By Chris Bartter

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Following the successful launch of the Asylum Seekers project (see last moths SiU) UNISONScotland's Anti-Racism strategy has led to three other initiatives announced recently.

Widely reported has been the launch of the UNISON Scotland book and leaflet detailing The Asylum Myths. This outlines and demolishes most of the misconceptions put about by both racist parties like the BNP, and unfortunately too often by the UK media.

The booklet also outlines some of the organisations that use racism to whip up fear and gain political advantage.

Dave Watson, UNISON Scottish Organiser - Policy said, "The Anti- Racism strategy has three strands - campaigning against racist parties at election time; combating the kind of unconscious racism we read every day in some of the papers and making contact with communities who experience the problems of racism to support them. These activities fall into these categories."

During the General Election one of these parties attempted to gain a toehold in Scottish politics. The BNP stood two candidates in Glasgow trying to whip up trouble in Glasgow North East (that includes Sighthill) and standing against Mohammed Sarwar MP in Glasgow Central.

UNISON printed 5,000 leaflets for distribution to our members in Glasgow exposing the real nature of the BNP candidates and urging members to use their vote to stop the BNP.

Community links Another strand of the strategy is to make links between UNISON and some of the communities experiencing racism. To that end we are planning to have a presence at some of the multicultural festivals organised in different parts of Scotland.

Kevin O'Neil (UNISON Information Development Officer) said. "We will have a stall, and are sponsoring a workshop at the North Glasgow International Festival in Springburn on June 4. We are also looking at taking part in the Edinburgh and Glasgow Melas - although maybe not this year in each case. We are looking for members to assist with this type of work - staffing stalls, identifying other events to become involved in and things of this nature."

Any volunteers, contact Kevin on 0845 355 0845 k.oneil@unison.co.uk

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