groups attending your annual St George's Day March for England demonstration on Sunday April 24.
Therefore, BHDTUC is asking the organisers of the March for England to cancel the event in order to prevent an opportunity for further, unwanted provocations towards our community in this divisive and threatening way.
We would like to acknowledge your public statement regarding your wish to disassociate yourself from these groups. However, it is evident on their own online forums that they are actively building for the event and using threats of violence towards ourselves and to individuals, to various communities and campaigns, and the essential unity of the working class that is required to stop the government's assault on our jobs, public services and liberties that are unjustly and disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable and lowest paid communities.
Under this attack on the working class and the trade union movement, carried out by a government of millionaires determined to make ordinary people pay for the mistakes of their capitalist economy, it is vital that those of us who struggle to get by most of all stick together. We do this so that we might use our unity of strength in numbers to defend ourselves. Working together through trade unions and community campaigns can harness that understandable anger, of seeing bankers run off with our £billions and the rich avoiding paying their taxes, and forge it into industrial action and mass demonstrations which make government's shake and listen.
Freedom from discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, colour, disability, sex and sexuality are rights we have fought so hard to achieve and continue to fight for, against an exploitative and crisis-ridden capitalist society. These diversities are not the cause of our problems - the lack of jobs, homes and services caused by the failure of capitalism to provide these essentials is. In particular, pointing the finger of blame towards the Muslim community, as both the EDL and March for England do, only serves to divide our class which is made up of many people worshipping different faiths. Muslims do not cause unemployment or or poverty - capitalist government ministers do.
Any group or political party falsely and violently attempting to blame the faults of the capitalist crisis on any of these rights or on any section of the working class will be actively opposed by BHDTUC, alongside other socialist and progressive groups. It is with this task that we ask you to cancel the March for England demonstration.
Signed,
Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council
April 15 2011.
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Meeting Dates
Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of the month
We alternate between executive committee meetings and full trades council meetings. All delegates are encouraged to attend full meetings and any trade union member may attend as a visitor.
Email BrightonTradesCouncil@gmail.com to be informed of meeting dates and times.
How to get involved
Contact: In the first instance contact the General Secretary Andy Richards at brightontradescouncil@gmail.com
Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.
Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.
Who are we and what do we do?
Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.
Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches of
Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches of
trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area.
A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.
Brighton Hove & District Trades Council was first formed in the function room above The Eagle pub in Gloucester Road, Brighton in 1890.
Aims and objectives
> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.
> Promote organising and recruitment drives to build union membership.
> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.
With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever.
The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.