Venue management backs down after UNISON walkout in Palestine image row

Following a walkout and demonstration led by UNISON’s general secretary Christina McAnea and Northern Ireland secretary Patricia McKeown earlier today (Friday) over the decision by management at Belfast’s ICC Waterfront to prevent an image being displayed in support of the people of Palestine, the union can report that the venue has now backed down.

Chief executive Rob McConnell said he was now willing for the slide, which calls for an end to genocide, illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing in Palestine to be shown on a screen at the union’s regional council meeting.

Four hours after the ICC Belfast told UNISON its event could no longer be held there, the union has been invited back to the Waterfront and told all its costs will be met.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The decision to effectively ban the union from using the ICC was ridiculous and has been a real waste of everyone’s time.

“UNISON has been using the venue for years. The Palestine slide wasn’t offensive.

“There can surely be no one who wants the genocide, ethnic cleansing and illegal occupation of Palestine to continue.

“This was all about political vetting and the union will never stand for that.

“It’s good the centre has finally seen sense, but it should never have come to this. UNISON’s conference had to transfer to its Belfast offices at considerable inconvenience to representatives, who’ve travelled from across Northern Ireland, and significant cost to the union.

“This should never have happened.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk