UNION Friday: 15 May 2009

Colleagues,

We are at a tipping point in UK electoral history as the BNP work hard to gain a seat in the European parliament during the Euro elections in May.

The lack of remorse and shame of the people is writ large as they try and embed themselves within the striking energy workers. Angry strikers however are not people you should manipulate, as this Channel 4 news clip shows:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1184614595?bctid=9823457001

As trade unionists across the UK we must do as the strikers at the Lindsey refinery have done and tell these racists directly that they have no place in a civilised society, and certainly no part in standling alongside trade unionists engaged in industrial action.

The Union Friday initiative forms part of Searchlight's Hope not Hate campaign and calls upon trade union branches to affirm their opposition to the BNP. Please push this colleagues and use whatever levers you can at a regional and national level to gain wider support. Get more info:
http://hopenothate.org.uk/tufs/unionfriday.php

As significant political or industrial struggle however needs more than union motions I ask you one further favour which is to support the leafleting and campaigning activity on the ground in your own neighbourhoods. The Stand up and be Counted initiative is, as the name suggests, a request to support directly the work to counter any increase in the BNP's share of the Euro votes: http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/defeatthebnp

It goes without saying that it is up to each of us to do our part - an increase in electoral support for the BNP is unthinkable.

Thanks

Ian