Month: May 2021

Lambeth UNISON supports the Palestinian’s right to exist!

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Motion adopted at our Branch Committee 18 May 2021

This branch deplores the violence currently taking place in the Middle East, including the bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force.

The context within which this violence is taking place is that of the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestine. 

We echo the view expressed by Labour Party Conference 2019 that an internationalist Labour Party has a special responsibility to redress the ongoing injustices against the Palestinian people, denied their right to self-determination during the British Mandate, because of the role Britain played as a colonial power during the 1948 Nakba when Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes.

We support the call from Labour Party Conference 2018 for a freeze of UK Government arms sales to Israel; and an immediate unconditional end to the illegal blockade and closure of Gaza.

We endorse the following demands supported by the Trades Union Congress in 2020;

  • respect for all Palestinian rights, including the right to collective self-determination and the right to return
  • an end to the illegal occupation and a halt to further annexation.
  • support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that is consistent with international law and based on a two-state solution, which must promote equality and respect for human and labour rights.

We call on the UK government to publicly support the same goals and to recognise the State of Palestine.

‘In addition, we welcome the recognition in the TUC Congress resolution that the Israeli government’s declared intention to annex great swathes of the West Bank would be “another significant step in the creation of a system of apartheid”

In February, Israel’s largest human rights group, B’Tselem, published its report  A regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This is apartheid.

Human Rights Watch, one of the two most important global human rights monitoring bodies, released a report at the end of April that unequivocally declares Israel is guilty of the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.

Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah are facing imminent forced evictions, which is part of the Israeli’s government’s ongoing plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Jerusalem

UK trade policy and business should ensure Palestinian labour and human rights are protected and respected, and support an end to the occupation.

We further support Keir Starmer’s pledge, made in the Labour leadership election last year to put human rights at the heart of foreign policy and to review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.

We resolve;

  1. To support, and encourage our members to attend, local and national protests in support of a just peace in the Middle East;
  2. Reaffirm our branch’s continuing support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign and circulate information to members encouraging them to support BDS
  1. To send this motion, appropriately reworded, to the Regional Council;
  2. To refer this motion to UNISON Labour Link.

JOB ROLE: Private sector organiser

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Lambeth UNISON are recruiting for a temporary private sector organiser for 21 hours a week.

Lambeth UNISON organises many public sector workers at Lambeth Council and at Lambeth College, but we also have members in many private sector work places including care homes, industrial laundries and security services. Our branch is committed to organising our members across these different industries.


The successful candidate will bring their experience and skills to the role and be able to develop and deliver recruitment and organising initiatives and campaigns, train and develop new stewards and undertake case work (representing workers at disciplinaries/grievances, etc).


You will have excellent presentation skills and communication skills, both face-to-face and on paper. A sound understanding of trade unions and their objectives is essential. Our Branch is committed to member led trade unionism, with our activity driven, shaped and controlled by members and activists. Your role will be to work with reps and members in private sector workplaces to build up organisation and member led activity. You do not need to have worked for a trade union before however the Branch would value skills and experience as a rank and file trade union and/or community activist.


You will be required to travel to workplaces across Lambeth and work hours which best allow you to access members


We understand that some candidates may need to slightly reduce or increase hours in order to fit with benefits stipulations. Please feel free to call the Branch Office if you would like to apply but may need to alter hours.


This role will be for an initial three months and then extended depending on assessments.

Pay

£16,000 per annum

How to apply
Please email us a statement that answers the following questions
What relevant experience and skills do you have?
What qualities does a trade union organiser need to have?
What kind of campaigns do you think are pertinent to private sector workers right now?
Email Ruth Cashman at rcashman@lambeth.gov.uk with the subject: Private sector organiser role application

About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. Lambeth UNISON organises local authority, education and private sector workers across Lambeth.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.

Application deadline

4 June 2021 at 5pm