By Christopher Ford Secretary of Ukraine Solidarity Campaign
On a 10-13 September the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will take place in the city of Liverpool. Liverpool hosted Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine and also Kyiv Pride. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Liverpool is also crucial for Ukrainians.
The TUC is an organisation which unites trade unions representing more than 5.5 million working people who are members of 48 trade unions in the UK.
Trade Unions in the UK are not like in the fake unions in the old USSR, these are genuine democratic organisation of workers. They campaign and negotiate with employers and governments to improve conditions at work and in society as a whole.
The TUC Congress is like a parliament of the trade unions, it will decide policies and actions for the year ahead. This year the congress will have a major debate on Ukraine and will decide whether to adopt a strong policy of ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ – which is outlined below.
Trade unions are an important organisation in British society and an influential voice in the life of this country.
That makes the trade unions also important for Ukraine and for you as Ukrainians in the UK
We are appealing to you to engage with the trade unions and support our struggle, these are some of the reasons why.
Battle of Ideas and Hybrid war
The trade unions are the largest organisation of civil society in the UK, active in workplaces, communities and beyond. Russian hybrid war has been seeking to undermine popular support for Ukraine, this has been done through a massive disinformation campaign and they have sought to influence civil society.
There are a minority of political forces who actively repeat Russian disinformation or make the same arguments against UK support for Ukraine. We find them in all shades of opinion – conservatives, liberals, the Communist Party and others allied with them such as the ‘Stop the War Campaign’.
Whilst there is widespread support for Ukraine the risk that support can be undermined is real. This is because those who oppose Ukraine are seeking to exploit real issues – such as the economic problems, cost of energy, low wages, staff shortages in public services. They point to the UK military aid for Ukraine and make the reactionary argument the money should be spent on British people first.
There has been therefore an important battle of ideas inside the trade union movement in the UK over Ukraine.
The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign and our trade union allies have been actively fighting for solidarity with Ukraine, since 2014. We have strongly challenged Russian propaganda – and we organised significant aid to Ukraine, and your military amongst trade unions.
This year we are seeking to win the whole TUC congress to adopt strong policy– we are facing opposition. We hope to win and welcome your support.
The coming Labour Government
The current Conservative Government is coming to an end, and it is highly likely there will be a Labour Government. The Labour Party has a strong policy on Ukraine, our campaign helped secure that policy at last years Labour Party conference with the help of our trade unions allies. Labour is committed to a clearer, systematic programme of aid to Ukraine, has demanded all weapons promised are delivered. Which the current government has not done.
The Labour Party was established by trade unions, it is directly linked with unions and funded by them. To influence the Ukraine policy of Labour Party and a new Labour Government, Ukrainians in the UK should engage and get involved with the trade unions and wider labour movement.
Our Past is Your Present
There is a deep recognition of the importance of the fight against fascism in the UK as regards the experience of World War Two. British people also celebrate and cherish what they achieved in their post-war reconstruction under the Labour Government of 1945. In the resistance to Russian fascism, Ukrainians can make a strong appeal to the common struggle of Britain’s past being the present day experience of Ukrainians. We your friends in the British labour movement recognise this important struggle against Russian fascism and lessons from the failure of appeasement in the 1930s.
You also need trade unions.
Of course, trade unions are not only about winning and sustaining support for Ukraine, if you are working in the UK you also need protection at work, advice and support. A previous TUC report – Gone West: The Harsh Reality of Ukrainians at Work in the UK shows why Ukrainians here should join trade unions today.
Stand By Ukraine
Please come along and help us at the TUC congress. Join us on Tuesday in Liverpool when the congress votes on Ukraine.
TUC congress is at the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, also known as simply ACC, the address is Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4FP.
At 08:30 am outside the ACC Convention Centre we will be leafleting delegates.
At 12.45 to 14.30 – a meet outside the ACC and have flags and banners in support of Ukraine. We are inviting the union delegations and leaders to join us.
At 6:00 pm Ukraine Solidarity Campaign fringe meeting – details are attached
C21 Solidarity with Ukraine
Congress unequivocally condemns Russia’s illegal, aggressive invasion of Ukraine.
Congress notes:
1. The systematic repression of free trade unions under Putin and Lukashenko, and their suppression in the occupied territories of Ukraine since 2014.
2. Appeals from Ukrainian unions for moral and material aid, including the means of Ukraine’s self-defence.
3. That those who suffer most in times of war are the working class, and that the labour movement must do all it can to prevent conflict; however, that is not always possible.
4. The TUC’s proud history of solidarity with victims of fascist, imperialist aggression including its support for arms to the Spanish Republic. As trade unionists we are inherently anti-imperialistic, and our job is to fight imperialism and tyranny at every opportunity. We recognise that a victory for Putin in Ukraine will be a success for reactionary authoritarian politics across the world.
5. The horrendous human and environmental cost of the Ukraine conflict. Millions of people have been forced to abandon their homes and flee, while many others have lost their lives.
6 The Russian programme of ethnic cleansing.
7. That trade unions across Ukraine have shown true solidarity and support by offering shelter and food to refugees. ASLEF has worked closely with Ukrainian rail unions and seen the tremendous work that they have done to support workers in these times of conflict.
Congress affirms:
a) Its support for civil and labour rights in Russia and Belarus and the immediate release of trade union prisoners.
b) Its belief that there can be no just or enduring peace while the Russian state continues its denial of Ukrainian sovereignty.
c) Its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including refugees whose sanctuary has been delayed or denied by the UK Government.
d) That re-construction of Ukraine must have labour and union values at its centre.
Congress supports:
i. The immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from all Ukrainian territories occupied since 2014.
ii. Ukrainian unions’ calls for financial and practical aid from the UK to Ukraine.
III. A peaceful end to the conflict that secures the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the support and self-determination of the Ukrainian people.
iv. The full restoration of labour rights in Ukraine and a socially-just reconstruction and re development programme that embeds collective bargaining and rejects deregulation and privatisation.
v. TUC work, and facilitation of affiliates’ engagement, with the main Ukrainian trade union centres (FPU/KVPU), and acknowledges the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign.
Congress therefore instructs the General Council to:
1. Send solidarity to all Ukrainian trade unionists who are fighting for workers’ rights and against imperialism every day.
2. Engage with Ukrainian trade unions from both trade union centres, and a wide range of union members and ideas.
3. Stand with Ukrainian people in the UK and support them in whatever means available until they can safely return home.
Mover: GMB
Seconder: ASLEF
Supporter: NUM
Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Кампанія Солідарності з Україною) 