Trade unions in Palestine have long been calling for direct action, strikes and blockades to halt the Israeli war machine. We have marched in our millions to demand a ceasefire and an end to UK complicity in genocide and apartheid, and  have taken part in workplaces days of action. Backed by three national unions (NEU, UCU and PCS), the 7 Feb was the largest workplace day of action so far: workplaces across the country including schools, colleges, universities, government departments and hospitals saw walkouts, rallies and protests for Palestine. 

But the shameful scenes in parliament on 21 February, as the government and Labour united to sabotage the vote on a ceasefire, show we need to do much more. 

As Israeli forces prepare for a brutal onslaught on 1.5 million starved and wounded Palestinians in Rafah, we urge our trade union leaders to match the courage of their Palestinian counterparts by joining the call by Stop the War, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa, CND and Muslim Association of Britain for a workplace day of action on International Women’s Day and by calling mass walkouts to shut down workplaces for Palestine on that day. We want to  see millions of workers join this day of action, and make it even more disruptive. 

We will be organising in our own workplaces to mobilise the most effective and disruptive action possible on that day, joining activists from different unions, students and community campaigns for walkouts, protests, occupations, meetings and more across the country. 

We will not stand by while our government and its tame “opposition” party enable slaughter and massive ethnic cleansing in Rafah with weapons made here in Britain and with full UK support. 

Join us in your workplaces and on the streets on March 8! 

University and College Workers for Palestine 

Educators for a Free Palestine

Media Workers for Palestine 

Health Workers 4 Palestine

Palestinian Youth Movement

Originally published by University and College Workers for Palestine (ucw4palestine.org)