Date 26 April 2007

UNISON takes action to challenge racist parties

UNISON, Scotland's largest union, is preparing to take its campaign against the BNP and other far-right parties to the streets this weekend. The union's branches are organising a number of initiatives in different parts of Scotland on Saturday 28 April to take the message out to the public that racists have no place in Scotland.

Stalls will be organised in a number of areas including Ayr, Kilmarnock, Stirling, Glasgow and Turriff.

The union has produced large numbers of leaflets and posters urging its members to be careful with their vote, and to vote against racist parties like the BNP on March 3.

UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said: "UNISON members care for the whole community in Scotland, we won't allow racists to wreck Scotland's economic and cultural future. The BNP preach their message of hate, but try to hide it under a veneer of respectability. They use lies and rumour to pedal myths about, migrant workers and asylum seekers. We have been working to expose those myths and welcome much needed workers into Scotland."

UNISON points out that a recent economic report has found that the influx of recent migrant workers into Scotland has boosted our economy. And that without them our building trade would collapse, the catering and tourist trade would suffer and our health service would fall apart.

They point out that recent BNP successes in England have lead to increases in racist crime wherever the BNP win council seats, and that a number of senior BNP members have been convicted of violent crimes.

Dave said "The BNP campaign is not only based on lies, it is hypocritical. It purports to be for local people - yet they have had to import half their candidates from England to make up the numbers. With the new PR system - particularly in the local councils elections - there is a danger that a low turnout could lead to BNP candidates being elected by default. We are urging our members and the general public to get out and ensure they cannot destroy our democracy."

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 0845 355 0845 (w) 07958 122 409 (m) Kevin O'Neil (Information Development Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 07988 867 935(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558 3729(m)

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