By Steve McKenzie, Unite Community member
Many Unite activists are becoming increasingly angry and frustrated, with the continuing failure of our union leadership to vigorously oppose the genocidal slaughter in Gaza. As a result of this, members who support Palestine lobbied the meeting of the Unite NEC at union headquarters in London on March 11.
There has been no national mobilisation in support of the many demonstrations that have been organised by the Palestine Solidarity Committee. There have been no Unite national officials speaking at any of these events, and there has been no visible presence from the national union at all. Embarrassingly, it was two months into the Israeli bombardment of Gaza before the Unite national leaders even called for a ceasefire. This is a disgrace.
The London/Eastern region of Unite has played a far more positive role. They have taken their banners on demonstrations and the regional secretary has spoken at them. They have encouraged their members to participate, and have got resolutions sent up to the National Executive calling on the union at a national level to give far more support.
Some branches and industrial committees in other regions have also played a very supportive role, but all to no avail, as far as concerns the national leadership playing a more positive role.
The latest episode in this sorry saga took place at the last national executive council meeting on March 11. There were resolutions from the London and Eastern region on the agenda, but scandalously, they were ruled out of order by the chair, on a technicality. When his decision was challenged, it was defeated, although only by two votes.
There was a very lively lobby of the NEC outside the union headquarters, on the first day of a week-long executive meeting. Around fifty Unite members took part, from three separate regions, all of whom were appalled at the lack of national action by the union.
Clearly, the national leadership of the union chose to ignore this lobby, just as they chose to ignore the resolutions, and just as they choose to continue to ignore the horrendous humanitarian disaster and the plight of millions of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.
Left members of Unite are meeting to organise further actions and we will keep you informed.
