On Sunday 11 February, Stand Up To Racism and the TUC held its jointly organised hybrid trade union conference: Fighting for Anti Racist Workplaces, hosted at the NEU HQ in London physically, and fully online. Across the day, 450 anti racist trade unionists attended the various sessions, with around 150 in the building and 130 attending online at any given point throught the day.
The conference started off with an opening plenary: Opposing scapegoating and the growth of the far right, with Riz Hussein TUC Race Equality Officer hosting a panel including Maryam Eslamdoust TSSA general secretary, Paresh Patel Unite Midlands regional secretary (speaking on behalf of the general secretary) and Sabby Dhalu Stand Up To Racism co convenor
VIDEO COMING SOON HERE
There were three workshops running in the next session.
A workshop on Fighting Islamophobia, antisemitism and the new racist and fascist movement had a panel kicking off a lively discussion, with Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC general secretary, Lena Wånggren UCU Scotland Immediate Past President and Micki Loebner an NEU rep & South London activist, chaired by Rana Aria Unison Hammersmith and Fulham
VIDEO COMING SOON HERE
A workshop on Building Solidarity with Refugees and Migrant Workers was introduced by Fran Heathcote PCS general secretary, Kebba Manneh Unison National Black Workers Committee chair, Charlotte Khan Care4Calais, and Candy Udwin Dorset Stand Up To Racism & campaign against Bibby Stockholm Barge, hosted by Wilf Sullivan Stand Up To Racism national officer.
VIDEO COMING SOON HERE
A workshop on Organising Against Institutional Racism and Building Black Representation in the Workplace was introduced by a panel including Riz Hussein TUC Race Equality Officer, Taranjit Chana anti racist trade union activist, Jennifer Christopher NEU Oldham Equalities Officer & NEU Black Members Organising Forum, Amit Malde FBU Black Members Committee chair and was hosted by NEU rep & activist Julie Mukherjee.
VIDEO COMING SOON HERE
The conference rounded up with a final plenary, a session the focused on the need to mobilise on the 16 & 17 March #StopRacism #StopTheHate national demonstrations in London, Glasgow and Cardiff
VIDEO COMING SOON HERE
Mick Whelan ASLEF general secretary, France Heathcote PCS general secretary, Olaf Klenke NGG food workers union eastern Germany regional secretary who spoke about the mass anti fascist movement against the AfD, Chris Weavers NASUWT National Official, Brian Richardson Stand Up To Racism national officer and Sabby Dhalu Stand Up To Racism co convenor rounded off the event, with conference attendees chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, Refugees are Welcome Here” as they held up posters to say they are marching together against racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism on Saturday 16 March and Sunday 17 March, joining the global day of protest
