SWU Blog: Stand Up Against Racism

The Social Workers Union has written to the new General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association in solidarity with the three England players who have been facing a torrent of racist abuse since the Euro finals.

SWU General Secretary John McGowan in his role as National Executive Member of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) – which the Professional Football Association (PFA) is an active of member – highlights that ‘SWU is committed to working closely with all GFTU union affiliates to ensure that the PFA is supported by the trade union community and to kick racism out of football.’

SWU’s letter of solidarity written to the new PFA General Secretary reads as follows:

Dear Maheta,

I am writing to you to offer solidarity from the social work community against the disgusting and shocking social media comments after the football match between England and Italy which were directed at your members. The Social Workers Union (SWU) is the Professional Trade Union that represents over 15,000 Social Workers and we stand with you against racism.

SWU is horrified at the abuse directed towards your members. Those comments against Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were horrendous and have no place in modern society – ever!

The PFA have led the way in campaigning against the scourge of racism in football and in every workplace and community. We have more to do and our union continues to offer support through our joint membership with the PFA and our joint membership of the General Federation of Trade Unions.

The trade union movement must act as one against racism.

I would be grateful if you could pass on our best wishes to Marcus, Bukayo and Jadon. We give them our full support and admiration – for their skills on and off the pitch, and the very high regard in which trade unionists and indeed the nation hold them. They are not alone and, along with so many others, we fully support them in their workplace.

SWU will continue to support the leading work that the PFA does to tackle racism.

Yours in solidarity