OneVoice Europe go to Trade Union Conference

OVE at TUC in Liverpool by Joel Braunold Coordinator Media and Political Outreach OVE

Starting early from London myself and John (Executive Director of OVE) started our long trip up to Liverpool. We were off to the annual Trade Union Congress (TUC) where the Trade Union Movement decides its policy for the year ahead. This year was key for the TUC with the ongoing global recession and upcoming election. Yet the most controversial issue at conference was a motion whether or not to boycott Israel and the Israeli trade union movement. We were going to speak at a fringe event of the Trade Union Friends of Israel, a group that pushes cooperation between the Hisdatrut and the PGFTU (Palestinian trade union movement).

Arriving at the event we saw that many delegates felt connected to the conflict, and though OneVoice takes no position on issues such as boycotts, there was a general cry for action to be taken to end the conflict. We were clear in our discussions that peoples’ energies should be spent on actions that will hasten the end of the conflict rather than exasperate existing tensions and entrench existing positions.

At the actual fringe event, OneVoice received a warm reception- both from the floor and fellow speakers. Michael Leahy, General Secretary of Community, said:

“What the young people in OneVoice are doing should be a focus for inspiration... asking for real progress, real solutions and real peace.”

Roger Lyons, former president of the TUC and chair of TUFI encouraged all unions to invite OneVoice to their executives to learn about their activities within the region.

John stressed that it was vital that we end this conflict by appealing to the pragmatic moderate majority on each side. It is a vital time to put pressure on the leadership on both sides to sit down and negotiate, as the people of the region will not put up with anymore foot dragging from their representatives.

The panel also included the deputy ambassador of Israel to the UK, Talya Lador-Fresher, and the head of the TUC international division.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote on the boycott, I urged delegates not to retreat to entrenched ideological positions and work to find a pragmatic way forward. As the meeting closed many delegates from across the political spectrum came up to OneVoice to congratulate us on our unique and optimistic approach with offers of support and partnership.

After the fringe everyone rushed back to conference floor to hear the key note addresses from Prime Minster Gordon Brown.

The TUC in the end adopted a targeted boycott of settlement produce instead of the more wide-ranging measure initially suggested; but the General Secretary Brendan Barber stated what that the position was, “A two-state solution. The Road Map. Justice for the Palestinians. Security for Israel.” Read his full speech here.

OVE is hoping to work closely with the Trade Union movement, with both their delegations to the region and with their national executives within the UK, to add the trade union movement voice to ours- jointly and loudly calling for a negotiated end to the conflict.

Comments

[Werbegeschenke]

Interesting post, is this happening again in 2010? Would love to be there!

[OneVoice Europe]

We hope to be!

[a-kasse]

I love your site.

[Akassenu]

Thanks for the post. I enjoyed the read.