UNION SLAMS BNP ACTION (From Warrington Guardian)

UNION SLAMS BNP ACTION

A TRADE union has condemned calls by an extreme right wing party encouraging people to join the union.

The move by the general union GMB comes after the British National Party sent leaflets around Warrington Collegiate last week claiming that some of its members were shop stewards at the college.

The latest BNP leaflet, which is electioneering for the forthcoming Euro and borough council elections, also criticises the police and the 'politically correct' media.

A student at the college, upset by the comments contained in the leaflet, leaked the claims to the Guardian Midweek this week.

Now, the national union GMB is calling for a change in the law so it can expel members of the British National Party from its organisation.

Gary Jones, regional secretary of the GMB, said: "We abhor the policies and actions of the BNP. The GMB stands for equality and justice for all. There is no place in the GMB Union for any member whose conduct brings them into opposition to these policies.

"While at the present we cannot lawfully expel members of the BNP as a result of their party affiliation, we do look forward to a change in law."

This is the second time the far right wing party has been associated with Warrington Collegiate. In November last year college principal Paul Hefren quashed rumours of BNP activity at the college after a black member of staff left her post amid claims of racial harassment.

The college launched an internal investigation into her complaint last year, but none of the allegations were upheld.

Critics have reacted with scepticism to the BNP campaign, saying it is a tactic the party uses to gauge support for the party in different areas.

A spokesman for Warrington Collegiate said: "A photocopied piece of paper promoting the BNP was found on the Collegiate's GMB notice board. As soon as this was brought to the attention of senior managers, it was removed. Senior managers then contacted the GMB Union.

"It is policy that no member of staff should promote any political party within the Collegiate."

David Jones, regional press officer for the BNP, said: "It's a witch hunt.

"Joseph McCarthy is alive and well in the British trade union movement. If the GMB wants to disassociate itself from somebody, it should look to the Labour Party. Other unions are beginning to disaffiliate from the Labour Party and maybe the GMB should take a leaf out of their book."