In an increasingly polarised world, Advance Union is taking a stand. With the appointment of a new National Executive for Inclusivity and a firm commitment to challenge extremism, the union is sending a clear message: our strength lies in our unity.
It’s impossible to ignore the chill in the air. Across the country and the globe, a harsh political wind is blowing. Divisive rhetoric, once confined to the fringes, has seeped into mainstream discourse, and hard-won human rights are being called into question with alarming frequency. This poison of division manifests in many forms: in the resurgence of racism, the stoking of religious hatred, and the targeted attacks on the LGBT+ community. For our trans and non-binary siblings, in particular, this is not a theoretical debate watched from the sidelines—it is a daily reality fraught with hostility and uncertainty. The current political climate has seen their very existence become a battleground, with extremist movements and cynical political actors seeking to unwind decades of progress, sow division, and scapegoat marginalised communities for wider societal problems.
This is precisely why the trade union movement’s commitment to inclusivity and solidarity is more critical now than at any point in recent memory. Solidarity is not a passive concept or a comfortable slogan; it is an active, defiant, and conscious choice to stand with those being targeted. It is a profound recognition of the fundamental principle upon which our movement was built: an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Whether that attack is driven by homophobia, transphobia, racism, or religious bigotry, our response must be the same: unity and strength. History teaches us that the forces of division rarely stop with one group. That is why our collective power, when wielded with purpose, is the most effective shield against unacceptable behaviour and the most powerful engine for progressive change.
For Advance Union, this is a moment to lead from the front. Thankfully, we work with an Employer that really cares about its employees in this space. However, we believe our role and our responsibility extend beyond the negotiation table and the workplace floor; they involve actively shaping a society where every individual is not only safe but is respected, valued, and celebrated for who they are.
Taking a Stand, Leading the Way
As a powerful demonstration of this unwavering commitment, we are proud to have created the vital new role of National Executive Member for Inclusivity, with the election of the tireless and respected advocate Arthur Lord to the position. This isn’t about optics or tokenism; it’s about embedding expertise, passion, and accountability at the very heart of our leadership to drive real, lasting, structural change. Arthur will be responsible for scrutinising and transforming our policies, campaigns, and internal structures to ensure they are not just compliant but are actively and robustly anti-discriminatory.
This landmark move is underpinned by a crucial decision made at our recent national conference. In a decisive show of unity, representatives voted unanimously to pass a motion committing Advance Union to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in actively challenging the rise of extreme political movements. This is a formal pledge to align ourselves with the wider union movement to combat the toxic ideologies that threaten our society. These movements, which often fuel racism, religious extremism, and anti-LGBT+ sentiment, must be opposed at every turn. It means we will use our collective voice and our resources to fight misinformation, to lobby against discriminatory policies at every level, and to offer unwavering, tangible support to those on the front lines of this struggle.
From Principle to Practice: Our Action Plan
With Arthur’s support, our commitment will translate into a comprehensive programme of concrete action:
- A review of our internal processes: We will ensure that everything from our local meetings to our national conferences is a genuinely safe and accessible space for all. This includes normalising the sharing of pronouns, ensuring gender-neutral facilities are available, and reviewing all our communications to use inclusive language. We will scrutinise our election and selection procedures to dismantle barriers and encourage participation from all under-represented groups. We may not get this right every time- but our members will help keep us straight on this commitment.
- Developing new resources: We will empower our reps and members with practical toolkits on active allyship, how to confidently challenge unconscious bias and microaggressions in all their forms. This training will equip our people to be effective agents of change in their own workplaces.
- Launching targeted, high-impact campaigns: We will challenge all forms of discrimination head-on by celebrating when Santander and other employers are getting it right and calling out where more needs to be done. We will campaign for the strengthening of the Equality Act and promote the tangible benefits of a diverse workforce, ensuring employers’ policies are put into meaningful practice and not left as empty words on a website.
- Deepening how we listen to our members: We will establish confidential forums and run anonymous surveys specifically designed to better understand the unique challenges, barriers, and threats that members from all marginalised communities face at work and in society. Your lived experiences will directly shape our priorities, inform our campaigns, and ensure that the voice of every member is heard and acted upon.
This is the beginning of a transformative new chapter for Advance Union. In a time of division, we choose solidarity. In an era of hostility, we choose compassion and strength. We are wholly dedicated to building a union that not only represents but actively fights for every single one of its members, in all their diversity. We invite you to join us in this crucial work. Your voice, your experience, and your active participation are vital to our success.
