UNIONS and anti-racist organisations welcomed the launch of Together Alliance today as a new initiative rejecting class division and racism.

The Together Alliance is a new coalition of more than 50 campaign organisations, civil society groups, celebrities and thousands of ordinary working people, who have declared their support for a mass demonstration on March 28.

A statement from the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) said: “When workers are divided, we lose out, and in Britain right now, the voices of division are growing louder. 

“Billionaire media bosses, and the politicians who serve them, want us to turn on each other, all while claiming to speak for working-class people.

“But there’s only one set of people that speaks for us, and that’s us.

“That is why, today, the Fire Brigades Union is joining a new initiative to reject division and racism. And we’re backing a call for a national demonstration on Saturday March 28.”

Stand Up to Racism and Show Racism the Red Card have also joined the new alliance, as has Stop the War and the Morning Star.

The TUC, CWU, PCS, Unite, NEU, RMT, Bakers’ Union, TSSA, NUJ, Equity, NAHT, NASUWT, the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and the Musicians’ Union are among the trade unions signed up to the new body.

GFTU general secretary Gawain Little said: “The voices of division in our country are growing louder and more confident.

“For the first time we face a far-right party topping the polls, and far-right protests on our streets mobilising the biggest numbers they ever have. 

“That’s why we’re proud to announce our participation in the Together Alliance — a new coalition of over 50+ campaigns, organisations and civil society groups, alongside thousands of everyday people.

“We know that our strength lies in solidarity. That the change we need comes from us working together for hope not despair, for unity not racism.”

Mr Little said that it was in that spirit that the Alliance would mobilise and organise in the build-up to a major national demonstration in London next year on Saturday, March 28.

“This is our first public action, and your participation will set the tone, showing that the majority of people in this country stand for unity, not division,” Mr Little added.