27 January 2010
Leaders of the largest trade unions in the UK, Ireland, North
America and Canada have made a fierce protest against the decision
of a large hotel chain to host a conference due to be addressed by
the leader of the far right British National Party (BNP) Nick
Griffin.
In a letter to the Westin Hotel from the world’s first
international union, Workers Uniting which represents three
million working people, expresses deep anger about the decision of
the management to allow an individual whose views are so offensive
to many to address a white supremacist conference on its
premises.
The Westin Hotel chain has over 160 hotels and resorts
worldwide. Workers Uniting, the world’s first global union is a
partnership between Unite from the United Kingdom and the United
Steelworkers (USW) from the United States and Canada.
In their letter signed by Derek Simpson, Tony Woodley and Leo
Gerard they say:
“Workers Uniting is appalled that the Westin would allow an
individual whose views are so offensive and abhorrent to many, to
hold a public address on its premises.
“You should be aware that a court order was made against the BNP
after legal proceedings were issued against them on grounds that
their membership requirements discriminated on grounds of, amongst
other things, race. In 1996 Griffin received a nine-month prison
sentence (suspended for two years) after being found guilty of
distributing material likely to incite racial hatred. As well as
this, Griffin is reported to have referred to the Holocaust as the
'Holohoax'.”
Derek Simpson, Tony Woodley and Leo Gerard are urging the hotel
management to reconsider their decision in order to avoid serious
reputational damage to their business.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Saba Mozakka, Unite, 020 7420 8916, saba.mozakka@unitetheunion.com
Connie Mabin, USW, 412-562-2616, cmabin@usw.org
Notes to editors:
The leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin is due to be
the keynote speaker at the ‘American Renaissance’ conference
February 19th – 21st.
The conference is due to be held at:
The Westin Washington Dulles Airport
2520 Wasser Terrace, Herndon, Va. 20171 United States.