Internationalism doesn’t take our focus away from domestic matters. A global fight for justice and freedom can inspire us to make changes in the United Kingdom. It is why UNISON has allied itself with so many different movements from around the world all based on trade union solidarity and connected by our shared humanity.
UNISON has long supported Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Solihull UNISON branch, at a local level, has affiliated to PSC for a number of years and we reaffiliate every year at our Annual General Meeting by members voting to do so.
On October 10th 2024, UNISON, along with many other unions, encouraged a Ceasefire Now Workplace Day of Action. This is to put pressure on politicians and decision makers to put a stop to the killing by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank.
UN human rights office have said of the 42000 killed, nearly 70% are of those killed are women and children. UNICEF have also reported that newborn care has been decimated in Gaza.
At our recent branch meeting, a motion was discussed and passed to support a Day of Action on 28th November that the Trade Union Council are supporting. The motion is available here.
Due to the many different places of work that we are based in and differing opinions, it will always be difficult to get a complete agreement on what we can do. We have a consensus on the following actions that you could you take if you choose to.
- Follow and support PSC and their campaigns.
- Hundreds of organisations including Oxfam, Amnesty International and Save the Children have demanded to stop arms exports. On the 28th November, we can all write to our local MP and use the PSC petition asking to stop arming Israel. This is the only real leverage that exists to demand a ceasefire in order stop the killing and the release of all hostages. Please do change as necessary.
- If you are able to, please donate or help raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). It is a charity that this branch has supported for many years. Its medical staff have been working in Gaza under almost impossible conditions recently.
The way world leaders have acted towards what is happening in Gaza, the West Bank and now Lebanon, has meant that any moral high ground with regards to human rights has been lost. We need peace for everyone and there can be no peace until there is justice, freedom and equality for all.
Below are videos from the PSC Trade Union Conference and testimony from MAP doctors who have been working in Gaza.
Solihull UNISON 