The recent far-right presence in Bristol has caused concern among trade unionists. Matt Hollinshead, a local organizer, expressed his disappointment at the slow response to the hostile groups that besieged a city-center hotel housing asylum-seekers on August 3. In response to the race riots, trade unions in the South West have established an anti-racist task force to coordinate demonstrations against the far-right.
While the steps taken by trade unions to combat fascism were documented, questions were raised about the role of unions in anti-fascism and whether they should also focus on internal issues. Adekunle Akinola, vice-chair of the Unison Black members self-organized group in the South West, emphasized the need for unions to show support for migrant workers and address past instances of racism within unions.
Historically, some unions have adopted racist policies, and the far right has targeted their predominantly white working-class membership. This demographic is often inaccurately portrayed as the main participants in anti-migrant activities in the UK. It is essential to understand the historical sources of fascist agitation in the country and how organized labor has responded to past race riots to effectively counter the resurgence of the far right.
Adam Quarshie and Debrief host Priyanka Raval delve into these complex issues and more in a thought-provoking discussion. Subscribe to The Bristol Cable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred audio platform to stay informed about critical social issues in Bristol.
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In addition to the far-right threat, trade unions in Bristol have been actively addressing various challenges, such as the recent strike action at City Academy and the historic industrial action by nurses over pay. The response by trade union reps to the Avonmouth tragedy and the involvement of alternative unions like ACORN and IWW in critical issues demonstrate the collective power of organized labor in Bristol.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the selection process for Bristol library assistants, who are now required to undergo formal written exams for their own jobs. This new requirement has sparked anger and frustration among library staff, highlighting the need for transparency and fairness in workplace practices.
