Motion to Affiliate with TSN
This is a draft motion that Trade Unionists can take to their branch with a view to affiliating with TSN:
……………………….. deplores the continuing racism and disadvantage experienced by Roma and Traveller communities in the UK.
Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are amongst the most marginalised minorities in the UK, facing both direct racism, and institutional racism in access to education, healthcare and other services. It is shocking that racism against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers remains largely mainstream and ‘respectable’, with routine campaigns against Roma or Gypsy/Traveller sites and the families who live in them. This bigotry has been most sharply brought into focus at Dale Farm, with Basildon Council displaying an irrational hatred of Traveller residents, and the police using wholly unacceptable levels of violence (including the use of Tasers) in clearing the site. We also note that Con-Dem cuts fall unequally, and it is the most disadvantaged groups – including GRT communities – that are now paying a high price for an economic crisis they have not caused.
We welcome the rise of self-organised campaigning and resistance by these communities, and the development of broader support organisations such as Dale Farm Solidarity and the Traveller Solidarity Network. We believe that support for these organisations is wholly consistent with NUT’s vision of a society based on justice and equality.
We therefore resolve to:
- Affiliate to the Traveller Solidarity Network.
- Actively support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller rights, including publicising events organised by the Traveller Solidarity Network to our members and urging their support.
- Donate £50 towards campaign expenses.
We further resolve to:
Urge members and affiliate organisations to support and affiliate to TSN and become involved in local and national initiatives.
Support the international day of action called for Roma Nation Day on April 8th, including the demonstration planned in London meeting at Hyde Park Corner at midday.
Circulate details of TSN’s Info Tour which is a series of local meetings being held in the coming weeks aiming at informing people of the true situation travelling people are faced with and to build support against National and Local Government racism.
We urge members of trades unions to propose TSN’s draft motion at their trades union branch, Trades Council and any other relevant body and organisation.
