One of the largest private sector unions has thrown its weight behind a referendum on the Brexit deal - adding new momentum to the campaign.
One of Britain’s largest private sector unions has joined the campaign for a ‘people’s vote’ on the final terms of Brexit, at its national conference in Birmingham.
The move by the Prospect union – which represents around 140,000 professional workers – means it joins a growing number of organisations backing a referendum on the final deal.
Until yesterday the Royal College of Nursing was the only trade union to back a vote on the EU deal, after delegates took a decisive stance at their conference last month.
It follows the National Union of Students voted to back a fresh Brexit referendum at its conference in March.
The Prospect motion – put forward by the BT Northern Ireland branch and backed by delegates and the union’s NEC – calls for democratic oversight of the Brexit process.
Delegates at the conference expressed ‘grave concerns’ about the impact of a hard Brexit on members’ jobs and services.
The ‘overwhelming’ vote in support of a referendum on the Brexit deal means the union are now calling for:
- A campaign for a public say on the results of the negotiations, to ‘ensure a democratic stamp of approval on the final outcome’
- An extension of the transitional arrangements to ensure new negotiations or a return to the status quo before the Brexit vote, if the government’s proposed final outcome is rejected
A Prospect spokesperson told this site its members were deeply concerned about whether the government would force the UK out of key organisations such as Euratom: “There is a real lack of clarity about what [our members’] working environment is going to be like going forward,” they said.
Moving the motion, Claire Mullaly of the BT Northern Ireland branch said:
“We must be bold and on the right side of history. Our members are fearful for the 3m EU nationals, fearful for the impact of Brexit on key Prospect industries, fearful for the rights of Britain’s working abroad, and fearful for future collaboration in science and research and workers rights.
“People must be able to ratify the final outcome – this is a final layer of democracy.”
Pro-EU campaigners welcomed the conference vote, including Labour backbencher Chuka Umunna:
Getting the endorsement of one of the country’s biggest trade unions, @ProspectUnion – which represents 142,000 workers – is fantastic news and a huge moment for the @peoplesvote_uk campaign. #PeoplesVote https://t.co/Y1E44GNzeh
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) June 5, 2018
Prospect is the largest union for highly-skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, nuclear, aviation, heritage media and broadcasting – with its engineering and science sector workers hit particularly hard by Brexit.
A Best for Britain spokesperson said:
“This is an important step in the fight to bring this government to account on Brexit. People up and down this country are increasingly seeing the damage and uncertainty caused by Brexit.”
Mike Clancy, Prospect general secretary, said:
“This vote is indicative of the daily experiences our members are having as they prepare for Brexit with very little guidance or information. We negotiate daily and we know therefore that outcomes have to be the subject of a vote to validate them…
“The government’s chaotic approach has put these hardworking people into some of the most difficult professional circumstances in their working history.
“This vote is about ensuring that Brexit is delivered in the right way for the country. It is decisive, bold and most importantly democratic, which is at the heart of what our movement is about.”
The motion, seen by Left Foot Forward, states that: “Rhetoric of ‘Brexit means Brexit’ is meaningless as there are at least four versions of Brexit on the cards. In many instances, a Brexit deal or exiting without a deal in place could be damaging for the jobs and industries of Prospect and BECTU members.
“We will only be able to judge what Brexit means when the terms of Brexit negotiated by the government are presented to Parliament.”
There are rumours that more unions may be set to follow – piling pressure on the Labour party to back a ‘people’s vote’…
Josiah Mortimer is Editor of Left Foot Forward. Follow him on Twitter.
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.