Usdaw tackles the far-right, along with focussing on organising and delivering for young workers

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Major challenges lie ahead in Scotland, across the UK and internationally for the anti-racist and anti-fascist movement. Unions have a crucial role unions in creating a fairer and more equal society. Not only has the far right grown in strength but its ideas and influence are being normalised. Their slogans and demands are moving from the margins to the mainstream, particularly on the issue of immigration.

“Racist mobilisations against accommodation housing asylum seekers and demonstrations calling for 'mass deportations' are on the rise. The far-right is targeting areas facing housing shortages and higher levels of deprivation. They are circulating myths and misleading online videos that position asylum seekers and migrants as a threat, most notably to women and girls.

“Trade unions are working together to develop comprehensive strategies for tackling the far-right and we welcome the Employment Rights Bill, with its focus on strengthening union organising and extending collective bargaining to promote racial justice and tackle inequality. 

“We now look to the Scottish and UK Governments to push back on, rather than pander to, far right narratives. The best way to defeat grievance politics is to improve jobs, raise living standards, continue to improve workers' rights, while investing in public services and communities.”

Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says: “Young workers, like all workers, need and deserve a fair deal at work. We welcome the UK Government's revised remit for the Low Pay Commission to help eliminate the wage disparity for young people. The Employment Rights Act will have a positive impact on young workers across Scotland, including tackling one-sided flexibility.

“With a UK Government that is committed to helping working people, now is the time to push for parity for young workers in all areas of employment legislation. While redundancy rates across Scotland have been falling, at the end of 2024, redundancy rates for those aged 16-24 were above pre-pandemic levels. So, there is an urgent need to address the entrenched age-discrimination within Statutory Redundancy Pay. 

“We also welcome the provision of trade union access to workplaces and the simplification of the statutory recognition process within the UK Employment Rights Act. To deliver parity in all areas of employment legislation, we need to redouble our efforts in organising young workers; who are essential to the future of the labour and trade union movement.”