UCU: Anti-racism and Together Alliance

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. The growth of far-right and authoritarian groups in the UK and internationally.
2. September 2024 “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration led by fascist Tommy Robinson was 100,000.
3. Recent attacks and attempted arson on hotels housing asylum seekers and mosques.
4. Increased hostility towards migrants, LGBTQ+ communities, anti-racist initiatives and academic freedom.
5. Post-16 education is frequently targeted in culture-war attacks on EDI and curriculum content.
6. Anti-racist mobilisations have successfully pushed the fascists back.
7. New coming rights for equality reps including statutory time to complete duties and rights to training
Congress believes:
a. Far-right politics pose a direct threat to inclusive, democratic and publicly funded post-16 education.
b. UCU must act proactively to defend members, students and the curriculum.
Congress resolves to instruct UCU to:
i. Produce cross-sector guidance for branches and a programme of reps training on responding to far-right activity on and off campus.
ii. Develop national campaigning materials defending EDI and academic freedom.
iii. Coordinate with other trade unions and student unions on anti-racist and anti-fascist initiatives.
iv. Run regional equality organising days to increase branch levels of trained equality reps and strategise to develop branch equality organising plans to mobilise our workplace presence