Received from: EIS, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Comprising of Motions 09 and 10 plus amendments
Congress recognises the critical role trade unions play in creating a fairer and more equal society. At the same time, Congress acknowledges the significant challenges, both now and in the future, facing the anti-racist and anti-fascist movements. Congress notes with alarm the continued rise of far-right ideologies across the UK and internationally. These ideologies foster division, racism, misogyny, ablism, homophobia and transphobia.
Unions are working with the Labour government to undo the damage done to our society by 14 years of Conservative rule. However, the scale of this task, industrially and economically, is huge.
Over a decade of neglect and underinvestment has left millions of working people across the country struggling to pay their bills and access basic services. Many are feeling that nothing in the country works as it should and are disillusioned with national politics.
These frustrations are being exploited by the far right to fuel their politics of hate and division. This also enabled Reform to take control of 10 councils and one mayoralty at the 2025 elections – with major implications for local government workers and the communities they serve.
Congress believes that all workers have a role in resisting the far right, with education workers having a critical role. Schools, colleges, and universities must be places where rights, democracy and equality are taught, practised, and safeguarded. Educators must be supported to counter hate, promote critical thinking, and create safe learning environments for all students. The teaching profession must also campaign to protect staff from intimidation and inclusive curricula from corrosive far-right influence.
Congress also acknowledges the significant efforts by far-right groups to subvert public discourse, spread misinformation online, and exploit economic hardship by scapegoating migrants and other marginalised communities. Trade unions have a proud history of challenging fascism and the politics of division that serves the interests of the wealthy, and this Congress reaffirms its commitment to opposing the far right wherever it appears in the present.
The Employment Rights Bill recognises that focussing on re-balancing the economy, strengthening union organising and extending collective bargaining will promote racial justice and tackle inequality. Delivering real change for communities is essential to turning the tide against the far right.
Congress congratulates both the TUC on the publication of their strategy to tackle the far right and affiliates for implementing the strategy and giving it such high priority, something which has built on previous work.
Congress calls upon the Labour government to be bold in its vision, to push back on far-right narratives – to end to the demonisation of migrants and refugees –and to commit to delivering for working people quickly. The surest way to defeat grievance politics is to improve jobs, raise living standards and invest in our public services and communities.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. continue to coordinate the trade union movement to counter far-right ideologies
ii. update and promote the TUC’s guidance on the rise of the far right
iii. produce materials to support union workplace representatives to resist far-right ideologies
iv. ensure union equality reps have statutory paid time off to negotiate with employers as part of new facility time legislation
v. work with unions to help protect staff against far-right intimidation
vi. lobby UK and devolved governments to fund the embedding of anti-racist education in curricula, together with education for peace and digital literacy
vii. collaborate with civic society organisations to resist the far right organising.
Proposer: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Seconder: Educational Institute of Scotland
Supporters: UNISON, Unite, University and College Union, National Association of Head Teachers