PCS anti-racist, anti fascist (ARAF) campaign against the far-right

Many PCS members will have observed with concern the rise of the far-right across Europe over the past decade. In the recent general election, we saw the election of five Reform UK candidates, including Nigel Farage, to the UK parliament, while in the recent elections in France the far-right National Rally topped the polls in the first round of voting.

Just last week, PCS President Martin Cavanagh spoke to thousands of people at a Stand Up To Racism march and rally in London, telling attendees that we “are facing the greatest threat that we have faced for generations”.

The far-right seek to exploit genuine grievances, to divide working people by scapegoating migrants and Muslims. 

Falling living standards, stagnant wages, insecure jobs, and rising inequality are exploited to promote the politics of hate. And that’s before we think about the impact of huge austerity cuts to our schools, our hospitals and other public services.

PCS has a longstanding anti-racist and anti-fascist (ARAF) strategy to help root out racism in our workplaces and in wider society. Related to this work has been our stand against the government’s appalling treatment of asylum seekers. 

We campaign with other trade unions and those anti-racist anti-fascist organisations to which we affiliate, through officially organised events where members feel safe to attend.

What is in the ARAF strategy?

PCS seeks to give members and reps the tools they need to identify and counteract dangerous, racist narratives. 

Our ARAF strategy was developed in 2014 in response to a rise in support for far-right groups and ideas arising from massive austerity cuts to services and jobs that created fertile ground for the politics of division.

The strategy was updated following a motion to annual delegate conference in 2019, and again in April 2022, to take into account the changing nature of the threat and to consolidate the union’s resources to enable reps to continue to challenge racism.

The strategy document gives context for the rise of the far-right ideas and groups, provides a list of key aims and objectives, signposts to useful guidance and resources, highlights PCS’s training resources, gives basic guidance on tackling racism in the workplace, and reminds members of general security issues if they intend to campaign against the far-right.

We encourage members and reps to discuss these issues in their branches, groups and regions, to make use of the resources, and to take the opportunity to use our new training available to tackle racism where it occurs in the workplace.

Our Racism & Intolerance: Changing Attitudes in the Workplace course on 18 October is now open for registration. This one-day workshop helps build confidence in challenging far-right ideas and tackling difficult conversations, and gives you practical campaigning tips.

You can also speak to your group and branch organisers directly about lunchtime training, access to materials, and information about how to stay safe when participating in official demonstrations. 

Supporting communities during these dangerous times comes in many forms - we must educate, organise and promote unity across the movement and wider society.

You can read more about and download the PCS anti-racism anti-fascism strategy on PCS Knowledge, where you can also find many articles on combating racism in the workplace.