Outrage over TUC’s ‘wear a keffiyeh in the workplace’ day

The Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) planned “day of action” for Palestine on Thursday has been condemned by Jewish communal groups.

The umbrella organisation of British trade unions, which contains an estimated 5.5 members in 48 trade unions, has called for workers to demonstrate “solidarity actions in their own workplaces” in support of the Palestinian cause and “for an immediate ceasefire” to the conflict in Gaza.

One of the actions it suggests is for workers on the day is to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity. Photos from the day could be shared on social media, creating a visual display of support.”

The Board of Deputies said in a post on social media that the campaign “represents a continued failure of unions to support workers if they are Jewish”.

The Board added: “Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing across a variety of sectors — and highlights an ongoing issue whereby certain unions have prioritised gesture politics over the welfare of Jewish workers in their sector, resulting in an exodus of Jews from such unions.”

It was time, the Board said, “for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant”.

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said it had written to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over concerns that plans for the day of action in schools would have a “damaging impact on community cohesion but may also be unlawful”.

One union supporting the TUC’s campaign is Unison, Britain’s largest union, which represents healthcare workers including nurses and paramedics.

There have been ongoing concerns about the wearing of political symbols and pro-Palestine campaign material by NHS staff.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail reported that Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs five hospitals in London, had ordered a review of uniform and dress code policy after Jewish staff and patients complained about staff wearing pro-Palestine slogans on their uniform.

Russell Langer, director of public affairs at the JLC, told the JC: "We are deeply concerned by the call for a day of ‘workplace action’ by several trade unions and the damaging impact this will have on community cohesion.”

He continued: “It is particularly vital that those in roles directly facing the public, such as those treating patients in the NHS, are not allowed to display political symbols which might undermine trust. We continue to raise these concerns across government, which must ensure that no unlawful action takes place and community cohesion is protected.”

NHS England sources indicated to the JC that uniform policies and dress codes – and sanctions for violating those codes – are set locally and are the responsibility of individual NHS organisations.

When contacted for comment, a Unison spokesperson did not suggest that members were being asked to wear pro-Palestine attire when dealing directly with patients.

The spokesman told the JC: “Union branches are being encouraged to show support for a ceasefire by taking a photo during their lunch break.”

Asked whether there had been other foreign conflicts which the union had encouraged its members to act, the spokesperson said: “The union has supported workers living through conflicts elsewhere in the world. For example, in Ukraine.”

The TUC’s campaign has also been criticised for excluding Israeli perspectives of the conflict.

Steve Scott, director of Britain Israel Trade Union Dialogue (BITUD) – a group that promotes relations between British, Israeli and Palestinian trade unions – told the JC: “We have called for the day to include information on the dreadful terror attacks on October 7, which started this awful war in Gaza, that left 1,200 people murdered in southern Israel. This has also been a tragedy for ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who have suffered from the actions of Hamas”.

He added: “Only by fully understanding the reasons for the war can we all call for a ceasefire in solidarity with all in Israel and Palestine.”

A spokesperson for the TUC told the JC that: “The day of action is focused on the TUC’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners. We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.”

Asked about their response to other recent foreign conflicts, they also said that the union had taken steps to encourage people to show their support for Ukraine.