Solidarity – The Union for British Workers
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| Full name | Solidarity Union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Members | 122 |
| Key people | Patrick Harrington |
| Office location | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | Soldarity Website |
Solidarity – The Union for British Workers is a United Kingdom trade union formed in late 2005. It is named after the Polish trade union Solidarność, and its logo (which it has trademarked) is also inspired by that of the Polish union.
According to documents lodged with the Certification Office, which regulates matters concerning trade unions, Solidarity aims to "improve the relations between employers and employees throughout all industries served by the union"; "to protect, assist and promote the working and living conditions of the citizens of the British Isles"; '"resist and oppose all forms of institutional union corruption"; "promote freedom within and without the Trades Union movement, protecting and promoting freedom of belief, thought and speech, irrespective of political and religious affiliation or creed".
The documents make no mention of race, but Solidarity's General Secretary has repeatedly stated that membership is open to people of all ethnic, religious and political backgrounds. A statement on the Solidarity website backs this view: "Our aim in Solidarity is to unite all workers, from all racial, religious and political backgrounds". The Union has distributed material aimed at recruiting from ethnic minority communities.
Solidarity recruits from all industrial sectors and professions. Solidarity has already stated that it has no plans to apply for affiliation to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and will not be bound, therefore, by agreements not to poach members from other unions.
The Solidarity website states:
"Solidarity recruits from all industrial sectors and professions. We have members in the health service, education, railways, construction to give just a few examples. We believe in ‘One Big Union’."
"The idea is not new. In 1834 Robert Owen formed the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union in an attempt to unite all the workers into one Union. Initiatives for One Big Union have occurred across the world. Most notable was the attempt of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or the Wobblies) to organise One Big Union in the United States, Canada, and Australia and the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) in Spain. We have no particular ideological affinity with either group, nor are we affiliated, but like them we see the sense of organising across trades and professions."
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