Usdaw has contributed to two composite motions: firstly, seeking to stop the far right, standing against hate and division; and secondly, to improve workplace rights and protections for workers, recognising that Black workers are disproportionately over-represented in insecure jobs characterised by low pay, short and zero-hours contracts, and experience high levels of discrimination and harassment, and low levels of union organisation.
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Major challenges lie ahead for the anti-racist and anti-fascist movement and trade unions have a crucial role in creating a fairer and more equal society. The growth of the far right is a threat to all progressive movements — not least the Trade Union movement. It is being fuelled by the demonisation of refugees and migrants. We cannot allow them to attack those who are the most vulnerable, fleeing persecution and war. The TUC has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle the far right and amplify the voices of the anti-racist majority, giving this work the high priority it demands.
“We welcome the Employment Rights Bill and its focus on rebalancing the economy, strengthening union organising and extending collective bargaining, which will help promote racial justice and tackle inequality. The surest way to defeat grievance politics is to improve jobs, raise living standards, while investing in public services and communities.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion