Ukraine at Unite Policy Conference (7-11 July, Brighton)

The Policy Conference of the UK’s second largest trade union – and largest private-sector union – Unite meets every two years. The next one is 7-11 July 2025, in Brighton.

Three similar pro-Ukraine motions are on the agenda (motions 79, 80 and 81, p68 on) – from Community & Youth Workers / Not for Profit Glasgow / Lanarkshire; Graphical, Paper, Media & IT Oxford University Press; and the Section of Architectural Workers.

These motions, which originate with activists in the Unite Ukraine Solidarity group, focus on putting into action the commitment to links and solidarity with Ukrainian trade unions that was part of the policy passed at Policy Conference 2023 but has not been much carried out.

(You can read the 2023 policy plus a criticism of it here – and something about our intervention that year here. But the point this year’s motions are focusing on is that the good bits of the 2023 policy have not been actioned.)

In general Unite has not done very much in support of Ukraine or its labour movement – either before or since the 2023 decision.

Likely inhibiting factors include the strength of Stalinist and campist politics in the union, plus the strength of a tendency arguing to downgrade broader working class solidarity, including internationalism, in favour of a virtually exclusive workplace focus.

But we also know there is a big appetite for solidarity among Unite members. The Unite Ukraine Solidarity Group, established less than a year ago, has begun to more effectively organise that solidarity.

If the 2025 Policy Conference passes these motions, or any of them, and they are even sluggishly carried out, that will be a substantial step forward and give more openings and footholds for rank-and-file organising.

If you’re going to Unite Policy Conference and want to help us there, or even if you’re not but would like to get involved in the Unite Ukraine Solidarity group, get in touch: info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org

• See also this new Ukraine solidarity newsletter produced by one of our affiliated Unite branches, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.