The UK train company Avanti West Coast has confirmed that employees should not wear political symbols, despite the rail union incorporating Palestine flags into its badges.

This follows employees at Euston station repeatedly wearing Palestine flag badges on their uniform.  A customer reported to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) that he felt intimidated on his regular journey to Liverpool after seeing a rail worker wearing  two different Palestine flag badges.

After complaining to Avanti customer services, he received an assurance that the employee was breaching Avanti’s uniform policy since “Badges that may be perceived as political in nature are not permitted.” It was promised that the management team would address this.  But a few weeks later  the same employee and his friend were seen wearing the flag badges.

The customer told UKLFI that the obvious political stance of the Avanti employees had made him feel “…minimised and threatened as a British Jew. This badge specifically intimidates the British Jewish community, over 90% of whom identify as Zionists. I felt like even on my regular train journey within the UK I cannot escape anti-Zionist sentiment.”

UKLFI wrote to Andy Mellors, Avanti West Coast Managing Director, about the problem, and pointed out that it was likely that Section 29 of the Equality Act 2010 had been breached, as Jewish passengers had felt intimidated.

Mr Mellors stated in response that Avanti does not endorse the display of political symbols within the workplace but the uniform guide is agreed in consultation with Trade Unions and allows employees to wear a union-supplied pin badge. However, some rail union badges had a Palestine flag incorporated into them.

Mr Mellors confirmed he intended to share this complaint with union representatives.  He said: “We recognise that public-facing staff wearing political symbols may be perceived negatively, particularly where such symbols relate to complex geopolitical issues…. We are also taking steps to reinforce our expectations with staff and union representatives to ensure that personal expression does not cross into political endorsement while representing Avanti West Coast….. We take our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 seriously and do not tolerate harassment or conduct that creates a hostile environment for any protected group, including Jewish and Israeli passengers.”

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented:

“We are pleased that Avanti Management does not allow political symbols at work and hope that they can persuade their trade union colleagues to comply with their requirement not to endorse their display.”