The Edinburgh local government branch of public-sector union UNISON has submitted the following motions to UNISON’s 2026 National Delegate Conference (16-19 June, Brighton). We encourage other branches to submit the same motions (the deadline is 24 February).

UNISON NDC debated Ukraine in 2024, voting by a big margin to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its labour movement, and to affiliate to our campaign.

To get involved with the UNISON Members for Ukraine network campaigning in the union to put the policy into action, see here.

Practical solidarity with Ukraine

Conference applauds branches who have offered solidarity to the Ukrainian trade unions and working class since the Russian invasion in 2022. This solidarity is consistent with National Delegate Conference 2024 resolution to support the right of Ukraine to defend itself and to build links with Ukrainian trade unions.

Branches have contributed to appeals, have collected medical and other materials and supported the transportation of these to Ukraine, sometimes independently or working with Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, which UNISON is affiliated to.

Conference congratulates the National Disabled Members Committee for its initiative in organising a webinar with Ukrainian trade unionists and offering advice and support on how to organise and support disabled workers within workplaces and trade unions.

Conference also notes the delegation to Ukraine organised by branches in Scotland and its success in extending UNISON’s solidarity to Ukrainian trade unions, establishing important links with Ukrainian trade unions, LGBT+ groups, disability organisations and linking Scottish and Ukrainian local councils. The Scottish branches also raised a Solidarity Fund which was able to offer humanitarian support to unions and others in Kharkiv and assist with training of trade union activists in the city.

Conference calls on branches to continue developing solidarity and links with Ukrainian trade unions and calls on the NEC to –

1. Offer support to branches seeking to develop solidarity with Ukrainian trade unions

2. Establish direct links with sister unions in Ukraine with a view to exchanging information and visitors to and from Ukraine


The labour movement and anti-imperialism

Conference notes:

1) The Trump regime’s attack in Venezuela and violence and threats in other countries, notably now against Greenland, Cuba and other Latin American states; the ongoing devastation of Russia’s war in Ukraine and its violence and threats in other countries; and the increasingly violent and aggressive stance of imperialist powers more broadly.
2) UNISON and its predecessors’ long record of internationalism and opposition to imperialism, including supporting the struggle against apartheid when the UK government supported the South African regime; opposing the illegal blockade of Cuba; supporting the Kurdish and Palestinian causes; and recently opposing Israel’s assault on Gaza and Russia’s on Ukraine, taking a consistent anti-imperialist position we should be proud of.

Conference believes:

i) That the rising violence and aggression of imperialist powers today is accompanied by a push to divide large parts of the world into spheres of influence, and parallelled and intertwined with the growth of the far right in many countries.
ii) That more medium-sized or even smaller powers have also engaged in more violent and aggressive policies, including invasions, occupations, ethnic cleansing and even genocide – often in alliance with big powers
iii) That an effective working-class and socialist response to these trends must include opposition to all forms of imperialism and violent oppression; support for the right of all peoples to self-determination; defending and extending democracy, including the democratic rights of oppressed communities and minorities; and support for workers’ rights, workers’ struggles and workers’ unity, everywhere in the world. 

Conference resolves to call on the NEC to:

a) Oppose the big powers, including both the US and Russia, using military and economic power to dominate and bully around the world, and the push to divide the world into spheres of influence. To fight for the government to oppose rather than participate in, support or apologise for such imperialism.
b) To work to integrate a consistent working-class anti-imperialist approach into our campaigning, including international solidarity; demands on the government; and fighting the far right.

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