V The Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) planned “day of action” for Palestine on Thursday, which will involve teachers and nurses wearing Palestinian colours and symbols, has been condemned by Jewish groups.
The umbrella organisation of British trade unions, which contains an estimated 5.5 million members in 48 trade unions, has called for workers to demonstrate “solidarity actions in their own workplaces” in support of the Palestinian cause and “for an immediate ceasefire” to the conflict in Gaza.
One of the actions it suggests is for workers on the day is to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity. Photos from the day could be shared on social media, creating a visual display of support.”
The Board of Deputies said in a post on social media that the campaign “represents a continued failure of unions to support workers if they are Jewish”.
The Board added: “Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing across a variety of sectors and highlights an ongoing issue whereby certain unions have prioritised gesture politics over the welfare of Jewish workers in their sector, resulting in an exodus of Jews from such unions.”
It was time, the Board said, “for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant”.
The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said it had written to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over concerns that plans for the day of action in schools would have a “damaging impact on community cohesion but may also be unlawful”.
One union supporting the TUC’s campaign is Unison, Britain’s largest union, which represents healthcare workers including nurses and paramedics.
There have been ongoing concerns about the wearing of political symbols and pro-Palestine campaign material by NHS staff.
Russell Langer, director of public affairs at the JLC, told the JC: “We are deeply concerned by the call for a day of ‘workplace action’ by several trade unions and the damaging impact this will have on community cohesion.”
A Unison spokesman said members were not being asked to wear pro-Palestine attire when dealing with patients. “Union branches are being encouraged to show support for a ceasefire by taking a photo during their lunch break,” he said.
A spokesperson for the TUC said: “The day of action is focused on the TUC’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.
“We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.”