TUC joins fight against the Anti-Boycott Bill

martinfrancis2 — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:22:40 +0000

The Trade Union Congress yesterday joined more than 60 organisations including tade unions, human rights and climate action campaigns in opposing the government’s Anti-Boycott Bill.

The bill would prohibit public bodies, including universities and councils from supporting BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) on issues that the government deem not in line with their foreign policy.

It does not prohibit individuals and other organisations from advocating BDS but could well have a chilling effect, particularly if extended to other issues as is happening in the USA.

This is the Trade Union Congress motion that was moved by the National Education Union and seconded by UNISON that was passed yesterday.

A motion opposing the Bill is on the agenda for the Green Party Autumn Conference,

MOTION

The current right-wing Israeli Government, having launched its biggest military incursion in the West Bank in two decades, is announcing new illegal settlements, expelling Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Masafer Yatta, demolishing homes and schools, and failing to prevent armed settlers from rampaging through villages killing and attacking Palestinians, destroying homes and agricultural lands.

The Israeli military has this year killed more than 180 Palestinians.

Congress further notes:

The Government’s Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill would undermine ethical investment and procurement by public bodies by restricting the consideration of human and workers’ rights, international law and environmental concerns, linked to the behaviour of a foreign state. It damages freedom of speech, local democracy, devolution and pension scheme members’ rights.

The legislation would shield the Israeli government from accountability, alongside companies complicit in its occupation, by legislating to silence those trying to achieve change.

Congress believes:

Any attempt to delegitimise the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and to suggest that Palestinians should be denied the right to appeal to people of conscience for support, must be rejected.

The ability of public authorities, including public sector pension funds, to divest from companies responsible for violations of human rights should be defended.

Such legislation could have blocked the boycott of goods and companies complicit in Apartheid South Africa.

Congress resolves to:

Reaffirm support for Palestinian rights, including our commitment to “boycott the goods of companies who profit from illegal settlements, the Occupation and the construction of the Wall”.

Support the Right to Boycott coalition
Campaign with affiliates against the Bill.

Mover: NEU
Seconder: UNISON

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Greens called to join TUC Cost of Living demonstration in London

matthewhull — Wed, 11 May 2022 16:17:00 +0000

The Green Party Trade Union Group has called on party members and supporters to join the TUC’s march and rally in London on Saturday 18 June, to protest Tory government inaction on the cost-of-living crisis.

TUC member unions will be march from Portland Place to Westminster to demand support for workers across the UK economy in the face of rising living costs. The demands include:

A real pay rise for every worker – and a real living wage for all
Respect and security for all workers – ban zero hours contracts, ban fire and rehire, decent sick pay now
End racism at work
Tax energy profits to pay our bills
Raise universal credit
Boost union bargaining rights now

The Green Party’s response to the cost of living crisis has emphasised the need to reduce bills for working people and tackle the climate emergency, by taxing energy giants’ super-profits and embarking on a mass home insulation programme.

The party’s conference last year adopted a policy to support campaigns by the BFAWU and other trade unions for a £15 minimum wage, making it the only major UK political party to do so.

Amid still-rising inflation driven by supply shocks in the global economy, the trade union movement is demanding real action from the Government that meets the challenges workers face. Reporting by the Food Foundation has revealed that more than 2 million people in the UK have gone whole days in the last month without eating because they are struggling with bills. A further 2 million children are reported to be skipping or reducing meals for lack of money.

Green Party members and supporters can join other Greens at the demonstration in London by signing up here.

The post Greens called to join TUC Cost of Living demonstration in London appeared first on Green Party Trade Union Group.

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TUC joins fight against the Anti-Boycott Bill

Greens called to join TUC Cost of Living demonstration in London