Motion no: 3
Conference recognises the challenge presented by the rise of the organised far right groups and far right ideas. The underlying causes are multi-faceted but there are fundamental issues that feed the far-right agenda.
Grinding poverty has driven many in society to despair. Political instability and the seemingly endless refugee crisis caused by rampant aggressive imperialism, and the active use of divide and rule tactics by mainstream politicians who adopt racist tropes, have all fed the far-right agenda.
Clearly the response of the trade union movement to these issues must also be multi-faceted. Our movement provides the beacon of hope for the future for the working class. We must raise that beacon ever higher so that even the most oppressed layers in society, here and internationally, can see a positive method of struggle to change their lives.
Conference recognises that alongside work to reach those who have been blindsided by far-right ideas, our movement must consider how we respond to the methods of the far-right that are a direct threat to the democratic interests of our movement. With that in mind, conference calls on Northern Committee of ICTU to establish a trade union member based stewarding group to provide support and protection, where needed, for meetings, protests, picket lines and demonstrations to ensure trade union members and the wider public can exercise their democratic rights.
