Unite accused of ‘shameless manoeuvre’ to block pro-Gaza conference motions

Sharon Graham’s supporters force through neutralising ‘statement’ – delegates urged to defeat it tomorrow so motions are heard

In what Unite conference delegates have described as a “shameless manoeuvre” by supporters of the union’s general secretary Sharon Graham, the union’s executive has narrowly approved a ‘statement’ on Gaza to be put to a vote among delegates tomorrow in what they allege amounts to a ‘wrecking motion’ designed to prevent debate and votes on the many motions on Israel’s genocide put to the conference by union branches.

The statement was drawn up by the executive to be put to the conference tomorrow – and if delegates pass it then all the Gaza motions agreed democratically by Unite member branches will fall and be put aside without ever being so much as discussed.

Insiders told Skwawkbox that the statement is designed to sound more radical than past positions, but is actually riddled with loopholes and weasel wording to let the management wriggle off the hook if it ever comes to any real action in support of Palestine.  Action has to be “worker led”, and no action can be taken without the consent of any workers who might be negatively impacted by it – a dodge entirely in line with Graham’s express prioritisation of jobs – including in the arms industry – over opposing and ending Israel’s genocide of around 400,000 people in Gaza and counting.

The statement was put to a vote on the executive – with the chair, a Graham ally democratically removed by exec members but kept in place by Graham through expensive legal action banning any amendments from being suggested – and passed by just three votes.  The union is said to be applying huge pressure on delegates to vote for the it – which they are being told is a massive step forward for unity and solidarity – and to allow their own motions to be killed, an(other) appalling attack on democracy.

While Graham and Unite’s management have been happy to piggy-back on the actions of others, for example praising French dock workers who refused to load weapons bound for Israel last month, her own record has been one of inaction and alleged obstruction of others attempting to stand with the Palestinians – and of a commitment to the arms industry over solidarity with Palestinians and others. She has been accused of:

• telling her chief of staff to threaten a soon-to-retire official with the loss of a pension bonus if he did not soften his support for Palestinians
• banning Unite officials and national banners from pro-Gaza protests
• banning and smearing films and books exposing the Israel lobby’s ‘Labour antisemitism’ scam
• placing an official under investigation who refused to cancel a Palestine solidarity fringe event at Labour’s 2023 annual conference
• telling union members that she will always prioritise jobs over taking action against Israel’s genocide

Graham’s tenure has also been marked by allegations and admissions of anti-worker activity against Unite’s own staff. She has been embroiled in a dispute by staff working in the department she created for her husband to run, who allege that he and managers working under him have bullied and abused staff. At least three and by some reports four of the five women working in the department have quit and Graham and her team have been accused by furious workers of employing union-busting tactics to break up the strike, including having allies join the GMB union that represents staff working for Unite to try to vote down the strike action, an allegation that the union’s sector committee has demanded be investigated. Unite’s officers have also accused her of using anti-union legislation to stop them organising collectively.

And in a stunning development exclusively reported by Skwawkbox, lawyers acting for Unite and Graham also confirmed Skwawkbox’s reporting that the union had destroyed evidence gathered by staff, particularly women, who had recorded the behaviour her husband, Jack Clarke, in their complaint that he was behaving abusively and misogynistically.

Delegates who have understood the ‘statement’ manoeuvre are urging their fellow delegates to vote against the NEC statement and to raise points of order to ensure that democracy is respected and union branches have their own say rather than having watered-down words forced down their throats to allow Graham and her backers to avoid scrutiny for their refusal to support the oppressed Palestinian people facing a racist genocide.

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