Received from: EIS
Merged into composite 02
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.
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.
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 calls on the General Council to:
a. continue to coordinate the trade union movement to counter far-right ideologies
b. update and promote the TUC’s guidance on the rise of the far right
c. produce materials to support TUC accredited representatives to resist far-right ideologies
d. work with unions to help protect staff against far-right intimidation
e. lobby UK and devolved governments to fund the embedding of anti-racist education in curricula, together with political education, education for peace and digital literacy; and
f. collaborate with civic society organisations to resist the far-right organising.
Educational Institute of Scotland
AMENDMENT
In bullet point c., delete “TUC accredited representatives” and replace with “union workplace representatives”
After bullet point c., insert new bullet point:
“d. ensure union equality reps have statutory paid time off to negotiate with employers as part of new facility time legislation”
Renumber existing bullet points.
Unite
AMENDMENT
In bullet e. delete “political education”
National Association of Head Teachers