Images: Marcus Rose
Debate continued Wednesday morning at national delegate conference with a group of motions concerning Black members.
The motions came on the same morning as the High Court ruling that the government’s decision to scrap key recommendations from the independent review into the Windrush scandal was unlawful.
The first motion, supporting Black members experiencing racism, focused on training and education as an effective way to combat racism.
Moving the motion, Anette Heslop of the national black members’ committee said: “Racism is real, we need to stop it and stamp it out.”
The motion called on the NEC to work with UNISON College and learning and organising services to create specific training resources on the issue and promote them to stewards and branch officers.
Gloria Hansen (pictured above) said: “The Year of Black Workers was an extraordinary campaign celebrating UNISON’s proud history – and we owe it to the efforts of members across unison” to continue the struggle.
Sue Silva spoke about acknowledging “the slow pace of change and the exclusion of Black workers from discussions” on the issue.
Adding: “UNISON has made progress but further development is necessary enhanced training for branch officers will help them support members effectively.”
Chris Akaluka (above) from Newham Healthcare followed saying: “Racism is a disease that thrives on ignorance, the only thing that can cure this disease is knowledge.
“A union like ours, 1.3m strong, if we all pledge to be allies and fight racism in our workplaces our homes and our streets.”
He asked conference to commit, with him, to pointing out racism in all different aspects of their lives. “We shall point it out,” conference repeated.
After the motion exploring the experience of racism, debate turned to the UNION’s work embedding the legacy of the Year of the Black Worker in 2023.
Joseph Ogundemuren of the Black members’ committee (pictured top), speaking for the motion asked conference to “sustain momentum and cement the legacy of the year,” saying, “our activism must resonate beyond our union.”
Manjula Kumari of the NEC said to achieve the aims of the motion the union: “must start where all good unions start – training and development. So, throughout the year we facilitated workshops, development programmes and mentorship training.”
She told delegates: “We still have a long way to go,” and urged delegates to go back to their employers and start the conversation with employer to sign up to UNISON’s anti-racism charter.
She finished: “Conference, remember the 190,00 Black members that UNISON has. Work with us, be our allies and continue to increase our numbers.”
The motion gave a five-point action plan to evaluate the year’s successes, develop an ongoing programme of training and campaigning and report back to NDC in 2025.
The article Cementing the legacy of the Year of Black Workers first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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