Organising against FASCISM in the workplace 1: INTRODUCTION

JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK This booklet has been produced to Why is this a problem? help trade union shop stewards and Fascism is a political philosophy that activists get involved in workplace glorifies the nation, and often race, and community campaigns opposing above the individual. It believes in a fascist politics and extreme far right centralised autocratic government political parties. headed by a dictator and a uniform, rigid economic and social way of Fascist and populist extreme organising society with forcible right-wing parties are becoming suppression of any opposition. The increasingly involved in mainstream philosophy is opposed to the values of politics in Europe and the UK. In democracy and solidarity that are at Europe they have had considerable the heart of trade unionism. success by demonising racial and religious minorities – especially While many fascist parties present those that have come to Europe themselves as nationalist parties, their as migrant workers. campaigns and policies reveal that in fact they subscribe to a fascist At the start of 2007 fascist and philosophy. Increasingly the BNP and extreme right-wing parties formed other extreme far-right parties focus part of governments in Austria, their propaganda on workplace and Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, community issues that trade unions Italy, Portugal and Switzerland. The are campaigning on. They are also election of fascist MEPs in Bulgaria stepping up their campaign against and Romania resulted in attempts to trade unions fighting for the rights of form a fascist group of MEPs in the migrant workers. While many unions European Parliament. If this had have anti-racist policies and campaign succeeded the group would have against fascist parties during elections, been entitled to financial support as it is important that trade unionists a ‘part bloc’. develop an anti-fascism message that is focused on the workplace to counter In the UK the British National Party fascist arguments. (BNP) have targeted local council seats in an attempt to build a political Educating union members about base that could launch them to fascism and why they need to actively parliamentary success. Since 2000 they oppose fascist politics and parties is have expanded rapidly – from fielding 17 essential because workers make up a candidates and receiving 3022 votes significant part of the local electorate and no seats in 2000 to gaining 49 and can become activists in local seats with votes of 238,389 in 2006. community anti-fascist campaigns. The more that we can actively engage trade union members the more effective these key campaigns will be.

02 Organising against fascism in the workplace 2: FASCIST ACTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Fascist parties have sought to win Dartmoor, Wandsworth and William Roberts, an open NF popular support from working Pentonville prisons. Workers at the member, was re-elected as a people as a way of obtaining north London Royal Mail sorting convenor for the Amalgamated power and influence at a local and offices of Mount Pleasant and Union of Engineering Workers national level. Building support Upper Street, Islington, were also (AUEW). and influence among trade well known for their support for unionists has always been part the NF. Ninety-six NF activists were This success in unions was one of of their strategy. organised in cells at sorting offices the reasons for the split in the NF in in London and the Home Counties. 1976 and the launch of the National In the late 1960s most British Nazis On the railways the NF was able to Party (NP). The NP took a big chunk had realised they could win some set up its own Railwaymen’s of the NF’s most capable and support by adopting an ultra- Association. These activities were dedicated members, as well as a lot patriotic and racist programme. This co-ordinated by the NF’s Trade of their supporters in the unions. To was the main reasoning behind the Union Association. begin with the NP met with some formation of the National Front success, particularly in the declining (NF) in 1967. Although the This period saw the slow demise mill towns in the North-West of Immigration Control Association of the ICA and its replacement by England, and even had two local (ICA) was originally set up by the Trade Union Anti-Immigration councillors elected in Blackburn, dissident conservatives, it quickly Movement (TRUAIM). NF Lancashire. It also won support in saw an influx of NF members eager members, helped by TRUAIM, were the old racist hotbeds of east to exploit the support that the ICA elected to official trade union London. Fortunately for the labour was finding in many workplaces. positions, such as on Luton trades movement internal problems led The most notorious was Smithfield council and the shop stewards’ to the NP’s rapid collapse. meat market, where the porters committee at Rover in Solihull. were organised in a trade union. MARK THOMPSON Danny Harmston, a prominent union member at Smithfield, was a long-time fascist and former bodyguard to the fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley. Under Harmston’s leadership the meat porters formed the core of many ICA marches. Ironically, in 1936 the meat porters were in the forefront of the huge anti-fascist protests against Mosley at Cable Street in east London.

By the mid 1970s the NF had started to establish cells in the prison service. They were particularly strong at Strangeways,

Organising against fascism in the workplace 03 2: FASCIST ACTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The British National Party ASLEF, which had been found to have In recent years the British National acted unlawfully by the British Party (BNP) made a concerted courts after expelling an active BNP attempt to infiltrate the trade union member, took their case to the movement. As well as trying to European Court of Human Rights. In influence workplace attitudes BNP February 2007 the European Court members have sought to confront issued its judgement in the case of trade unions on an individual basis ASLEF v UK, holding that ASLEF’s right by getting expelled from membership to freedom of association under and then taking unions to tribunals Article 11 of the European Convention for breach of the law and their own on Human Rights had been violated rules. This resulted in a number of by UK law, which prevented it from high profile cases where BNP expelling one of its members on the members took different unions ground of his membership of the to court. BNP. The case, taken by ASLEF, was JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK financially supported by 12 other TUC affiliates.

The court’s decision represented a real advance in terms of the rules governing the kinds of people unions can admit or exclude from membership, including BNP members and activists. As a result the Government is changing UK legislation. Unions are also in the process of tightening their own rules to make anti-racism and anti- fascism clear as objects of the union.

Solidarity – The Union for British Workers’ As a response to the failure of their strategy to infiltrate trade unions the BNP and other extreme right-wing parties have attempted to form their own union. ‘Solidarity – The Union for British Workers’ was formed in late 2005 and registered with the Trade Union Certification Officer in early 2006. The union’s General Secretary

04 Organising against fascism in the workplace is Patrick Harrington, an ex-RMT Redwatch disciplined a student who had member, and Clive Potter, ex- Set up in 2001, the Redwatch ripped posters off her office wall, Unison. While stating that it is website publishes the names and shouted at her and attempted to open to all workers from personal information of perceived intimidate her after issues had ethnic, religious and political anti-rascist activists along with been raised about the racist backgrounds, Solidarity describes their photographs and addresses. content of the student’s work. itself as a nationalist union and it The main purpose of the site is I A UNISON activist involved in is, in effect, a front for the BNP. to encourage people to attack or anti-racist activity in the North Harrington is a close friend of BNP harass these opponents of the BNP East had paint thrown over his leader Nick Griffin while Clive and other fascist groups. house after his name and Potter has stood as a candidate for address were published on the the BNP and is a member of a The TUC and its affiliates are website. more obscure fascist organisation concerned that the Redwatch I The chair of the Trades Council in called Third World. Lee Barnes, website, which has links with far Wirral was attacked in his home another member of Solidarity’s right groups including the BNP, by a man and his face cut with a management team, is head of Combat 18 and Blood and Honour, is knife after being featured on the legal affairs at the BNP. a tool to intimidate trade unionists, website. journalists and anti-racist/fascist Solidarity’s main activities so campaigners. The TUC, along with member far have been to organise a trade unions, is pressuring the recruitment campaign in Northern There have been a number of Government to close the website Ireland by distributing leaflets in incidents that have heightened and prosecute those who run it loyalist areas through their links concern. Examples include: with some elements of the Belfast Orange Order. They also have links I Several NUJ-member journalists with Civil Liberty, an organisation who, in the course of their work, with links to the BNP and other investigated far right groups or right-wing extremist commented against right-wing organisations domestically political groups, have been and internationally, targeted by the site alongside messages that indicate a need to There have been reports of find reporters fast and scare Solidarity activists trying to recruit them off. in the Stoke area and they have a I Members of the ATL and NATFHE website with information aimed at have appeared on the site when workers in a number of different challenging the views and sectors. However, they do not have behaviour of students with far- recognition in any workplaces and right sympathies. In one incident, Personnel Today has published a lecturer’s name was published articles expressing concern about on the Redwatch site after she Solidarity’s link with the BNP. insisted that the university

Organising against fascism in the workplace 05 2: FASCIST ACTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

What to do if members Any information on incidents should are attacked or harassed be collated and sent to the TUC, which If a member of your trade union is is collating evidence on harassment harassed or attacked as a result of their that has taken place as a result of photograph and details being put on trade unionists’ details being the Redwatch website, they should: published on the Redwatch website. This information will be passed onto I write a statement detailing what ACPO and the Home Office. happened and why they believe the incident was linked to Redwatch I report the incident to the police I raise the issue with their local MP.

JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

06 Organising against fascism in the workplace 3: CAMPAIGNING IN THE WORKPLACE

GRANT LYNCH Have a plan and stick to it Understanding what you are trying to achieve is key to a successful campaign. Randomly handing out union leaflets or arranging for members to receive letters from the union when you have no clear idea of what you are trying to do can be both soul destroying and a waste of time and resources, so your first step will be to consider your objectives.

Objectives Spending even a short period thinking As well as securing the support of about what it is you want to achieve the branch for the campaign and its can make a world of difference. Your objectives you should ask yourself the objectives may include: following questions when putting together your strategy: I countering a BNP presence in your workplace I Which groups of members are you I countering myths about asylum going to target? seekers, migrant workers and issues I In which workplaces or offices are about race and religion you going to target your efforts? I raising the level of awareness I Do you know the union members among members about fascist and in your target workplaces and their far-right extremist parties attitude to fascist and extreme I encouraging trade union members right-wing parties? to become more active in anti- I What people and resources do you fascist community campaigns. need to deliver your strategy? I Can you get time off for those Achieving these objectives will require involved in the campaign? a specific campaign strategy. I What materials do you need to produce locally and what can you Strategy get from other sources? An essential part of your strategy I What issues and messages will be will be ensuring that you secure most effective in influencing the the active support of your branch views of members? committee so that you have the I How can you deliver these support of colleagues and can access messages most effectively? (For resources from regional and national example, through workplace levels of the union. meetings, leaflets, posters, etc.?

Organising against fascism in the workplace 07 3: CAMPAIGNING IN THE WORKPLACE

WWW.JOHN BIRDSALL.CO.UK

Resources Thinking about even the simplest Ensure that you have adequate campaign in these terms will make resources, including both people and it clear what your objectives are and materials. Also make sure that the will make it easier for you to judge people working on the campaign talk whether the techniques you use are to each other on a regular basis. You successful. should ask the following questions: Countering fascism in the I Do you have a campaign team and union and the workplace what are the individual members A number of unions have expelled responsible for? fascists from their membership and I Are the branch publicity and others have changed their rules to education officers involved? enable them to take action against I Where do people meet and at them. If you discover that there is a what time? member of a fascist or extreme right- I Who will be responsible for wing party in your union branch it is convening the branch campaign important that they are not ignored group? and that the union makes a decision I What training do they need? on how to deal with the situation.

08 Organising against fascism in the workplace The law on how trade unions can Developing effective discipline or expel members is local community complicated. It is important that you campaigns and strategies get advice from your regional or against the far right national officer before attempting The TUC believes that one of the to take disciplinary action against a primary means of defeating far right member. parties is through determined grass-roots activity that engages There may be instances where with people in their communities and members of the BNP’s union workplaces; good will alone will not Solidarity become active in your defeat the far right. It should also be workplace. Although there is little recognised that if all previous tactics chance that the TUC will be able to had worked we would not be facing a persuade the trade union certification situation where the far right continue officer to de-list Solidarity it is to make electoral gains. important that genuine trade unionists organise against them if The TUC has published the they become active or attempt to Organising Against Racism and gain recognition in a workplace. Fascism handbook, a resource to help trade union activists develop effective I Report instances of where Solidarity local community campaign strategies have attempted to organise to your against the far right. Copies of the DUNCAN PHILLIPS/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK regional or national office. handbook can be obtained from the I Explain to members what Solidarity publications department is, what it stands for and why they at the TUC (see page 12). should not join. I Work to get employers to ban The TUC has also developed an online Solidarity activists from the training course, Tackling Racism, run premises if they seek to recruit in by unionlearn. The course for union the workplace. reps has been designed to provide I Counter Solidarity-organised an opportunity for further demonstrations and campaigns in understanding of equality and workplaces. diversity issues in relation to race and to equip reps with the Where Solidarity attempts to recruit information to tackle myths about in unorganised workplaces it will be race, religion and migrant workers. important for unions to recruit and Information on the course can be gain recognition. found at www.unionlearn.org.uk/ education/learn-337-f0.cfm

Organising against fascism in the workplace 09 4: ELECTORAL LAW

GETTY IMAGES You may choose to run your campaign as a third party with the Electoral during election time. If you do, you will Commission increases a third party’s need to be aware of electoral law. spending limits.

Campaigning during general or Spending in support of, or to local elections is covered by the disparage, an individual candidate Representation of the Peoples Act is not covered by those provisions 1983 and the Political Parties, Elections and continues to be subject to the and Referendums Acts 2001. These controls set out in the representation laws control how political parties, of the People Act 1983. organisations and groups campaign and how much money can be spent At any election, other than a by- directly and indirectly by political election, any of the following can parties and politicians during register with the Commission as election campaigns. Under the ‘recognised third parties’, which election rules trade unions are permits them to spend more than classified as ‘third parties’. £10,000 in England and £5,000 in each of Scotland, Wales and What the law says Northern Ireland: A third party is a person or organisation which campaigns I an individual resident in the UK or on behalf of one or more registered registered in an electoral register political parties or a particular I a company category of candidates (for example I a trade union those who advocate a particular I a building society policy or opinion). I a limited liability partnership I a friendly, industrial or provident Controls on the intervention of non- society party organisations and individuals in I an unincorporated association. the UK were introduced for the first time by the Political Parties, Elections PPERA introduced regulations and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000. restricting the amount of expenditure This took effect in February 2001, that can be incurred by a third party backing up the limits on campaign or third parties when producing expenditure by political parties also election material that is made introduced by PPERA. available to the public.

PPERA restricts the amount that a Election material is material that can third party can spend on campaigning reasonably be regarded as intended to for the electoral success of registered promote electoral success for a party parties or candidates. Being registered or group of candidates (including by

10 Organising against fascism in the workplace JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK disparaging a different party or group of candidates). It is irrelevant whether the material expressly mentions the names of the party or candidate.

Once registered with the Electoral Commission third parties are subject to the regulations governing donations to political organisations set out in PPERA. Donations that are made in support of a third party’s activities in campaigning on behalf of a party or group of candidates may only be accepted if they are from a permissible source, and donations above a certain threshold must be reported to the Electoral Commission.

Materials to union members Where the third party is a trade union, and all expenditure incurred in preparing and distributing the material to members of the union is met from a political fund, members of the union would receive the election material as members of that union rather than as a section of the public or as individual members of the public at large.

The expenditure, therefore, would not constitute controlled expenditure by a third party for the purpose of Section 85(2) of the PPERA.

If you are unsure as to whether you are complying with the law, contact the Electoral Commission (see page 12).

Organising against fascism in the workplace 11 5: USEFUL CONTACTS

Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia Today (AXT) Contains in-depth analysis and trends regarding anti-Semitism and racism across the world. www.axt.org.uk

The Electoral Commission T: 020 7271 0500 (switchboard) F: 020 7271 0505 E: [email protected]

Equality and Human Rights Commission www.cre.gov.uk

Institute of Race Relations Provides useful resources fro activists, campaigners, students, researchers and teachers working against racism. www.irr.org.uk

Kick it Out A campaign to eliminate racism from football. www.kickitout.org

Searchlight www.searchlightmagazine.com

Trade Union Congress (TUC) Represents the interests of the 7 million trade unionists and their families in England and Wales. www.tuc.org.uk

The booklet Organising Against Racism and Fascism handbook can be obtained from TUC Publications, TUC, Congress House, London WC1B 3LSD, T: 020 7467 1294 F: 020 7636 0632 www.tuc.org.uk/publications

12 Organising against fascism in the workplace 6: TRADES UNION CONGRESS REGIONAL OFFICES

Northern Region Regional Secretary: Kevin Rowan [email protected] Regional Policy Office Carolyn Clayton [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk/north

Yorkshire & Humber Region Regional Secretary Bill Adams [email protected] Regional Policy officer John Lewis [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk/yorkshireandthehumber

North West Region Regional Secretary Alan Manning [email protected] Education officer Peter Holland [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk/northwest

Midlands Region Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie [email protected] Policy and Campaigns Alan Weaver [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk.midlands

Southern & Eastern Region Regional Secretary Megan Dobney [email protected] Policy and Campaigns Laurie Heselden [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk/sertuc

Wales TUC Assistant Secretary Derek Walker [email protected] Education officer Julie Cook [email protected] www.wtuc.org.uk

South West Region Regional Secretary Nigel Costley [email protected] Education officer Marie Hughes [email protected] www.tuc.org.uk/southwest

Organising against fascism in the workplace 13 6: TRADES UNION CONGRESS REGIONAL OFFICES

Scottish TUC General Secretary Graeme Smith [email protected] Asst sec John Park [email protected] Asst sec Dave Moxham [email protected] Asst sec Stephen Boyd [email protected] Asst sec Mary Senior [email protected] www.stuc.org.uk

Northern Ireland Committee, ICTU Asst gen sec Peter Bunting [email protected] Dep asst gen sec Tom Gillen Advisory services Ann Hope Education officer Tom Moore

TUC Brussels Office European officer Peter Coldrick [email protected] Administrator Elena Crasta [email protected]

14 Organising against fascism in the workplace Organising against fascism in the workplace 15 Published by: Trades Union Congress Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS www.tuc.org.uk

February 2008

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