The biennial Policy Conference of Unite, the UK’s second largest and largest private-sector union, has voted overwhelmingly for a motion committing to stronger, more active solidarity with Ukraine through links with Ukrainian trade unions (text below, and below that the text of the seconding speech by our comrade Tyrone Falls).

The motion passed was composited from three motions submitted by branches, all proposed by members of the Unite Ukraine Solidarity group formed last year. In two of the branches Ukrainian comrades were involved in putting the motion forward. At Policy Conference, the composite passed with no speeches against and only a handful of abstentions.

See here for the bulletin we produced with the Unite Ukraine Solidarity comrades.

We will be organising to build on this fantastic result. If you’re in Unite and would like to get involved, drop us an email: info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org

Composite #14: Solidarity with Ukraine

Incorporating Motions 79, 80, 81

Standing in the names of:
CYW-NP Sector Glasgow/Lanarkshire (SC/164/403)
GPM Oxford University Press (SE/6277)
Unite – Architectural Workers (LE/801)

Conference notes that the mass destruction and bombing of the indiscriminate Russian attacks have left millions of Ukrainians displaced, many without homes to return to and that Unite members may be asked to work on reconstruction projects within their workplace. Many prominent international organisations are salivating at the chance to rebuild Ukraine in their own image, with myopic and technocratic ideas for redevelopment.

Conference notes that the Executive Council Statement on Ukraine adopted by Policy Conference 2023 – alongside condemning Russia’s invasion and war and calling for immediate Russian withdrawal – called on the UK government to “seek to strengthen links with Ukrainian trade unions and support their rights to organise freely, and especially recognise their role in building a more just and democratic post-war reconstruction.”

This Conference believes that Unite should step up pressure on the Labour government to do so; and that Unite should use its affiliation to the Labour Party, and its representation in Labour Party structures, for that purpose.

Conference also believes that Unite itself should strengthen its own links with Ukrainian trade unions, and provide support to the latter in their campaigning activities as the collective voice of labour in Ukraine – including against the Russian invasion and war, and against the Ukrainian government’s neoliberal / anti-worker policies.

Conference therefore calls for:

  • Speakers from the two Ukrainian trade union federations (FPU, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, and KVPU, Confederation of Free Trades Unions of Ukraine) to be invited to speak and take questions/have discussion at a Unite EC meeting (in person or online).
  • Unite at national and regional levels to organise delegations to Ukraine to meet Ukrainian trade unions; and to organise speaking tours in Britain for Ukrainian trade union representatives.
  • Unite at national and regional levels to publicise financial appeals launched/promoted by Ukrainian trade unions.
  • Unite branches to twin with Ukrainian counterparts, with assistance in twinning being provided by their Unite Regional offices where required.
  • Unite to raise the issues facing workers and trade unions in Ukraine in the Labour Party.

Tyrone Falls’ seconding speech

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