Our message to unions in the US

The TUC sends its full solidarity to the AFL-CIO in the US in the wake of the election of President Trump.

While the consequences for the rest of the world are uncertain and unsettling, we know you and your members face a more obvious and immediate threat. With Trump’s Supreme Court selections already unravelling reproductive rights, we know women’s rights will continue to come under huge threat. Likewise, we know that Trump’s hateful and divisive language and the policies that will flow from it could have devastating consequences for many minorities in the US. His threat to deport untold millions of migrants is horrifying, and places him firmly at the head of the growing group of extremist leaders subverting democratic values around the world.

The far right’s attempt to present themselves as champions of workers, while systematically reducing workers’ power, represents a fundamental challenge to our movement. It is only organised labour that will give voice to the struggles of working people, it is union power that holds the rich to account, and unions that can bring stability to workers’ lives.

We are sure that unions in the US will do everything you can to fight Trump’s plans and to protect your fellow workers. We know that you have defied and helped defeat Trump before, and also that you can draw inspiration from our many colleagues around the world engaged in similar fights against extreme anti-democratic and far right governments.

The TUC offers its solidarity and sympathy today, and a pledge of steadfast support for your struggle over the next few years, as well as to all workers, women, minorities and migrants feeling fearful right now.

In solidarity, your TUC colleagues.